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Things to do in Riga

Latvia’s capital combines diverse architecture, a historical old town, and a thriving culinary scene.

Our most recommended things to do in Riga

Riga: Canal Boat Sightseeing Tour

1. Riga: Canal Boat Sightseeing Tour

Explore historical part of Riga while having a relaxing and romantic sightseeing boat trip along the charming Riga City Canal and river Daugava. While travelling with eco-friendly canal boat you can inspect the popular tourism objects from a different angle. The route while traveling along the canal meats Kronvald's Park, Latvian National Theatre, Bastejkalns, Freedom Monument, Latvian National Opera, Shopping centre Stockmann, Riga International Bus Terminal and Riga Central Market. When entering river Daugava you will be able to enjoy beautiful scenery of TV Tower in Zaķusala, Riga castle, Riga Cathedral and other towers of the Old city and old wooden houses located on Kipsala island. During the trip you will also see Andrejosta yacht club and Riga Freeport Passenger Terminal. During the trip boat Captain will provide short commentaries about each place you see while travelling. Captain will also answer all the questions that guests have.

Riga Sightseeing Tour by Canal Boat

2. Riga Sightseeing Tour by Canal Boat

Climb aboard an eco-friendly canal boat to see the sights of Riga from a different perspective as you cruise along the Daugava River. Escape the crowds of the city center as you set sail from the pier by the Freedom Monument at the 18th-century fortifications known as the Triangula Bastion (Bastejkalns). Glide gently under historic bridges and see landmark attractions such as the elegant home of the Latvian National Opera, Europe's largest market and bazaar at Riga Central Market and the UNESCO World Heritage monuments of the Spīķeri Quarter.  Get amazing views of the Vecrīga district (Old Riga) as you cruise towards the Riga Passenger Terminal and Yacht Club Andrejosta. Make your way back towards the departure point and get stunning views of Kronvalda Park and the Latvian National Theatre.

Riga: 1-Day Hop-on Hop-off Grand Bus Tour

3. Riga: 1-Day Hop-on Hop-off Grand Bus Tour

Discover Riga on a hop-on hop-off tour. Enjoy 60 minutes route, and see the Opera House, the historic Old City, and the Central Market. With more than 80 sights along the routes, this pass allows you to make the most of the hop-on-hop-off tour style. Departing from the Town Square, the tour runs through three districts. First, the bus goes to Pardaugava, an area that overlooks ancient cathedrals on the left bank of the river Daugava. Crossing the Stone Bridge, take in the panorama of the Old City.  Then, pass the Boulevard Ring, see the famous Monument of Freedom, the Opera House, the Powder Tower, and much more. See Riga's Central Market, the largest covered market in Europe. Then you can see a range of architectural styles, from romantic facades to decorative art nouveau. See the famous Alberta Street, with its detailed facades and Michael Eisenstein architecture. 

Riga: Guided Old Town Walking Tour

4. Riga: Guided Old Town Walking Tour

Discover Riga's Old Town on a guided walking tour of its main sights. Listen to your local guide's fascinating stories and learn about the city's rich history. Pass well-known locations, including the House of the Blackheads, the Three Brothers building complex, and the Swedish Gate. Start your tour at the bright red House of the Blackheads and head inside the Old Town. Marvel at the centuries-old buildings surrounding you here. From the Town Hall Square dating back to the 13th century to the towering Saint Peter's Church. Continue your walking journey and see the magnificent Great and Small Guild Halls, the medieval and Art Nouveau Cat House, the Three Brothers Buildings, St. Jacob's Cathedral, the Swedish Gate, and more. Along your route, learn about how Art Nouveau architecture swooped into Riga, local and historical stories, and insights into what food to taste while in Latvia.

Riga: Central Market Latvian Food Tour

5. Riga: Central Market Latvian Food Tour

Embark on a tour through the UNESCO-listed Riga Central Market. Explore 5 former zeppelin hangars and learn about local Latvian food and shopping habits on the market. A knowledgeable local tour guide will lead you through the market and provide you with an introduction to Latvian food, sharing the origins of local food traditions. Throughout the tour, you will receive a wide range of local specialties which include local bread, several kinds of cheese, freshly smoked meat, several types of fish, non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks, and delicious local sweets. These tastings will be sufficient enough to make you feel as if you have had a light lunch and should be enough to get you through to dinner.

Riga: Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads

6. Riga: Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads

Wander through centuries in House of the Black Heads! Feel the magic atmosphere of luxurious halls of celebrations, decorated with brilliant chandeliers and a gallery of royal portraits. Explore the mysterious medieval cellars and elaborate historical rooms with a surprising silverware collection. For the past 700 hundred years, the House of the Black Heads has pleased and enraptured inhabitants and guests of Riga. This is one of the most magnificent buildings in Riga, preserving both the unique historic heritage of the legendary Brotherhood of Black Heads and the history of Riga. For centuries House of the Black Heads was the cultural epicenter of Riga, gathering the most respectable inhabitants of Riga and their guests, during celebrations organized by the Black Heads and their successors. This building, which is situated in the heart of Old Riga, is the symbol of Riga and among the central premises of representation of Riga – not for nothing also the President of Latvia has chosen House of the Black Heads as his temporary residence for almost four years!

