Attractions in Riga: The Top Sights To See During Your Stay

Warm in the summer and welcoming in winter, Latvia exudes a strong sense of heritage and folklore rooted in different cultures. From monuments to museums and from dawn till dusk, discover the top attractions in Riga.

A delicious waft of cinnamon entices your senses as you stroll past a café. A church bell tolls 10 o'clock. The sun is already warming the medieval cobblestones. A few more hours, and you'll be soaking it up over lunch on one of the terraces dotted around the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But right now, you’re off to explore Old Riga.

This iconic site is ingrained in Riga's reputation and a must-see attraction if it’s your first time here. Located on Rātslaukums Square, this former residence for bachelor merchants and members of the Black Heads' Guild was completely destroyed during the Second World War before being rebuilt identically. Today, the building is a museum that offers tours of medieval cellars and boasts an impressive silver collection and sumptuous halls. It also houses the Riga tourist office.

• Rātslaukums 7, Centra rajons
• Open daily 10am-5pm
• Admission €7 for adults, €5 for children, €3 for an audio guide in English

At 72 metres up, the top of the St. Peter's Church bell tower offers one of the best views of the city. Pick out the boats on the Daugava River and gaze across to the modern neighbourhoods on the opposite bank. Keep your ears open on your way back down – if you’re lucky, you’ll hear the Latvian folk song Rīga dimd, which is played five times a day. Music has always been integral to the church’s identity – it is reputed for its acoustics, beautifully demonstrated by regular performances of religious orchestras.

• Reformācijas Laukums 1, Centra rajons
• Open daily 10am-6pm, night tours on Fridays and Saturdays
• Access to the bell tower €9 for adults, €3 for children

Along with the spire of St. Peter's Church, the golden domes of the Riga Nativity of Christ Orthodox Cathedral will give you your bearings throughout your stay. Contrasting with the more commonly seen Lutheran style of religious buildings in Riga, this orthodox cathedral has a special feel, punctuated by the sound of prayers and hymns. Don’t miss the stunning icons, the organ with thousands of pipes and the frescoes depicting biblical scenes. Imprint the majestic sight on your memory while you’re there, as photos are prohibited.

• Herdera laukums 6, Centra rajons
• Open 7am-6:30pm on weekdays, until 7pm on Saturdays, and Sundays 6am-6:30pm

From one landmark to the next. Just a few steps from the cathedral, you’ll come to the Freedom Monument – a majestic granite column topped by the copper statue of a woman raising three golden stars to the skies. Erected in honour of the soldiers who fell during Latvia's War of Independence, this historic monument symbolises hope for the people of Riga and is a significant political symbol in local life.

Looking for a foodie attraction in Riga? Allow a good hour or two to wander around the 3,000 stalls of Riga Central Market, set out in five surprisingly large former zeppelin hangars. Not only is it the largest covered market in Europe, it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and showcases Latvian products. Each type of produce has its own bustling pavilion: dairy, bread, fruit and vegetables or meat. A local recommendation? The fish pavilion, for fresh seafood straight from the Baltic Sea.

• Nēģu iela 7, Latgales priekšpilsēta
• Open daily 7am-6pm

For an authentic experience, head to Āgenskalns Market. Behind this red-brick building’s Art Nouveau façade lies a true taste of Latvian living. On the ground floor, you can buy quality products from local farmers or peruse second-hand clothes and book stores. Upstairs, bars and restaurants serve Latvian and international cuisine.

• Nometņu iela 64, Zemgales priekšpilsēta
• Open Tuesday to Saturday 9am-7pm, Sunday to Monday 9am-5pm

Soak up the essence of Latvian heritage at the Kalnciema farmer’s market on Saturdays. Expect organic produce stalls, folk dances, handmade pottery, traditionally woven textiles and free crafts workshops for children. Browse the stands, share a drink under a gazebo or check out the theme of the week, which often showcases international cultures. This is one of the best attractions in Riga for a taste of local life.

• Kalnciema Iela 35, Zemgales priekšpilsēta
• Open every Saturday 10am-4pm

The tiny Latgale market is located in Riga's Russian quarter. From one day to the next, you may happen upon relics from the USSR era, mechanical finds, quirky curiosities, electronic machines that could be plucked straight from a retro sci-fi series, and even a few bleak remnants of Nazi times. It's an outdoor cavern of weird and wonderful oddities and worth a visit if you crave venturing off the beaten track. Keep an eye on your belongings as the area is known for pickpockets.

• Firsa Sadovņikova iela 9A, Latgales priekšpilsēta
• Open daily 8am-5pm

There’s a wealth of educational attractions to explore in Riga. Behind the Old Town’s scenic façade, the city nurses a poignant past. The Museum of the Occupation of Latvia recounts the country’s domination by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union from the 1940s to 1991. Learn about heroic acts, tales of violence, moments of bravery and messages of hope.

