Riga, the capital of Latvia and the largest city in the Baltic states, offers the visitor stunning contrasts: the cobblestones of the medieval Old Town and the world's richest Art Nouveau architectural heritage are both part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Spread along the banks of the Daugava river, the metropolis was once a trading hub of the Hanseatic League, and this diverse past still permeates the streets, markets and culture. Riga is also an extremely good-value destination and easily reachable. Here are the 10 best Riga sights.
1. Riga Old Town (UNESCO)
Lying on the bank of the Daugava, the medieval Old Town (Vecrīga) has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, and is Riga's historic, cultural heart. In the narrow, cobbled streets, Gothic churches, Hanseatic-era merchant houses and atmospheric squares alternate. The best-known squares are Cathedral Square and Rātslaukums (Town Hall Square), where the reconstructed House of the Blackheads stands. Thanks to the Old Town's small size it can be walked in 2–3 hours, but discovering the details is worth a whole day.
2. Art Nouveau district (Alberta iela)
Riga is the capital of the world's Art Nouveau architecture: in the centre stand around 800 Art Nouveau buildings, of which the most spectacular line up on Alberta iela. Mihail Eisenstein, father of the famous film director Sergei Eisenstein, designed most of the facades, on which a cavalcade of mythological creatures, floral motifs and human faces unfolds. At Alberta iela 13, the Riga Art Nouveau Museum presents the everyday life of the era with a period apartment's furnishings. The district is a 15-minute walk from the centre and can be explored freely at any time.
3. House of the Blackheads
Standing on Town Hall Square, this richly decorated building is Riga's most iconic monument, originally built in 1334 for the Brotherhood of Blackheads, the guild of unmarried foreign merchants. Destroyed in the Second World War, the building was rebuilt in 1999 based on original plans. The richness of detail on the facade is stunning, it's worth examining both up close and from across the square. Inside the building, exhibitions and concerts are regularly held.
4. Tower of St Peter's Church
Dating from the 13th century, the 72-metre tower of this Gothic church is Riga's best-known viewpoint. From the viewing terrace, reachable by lift, a 360-degree panorama opens over the Old Town, the Daugava river and the city's modern districts. The church burned down several times over its history, the current tower structure was completed in 1973 during Soviet reconstruction. Admission is about €9, and the tower can be visited daily from 10:00 to 18:00.
5. Riga Central Market (Zeppelin hangars)
Europe's largest and most spectacular market is housed in five former Zeppelin hangars on the bank of the Daugava, and since its opening in 1930 has been Riga's gastronomic heart. Each of the hangars offers a different product category: meat, fish, dairy, vegetables and mixed goods. In the open-air section behind the market, local producers sell seasonal products, and here you can taste real Latvian smoked fish or rye bread. The market is open Monday to Saturday from 7:00 to 18:00, and Sunday from 7:00 to 16:00.
6. Riga Cathedral
The largest medieval church in the Baltic states began construction in 1211, and over the centuries Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque elements blended within it. The cathedral's greatest treasure is the huge organ, built in 1884 and then the world's largest, organ concerts are still regularly held. The interior is monumental: the vaulted ceiling and the stained-glass windows create a stunning effect. Cathedral Square is Riga's largest Old Town square and a venue for open-air concerts in summer.
7. Latvian Occupation Museum
Standing on Strēlnieku Square, this museum commemorates Latvia's 20th-century occupations, the Soviet, the Nazi and the later Soviet eras. Through personal stories, documents and material objects, the exhibition presents the dramatic chapters of the deportations, the resistance and the regaining of independence. The museum is free to visit, and the visit is deeply moving but indispensable for understanding Latvian history. With the English-language captions and audio guide, every detail is understandable.
8. Freedom Monument
This 42-metre granite-and-copper column stands in the centre of Riga, on the boundary of the Old Town and the new town, and is the foremost symbol of Latvian independence. The female figure known by the nickname "Milda" holds three gold stars aloft at the top, symbolising Latvia's three historic regions. The monument was inaugurated in 1935, and in Soviet times it miraculously wasn't demolished. In front of the monument, a ceremonial changing of the guard takes place on the hour, it's worth catching this short but spectacular ceremony.
9. Day trip to Jūrmala seaside
Just 25 kilometres from Riga, on the shore of the Baltic Sea, Jūrmala is the Latvian capital's beloved seaside resort, with white sandy beaches and pine forests. The town's main promenade, Jomas iela, is lined with atmospheric cafés, restaurants and wooden Art Nouveau villas. In summer the beach is pleasant, though the water temperature rarely rises above 20 °C. From Riga the train reaches Jūrmala in 30 minutes, and the ticket is just €2–3, a perfect half-day or full-day trip.
10. Mežaparks
Riga's largest and oldest public park stretches over the northern part of the city and is the favourite recreation spot of the locals. Within the park are the Riga Zoo, the Open-Air Stage (where the famous Latvian Song Festivals are held) and the shore of Lake Ķīšezers. Running and cycling paths, playgrounds and picnic spots all await visitors in the park. Mežaparks is easily reachable by tram from the centre, and you can spend a pleasant half-day here away from the city's noise.
Practical tips
- Transport: Riga's city centre is easily walkable. The network of trams, buses and trolleybuses is excellent, it's easiest to buy a ticket via the Rīgas satiksme app. From the airport, bus 22 reaches the centre in 30 minutes.
- Money: Latvia is a member of the eurozone, so you don't need to change money. Card payment is accepted everywhere, but at the market it's worth keeping cash for small amounts.
- Jūrmala day trip: The train from Riga to Jūrmala departs from the Central Station, the journey is 30 minutes, and the ticket is about €2–3. In summer there's a €2 entry fee to Jūrmala, which is automatically valid together with the train ticket.
- eSIM tip: Latvia is an EU member, so with an EU subscription the EU roaming rules apply and roaming is free. For heavier data use, a local eSIM plan is also available at a good price.
- Gastronomy: Try the Latvian national dishes: grey pea soup (pelēkie zirņi), rye bread (rupjmaize) and Riga Black Balsam (Rīgas Melnais balzams), the famous Latvian herbal liqueur. At the Central Market the most authentic dishes and the best prices await.