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I’ve been to 30+ countries in Europe and can confidently say that I think Riga, Latvia is the most underrated city of them all! ESPECIALLY during December for its Christmas market. I just got back from a week traveling around the Baltics, and Riga was my favorite stop. This guide is going to cover the best things to do in Riga, Latvia, including where to eat, tours I recommend taking, what to see, best time to visit, and key Christmas market info.
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Don’t have time to read the full guide? This comprehensive guided walking tour of Riga’s Old Town will bring you to all of the sites listed below in just a few hours.
Why Visit Riga, Latvia?
Riga, the capital of Latvia, is a small, charming city on the Baltic coast that’s easy to explore and rich in history. Known for its well-preserved Old Town, impressive Art Nouveau architecture, and relaxed café culture, Riga offers a mix of old and modern without feeling overwhelming. It’s a great choice for travelers who enjoy walkable cities, cultural sights, and good food at reasonable prices. I loved it here!
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Where Is Riga & A Quick City Overview
Riga is located on Latvia’s central Baltic coast. Founded in 1201, Riga was a key member of the Hanseatic League and later experienced periods of German, Swedish, Russian, and Soviet rule, all of which have shaped the city’s architecture and identity. Today, Riga has a lively cultural scene, green parks, and neighborhoods that blend medieval streets with elegant early-20th-century design.
Best Time To Visit Riga
Practical Tips For Visiting Riga, Latvia
Best Things To Do In Riga, Latvia
Old Town Walking Tour
The number one recommendation I have on the list of the best things to do in Riga is this Old Town walking tour. This was an incredible way to see all the highlights in Riga’s compact Old Town, and also learn about the history of the city.
On the walking tour, you’ll see the following iconic spots:
House of the Black Heads / Town Hall Square
The historic heart of Old Town Riga that hosts seasonal markets & festivals, and the House of the Black Heads — a Gothic-Renaissance building in Town Hall Square that once served as a guild hall for foreign merchants. It was reconstructed in the 1990s after being destroyed during WWII and is now a museum and event venue.
St. Peter’s Church
One of Riga’s most recognizable landmarks. For 9 Euro, you can visit the inside of the church and also go up the tower via an elevator to get panoramic views over the Old Town. I definitely recommend doing this to see this incredible view pictured below.
Pro-tip: Located adjacent to the church is the city’s famous Town Musicians of Bremen statue — a bronze sculpture of a donkey, dog, cat, and rooster stacked on each other. If you rub the animals’ noses, you’ll have good luck!
Riga Cathedral (Dome Cathedral)
If you visit the city for the Christmas markets (one of the best things to do in Riga), you’ll be in Dome Square. The market takes place right outside of this medieval church, which is the largest in the Baltics. The church is famous for its Gothic-Baroque architecture and also huge pipe organ located inside.
The Three Brothers
A trio of medieval townhouses located adjacent to one another. They are the oldest residential buildings in Riga and today, contain a museum where you can learn more about what life was like living in Riga throughout the centuries.
Freedom Monument
Located in Bastejkalns Park, which separates Old Town from Riga’s modern city center. This memorial was unveiled in 1935 as a symbol of Latvian freedom, independence, and national unity. The copper figure of Liberty holds 3 stars that represent Latvia’s historic regions. There is a ceremonial honor guard on duty at all times here.
Pro-tip: Be sure to look down at the slate featuring two feet on the ground nearby the monument! This commemorates the Baltic Way — a historic event that took place in 1989 where two million people stood together and held hands stretching 600km. These strangers formed a human chain, connecting all 3 Baltic capital cities. These people didn’t even speak the same language, but stood in solidarity in a peaceful protest against the Soviets for independence… so powerful!
Holy Trinity Orthodox Church (Pink Church)
Located across the Daugava River, this is the famous, very pink church! This church has a vibrant pink facade and a distinctive “wedding cake” appearance. It was built in the 19th century and is still in use today. It’s located quite far from the Old Town and doesn’t have much around it, but we took a cheap Bolt across the river and really enjoyed taking pictures here.
In all my travels, I’ve never seen a church that looks like this.
Pro-tip: While you’re on this side of the river (opposite of Old Town), I also recommend seeing the National Library of Latvia, often called the Castle of Light. This striking modern landmark symbolizes knowledge and national identity and is known for its bold glass-and-steel silhouette.
Art Nouveau Architecture
Aside from exploring the Old Town, you MUST experience Riga’s Art Nouveau architecture in the city center. There’s an entire neighborhood dedicated to it adjacent to the Old Town. Wandering these streets and seeing the impressive details on these buildings is one of the very best things to do in Riga.
Riga is famous for Art Nouveau architecture because it has one of the largest and most impressive collections of Art Nouveau buildings in the world — with over 800 preserved examples, mostly dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries when Riga was a booming trade hub.
Pro-tip: The best street to walk down is Albert Street, where you’ll see ornate façades, floral motifs, curving lines, and elaborate ironwork. If you love architecture, I recommend booking this walking tour to learn more about what you’re seeing.
Visit Riga Central Market
Riga Central Market is located right near the bus station (the most common way to travel from Tallinn, Estonia or Vilnius, Lithuania). Housed in former zeppelin hangars, which would store planes in the 1900s, this market is Europe’s largest and most vibrant. Here, you can sample local foods, pick up fresh product and snacks, and also shop for souvenirs.
What To Eat & Drink In Riga, Latvia
Similar to other Northern European countries, Latvia has a lot of local comfort foods. Expect meatballs, potato pancakes, rye breads & soups, fresh Baltic fish, and more.
Riga also has a thriving bar scene. There are many local beers from here, along with the country’s most famous liquor — Riga Black Balsam. It’s a (very strong!) herbal liqueur that’s been produced in the city since the 18th century that includes ingredients like berries, honey, and herbs. Be sure to try it before you leave Riga… especially at the Christmas market if you’re visiting in December!
I have two specific restaurant recommendations for you that are without a doubt some of the BEST things to do in Riga!
Lido Canteen
You must eat at a Lido during your time in Riga! It’s a Latvian fast-casual restaurant chain (also known as a canteen — these are common throughout Eastern Europe) that serves homemade breads, soups, potatoes, dumplings, etc. It’s super cheap, has a few locations around the city, and is open for both lunch and dinner.
Folkklubs Ala Pagrabs
This place is a MUST! Located right in the Old Town, this bar & restaurant offers traditional Latvian food, drinks, and also live folk music in an ancient wine cellar. It gets crowded here, so try putting your name in, or scope out seats at the bar.
It has such a lively atmosphere… you can’t miss it, especially on a chilly winter evening.
That brings us to the end of this guide covering the best things to do in Riga, Latvia. This city absolutely blew me away! I loved the history, the parks, the architecture, the food, and REALLY loved the Christmas market here! I highly recommend adding a trip to Riga, Europe’s most underrated city, to your bucket list.
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