Top Riga Culture

Set out from Riga to explore some of Latvia’s most popular landmarks and learn facts you won’t hear in most guidebooks on this full-day small-group guided tour. Hear about the cultural significance of the Hill of Crosses, walk the gilded halls of Rundale Palace, gaze up at the architectural wonders of Bauska Castle, and much more.

A perfect introduction to Riga: an audio-guided e-bus tour of Old Town’s top sights. Blankets are provided in cold weather, and the bus is fully heated for your comfort. Our driver is experienced in the tourism industry and knows Riga very well. He will be happy to welcome you on our e-bus. During the 45-minute ride, you will see the main sights of Old Town, and afterwards you can explore the city on your own. If needed, the driver can stop so you can take photos. The audio guide is in English and is played through a speaker. This scenic electric car tour offers a comfortable, eco-friendly way to discover Riga’s Old Town, blending history, culture, and atmosphere into a memorable experience.

Get an orientation to Riga on this tour with a guide providing navigation and insightful commentary. This is a great overview of the city for first-time visitors or travelers who prefer to explore on their own; you can get tips on where to visit further after the tour. You can also ask your local guide plenty of questions.

Lithuania’s Hill of Crosses is a powerful monument to the Baltic nation's battle for independence and a pilgrimage site dating back to the 19th century. This day trip makes it easy for travelers in Riga to cross over the Latvian-Lithuanian border to visit this fascinating display of thousands of crosses while learning all about the site’s history and significance. This small-group tour also includes a stop at the historic city of Jelgava in Latvia.

Join me on a unique journey through two of Riga’s most remarkable historic cemeteries – the Great Cemetery and the Brethren Cemetery. Discover the daunting history of the Great Cemetery, once the resting place of many of Riga’s most prominent residents, and hear fascinating stories about its past and legends. The tour continues to the impressive Brethren Cemetery, a national memorial built to honor the fallen heroes who fought for Latvia’s independence. Along the way, admire monumental architecture, powerful sculptures, and hidden details that reveal an important part of Latvia’s history.

From the top of the Latvian Academy of Sciences building, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Riga that most tourists miss. Spot the River Daugava, Riga’s Old Town, the central market, and much more from the Panorama Riga Observation Deck, as you spend as long as you like marvelling at the cityscape vistas.

On this self guided audio tour, we’ll explore Art Nouveau’s history, visit the city’s most iconic examples of the style and hear about its architects – like Mikhail Eisenstein, whose son Sergei became a legendary Soviet filmmaker. Riga is a true Art Nouveau metropolis with over 800 buildings in this unique architectural style. In fact, it has the world’s highest concentration of Art Nouveau architecture. On this tour you’ll discover: How to identify an Art Nouveau building The incredibly decorative work of Michael Eisenstein The courtyard of one of Riga's most impressive residential buildings How Riga’s architects developed a unique Latvian style called National Romanticism

Discover Riga and its storied past with a local guide to show you around the city and some of its top sights by foot on this private walking tour. See the Old Town and learn all about the city’s storied past, vibrant present, and fascinating legends from your guide. And don’t worry about losing your way at any point thanks to handy round-trip hotel pickup.

Discover the flavors and ingredients of Latvia as you explore Riga’s open-air Central Market on this food tour. Join a small group and wander through the endless stalls to learn about the food traditions of the Baltic country. Enjoy samples of meats, bread, cheese, fish, fermented vegetables, drinks, and sweets for a comprehensive view of the local gastronomy.

Leave Riga behind for the day to marvel at the medieval Bauska Castle, see the baroque architecture of Rundāle Palace, and walk through the Hill of Crosses, a famous pilgrimage site where people have come to pray and leave crosses behind for generations. Make the journey from one location to the next with the help of a driver in a comfortable vehicle.

Join me on a self-guided tour through Riga's Old Town, uncovering the essence of Latvian identity. I’m Emīls, your guide through the heart of Riga's Old Town. On this tour, I’ll weave exciting stories from our history and share some Latvian legends. Instead of dry facts and figures, prepare to be enchanted by vibrant narratives that breathe life into our past. On the way, I'll share intriguing insights. These include the whereabouts of the oldest pagan settlements, the secrets concealed within a Reformation church's basement, and the enigmatic tales surrounding the monks of St. John church. We'll also explore the beloved folklore of "The Town Musicians of Bremen" and learn about the tragic history of St. Peter’s church and Riga's unfortunate burning. We'll marvel at the grandeur of the Brotherhood of Blackheads and uncover the mystical allure of Dome Cathedral with its whispered tales of "witches."

