Aerial view of historical buildings and Domes cathedral, Riga

Things to do in  Riga

Medieval city with modern appeal

Latvia’s capital city Riga is many things to many people. For some, a visit is all about the city’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town and things to do within it—such as visiting the House of the Blackheads. Others use Riga as a chance to dip their toes into Latvia’s culture and history at city museums and art galleries. At the same time, more than a few see the Baltic destination as the ideal place for an affordable weekend of partying and revelry.

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Top 13 attractions in Riga

#1

Riga Old Town (Vecriga)

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Riga Old Town (Vecrīga) is the UNESCO World Heritage–listed historical center of Latvia’s capital city. The Old Town sits on the Daugava River and still has some major preserved landmarks from the 13th to 15th centuries. It’s home to cobbled streets, churches, and eclectic architecture, and also serves as Riga’s main entertainment district.More
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#2

Riga Castle (Rigas Pils)

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Standing on the banks of the Daugava River, Riga Castle (Rīgas Pils) is one of the most resilient icons of Latvian heritage. At various points in its 700-year history, the castle has been under Polish, Swedish, and Soviet control. Today it is the official residence of the President of Latvia.More
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#3

St Peter's Church

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A defining fixture of the Riga old town skyline, St. Peter’s Church is one of the city’s most cherished landmarks. This 13th-century church still has many original elements inside, including stone tombs and wooden altars, but the viewing platform atop the church’s 404-foot-high (123-meter) Gothic tower is its main draw.More
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#4

Riga Town Hall Square (Ratslaukums)

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Long the center for activity in Riga’s medieval Old Town, the Riga Town Hall Square (Ratslaukums) looks brand new thanks to modern renovations. The square is always lively, as pedestrians mull around the Roland Statue to admire the Gothic architecture of the House of the Blackheads and visit the city’s Christmas tree come winter.More
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#5

Latvian National Opera (Latvijas Nacionala Opera un Balets)

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The Latvian National Opera (Latvijas Nacionala Opera un Balets) is a major cultural and architectural landmark in Riga. Gardens and a fountain frame the building’s refined neoclassical exterior, while the inside is full of rich golden detail. Fans of the arts can catch performances of opera and ballet in its four halls.More
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#6

Riga Cathedral (Rigas Doms)

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Making a grand statement with its scale and architectural blend, Riga Cathedral (Rigas Doms) is a cultural highlight of the city. While this Evangelical Lutheran cathedral is a cornerstone of faith in Riga, it’s also long been one of the city’s main concert venues—classical music fans can still enjoy regular organ concerts there today.More
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#7

House of the Blackheads (Melngalvju Nams)

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Built in 1334 for the Brotherhood of Blackheads—a guild for unmarried German merchants in Latvia—the House of the Blackheads (Melngalvju Nams) is one of Riga’s grandest buildings. This Gothic structure, which features an elaborate Renaissance facade, now functions as a venue for concerts, exhibitions, and festive events, and the interior is open for visitors to explore.More
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#8

Swedish Gate (Zviedru Varti)

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Tucked away among the old town’s narrow cobblestone streets, the Swedish Gate is the last of Riga’s gates from its days under Swedish rule. Although the 17th-century gate is quite unassuming from the north, it blends in with the quaint character of the buildings along Aldaru Iela to create one of the prettier corners of Riga.More
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#9

Albert Street (Alberta Iela)

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Considered the hub of Riga’s art nouveau obsession, Albert Street is an open-air museum of architectural gems ready to wow passersby. It’s estimated that there are around 800 art nouveau buildings in Riga, but rarely are they as concentrated or grand as on Albert Street, making a walk here a visual treat for tourists.More
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#10

Riga Art Nouveau Museum (Jugendstila Muzejs)

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Go behind Riga’s popular art nouveau façades and see how glamorous they were inside the Riga Art Nouveau Museum. Walk through faithfully recreated rooms from the turn of the century and see how different aspects of life were lived over 100 years ago. However, the star of the show is the building’s exquisite spiral staircase.More
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#11

Small Guild (Maza Gilde)

