Top 9 Things To Do in Riga, Latvia

Riga, Latvia’s capital, is not very crowded (like Tallinn, for example) but it is extremely charming. And you still have plenty of things to do here.

You could say that this Baltic capital is unfairly underrated. With less than a million people living there, it remains cozy, but it’s still very diverse, lively and young. And let’s not forget utterly gorgeous in architecture. In fact, the entire historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site!

If you are planning a Riga weekend getaway (or even if you plan to stay longer), you need to know exactly where to spend your time to get the most out of your experience.

I put together this Riga travel guide to help you experience the very best of Latvia’s capital. So book a ticket and prepare to be amazed!

Walk the Old City Center

Remember that UNESCO World Heritage thing? Well, they know their stuff!

Riga’s center is stunning. The narrow cobbled streets, the unique mixture of architectural styles (you can find buildings from the Baroque, the Medieval-era, the Romanticism, the Modernism…), the silent courtyards…

There is a certain spirit to Old Riga that can only be felt, not explained.

Churches, tiny town squares, tales, urban myths, ghost stories and so much more. A few key places you should not miss are the Riga Castle, the Town Hall and the House of Blackheads, the Riga Dome Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church.

Oh, and we can’t forget Rozena Street, which is the city’s narrowest street, where you can touch the opposite walls just by spreading your hands.

Also read: Trakai, Lithuania city guide.

Take in the view from St. Peter’s church

Not only is the 15th century basilica an architectural gem in it’s own right, but it also has the tallest tower in the city.

And a viewing platform where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Old Town, the port, the Riga Bay etc.

The original Gothic tower can no longer be seen, since it collapsed in the 17th century and it was rebuilt in a Baroque style.

Then during World War II both the church and the tower suffered enormous damage, so what you see now (even though it appears much older) was what they built in the 60s.

Also, mind the rooster. The rooster weather vane on top of the tower is the seventh one it has had in its history.

The other six were mostly victims of storms, except the sixth one that fell when the tower collapsed. The current one is an exact copy of that last rooster and was placed there in 1970.

Lastly, you might wonder why there is only a hand for the hour on the clock. Latvian wonder, too. It’s a local tradition, basically. Clocks only get an hour hand. Go figure.

Take a Long Stroll in the Art Nouveau District

North of the Old Town you will find the Art Nouveau Quarter of Riga. Tall, bright buildings with intricate facades replace the red-brick houses of the Old Town.

When Art Nouveau first became popular in the beginning of the 19th century, Riga was wealthier than ever, so naturally a lot of beautiful new buildings in this fascinating new style were erected.

At the heart of the Art Nouveau District is the Alberta street, which is a good starting point for your walk.

At Alberta 12 you will find the Art Nouveau Museum, a definite must, not only for the grand and gorgeous staircase, but also for the period furniture and artwork.

Also read: The 30 Most Beautiful Cities in the World

Mingle at the Market

The Riga Central Market is one of the largest in Europe. Throughout its’ history, markets have always been at the heart of this Baltic capital and the current enormous central market is no different.

The location is often referred to as the ‘belly of the city’. It is huge, colorful and always bursting with life. This is a great place to buy fresh produce, as well as milk, meat and fish and then give some Latvian recipe a try.

You will also notice how many locals there are, even though it is a popular place for tourists, too. A few things you should definitely grab and taste are the kvass, the wonderfully wholesome rye bread and the pickles (as fresh and crunchy as they come).

Learn About the Occupation of Latvia

Latvians suffered occupation from both Nazis and the Soviet Union (the Soviet occupied twice). The museum tells the chilling, yet incredibly important story of the terror, the atrocities, the opposition, the faith and finally, the regained freedom.

Unlike other items on this list, the museum of the occupation is not a fun one, but it will leave you with plenty of food for thought, as well as gratitude for every bit of freedom that you have.

I felt a heavy but necessary sense of history walking through it. The museum is located in a distinctive dark, modernist building in Latviešu strēlnieku laukums, having recently undergone a major “House for the Future” renovation.

There is also a separate exhibition dedicated to the operations conducted by the Russian secret service in Latvia between 1940 and 1991.

You will find this at the KGB building, known as the Corner House, located at Brīvības iela 61. It has free admission and you can see the KGB cellars as well.

Also read: Best Bars & Pubs in Reykjavik

Visit the Riga Ghetto and Latvian Holocaust Museum

Looking for even more grim and sobering exhibitions? The Holocaust Museum is yet another tale of the suffering of Latvians through the 20th century. Even the length of the list of victims is enough to make you feel and understand the pain.

The Nazi camp territory remains in its’ original state. The cobble stone streets and wooden houses, where the Jewish once lived, also remain unchanged.

This is a place where the sheer horror lingers even after all these years. You will see some family members of the victims – there are plenty who visit to pay their respects to the deceased. Too many, even. Yet another reminder of the sheer hugeness of the tragedy.

Explore the Kalanciema Quarter

This one is further away from the city center, but it is so worth the time you will spend getting there.

Clusters of 19th-century wooden buildings are home to tiny wine shops, art galleries, artist studios, cozy restaurants, beautiful exhibition spaces and everything else your hipster soul desires. This is the artistic heart of the city and you will always find fun and unique events to attend around Kalanciema.

It is particularly awesome during the warmer months, when there is a plethora of open-air events and the quarter buzzes with life day and night. Every Saturday you can visit the weekly market with produce from local farmers and artisans.

Admire the Freedom Monument

The Freedom Monument, or Brīvības piemineklis is a towering copper and granite structure which is also the symbol of Latvia’s independence and statehood.

I loved exploring the nearby park and wondering at how huge everything is. The monument honors the soldiers killed during the Latvian War of Independence, and the woman at the top holding three gilded stars represents the historical regions of Latvia.

It is a powerful, beautiful piece of history that offers a great spot for reflection right in the middle of the city.

Enjoy the Nightlife

By day, Riga offers glorious architecture and rich history. By night, it is the party wild child of the Baltic countries.

Start off the fun with a sip of the traditional Riga Black Balsam. It is a vodka-based drink, infused with various herbs. Legend says that Empress Catherine the Great of Russia was cured from an illness by this liqueur.

Whether you believe in its healing properties or not, though, be warned that the Black Balsam is a 45% drink, so take it easy. As for nightclubs, there is a huge range of places, depending on your style. Not to mention that these are great places to meet some Latvian girls.

Once you are ready to head out, skip the dated tourist traps and go straight to Tallinas ielas kvartāls, or the Tallinas Street Quarter.

This is the actual beating heart of Riga’s modern youth and nightlife scene right now. I always enjoy the atmosphere here because it is packed with amazing street art, cool food trucks, and laid-back bars.

It attracts a great crowd and offers a much more authentic look into how the locals spend their weekends. Go with an open mind and maybe a drink in your system. Stay sober, kids. If you want to.

Wrapping up

Riga has it all, indeed. History, architecture, party, art, adventures, stories to be heard and lived and written. It’s no surprise that I consider it one of the top day trips from Helsinki, too.

Although one of the smaller capitals in Europe, it is a city that you must visit and one that does have more to offer than just the list I shared above.

But if you’re not spending a lot of time in the city, make sure to at least tick off the list the attractions recommended above.

What other things to do in Riga would you consider “Must do”? Let us all know by sharing your thoughts in the comments section below!