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Things to do in Riga

Latvia’s capital combines diverse architecture, a historical old town, and a thriving culinary scene.

Our most recommended things to do in Riga

Riga Sightseeing Tour by Canal Boat

1. Riga Sightseeing Tour by Canal Boat

Climb aboard an eco-friendly canal boat to see the sights of Riga from a different perspective as you cruise along the Daugava River. Escape the crowds of the city center as you set sail from the pier by the Freedom Monument at the 18th-century fortifications known as the Triangula Bastion (Bastejkalns). Glide gently under historic bridges and see landmark attractions such as the elegant home of the Latvian National Opera, Europe's largest market and bazaar at Riga Central Market and the UNESCO World Heritage monuments of the Spīķeri Quarter.  Get amazing views of the Vecrīga district (Old Riga) as you cruise towards the Riga Passenger Terminal and Yacht Club Andrejosta. Make your way back towards the departure point and get stunning views of Kronvalda Park and the Latvian National Theatre.

Riga: Beer or Cider Bike Tour

2. Riga: Beer or Cider Bike Tour

Go sightseeing in a completely different way on a beer or cider bike tour through the heart of Riga. Explore the beautiful streets of the city’s Old Town while pedaling, drinking, and chatting with friends.   Your English-speaking guide and driver will greet you at the meeting point and take you to the waiting beer bike. Once seated and ready to start, you will be served your choice of beer, cider or prosecco — and then the fun begins.   The bike holds up to 15 passengers and is easy enough for even 4 people to pedal. While riding around the Old Town with drinks in hand, you can listen to your favorite music and turn on LED lights for a party on wheels.   After an hour of taking in the sights, head to one of the restaurants near the finishing point for a nice meal.

Riga: Red Bus Hop-on-hop-off Grand Tour

3. Riga: Red Bus Hop-on-hop-off Grand Tour

Discover Riga on a hop-on hop-off tour. Enjoy a 2-day pass, go on 2 different routes, and see the Opera House, the historic Old City, and the Central Market. With more than 80 sights along the routes, this pass allows you to make the most of the hop-on-hop-off tour style. The double-decker buses depart from the Town Hall Square between 10:15 AM - 3:15 PM daily.  The Red tour runs through two districts. First, the bus goes to Pardaugava, an area that overlooks ancient cathedrals on the left bank of the river Daugava. Crossing the Stone Bridge, take in the panorama of the Old City.  Pass the Boulevard Ring, see the famous Monument of Freedom, the Opera House, the Powder Tower, and much more. See Riga's Central Market, the largest covered market in Europe, as well as the Speakers Quarter. Discover the history of the Jewish Ghetto and the famous Stalin High-Rise. On the blue line, see a range of architectural styles, from romantic facades to decorative art nouveau. See the famous Alberta Street, with its detailed facades and Michael Eisenstein architecture. 

Riga: Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads

4. Riga: Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads

Wander through centuries in House of the Black Heads! Feel the magic atmosphere of luxurious halls of celebrations, decorated with brilliant chandeliers and a gallery of royal portraits. Explore the mysterious medieval cellars and elaborate historical rooms with a surprising silverware collection. For the past 700 hundred years, the House of the Black Heads has pleased and enraptured inhabitants and guests of Riga. This is one of the most magnificent buildings in Riga, preserving both the unique historic heritage of the legendary Brotherhood of Black Heads and the history of Riga. For centuries House of the Black Heads was the cultural epicenter of Riga, gathering the most respectable inhabitants of Riga and their guests, during celebrations organized by the Black Heads and their successors. This building, which is situated in the heart of Old Riga, is the symbol of Riga and among the central premises of representation of Riga – not for nothing also the President of Latvia has chosen House of the Black Heads as his temporary residence for almost four years!

