Best Things To Do in Riga

Latvia's capital is a city that bears witness to medieval and modernist times, as well as the Nazi occupation and the Soviet Union. After suffering severe damage during World War II, the city has dedicated itself to restoring its historical and cultural heritage, making it a World Heritage Site.

Here's what to see and do in Riga, an eclectic city on the shores of the Baltic Sea.

Vecrīga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an ideal place to wander through its streets and be transported back in time. Here you can admire 13th and 14th century buildings, museums, old churches, the remains of city walls and numerous Art Nouveau buildings.

You can start your tour in the Town Hall Square and then visit the Casa de las Cabezas Negras (House of the Black Heads), which is located opposite. It is one of Riga's most emblematic buildings which, like many others in the city, was rebuilt. Gothic and Baroque in style, it belonged to the Brotherhood of the Black Heads, a group of young unmarried merchants who would have adopted Saint Maurice, a dark-skinned soldier, as their patron saint, from which it derives its name. There you can see medieval cellars and luxurious restored rooms, as well as listen to live music, see historical and art exhibitions and take part in various cultural events.

Other buildings to visit in the historic centre include:

• St. Peter's Church, a Lutheran church built in the early 13th century and predominantly Gothic in style. From its tower you can admire views of Riga from its 72-metre height.
• Riga Cathedral, which began to be built in 1211. It is considered the largest medieval church in the Baltic States and features a fusion of styles (Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, etc.).
• Riga Castle, a 14th century fortress built by the Knights of the Sword. It is the current official residence of the President of Latvia and also houses the National History Museum.
• The Cat House, built in the early 20th century. It is one of the most visited buildings because of the legend told about its two sculptures of black cats, which were allegedly built by a craftsman when he was not accepted into the Grand Guild.

One way to explore Riga's Old Town and other iconic neighbourhoods in depth is to take a guided tour with a local expert, who will be able to provide you with information about each site you visit and the history and culture of the city.

The Daugava is a river that originates in Russia and flows into the Gulf of Riga, where its waters converge into the Baltic Sea. About 1000 km long, it is the most important river in the Latvian region. Sailing on its waters will take you to discover the city from a different angle while enjoying a relaxing ride that combines nature and culture.

From the calm waters of the Daugava you can see some of the main buildings of the city, such as the Riga Cathedral and Castle, the Freedom Monument, the modern building of the National Library and the bridges that cross the river. It is definitely a great opportunity to appreciate the beauty of the city from a panoramic viewpoint.

You can book a boat tour of Riga at any time of the year, as they are usually operated by both open-air deck boats and covered boats. Many depart from Riga harbour or a nearby point.

Riga is considered the capital of Art Nouveau, so one of the best things to do in Riga is to see these amazing Art Nouveau buildings. They are mainly located in the Art Nouveau Quarter, but you can also find them scattered all over the city. In total, Riga has about 750 Art Nouveau buildings, which is why it has been declared a World Heritage Site.

Art Nouveau or Modernism is an artistic style that developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, making its mark in Riga when it was under the rule of the Russian Empire. The movement, which encompassed all the arts, was inspired by nature, Greek and Roman mythology and art considered exotic (e.g. oriental), among others.

The Art Nouveau quarter is located to the north-east of Riga's historic centre and the 250-metre-long Albert Street is where a large number of Art Nouveau buildings are concentrated, so it's best to walk along it leisurely. If you're an architecture enthusiast, don't forget to bring binoculars to appreciate the details located in the heights.

This street is also home to the Art Nouveau Museum, an exponent of this style that you can see inside, designed by Pēkšēns and Eižens Laube. There you can consult audiovisual material and tour the rooms with Art Nouveau furniture, ornamentation and objects. Another way to get to know these buildings is to join a guided tour with a local expert, as they usually include a visit to this neighbourhood. Segway tours, a two-wheeled vehicle that is very comfortable for getting around the streets of Riga, are very interesting.

You don't really know a city if you don't try the dishes that make it unique, so one of the best things to do in Riga is to sample Latvian cuisine Whether you try it on your own or book a culinary tour with a local expert, you'll find something to suit all tastes.

Riga and Latvian cuisine is influenced by Russian, German and Polish cuisine, with a focus on local river fish dishes. One of the must-see places on your tour is the Central Market, where you can get fresh fish, fruit, vegetables and local specialities. It is also a place where gastronomic tours are guided by the wide variety of local ingredients on offer.

Typical dishes to try in Riga include beetroot soup, smoked fish, Jānis cheese, sklandrausis or stuffed rye bread, skaba putra or cold barley soup and rasols or potato salad. You can also try black balsam, a 260-year-old spiced liqueur made from vodka with a high alcohol content.

One of the most photographed spots in Riga is on Mazā Pils Street, where the three 'twin' buildings known as Three Brothers stand. The three buildings are said to have been built by men belonging to the same family at different times between the 15th and 17th centuries. A variety of different styles can be seen, including Renaissance, Mannerist and Baroque.