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The dainty white exterior of the Small Guild helps it make an impression among its equally picturesque old town surroundings. However, the exterior pales compared to the mosaics, stained-glass windows, and portraits that cover the interior of this 19th-century guildhouse. Music lovers can enjoy concerts inside this beloved venue.More
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#12

Jauniela Street (Jauniela Iela)

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While its name may translate as New Street, Jauniela Street (Jauniela) certainly doesn’t look all that new, thanks to the assortment of pastel buildings that line its cobblestones. The street is regarded as one of Riga Old Town’s prettiest, but it’s also one of the city’s liveliest, home to many hotels, bars, and restaurants.More
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#13
Classic Car Museum (Retro-Auto Muzejs)

Classic Car Museum (Retro-Auto Muzejs)

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Riga's Classic Car Museum (Retro-Auto Muzejs) was officially established in 2010 but dates back to the Latvian Vintage Car Club, which was founded in 1972. With a motto of "save it from rust," the museum strives to preserve classic automobiles and to familiarize visitors with restoration techniques. More than anything, it brings together car and motorcycle aficionados.More

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Itineraries for your Riga trip

Top activities in Riga

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All about Riga

When to visit

Summer in Riga may be brief and mostly warm, but the window from mid-June to mid-August provides the ideal weather for sightseeing and outdoor dining. The comfortable weather, combined with a busy schedule of festivals in June, including the Rīga Festival and Rīga Pride, means it's the busiest time of year to visit the city. Get in before the crowds by going to Riga in May during spring, and you’ll also get to see the city’s squares and parks blooming with color.

Getting around

Most of Riga’s most popular attractions are located within the city’s old town, making it easy for visitors to walk from one to the next. To get around the city outside the Old Town, use the city’s trams, trolleybuses, and buses, with coverage across both sides of the Daugava River. There are only five tram lines in Riga, and they are primarily useful for travel along the riverfront and getting to the Old Town from the modern city center.

Traveler tips

For a view of Riga’s skyline that you can sit down with and enjoy, go to the rooftop terrace of the Galleria Riga shopping mall. There you can choose three different restaurants and bars to accompany the terrace’s panoramic views. This rooftop view isn’t the only interesting thing you’ll find in the Centrs district, as the modern city center offers more art nouveau buildings and some of the city’s best restaurants and cafes.

Local Currency
Euro (€)
Time Zone
EEST (UTC +3)
Country Code
+371
Language(s)
Latvian
Attractions
13
Tours
390
Reviews
2,046
EN
5b4e8624-0a11-44cd-a6c2-127fe13b2cea
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People Also Ask

Is Riga worth visiting?

Yes, Riga is worth visiting as a tourist, whether you’re interested in history, culture, or just having a good time. Travelers can explore the city’s medieval center or learn about the Soviet period at the Corner House before experiencing the city’s wealth of pubs and bars to take the edge off.

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What is Riga best known for?

Riga is best known for the city’s old town, which has a variety of historic buildings and landmarks, some of which date back to the Middle Ages. The city is also known as an essential cultural center thanks to the Latvian National Opera and Ballet and museums.

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Is Riga cheap for food and drink?

Yes, food and drinks in Riga are affordable relative to prices in Western Europe. An easy way to find a cheap meal in Riga is to visit a LIDO cafeteria, as this national chain of restaurants serves typical Latvian dishes at local prices.

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Is English widely spoken in Riga?

Yes, English-speaking tourists in Riga should find they can get by with English during their visit. Of anywhere in Latvia, the language is most widely spoken in Riga and is most common among the younger generations and those working in the tourism industry.

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Is Riga a beautiful city?

Yes, many parts of Riga are beautiful. The Old Town area is home to pretty cobblestone streets and medieval buildings. Elsewhere in Riga, you’ll find striking art nouveau architecture and green parks, such as Bastejkalns Park, which has gardens and a canal flowing through it.

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Is Riga a party city?

The nightlife entertainment of Riga makes it a popular choice for travelers looking to party or go somewhere for a bachelor or bachelorette party. Visitors to Riga will find a wide selection of bars and clubs, mainly in the city’s old town area and the Centrs neighborhood.

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