Riga: Beer or Cider Bike Tour

7. Riga: Beer or Cider Bike Tour

Go sightseeing in a completely different way on a beer or cider bike tour through the heart of Riga. Explore the beautiful streets of the city’s Old Town while pedaling, drinking, and chatting with friends.   Your English-speaking guide and driver will greet you at the meeting point and take you to the waiting beer bike. Once seated and ready to start, you will be served your choice of beer, cider or prosecco — and then the fun begins.   The bike holds up to 15 passengers and is easy enough for even 4 people to pedal. While riding around the Old Town with drinks in hand, you can listen to your favorite music and turn on LED lights for a party on wheels.   After an hour of taking in the sights, head to one of the restaurants near the finishing point for a nice meal.

Riga: Private Boat Tour City Canal and Daugava

8. Riga: Private Boat Tour City Canal and Daugava

Enjoy a different lifestyle experience in Riga in maximum comfort and style aboard on one of the most unique classic Tender boats in Rīga in small group (up to 5 persons). Experience will take ~ 50 minutes. Start of experience will be in Andrejosta Yacht club (Rīga, Esporta street 1D) Opportunity to take a peaceful and romantic trip through the City canal and Daugava. The trip will lead from the Yacht Club Andrejosta to the Latvian National Opera through the City Canal and then back to Andrejosta and further along the Daugava to Riga Castle. During the trip, you will see a charming panorama. There will be wonderful views in all directions, and you will be able to enjoy a great panorama of Kronvalda Park, National theatre, Bastejkalns, Freedom Monument, National Opera, Andrejosta, Rīga Passenger port, the magnificent towers of Old Riga, AB Dam and Ķīpsala. The route is ideal for families with children. PS: Due to the construction works of Rail Baltica the route could be changed!

Riga: 1.5-Hour Old Town Walking Tour

9. Riga: 1.5-Hour Old Town Walking Tour

Go beneath the surface of Riga, from its founding 8 centuries ago at the Daugava River to its transformation into the beautiful and artistic city that you see today. Walk past the city's most important landmarks and learn about the people who made Riga what it is today. Learn about the Bishop Albert of Livonia, who founded the Latvian capital in 1201, and about the many foreigners who have since left their mark on this city. Discover the city's Medieval Hanseatic Old Town and enjoy the splendors of the Dome Cathedral. Enjoy the Big and Small Guild Houses and their Gothic and Neo-Gothic styles. Photograph the Riga Castle, the current residence of the President of Latvia, and see famous spots such as St. Peter’s Church, the Swedish Gate, Powder Tower and many others.

Riga Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour

10. Riga Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour

Get to know Riga at your own pace on this interactive scavenger hunt walking tour played on your phone. Decipher riddles, interact with the most important attractions of the city, and unlock interesting facts and legends. An ideal outdoor activity for first time visitors, couples, groups, families, and children. Can be used as a great team-building activity. After downloading the scavenger hunt tour on your mobile device (via a link and login credentials received upon booking), use the mobile app and integrated maps to reach 10 of Riga’s most important attractions on foot. At each stop, learn about the attraction and solve a location-based riddle that can only be solved if you reach the specific location. Use logic, imagination, observation, and team spirit to unlock the correct code and reveal the next destination of the city sightseeing game. At each stop, learn about the attraction and solve a location-based riddle that can only be solved if you reach the specific location. Use logic, imagination, observation, and team spirit to unlock the correct code and reveal the next destination of the tour. As you walk through the city, enjoy the flexibility to pause your game at any time to take a break, snap the perfect photos, stop for lunch, or visit a museum. Choose to continue the tour later or save the rest for another day. Start the activity anytime, the schedule is indicative. Start your tour at the imposing Latvian National Museum of Art! Visit the Freedom Monument a symbol of Riga. Learn about Laimas Pulkstenis this magnificent watch with rare architecture and admire the Powder Tower which is one of the oldest in Europe. The Swedish Gate will surprise you, with its terrible legend. Visit the oldest housing complex the unique aesthetics. Then Riga Castle awaits you, don't forget to take pictures! Riga Cathedral will leave you speechless with its magnificent interior and exterior. Admire the House of the Blackheads with its unique colors and architecture. The icing on the cake of this unique tour will be St. Peter's Church, which will mark you for the rest of your life with the unique view from its tower.

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What people are saying about Riga

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 1,452 reviews

This was a breathtaking way to get out of Riga and see more of the real Latvia. The tour includes 3 stops: 1. a walkway in and out of a forest through bogs and wetlands; 2. a walkway amongst marshes; and 3. a trip past pine trees and dunes to the beach. Stops 1 and 2 include stunning views from vantage towers. We visited in December 2022 and, although snow had started to melt and stop 1 was rainy, by the time we reached stop 3, the sky had broken, providing stunning views of the sky, beach and sea. Our guide, Rolands, is a biologist and conservationist, whose passion and knowledge of the area and of Latvian culture and history was amazing. Nothing was too much trouble for him and I can honestly say he’s the best tour guide I’ve ever encountered. He provided details the day before as well as food and drinks on the day, and was happy to take pics of my wife and I to capture memories. We will definitely do another tour in Latvia and look forward to Rolands being our guide again.

We had an excellent time on our tour of the market! We got to try lots of things we wouldn't have even noticed was there. I do wish it lasted maybe a little longer or the guide added a couple minutes between each of her tours, as some parts felt a little rushed. She was a couple minutes late because she was coming from another tour, and had to rush away at the end to meet the next tour.

It was a fascinating tour, full of history and insight with a very knowledgeable guide. Definitely worth doing

Lovely tour with Gunter (sorry if I’ve spelled this incorrectly!) - fantastic tour of Riga!

I had an amazing experience! My guide was on time, phenomenal and just overall amazing!!!