Explore the heart of Riga on a guided walking tour led by a local who lives and works in the city. This experience combines the rich history of Old Riga with insights into everyday life in Latvia today, offering context you won’t find in guidebooks. Walk through Town Hall Square and see the iconic House of the Blackheads, admire the grandeur of Dome Cathedral, and pass lively Līvu Square. Discover the medieval Small and Great Guilds, the historic Three Brothers, and hidden gems such as the Swedish Gate. The tour also covers key political and cultural landmarks, including St. Jacob’s Cathedral, the Latvian Parliament, and the site of Riga’s former synagogue. Along the way, your local guide shares stories about Riga’s past, traditions, and how history shapes modern Latvian life today. This tour is ideal for first-time visitors who want a well-rounded introduction to Old Riga from an authentic local perspective.

Cover more of Riga’s highlights in less time on a bike tour that provides a great introduction for first-time visitors. Gain access to parts of the city that are difficult to reach by coach and car, and stop regularly to take photos and listen to commentary without the worry of finding a parking space. Pack loads of city sightseeing into one experience.

The Best Way to Discover Riga: Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour! Play, learn, and walk! Explore at your own pace with a 100% self-guided activity. Start anytime (24/7) with no guides or schedules. Pause for a traditional Latvian meal or a coffee in the heart of the Old Town and resume whenever you're ready—even the next day. This unique team-building activity is perfect for couples, families, and groups. The "Complete City" Package - Everything you need in one app: Interactive Game: Solve puzzles and discover 10+ major attractions, plus hidden gems revealed along the way. Learn the history/legends of each site. Insider Tips: Access hand-picked local restaurant and shop recommendations. What you will visit: Latvian National Museum of Art, The Freedom Monument, Laima Clock, Bastejkalna Park, Powder Tower, The Swedish Gate, Three Brothers, Riga Castle, Riga Cathedral, House of the Black Heads, and St. Peter’s Church.

Incorporate some fun and puzzles into your sightseeing of Riga with this smartphone exploration game. Follow a story focusing on Riga’s art nouveau architecture and solve clues along the way that will help you learn more about the art nouveau style, as well as the real-life stories behind these impressive buildings.

Discover aspects of Riga’s Jewish history that most guidebooks miss on this half-day private guided tour. Journey across the city—both by car and on foot—to explore historically significant landmarks, hear about wartime Jewish ghettos, and take in several of the most notable examples of Riga’s art nouveau architecture movement, designed by Jewish architect Mikhail Eisenstein.

See Latvia beyond Riga on this full-day, small-group tour to Rundale Palace, Bauska Castle, and the Hill of Crosses—across the border in Lithuania. Rather than hiring a car, relax onboard an air-conditioned vehicle as your guide provides insightful commentary. Snap photos of historic buildings, enjoy the picturesque countryside, and learn more about Latvia's rich culture and history.

Take a journey from Riga over the Lithuanian border to see the Kryžių Kalnas, or Hill of Crosses. The Christian pilgrimage site, consisting of thousands of metal and wooden crosses placed on a hillside, has stood as a powerful symbol of resistance and faith since it was first erected in the 19th century. This guided tour will recount the history of the site and the legends that have grown around it, while leaving time to explore the grounds on your own.

Explore the enchanting Turaida and Sigulda regions with insights from your Bearded Guide. ‣ Start at the Turaida Museum Reserve, where medieval history unfolds amidst stunning landscapes. Enjoy breathtaking views from the castle tower. ‣ Then take an optional cable car ride high above the Gauja Valley for panoramic views. ‣ Visit Gutman's Cave, steeped in local legends, before savoring traditional Latvian cuisine at a local eatery (meal not included). ‣ The adventure continues with visits to Sigulda’s New Castle and the historic Livonian Order Castle ruins. ‣ Last stop at the iconic Sigulda Bobsleigh and Luge Track, perfect for unique photos. This tour is ideal for history buffs and nature lovers alike. - Discover Turaida Museum Reserve with its captivating exhibitions - Optional cable car ride over the stunning Gauja Valley - Explore Gutman's Cave, rich in local legends - Visit historical sites including Sigulda's New Castle and Bobsleigh Track

Experience Riga from a perspective most tourists miss with this canal cruise tour. Listen to facts about the city from the boat’s onboard audio guide as you ride the serene waters, passing sights like the Freedom Monument, Riga Central Market—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—the National Opera building, and much more.

Head off the beaten track as you explore Riga on a private guided tour. Hear about Latvia's Soviet occupation as you explore city-center landmarks like the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, the Freedom Monument, the notorious KGB "Corner House," and more. Discover a side to Riga that most travelers miss, learn about Latvian food, and gain a new perspective on the area's culture and history.

If you are traveling from Riga to Vilnius, you can turn the trip into a sightseeing excursion. This tour takes you for stops at such attractions as Bauska Castle and the Hill of Crosses along the way. Your trip includes comfortable transportation and a guidebook to learn more about each location.

Spend an unforgettable day journeying from Riga across the border to the Hill of Crosses in Lithuania. Leave Latvia behind for a short while to see this famous pilgrimage site where people have been leaving crosses and praying for generations. On the way back to Riga, stop for photos at the border and see the city of Jelgava pass by.