Sights of Riga - 9 things to do in Riga

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Riga is just a short boat ride or flight from Stockholm - perfect for a weekend or mini break! But which of Riga's attractions are not to be missed? We've visited this beautiful city several times and now we're gathering our tips for things to see and do in Riga.

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Post updated in 2019

What is there to see and do in Riga?

Riga is a capital city that is perfect for a city break and can be visited all year round. There are beautiful buildings, good food, great spas and interesting shopping. Best of all, it's not too expensive, but relatively affordable. Today we offer our top tips on Riga's attractions, as well as nine things to see and do in Riga.

1. See the view from St Peter's Church

St Peter's Church dates back to the 13th century and has seen it all. The church was Catholic before becoming Protestant and the tower has been struck by lightning 6 times, collapsing twice. Today there is a lift so that you can go up to the vantage point at a height of 72 metres. From here you have a great view of the centre of Riga and its surroundings.

2. Admire the Freedom Monument

The Freedom Monumentor Freedom Monument, is one of Riga's landmarks and commemorates the soldiers killed during the Latvian War of Independence (1918-20). The 42 metre high monument is today an important symbol of Latvia's freedom, independence and autonomy. There is also the "Bastejkalns" park area.

3. see the beautiful Jugendhusen

Jugend, or Art Nouveau as it is also known, is a style of architecture and design that was fashionable between 1890 and 1920. You can recognise the style by all the shapes that look like winding plants or perhaps elongated female figures, on furniture and building facades.

Latvia's capital stands out in terms of Jugend architecture, and there is no other city on the Baltic Sea that can boast as many beautiful houses in this style in comparison.

The explanation for all Youth centre in Riga is that in the late 19th century the city doubled its population. The new inhabitants naturally needed housing, and since the Jugendstil was modern, that's how they built. It's relatively easy to spot these beautiful facades in Riga, but if you want to see particularly beautiful examples, head to Alberta street, where they are located close together. Nearby, you'll also find the Riga Youth Museum.

4. go to the spa

Wonderful luxury spas There are plenty in Riga, and the advantage is of course that prices are lower than in Sweden. There are many different spas to choose from, and we have tried ESPA Spa, located in the Radisson Blue hotel.

This is an exclusive six-storey venue with a fitness centre, swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna, relaxation area and various treatments such as massages. One of the most delightful experiences was the whirlpool, where you can swim out and lie under the open sky. Great!

5. Enjoy locally produced food

Local raw materials and modern restaurants - Latvia has made an amazing journey when it comes to food. When you visited this country 25 years ago, food was thin on the menu and what was served was designed to fill you up, rather than satisfy your taste buds. Today, Riga is a city for modern foodies, with exciting and creative menus made from local and often organic ingredients.

There are many good and interesting restaurants in Riga. Since the prices are lower than at home, you can also treat yourself to some more luxurious restaurants.If you want tips on restaurants, please read our posts below:

6. shopping

Shopping for clothes and accessories might be something you want to do in Riga. There are quite a few large shopping malls in the city, such as Galerija Centrs, Galleria Riga, Origo and Spice. In these modern malls you will find both large chains that you recognise and some chains or stores that may be new.

There is also a cheap shopping centre next to the food market, and we enjoy browsing here. Most of the stalls here speak Russian and you can find clothes, shoes and bags for cheap.

7. Check out the food market

Riga's food market is located in several large halls, which were originally built as hangars for zeppelins. Today, this place is instead dedicated to the sale of food, and this is actually Europe's largest food market by area. As well as meat, fish, cheese and vegetables, you'll find local specialities such as locally produced cream cheese, lightly salted cucumbers and traditional rye bread. You can also find knitted mittens and other handicrafts.

8. Go to a Christmas market

Riga's Christmas markets It's worth mentioning, even if it's a bit strange to talk about Christmas markets in the spring. Christmas markets These are quite small, but on the other hand there are three, one in the Old Town, one in Livu Square and one on the Esplanade. These are definitely worth visiting.

At all three Christmas markets you will find charming little stalls selling knitted mittens, all kinds of handicrafts and locally produced delicacies such as honey, jam and sausages. Here you can also try the famous and strong Latvian drink 'Black Balsam'. And if you can't find it here - you can find it at the Black Magic bar!

9. Take a boat trip on the Daugava River

River Daugava is a 1200 kilometre long river that flows from the Valdai Mountains in Russia, through Belarus, and then through the Gulf of Riga into the Baltic Sea. The Daugava was used by the Vikings in the early Middle Ages to reach the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. There are plenty of tourist boats here today, and you can take an hour-long river cruise to see Riga from a different angle.

Riga attractions - more to see

Of course, there is much more to see in Latvia's capital city. Here are some more tips for visiting Riga's attractions:

• The Russian Orthodox cathedral Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ
• Buildings House of the Black Heads, which is a replica of a historic Gothic-style building that once housed the city's squire.
• One way to experience the sights of Riga is, of course, to join the guided tours. Different themes include culinary tours, ghost tours and Soviet history.

More to do in Riga

Of course, there is also more to see and do in Riga. Here are some more tips for activities if you have time to spare.

• Visit the famous rooftop bar on the 26th floor of the city centre. Hotel Latvijas.
• Learn more about chocolate at Laima Chocolate Museum.
• Make a excursion to Jūrmala, where there are long sandy beaches and spas.

By motorhome to Latvia

This time we did not travel by motorhome to Latvia, but we would like to explore the whole of Latvia by motorhome in the future. Finally, we offer a photo from one of the paintings in the tunnel at the food market, showing a very adventurous motorhome.

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