Things to do in  Latvia

Riga Old Town (Vecrīga) is the UNESCO World Heritage–listed historical center of Latvia’s capital city. The Old Town sits on the Daugava River and still has some major preserved landmarks from the 13th to 15th centuries. It’s home to cobbled streets, churches, and eclectic architecture, and also serves as Riga’s main entertainment district.

The Latvian National Opera (Latvijas Nacionala Opera un Balets) is a major cultural and architectural landmark in Riga. Gardens and a fountain frame the building’s refined neoclassical exterior, while the inside is full of rich golden detail. Fans of the arts can catch performances of opera and ballet in its four halls.

Standing on the banks of the Daugava River, Riga Castle (Rīgas Pils) is one of the most resilient icons of Latvian heritage. At various points in its 700-year history, the castle has been under Polish, Swedish, and Soviet control. Today it is the official residence of the President of Latvia.

A defining fixture of the Riga old town skyline, St. Peter’s Church is one of the city’s most cherished landmarks. This 13th-century church still has many original elements inside, including stone tombs and wooden altars, but the viewing platform atop the church’s 404-foot-high (123-meter) Gothic tower is its main draw.

Built in 1334 for the Brotherhood of Blackheads—a guild for unmarried German merchants in Latvia—the House of the Blackheads (Melngalvju Nams) is one of Riga’s grandest buildings. This Gothic structure, which features an elaborate Renaissance facade, now functions as a venue for concerts, exhibitions, and festive events, and the interior is open for visitors to explore.

Long the center for activity in Riga’s medieval Old Town, the Riga Town Hall Square (Ratslaukums) looks brand new thanks to modern renovations. The square is always lively, as pedestrians mull around the Roland Statue to admire the Gothic architecture of the House of the Blackheads and visit the city’s Christmas tree come winter.

Making a grand statement with its scale and architectural blend, Riga Cathedral (Rigas Doms) is a cultural highlight of the city. While this Evangelical Lutheran cathedral is a cornerstone of faith in Riga, it’s also long been one of the city’s main concert venues—classical music fans can still enjoy regular organ concerts there today.

Tucked away among the old town’s narrow cobblestone streets, the Swedish Gate is the last of Riga’s gates from its days under Swedish rule. Although the 17th-century gate is quite unassuming from the north, it blends in with the quaint character of the buildings along Aldaru Iela to create one of the prettier corners of Riga.

Overlooking the Gauja River and surrounded by forest, the Livonian Order Sigulda Castle is a highlight of Sigulda, a town near Riga. Tucked behind the Sigulda New Castle, it was left to ruin for centuries but has been partly restored in recent years. Today, you can get a glimpse of its past as a crusader stronghold.

Considered the hub of Riga’s art nouveau obsession, Albert Street is an open-air museum of architectural gems ready to wow passersby. It’s estimated that there are around 800 art nouveau buildings in Riga, but rarely are they as concentrated or grand as on Albert Street, making a walk here a visual treat for tourists.

The dainty white exterior of the Small Guild helps it make an impression among its equally picturesque old town surroundings. However, the exterior pales compared to the mosaics, stained-glass windows, and portraits that cover the interior of this 19th-century guildhouse. Music lovers can enjoy concerts inside this beloved venue.

Go behind Riga’s popular art nouveau façades and see how glamorous they were inside the Riga Art Nouveau Museum. Walk through faithfully recreated rooms from the turn of the century and see how different aspects of life were lived over 100 years ago. However, the star of the show is the building’s exquisite spiral staircase.

While its name may translate as New Street, Jauniela Street (Jauniela) certainly doesn’t look all that new, thanks to the assortment of pastel buildings that line its cobblestones. The street is regarded as one of Riga Old Town’s prettiest, but it’s also one of the city’s liveliest, home to many hotels, bars, and restaurants.

Admire views across the historical center of Riga from the observation deck of the Latvian Academy of Sciences, a Stalinist tower in the city’s Latgale suburb. Heading up to the 17th floor of the Socialist-era building is an experience in itself, but it is the view of Riga’s riverfront and historical landmarks together that make this one of the best viewpoints in Riga.

The stark exterior of the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia sets it apart from many of the beautiful buildings that neighbor it in Riga Old Town. This brutal and cold facade reflects the events and stories told inside about Latvia’s experience under occupation by the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany during the 20th century.