Riga: Private Sigulda, Turaida, and Gauja National Park Tour

5. Riga: Private Sigulda, Turaida, and Gauja National Park Tour

Embark on a personal and immersive adventure on a private van tour from Riga to Sigulda and Turaida. Customize your itinerary to your preferences and visit sights such as Gauja National Park, Sigulda Manor and Castle, and Turaida Castle. Sit back and relax in the comfort of your private vehicle and watch the landscape change from city streets to lush greenery as you head out of Riga. Make your way to Sigulda, a town near the river Gauja that is also known as the Switzerland of Latvia by locals. Marvel at the Gauja valley with its dense forests, meandering river, and the Gauja National Park. Stop to stroll through the park before seeing the Sigulda Medieval Castle ruins, the new Sigulda Castle, the Turaida Castle museum with its watchtower peering above the trees, and Gutman's Cave, the widest and highest cave in the Baltic countries. Cross the river on the optional cable car ride for a different perspective of the region or enjoy a glass of local wine made in the Cremon Winery at Krimulda Manor. See local craftsmen and women at work to gain an insight into local and cultural life before heading back to Riga. This half day tour is a must for those who have visited Riga and Jurmala before and is especially recommended for bloggers and social media fans.

Riga: 1.5-Hour Old Town Walking Tour

6. Riga: 1.5-Hour Old Town Walking Tour

Go beneath the surface of Riga, from its founding 8 centuries ago at the Daugava River to its transformation into the beautiful and artistic city that you see today. Walk past the city's most important landmarks and learn about the people who made Riga what it is today. Learn about the Bishop Albert of Livonia, who founded the Latvian capital in 1201, and about the many foreigners who have since left their mark on this city. Discover the city's Medieval Hanseatic Old Town and enjoy the splendors of the Dome Cathedral. Enjoy the Big and Small Guild Houses and their Gothic and Neo-Gothic styles. Photograph the Riga Castle, the current residence of the President of Latvia, and see famous spots such as St. Peter’s Church, the Swedish Gate, Powder Tower and many others.

Riga: 2-Hours Old Town Walking Tour

7. Riga: 2-Hours Old Town Walking Tour

Discover Riga's Old Town on a guided walking tour of its main sights. Listen to your local guide's fascinating stories and learn about the city's rich history. Pass well-known locations, including the House of the Blackheads, the Three Brothers building complex, and the Swedish Gate. Start your tour at the bright red House of the Blackheads and head inside the Old Town. Marvel at the centuries-old buildings surrounding you here. From the Town Hall Square dating back to the 13th century to the towering Saint Peter's Church. Continue your walking journey and see the magnificent Great and Small Guild Halls, the medieval and Art Nouveau Cat House, the Three Brothers Buildings, St. Jacob's Cathedral, the Swedish Gate, and more. Along your route, learn about how Art Nouveau architecture swooped into Riga, local and historical stories, and insights into what food to taste while in Latvia.

From Riga: The Hill of Crosses Private Guided Tour

8. From Riga: The Hill of Crosses Private Guided Tour

After meeting and greetings in the hotel, driving to the Lithuania about 130 km to visit Hill of Crosses. After crossing Latvia -Lithuania border, possibility for coffee break. More 30 km and destination reached. The Hill of Crosses is a potent symbol of faith, hope, and freedom of Lithuania. Desecrated but never destroyed, set on fire but never burned down. Located near town Siauliai it is a hill (castle mound) covered with thousands of crosses made from different materials and in different size. During the Soviet era, these crosses were removed by the authorities, but locals continuously replaced them. In 1993, Pope John Paul II had a service here. He later sent a crucifix to Lithuania which was placed on the hill, and today pilgrims begin and end their journeys at this location. For locals and visitors alike, this is a place of hope and enlightenment, reflecting Lithuania’s historical and cultural traditions. On the Hill of the Crosses, everyone can place their own cross for every occasion in life. The main thing is to believe! About 30-40 minutes for photos and walking around. Specially beautiful and emotional in the time of sunrise and sunset.

