Things to do in Riga, Riga Region: The Best Museums

March 28, 2022 Esmeralda Fenner

The Latvian capital, the largest city in the Baltics, is a fascinating mixture of proud Latvian tradition and influences of the various countries that have occupied it. Independent once again since 1991, Riga's Art Nouveau center has won it UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. Opened up to mass tourism with the advent of budget air travel, Riga's Old City and its abundance of bars and restaurants can be explored on foot. The New Town is easily reached by an efficient and modern bus and tram network.
Restaurants in Riga

1. Riga Motormuseum

Sergeja Eizenshteina iela 8, Riga 1079 Latvia +371 67 025 888 [email protected] http://www.motormuzejs.lv
Excellent
81%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 660 reviews

Riga Motormuseum

The renovated Riga Motor Museum opened its doors to visitors on the 2nd of July, 2016. At the Museum you can view the largest and most diverse vintage motor vehicle collection in the Baltics, exhibiting more than a 100 unique automobiles and motorcycles. Our exposition is a thrilling and interactive tale of unique cars, notable people and historic events. The authentic motor vehicles are complimented by touchscreen monitors, operable models, videos, interactive exhibits, virtual reality and other information provided by modern technology; making the museum visit into an exciting and insightful adventure. For Riga Motor Museum visitors to feel comfortable, and to have a valuable and productive visit even on an entire day’s visit, we offer a range of additional services - interactive activities in the children's play area, exploratory guided tours, a museum cafe, gift shop and free parking.

Reviewed By Ravennor - Stockholm, Sweden

Highly recommended for all types of people of all ages.m Good for people with mobilty issues. The exhibition is beautiful and also very educational. Not only vintage cars but also vintage bicycles, motor bicycles, telephones and radios are exhibited as well as fire vehicles, ambulances, lorries and buses, with plenty of information, yet not too overbaring.. Some parts also exhibits and explains life under Soviet rule, and how Latvian technological production survived during that time. Many of the vehicles are extremely high priced collector's items. There are quite a few interactive features that work for adults and children alike, For us who remember the times before the wall came down, there is a section with cars belonging to famous Soviet leaders, such as Stalin and Brezjev, together with a wast collection of many other Soviet vehicles. You can have your picture taken, receiving hail from the masses as you pass as the leader of the 1st of May parade in Comrade Brezjevs place. You get the picture for free if you provide your e-mail address. The bar/ cafe/ restaurant is relatively price worthy. You CAN go by bus to the door! Bus no 5 leaves from the Central station area and back with a stop on the street just outside the museum. Thebus ride takes about 35 minutes from the Central station area while the taxi takes 15 minutes, but the bus ride only cost 2 euros. No need to walk for 15 minutes to the bus stop as Google tries to trick you into!

2. Classic Car Museum

Kantora iela 22a, Riga 1002 Latvia +371 26 414 162 [email protected] http://www.automuzejs.lv
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 21 reviews

Classic Car Museum

Our Expo presents the visitor with a broad spectrum of rare cars and motorcycles of yesteryear -vintage, antique and classic. There you will be able to become acquainted with the processes of restoration, as well as learn the history of motor vehicles in Latvia. We will introduce you to each of our models on display - their history, technical characteristics, process of restoration, and requirements for usage.

3. Live Silver Museum

Torna iela 4, Riga 1050 Latvia +371 29 356 858 [email protected] http://www.livesilvermuseum.lv
Excellent
86%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 43 reviews

Live Silver Museum

The spirit of the world in silver. Live Silver Museum in Riga showcases majestic large-scale silver works of art, and one can see the place where these masterpieces are created. The museum invites you to see the world’s largest silver castle made by silversmith Olegs Auzers, where the major world religions coexist. The master’s work speaks about a world where devotion and altruism coexist with envy and greed, where love mingles with hate and where life wins over death. For museum guests, we offer you to look at beautiful large-format silver artworks as well as ornate sheaths. It also offers lectures about silver in improving health and the opportunity to taste silver water.

Reviewed By Dagvyk

Not a big place but it worths seeing! Very detailed works bearing deep thoughts. Go and see, this museum is the place you shouldn't miss.

4. House of the Black Heads

Ratslaukums 7, Riga 1050 Latvia +371 67 043 678 [email protected] http://www.melngalvjunams.lv/en
Excellent
57%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,780 reviews

House of the Black Heads

Closed for Covid-19 at the moment. On the last Saturday of month - join open FREE guided tour at 13:00 on English! Get the 1h tour with guide for free, pay only the entrance fee! Pre-reservation is necessary on website or by e-mail. It is one of the most beautiful buildings in Riga, with a unique legacy of the Black Heads brotherhood that was established here at the end of the 14th century, along with the existing merchants’ guild. The young and joyful foreign merchants united in the brotherhood organized splendid events, later becoming honorable members of the local community. As time passed the house began to host visits of foreign kings and other noble guests and continues to fulfill this task up to today – concerts, balls, gala dinners and diplomatic receptions are frequently organized here. Now every visitor has the chance to explore the exhibition about the history and economic development of Riga City.

