Location: Riga
Top Things to do in Riga
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What to do and see in Riga, Riga Region: The Best Sights & Landmarks
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. House of the Black Heads
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,780 reviews
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.
2. Riga Town Hall Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,030 reviews
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
3. Old City Riga (Vecriga)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,115 reviews
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.
4. Jauniela
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 305 reviews
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.
5. Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 874 reviews
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. View of Riga from St Peter's Church Tower
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,563 reviews
Reviewed By The_Oj1 - Nairobi, Kenya
Viewing Riga from atop St. Peter's church gives an in-explainable feel of being omnipresent and all over Riga from a single point, you get to have the feeling that explains the omnipresence of God ... being everywhere ... as you can see so many corners of Riga from one high point. I torched the city of Riga from the tower, and enjoyed the view. I could see my hotel, and other buildings as well as bridges, I could not get enough of it. Must visit when you travel to Riga.
7. Panorama Riga Observation Deck
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 839 reviews
"Panorama Riga" is a circular terrace - observation deck of the Latvian Academy of Sciences, offering breathtaking 360° panoramic views of Riga. The terrace is wide enough, so groups of tourists or companies of friends can feel free on the "Panorama Riga" observation deck. From the "Panorama Riga" observation deck, you can take wonderful photos with panoramic views of Riga, nothing obstructs the view, enclosures and glass reflections don’t interfere. You can watch the most beautiful sunset or have a romantic date in the height of 65 meters.
Reviewed By Pichalv - Sigulda, Latvia
"Panorama Riga" is a circular terrace - observation deck of the Latvian Academy of Sciences, offering breathtaking 360° panoramic views of Riga. To visit it you should pay 5 EUR downstairs.
8. Jugenda Stila Nami
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 523 reviews
Reviewed By Luv2TravelFarNWide - Phoenix, United States
With more than 800 art nouveau buildings in Riga, most of which have been renovated and/or maintained beautifully, it's easy to see why this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you stroll the streets in this area, you can't help but be awed by the beauty of these gorgeous buildings. There were kidney-shaped windows, key-hole windows, dragons and masks, flowers, and more decorating the facades. This is a must see area and it's free.
9. Nativity of Christ Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 757 reviews
Reviewed By PBTravelstheWorld - Woodinville, United States
Lovely Russian Orthodox Cathedral that is open to all who come in a respectful manner. Beautiful icons and other painted art work inside and the location is in the middle of a large central park in Riga. Small gift shop/bookshop may be open.
10. Vermanes Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 612 reviews
Reviewed By I9317NIbilld - Bedford, United Kingdom
We stayed in the Grand Poet by Samannah Hotel which is adjacent to this lovely parkland and walked through it many times to the old town with its many beautiful buildings, restaurants and bars. There are many large trees, flowers and particularly remember the Hydrangea Paniculata which were huge when we were there in September. Two men were playing music when we walked through one day and it was lovely to look over the water and hear the music.
