If you are of a certain age, you will remember when a budget airline offered 1p flights to a number of European Cities. It was around 2007/2008 and we took full advantage. We hit some of the major capital cities of Western Europe before setting our sights on destinations further afield. Riga, the capital of Latvia popped up. We paid less than £20 for both of us to fly there and back, both with checked-in luggage. We’ll be honest back then neither of us had ever heard of Latvia never mind even thought about visiting. But for 20 quid we were willing to take the punt and we are glad that we did. It is a very interesting city with a lot of history and we would recommend taking a trip. Here are some of the top attractions to visit in Riga to learn more about the city.
Albert Street
Albert Street is one of the most famous streets in Riga. It houses an impressive array of Art Nouveau architecture. Most notably from the Architect Mikhail Eisenstein, Konstantin Peksens and Eugene Laube. If you want to learn more about the street and buildings, why not take an Old Town and Art Nouveau walking tour of Riga. Even though we love exploring cities independently, having a guide to explain what we are seeing and answer our questions is always a bonus especially in cities that have such a rich and diverse history such as Riga.
Central Market
Riga Central Market is not only Riga’s but also Europe’s largest market covering 72,300 square metres (778,000 sq ft). It was built between 1924 and 1930 and was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list together with Old Riga in 1998. The market is housed in five pavilions. They were constructed by repurposing old German Zeppelin hangars. There are more than 3,000 trade stands which means you are likely to find anything that you are looking for. Many merchants offer typical and unique Latvian products here at local prices.
Freedom Monument
The Freedom Monument was built to honour the soldiers killed during the Latvian War of Independence (1918–1920). Construction of the monument started on the 18th November 1931. Standing on top of the monument’s granite base with the inscription, “For the Fatherland and Freedom”, is a copper figure of Liberty lifting three gilded stars. The stars symbolise the three historic provinces of Latvia and national unity. It stands 43 meters (141 feet) high and is located on Brīvības bulvāris (Freedom Boulevard), near the old town of Riga.
House of Blackheads
The House of the Blackheads is located in the old town in Town Hall Square. It was built in 1334 for the Brotherhood of Blackheads, a guild for unmarried merchants, shipowners, and foreigners. Originally known as New House it was designed as a venue for meetings and banquets, it is now home to a museum and has a grand ballroom. The opulent Dutch Renaissance façade features various architectural styles throughout the years. You can take a tour of the building and feel the charm of aristocracy and get to know the legends of the Black Heads.
Latvian Academy of Sciences
The academy was founded as the Latvian SSR Academy of Sciences on 14th February 1946. official science academy of Latvia and is an association of the country’s elite scientists. The building was designed by Osvalds Tīlmanis, Vaidelotis Apsītis, and Kārlis Plūksne and is an example of Stalinist architecture. When built it was the first skyscraper in Latvia and stands at 108 metres (354 ft) high. Until recently, it was the tallest building in the country. On the 17th floor you can find the ‘Panorama Riga’ observation deck offering views across the city.
Museum of The Occupation of Latvia
The Occupation Museum, which is a state-accredited private museum, was founded in 1993. It is one of the top attractions in Riga, especially if you want to learn about the country’s diverse history and is a must-visit for any visitor to the city. Latvia was successively occupied by the USSR in 1940–1941, then by Nazi Germany in 1941–1944, and then again by the USSR in 1944–1991 The museum documents this through video testimonials, diaries, letters and personal documents. The museum is free to visit, however, donations are welcome.
Riga Cathedral
The Riga (Dome) Cathedral is one of the oldest sacred buildings and the largest places of worship in the Baltic’s with the foundation stone being laid in 1211. It is also one of the top attractions in Riga. Riga Cathedral combines features of Romanesque, Early Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau architectural styles. The entry fee is 3.00 EUR per person. It is also home to the largest organ in Europe. The Riga Cathedral offers 20-minute organ concerts (Piccolo Concerto) every day at noon during the summer season. Admission to the concert is 10.00 EUR per person.
St. Peters Church
St. Peter’s Church is a Lutheran church in Riga. It is also the tallest church in Latvia. The original church was constructed by wood in the early 1200s and was built by the local Livonians. It has been added to and restored a number of times over the years therefore Gothic, Romanesque and Baroque building styles and architectural styles can all be seen. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 and has a tower that offers panoramic views of the red roofs of Old Town, the New Town, Riga Bay and the Daugava River and its large port.
Swedish Gate
The Swedish gate was built during the Swedish rule (called the Swedish Times) of Riga. It was erected 1698 as a part of the Riga Wall to provide access to barracks outside the city wall. It is now the last remaining gate in the city. The apartment above it is said to have been once occupied by an executioner who put a red rose in the window every time a convict was beheaded! The gate has preserved its original look and is one of the key attractions in Riga as it allows visitors to see ‘old Europe’ up close. Plus it offers a great place to capture fantastic photos.
Three Brothers
The Three Brothers is a building complex consisting of three of the oldest townhouses in Riga. It is rumoured that they were all built by descendants of the same family spanning three centuries. The three colourful buildings feature a range of architectural styles. The first brother (built in the late 15th century) features Gothic and Dutch influences, the second brother (built in the mid-17th century) also features Dutch influences and the third (later half of the 17th century) now houses the Latvian Museum of Architecture allowing visitors the opportunity to see inside.
This list only highlights some of the key attractions in Riga, there are of course many more which will help you learn more about the city’s diverse history.
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