Top 10 Free Things to do in Riga, Riga Region

May 4, 2022 Carley Gatson

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. Shoe & Clothing Outlet Cetras Zoles

Terbatas iela 13, Riga 1011 Latvia +371 23 773 737 http://cetraszoles.lv/
Excellent
94%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 34 reviews

Shoe & Clothing Outlet Cetras Zoles

2. 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.

3. Riga Town Hall Square

Kalku iela, Riga Latvia +371 67 037 900 http://www.LiveRiga.com
Excellent
56%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,030 reviews

Riga Town Hall Square

Reviewed By malcolmc998 - St. Neots, United Kingdom

Well worth a visit to The House of Blackheads which has an intriguing history going back hundreds of years, plus Workd War2 and the Russian occupation

4. Old City Riga (Vecriga)

Kungu Iela 3 Riga, Riga 1050 Latvia +371 67037900 [email protected] https://www.liveriga.com/en/7896-the-old-town
Excellent
69%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7,115 reviews

Old City Riga (Vecriga)

This charming maze of narrow and crooked cobblestone streets is filled with a mixture of architectural styles including Nordic, Gothic, Renaissance, baroque and Jugendstil, plus such historic sites as the 13th-century Riga Castle, St. Peter's Church, the Swedish Gate and the Freedom Monument.

Reviewed By 591raye - Tilburg, The Netherlands

Visited Riga for a long weekend without any expectations. Now I’m convinced, it’s one of the greatest cities with a great architecture, a great atmosphere and just a great ambiance???????? Discover the different squares with a lot of restaurants and bars with live music. Look at the street artists making art with fire , the opera singer , the street music bands and so on.

5. Central Market (Centraltirgus)

Negu iela 7, Riga 1050 Latvia 371 7229985 [email protected] http://www.rct.lv/en/
Excellent
49%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,386 reviews

Central Market (Centraltirgus)

Reviewed By bignbald - Northampton, United Kingdom

Would highly recommend going to the markets it’s awesome Great fruit and veg Fantastic cheeses ( buffalo / mozzarella) Fantastic meats ( all types) Awesome fish displays beluga included As much amber as you could ever want to see Traders are friendly Oh and for goods sake buy some honey ???? Medus? It’s one of the best tasting honeys in the world 5/5 Earlier the better 8am onwards

6. Jauniela

Jauniela, Riga Latvia
Excellent
65%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 305 reviews

Jauniela

Reviewed By Coryy20 - Port of Spain, Caribbean

Jauniela is for sure a very lively street with its winding cobblestone street. This are can lead you into other streets. The street is narrow and I must advice to leave the uncomfortable high heels at home. Please wear comfy cushioned shoes for these roads. Jauniela has lots of charm and many people seem to love this street as well. It just has a lot of charm about it.

7. Bastejkalna Park

Basteja bulvaris, Riga Latvia
Excellent
52%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 530 reviews

Bastejkalna Park

Reviewed By vilnisk - Riga, Latvia

Beautifull park next to old town, freedom monument and many other places to see, so it yould be next to impossible to miss it, but it is highly recomended not to rush trough it, but take some time to look around and enjoy the beauty around you. In summer there are some docks where you can take boat trips trough the canal and Daugava river.

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. National Library of Latvia

Mukusalas iela 3, Riga LV-1423 Latvia +371 29 474 534 [email protected] http://www.lnb.lv/en/opening-hours/opening-hours
Excellent
49%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 502 reviews

National Library of Latvia

The National Library of Latvia (NLL) is a cultural, scientific and educational centre of national significance. The NNL's mission is to build and maintain a repository of national and world literature, the core of the 4 million items in the massive NLL collection comprises latvian and foreign publications about Latvia and Latvians. The NLL building - Gaismas pils - named after the Castle of Light in a legendary Latvian tale - was opened to the public in 2014. It was designed by world-renowned Latvian-born architect Gunnar Birkerts (USA).

Reviewed By beatrizm115 - Dortmund, Germany

This building is worth checking if you are in Riga. From the Old Town you just have to cross the bridge, basically. It was a struggle because of the wind coming directly from the sides but I managed it. Honestly I did not go to the different floors and instead focused on taking pictures from outside and also inside from the ground floor. Good if it is cold, there are many couches on the ground floor and you can just sit there or work there. So practical.

10. Pilsetas kanals

Old Town, Riga Latvia http://www.rigabycanal.lv/en
Excellent
52%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 543 reviews

Pilsetas kanals

Reviewed By AUSLion - London, United Kingdom

A short walk from the Riga Old Town, a great spot to wander along the canal, explore the bridges and the park.

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