Reviewed By Nitvoyodelo - Vineland, United States

The original building was from the 13-14th Century. It was the home of a guild called the Black Heads, merchants, ship owners and foreigners in Riga. The building sustained damage during WWII and later rebuilt, after the fall of Communism.

5. Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum

Brivdabas Iela 21, Riga 1024 Latvia 7994106 [email protected] http://www.brivdabasmuzejs.lv
Excellent
57%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 874 reviews

Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum

Reviewed By SolihullTony

We took one of the very efficient buses from Riga on a gloomy day at the end of December and thoroughly enjoyed our few hours at the open air museum. Even without the craftsmen who are there in the summer, it was so interesting seeing the lovely old, wooden buildings, mostly with mossy roofs.

6. Musee Art Nouveau

Alberta iela 12, Riga 1010 Latvia +371 67 181 464 http://www.jugendstils.riga.lv
Excellent
55%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,042 reviews

Musee Art Nouveau

Situé dans un bâtiment du quartier Art Nouveau de Riga, au 1er étage. Adresse, Alberta Iela (en face de l'ambassade d'Irlande et de Belgique)

Reviewed By LadislavBA

I appreciated the lady from staff going to play piano when someone entered a particular room - it made you feel the atmosphere while viewing the historical interiors. For the winter season price (5 euro) definitely worth it even if you're a casual tourist rather than an art nouveau connoisseaur.

7. Latvian National Museum Of Art

1 Janis Rozentals Square, Riga 1010 Latvia +371 67 324 461 [email protected] http://www.lnmm.lv/lv/lnmm/
Excellent
59%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 393 reviews

Latvian National Museum Of Art

The Latvian National Museum of Art is the most important art museum in Latvia and the first building in the Baltics designed specifically for the needs of a museum. The museum's building is an architectural monument of national significance. It is one of the most impressive historicist buildings in the Riga Boulevard Circle. From 2013 to 2016, an ambitious reconstruction and renovation of the building took place. Following the reconstruction, a new permanent exposition, Latvian Art. 19th–20th Century, has been created. It presents an overview of Latvian art history over the course of two centuries. The aim of the exposition is to build a visual and emotional story of the development of Latvian art by highlighting the most important works and personalities in culture-historical, political and social context.

Reviewed By Lysander4ever - Zaventem, Belgium

Great balance between the permanent and temporary exhibitions, and the stunning building is a plus. High ceilings & a lot of light make the building & permanent collection come to life, whereas the downstairs temporary exhibition space provided a nice & atmospheric contrast.

8. Riga Ghetto and Latvian Holocaust Museum

Maskavas iela 14a, Riga 1050 Latvia +371 67 791 782 http://www.rgm.lv/?lang=en
Excellent
51%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 433 reviews

Riga Ghetto and Latvian Holocaust Museum

Reviewed By jocS2773QA - London, United Kingdom

A moving and very personal tribute to those who lost their lives in the holocaust. It is suitable for younger children as the photographs are not too graphic, unlike some of the exhibitions I have visited which are, understandably, very harrowing. It was useful to be able to teach our children about this tragic period and reflect upon it ourselves without completely traumatising them. We met the Rabbi responsible for setting up the museum which made the whole experience even more worth while.

9. Pauls Stradins Medicine History Museum

Antonijas iela 1, Riga 1010 Latvia +371 67 222 665 http://www.mvm.lv/lv
Excellent
52%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 198 reviews

Pauls Stradins Medicine History Museum

Reviewed By Cloudyann - Holsbybrunn, Sweden

I found this museum by accident when I walked past it randomly. It’s not advertised or near other attractions, but I’m so glad I stopped there. For 2.50€, it was super cheap, and things were written in English too. What an amazing collection of medical equipment and rare books. I especially loved the props and scenes to show what things would have looked like in the past. Loved this museum! They should advertise better!

10. Zanis Lipke Memorial

Mazais Balasta dambis 8, Riga 1048 Latvia +371 67 202 539 [email protected] http://www.lipke.lv
Excellent
80%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 190 reviews

Zanis Lipke Memorial

Reviewed By WorldTravelAddicts - California, United States

If you’re in Riga, please make your way to this museum. It is worth the visit and education and shows the beauty and compassion people are capable of having. We learned a great deal and were impressed by the design and layout of the museum. We were very touched learning about the humanity of the Lipke family and left feeling highly pleased that this place existed. We need more feel good places like this in the world.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.