10 Best Things to Do in Riga

Riga Central Market (Rīgas Centrāltirgus) is one of the best places in Riga to start off your day at. It’s worth visiting just as much for a glimpse of its iconic 20th-century structure – one of the finest examples Riga has to offer – as it is for the wide variety of fresh produce and ready-to-eat goods you’ll find inside.

This is one of Europe’s biggest markets, open for close to 100 years and now declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pick up a coffee and a bite at one of the cafés in and around the market – adventurous eaters can try local breakfast delicacies like smoked fish, but there are also countless pastries on offer if you’re looking for something easier to stomach.

St Peter's Church in Riga is a Medieval Lutheran church. It is the tallest church in Riga and offers impressive views of Old Town and its iconic red roofs.

The church was originally built in the 1200s and was initially much smaller. Even so, the tall Gothic building you see today is the result of renovations in the 1600s and tower renovations in the 1960s. There is a lot to see and do in the church, including art exhibitions, archaeological findings, and a small museum.

The Freedom Monument honours the soldiers who died during the Latvian War of Independence. It is made of granite and copper and stands 42 metres tall in the centre of Riga.

The monument is made up of 56 different individual sculptures, each grouped into 4 levels depicting Latvian history and culture. At the top of the monument is a sculpture of a young woman, the figure of Liberty, holding 3 stars above her head symbolising the districts of Latvia. Weather permitting, the monument is guarded by 2 Guards of Honour daily between 9 am and 6 pm.

The elaborate House of the Blackheads (Melngalvju Nams) is the visual highlight of a visit to Riga’s Town Hall Square (Rātslaukums). And yet while it might be difficult to believe, it’s actually a recent reconstruction of the real thing, which was destroyed by WW2 bombing (although the original basement vaults remain). 

The original building is said to have dated back to at least 1334, serving first as a public meeting place and later as home to the Melngalvju Brālības (Brotherhood of Blackheads), a foreign merchants’ association that ultimately gave it its name. Now feeling almost prophetic, an inscription that once adorned the main gate read ‘should I ever crumble to dust, rebuild my walls you must’.

Jūrmala is Riga’s main beach that offers a vast and sandy coast that stretches for almost 25 km. Riga pulls hard with its cultural draws, but it’s more than just an intellectual city break destination – this is somewhere beachgoers can just as easily feel at home. The beach is just a 30-minute train ride out of the city’s downtown core.

The golden and sandy pine-fringed beach is lapped by clear waters and topped off with the odd hint of Art Nouveau architecture that Riga is best known for. Jūrmala is worth a visit whatever the season since the area still makes for a rewarding, fresh-air-aplenty beach walk even when the temperatures drop.

Bastion Hill Park (Bastejkalna Park) is one of the most popular spots to catch a sunset view over Riga. It is the highest point beside the Brīvības Piemineklis (Freedom Monument) in the central district. 

No city break is complete without somewhere to watch one of Mother Nature’s most magnificent shows. Fortunately, Riga doesn’t disappoint when it comes to sunsets from Bastion Hill Park. The city’s canal runs right through the colourful, winding park, adding to its overall romantic feel.

Visit the Latvian National Opera and Ballet (Latvijas Nacionālā Opera un Balets) to get your fix of Riga’s arts scene. This theatre shows that Riga offers beyond just the Art Nouveau beauties that first lure visitors. Fronted by immaculate gardens, this imposing neoclassical structure dates right back to the 1860s. 

Today, it still sees a regular rotation of new productions and hundreds of captivating Latvian and international performances each year. That means there’s sure to be something showing that will let you join Riga’s high-flying set for a stylish slice of mid-evening entertainment.

Old-town Vecrīga is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the jewel in Riga’s crown. It might be a tad touristy in parts, but the narrow-cobbled streets are atmospheric enough to excuse that. Some of the city’s earliest structures can be found here, but the neighbourhood also houses countless charming restaurants. 

Elegant Salve, right on Rātslaukums (Town Hall Square), offers an introduction to traditional local cuisine, including a 6-course Latvian tasting menu. More modern but no less authentic, Domini Canes on Skārņu iela blends innovative new takes on Latvian recipes with a particular focus on locally sourced produce.