• The museum is divided into two parts: the main exhibition at 1 Latviešu strēlnieku laukums and the former KGB Building at 61 Brīvības Street.
• Open daily 10am-6pm
• Admission €8 for adults, free for children under 18

Riga was heavily impacted by the Second World War, its Jewish ghetto the scene of deportations and lives blighted by abuse. Combine a trip to Central Market with a poignant visit to this lesser-known museum. It doesn’t take long to go around it, and the train carriage in particular provides a sobering insight into the Latvian Holocaust.

• Lastādijas iela 14A, Latgales priekšpilsēta
• Open daily 10am-6pm
• Admission is free, donations welcome

Leave the country’s darkest days behind to embrace the frivolities of fashion. With colourful collections and interactive features, the fashion museum is also a fun attraction for children in Riga. Temporary exhibitions showcase trends and designers from around the world throughout the ages.

• Grēcinieku iela 24-1, Centra rajons
• Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am-6pm
• Admission €7 for adults, €5 for children, pensioners and students, free for children under 5

Riga is home to nearly 800 Art Nouveau buildings. You’ll see some in Vecrīga, but to really soak up these striking façades, go north of the Old Town, towards Alberta Street and the Klusais centrs (Quiet Centre) district. You don't need to be an expert to appreciate the finesse of the stucco carvings, wrought-iron balconies, spiral staircases and intricately sculpted heads that seem to emerge from the walls. Among the most iconic Art Nouveau attractions in Riga, don't miss:

• The Riga Art Nouveau Centre, a museum dedicated to the artistic movement
• Numbers 2, 2a, 4, 6, 8 and 11 on Alberta Street
• Number 10b on Elizabetes Street
• The Cat House, at 10-12 Meistaru Street

This arts and culture complex with an open-air stage is an all-round attraction that brings the people of Riga together, day and night – think everything from roller discos, food festivals, business seminars and motor sports. The layout is transformed to suit the artists and events it hosts. The atmosphere of each event is unique, though the vibrant, creative energy is constant.

• Ūnijas iela 8 k-7, Vidzemes priekšpilsēta

Are you more jazz, drum and bass, folk or techno? Partial to a bit of death metal? Riga by night is reputed for its music scene and nightlife. This is where the locals go:

• Depo: Mosh pits, walls of death and distorted guitars guaranteed in this temple of alternative music
• Folkklubs Ala Pagrabs: All it takes is a guitar and a microphone for the magic to unfold at this traditional folk-style pub
• M/Darbnīca: One of the best concert venues in Riga for an evening of jazz or electro

Beer is undoubtedly one of Riga’s biggest attractions if you're a hophead. While you’ll be spoilt for choice for pavement cafés, nothing compares to the Labietis and Nurme microbreweries. One of the reasons they’re popular among locals is their range of recipes, inspired by Latvian history and international influences. Rediscover the classics or explore more adventurous blends.

Latvian winters are beautiful but harsh. After a day of sightseeing, swap the cold for the fuzzy warmth of a spa. Your weary feet will thank you! Relax in the jacuzzi or surrender to a moment of massage. Try the spa at TRIBE Riga City Centre hotel, with its superb Art Nouveau design, or the wellness area at Pullman Riga Old Town with its large 19-metre swimming pool.

The floorboards creak beneath your feet. The smell of old, polished wood lingers in the air. The heavy red velvet curtains open, and the laughter and conversation die down as the conductor takes to the stage. If you're looking for attractions in Riga in the winter, a night at the Latvian National Opera is the obvious choice. Spend a cosy evening at a historic venue, experiencing incredible renditions of Latvian and international classical music.

• Aspazijas bulvāris 3, Centra rajons

Riga’s Esplanade Park hosts a free ice rink every winter until the end of February. Hire a pair of skates and take to the ice. Glide beneath twinkling lights to revel in picture-perfect Christmas magic then grab a bite to eat from the food stalls around the rink.

• Reimersa iela 1, Centra rajons

In the run-up to the festive season, the Latvian capital's iconic squares and markets are decked out in their festive finery. Riga's most famous Christmas market is the one in Dome Square. With the Protestant cathedral as a backdrop, take your pick from the city’s culinary specialities and handicrafts on offer at around 20 chalets dotted around a decorated Christmas tree. In the evening, concerts strike up a feel of festive warmth.

Looking for more must-see attractions while you're in and around Riga? Enjoy a day at the beach in the seaside town of Jūrmala, fill up on fresh air in the beautiful Kemeri Park or explore the medieval town of Sigulda. Or if you're planning to explore more of Europe, take an unforgettable train journey for a more sustainable and wonderfully picturesque adventure.