The first of the Three Brothers is the oldest stone building in the town, built around 1490 and still retains its original one-room layout. The third, built in the second half of the 17th century, is notable for a mask on the façade which apparently protected the home from spirits. The second was built in 1646.

One of these buildings houses the Riga Museum of Architecture, which is dedicated to the dissemination of the work of Latvia's great architects. All three buildings have been restored several times, one of them after the Second World War. In this sense, Three Brothers have become a symbol of cultural heritage preservation in Latvia and in Europe.

A convenient way to reach these buildings is by boarding the Riga tourist bus, which has free stops near the main sites of the city, such as Riga Castle, the House of the Black Heads and the National Library.

Interesting facts

• Location: Mazā Pils iela 17, 19 and 21, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia.
• Opening hours: The museum is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to approximately 17:00.

One of the most interesting neighbourhoods to explore in Riga is Kalnciema, a very picturesque area on the outskirts of the city where you can see old wooden houses in neoclassical style from the 18th century, which have been restored to their original features. This is a unique and little-known area of Riga on the left bank of the Daugava River.

Kalnciema is also known for its lively open-air market on Saturdays, where you can buy fresh produce, handicrafts and sample typical Latvian food. In summer, there are often open-air concerts, screenings and cultural events, making it an ideal place to unwind away from Riga's historic centre.

The buildings of Kalnciema or Kalnciema Quarter are located at the intersection of Kalnciema and Melnsila Streets. To get to this quarter, you can either take a tram from the historic centre (about 12 minutes) or walk there, which will take about an hour.

If you are looking for a green space to take a stroll in Riga, you can go to Bastejkalna Park, which is located to the north-east of the Old Town. The park is crossed by a canal where you can take a ride in small boats, an ideal way to relax after a historical and cultural tour of the historic centre.

The park is home to the famous Freedom Monument, an icon of the city that was built in honour of the soldiers who fought for Latvia's freedom; and the Latvian National Opera, a 19th century neoclassical building that is the home of the National Opera and Ballet.

Bastejkalna, built in the 19th century, is also a site of historical importance to the city, as this is where its defensive bastions used to be. During restoration, the former moat was turned into the Pilsētas Canal, and trees and shrubs were planted on the banks, giving the park its current appearance.

A site of historical and cultural importance to visit in this city is the Latvian Occupation Museum, where you can see exhibits about the two totalitarian regimes that marked the city, the invasion of the German National Socialist Regime and the Soviet Union.

As part of the collection, there are artefacts and documents that bear witness to this 51-year period of occupation, spanning from 1940 to 1991. There is also information on the work of the local resistance.

The museum, founded in 1993, is located in Rātslaukums Square in the historic centre, next to the House of the Black Heads, so you can add it to your itinerary in this part of the city. If you're interested in historical tours, you can also visit the Corner House, Latvia's former KGB headquarters, which is also located in the centre of Riga.

Interesting facts

• Location: Latviešu strēlnieku laukums 1, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia.
• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 10.30am to 5.30pm, except Wednesdays when it opens from 10am.
• Price: from €15 for adults and about €5 for children under 12.

A visit to the Salaspils Memorial Ensemble is an insight into a dark chapter of Riga's and the world's history: the Nazi occupation during World War II. Salaspils, a village on the outskirts of Riga, was the site of a concentration camp between 1941 and 1944, and it is here that this memorial ensemble has been erected to commemorate the victims.

The memorial consists of a large open space, where large sculptures depicting the sufferings of the victims of the Nazi occupation can be seen, such as the poignant sculpture of a mother protecting her children. There are also memorial plaques and an exhibition where you can read testimonies of the victims.

Salaspis is located about 22 km from Riga and is accessible both by car and bus (28 minutes). Another interesting option is to book a guided tour to Salaspis with transport to and from Riga, as they are conducted with an expert guide who can convey the deep historical and cultural significance of this memorial.

Interesting facts

• Location: Salaspils novads, Salaspils pilsēta, Salaspils Municipality, LV-2117, Latvia.
• Opening hours: April to October daily from 10:00 to 17:00. From November to March daily from 10:00 to 15:00.

Another popular spot for locals looking for a nature getaway is Jurmala Beach, located about 25 km from Riga. It is the closest beach to the city and the largest on the Baltic Sea, stretching some 33 km. The white sand, the calm waters of the Baltic Sea and the surrounding forest make this the perfect place to disconnect from city life.

If you decide to visit this beach, before returning to Riga you can take the opportunity to stroll along the main street of Jurmala village, where there are historic wooden houses, fashion and craft shops and cafés. You can also stroll through a pine forest where several cycle paths converge or climb a 33-metre high observation tower to enjoy the panoramic views.

To get there you can take a train from Riga station to Majori station, which is located in the centre of Jurmala. And if you're interested in seeing more natural treasures near Riga, you can book a trip to Gauja National Park, Latvia's most important national park.