Overview

Riga, the capital of Latvia, is a vibrant city that beautifully blends medieval charm with modern dynamism. Nestled along the banks of the Daugava River, it boasts a UNESCO-listed Old Town, where cobbled streets, colorful facades, and architectural gems like the House of the Blackheads and Riga Cathedral captivate visitors. The city is celebrated for its Art Nouveau district, home to one of the world’s richest collections of ornate, early 20th-century buildings. Riga’s cultural scene thrives with lively markets, trendy cafes, and a thriving arts community, while its central location in the Baltics makes it an excellent gateway to explore the region. Whether strolling through the charming parks, enjoying the lively nightlife, or indulging in local delicacies like grey peas and rye bread, Riga offers a delightful mix of history, culture, and contemporary allure.

Things To See & Do

Explore the Historic Center with its fairytale atmosphere and fascinating buildings. This is one of Latvia’s two UNESCO World Heritage Sites (the other is the ephemeral Stuve Geodetic Ard). In every corner of the old city, you`ll find charming cafes and modern restaurants, galleries, medieval churches, and museums. The Hanseatic architecture is fantastically preserved and you can see why it received a UNESCO designation. As you wander, stop in for a lunch break and take in the vibe of the city and people.

We highly recommend a walking tour for exploring Riga`s Old Town. Having a guide in such a fascinating city is invaluable, especially with the amount there is to see in Old Town alone. As you explore the area, make sure to take notice of St. Peter`s Church, Livu Square, Bremen Town Musicians, Dome Square, Three Brothers, The Swedish Gate and the House of the Blackheads. These are all part of the historic center.

Just a short walk from Old Town, in the Art Nouveau Quarter, around Elzabetes and Alberta streets you will find a few blocks of the most amazing art nouveau architecture. With over 800 art nouveau buildings in the city, there is nowhere else in Europe where you will find a better collection of wonderfully preserved art nouveau buildings than in Riga. If you’re interested in exploring further into the art nouveau style, stop by the Art Nouveau Museum on Alberta Street to admire the incredible staircase from the foyer.

A great way to unwind is to pay a visit to the Bastion Hill Park which runs along the northeastern edge of old town. Once the old city`s fortifications, Bastion Hill was replaced with this romantic park full of gardens, canals, and ornate bridges. The park makes a perfect transition space between downtown Riga and the historic center, while also being an attraction in its own right. Other key landmarks in the park include the mighty Freedom Monument dedicated to those who fought for Latvia`s independence and the city’s Opera House.

Visit Riga’s Central Market, and get a sense of what local life is like in the city. This lively indoor and outdoor market is housed within the enormous converted Zeppelin hangars. There are several local Latvian goods, from meats and fish to loads of other locally grown produce. Outside, it`s hard to escape the smell of delicious food ranging from takeaway bakery-style shops, diner-style restaurants through to fantastic fish cafes.

Discover some other landmarks such as the Riga Ghetto and Latvian Holocaust Museum which details the city`s history of the Holocaust. Set inside an outdoor courtyard, this museum illustrates what happened to the local Jewish population during the city`s Nazi occupation and the devastating events of the Rumbula massacre. The exhibits focus on individuals` stories and photographs from the time.

Just up the road from the Riga Ghetto and Latvian Holocaust Museum, head over to the Latvian Academy of Sciences Observation deck. Built during Latvia`s period under Soviet rule, the towering figure looks very similar to the huge Palace of Culture in Warsaw, Poland. The best way to visit is to take the elevator up to its observation deck. Once you reach the top, you`ll find fabulous panoramic views of Riga.

Continue exploring with a visit to Riga Nativity of Christ Cathedral. This Russian Orthodox Church in the Esplanade Park sparkles thanks to its gilded façade, and is remarkable inside as well. Make sure to pay a visit inside to admire the painted icons, which it is best known for.

Learn about the history of the area with a visit to the KGB Museum. Like the rest of the Baltic States, Latvia became part of the USSR during the Second World War. Living under Soviet rule meant being under the watchful eye of the KGB, the history of which you can learn about in the KGB Museum. This was the headquarters from which the KGB secret police operated and tortured subjects. Make sure to take a tour to get a chance to see the full museum.

If you are visiting in the summer and need to escape the heat, head to Jurmala, the nearest seaside town. A little over half an hour away by train, this popular beach resort town is also known as Riga Beach.

Jurmala`s white sandy beach is long and beautiful and the town center is great for walking, shopping, and people watching. After a relaxing time on the beach, you can take a bike ride and spend a couple of hours exploring the old seaside town with its quiet residential areas, ornate architecture, parks and tree-lined avenues.

Cuisine

Latvia’s culinary heritage is deeply rooted in its northern climate, where hearty, nourishing dishes provide warmth and sustenance throughout the seasons. Traditional Latvian fare is a celebration of rustic, wholesome ingredients, with meat, particularly pork, smoked fish, grains, and dairy forming the backbone of the country’s cuisine. These flavors are further elevated by the aromatic presence of dill, caraway seeds, and juniper berries, while centuries-old influences from neighboring countries add a unique depth to Latvia’s gastronomic identity.

Fresh, seasonal ingredients take center stage on restaurant menus across the country, emphasizing the nation’s farm-to-table approach to food. A visit to the Riga Central Market offers an authentic introduction to Latvian flavors. Located near the Daugava River, this bustling marketplace (one of the largest and most vibrant in Europe) features food halls dedicated to fresh produce, dairy, meat, fish, and other artisanal delights. An outdoor area brims with seasonal stalls, while a night market and a 24-hour farmers’ market ensure that traditional flavors are available at any hour. Wandering through its lively alleys, you’ll encounter fragrant loaves of rye bread, golden hunks of cheese, piles of fresh berries, and the unmistakable aroma of smoked meats and fish—a sensory experience that captures the essence of Latvian cuisine.

A visit to Latvia wouldn’t be complete without sampling Rupjmaize, the dark, dense rye bread that is a staple of Latvian cuisine. Made from coarse rye flour, malt, and caraway seeds, this hearty bread boasts a sweet-and-sour depth of flavor and is often enjoyed with butter, cheese, or herring. Another must-try is Biezpiens, a simple yet beloved fresh cottage cheese, which Latvians mix with sour cream, dill, radishes, or cucumbers and spread on rye bread for a light yet nourishing meal. When it comes to savory pastries, Piragi (or Piradzini) are a national treasure, these small, crescent-shaped buns filled with smoky bacon and onions, traditionally baked for celebrations but now enjoyed year-round as a favorite snack. For potato lovers, Kartupelu Pankukas, or crispy potato pancakes, are a true comfort food, usually served with sour cream or lingonberry jam for a perfect balance of flavors. Seafood also plays a significant role in Latvian cuisine, with smoked sprats, a type of small fish, being one of the country’s most famous exports. These are often served on rye bread with eggs or pickles. If you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss Maizes zupa, a unique and hearty dessert soup made from rye bread, dried fruits, cinnamon, and whipped cream, offering a deliciously spiced and slightly tart flavor. For a lighter treat, Sklandrausis, a traditional sweet rye tart filled with mashed carrots and potatoes, provides an earthy sweetness that pairs beautifully with tea. Whether indulging in these traditional flavors at a cozy countryside tavern or a bustling Riga café, each dish tells a story of Latvia’s rich culinary heritage.