Riga Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour

9. Riga Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour

Get to know Riga at your own pace on this interactive scavenger hunt walking tour played on your phone. Decipher riddles, interact with the most important attractions of the city, and unlock interesting facts and legends. An ideal outdoor activity for first time visitors, couples, groups, families, and children. Can be used as a great team-building activity. After downloading the scavenger hunt tour on your mobile device (via a link and login credentials received upon booking), use the mobile app and integrated maps to reach 10 of Riga’s most important attractions on foot. At each stop, learn about the attraction and solve a location-based riddle that can only be solved if you reach the specific location. Use logic, imagination, observation, and team spirit to unlock the correct code and reveal the next destination of the city sightseeing game. At each stop, learn about the attraction and solve a location-based riddle that can only be solved if you reach the specific location. Use logic, imagination, observation, and team spirit to unlock the correct code and reveal the next destination of the tour. As you walk through the city, enjoy the flexibility to pause your game at any time to take a break, snap the perfect photos, stop for lunch, or visit a museum. Choose to continue the tour later or save the rest for another day. Start the activity anytime, the schedule is indicative. Start your tour at the imposing Latvian National Museum of Art! Visit the Freedom Monument a symbol of Riga. Learn about Laimas Pulkstenis this magnificent watch with rare architecture and admire the Powder Tower which is one of the oldest in Europe. The Swedish Gate will surprise you, with its terrible legend. Visit the oldest housing complex the unique aesthetics. Then Riga Castle awaits you, don't forget to take pictures! Riga Cathedral will leave you speechless with its magnificent interior and exterior. Admire the House of the Blackheads with its unique colors and architecture. The icing on the cake of this unique tour will be St. Peter's Church, which will mark you for the rest of your life with the unique view from its tower.

Riga: 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

10. Riga: 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

The double-decker buses depart from the Town Hall Square between 10:15 AM-3: 15 PM daily. There are 11 main stops and around 16 additional stops along the routes. In this package deal, two tours are included. This pass allows you to make the most of the hop-on-hop-off tour style with within a 2 day period. The Red tour runs through two districts. First, the bus goes to Pardaugava, an area which overlooks ancient cathedrals on the left bank of the river Daugava. Acrossing the Stone Bridge, you will see the majestic panorama of the Old City – the “City of the Golden Cockerels”. Next, the bus travels toward the city centre where many of the cities main attractions are located. You will pass the Boulevard Ring, see the famous Monument of Freedom, the Opera House, the Powder Tower, and much more. Then, in the district of Moscow suburb, you'll see Riga's Central Market - which is the largest covered market in Europe, the Speakers Quarter with the History of the Jewish Ghetto and the famous Stalin High-rise. The Blue tour first goes to Riga harbor, and then runs through architectural part of Riga in a short time as possible. You'll get the chance to see a range of architectural styles, from Romantic facades to decorative Art Nouveau. The richness of fantasy in each facade – stone masks and mythical monsters. The famous Alberta Street with its facades and the delightful talent of the architect Michael Eisenstein will not leave you indifferent. The architecture of the Riga facades is included in the UNESCO list of architectural heritage. Having passed all our lines by bus, you will get acquainted with more than 80 sights of the city. Buses have 11 main and 16 additional stops along the entire route for easy viewing of the selected place. All tours feature pre-recorded commentary broadcast via headphones in 10 languages of your choice: Russian, Latvian, English, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, Spanish, French, and Italian.

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What people are saying about Riga

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 1,452 reviews

It was a brilliant experience! Armands is great . Went there early to see the hills very peaceful and quiet ! Got my moment that I need . Thank God that there’s nobody there early ! Brilliant day. The drive wasn’t that bad either considering it was snowing. It’s mostly flat driving . I went there to fulfill a bucket list ! And happy that I’ve done it! Plus , Armands took a lovely pic of me. Thank you man. Much appreciated!

Our guide (Buna - apologies I may have misspelled this!) was great. We ended up having a private tour with her as the other people expected to join us did not show. She was really accommodating to my fiancé’s dietary requirements and we tried an array of food and drink that we would have never tried otherwise. Definitely recommend the tour and especially Buna!

From getting on to getting off, everything went well. It is a good start to get a small overview and insight into Riga. The driving speed of the driver was perfectly fine. It was traffic and customer oriented. would i do it again

Ticket price was affordable and included a cup of coffee. The museum itself wasn't very big but beautiful on the inside and holds a lot of interesting history. Worth a visit when you are in Riga.

a very authentic food tour. You get small samples of the local food and drinks. Our guide was very nice, funny and she explained everything very well. I really recommend this tour.