Are you looking for things to do in Riga? As the capital and the largest city in Latvia, Riga has a lot to offer and there are plenty of things to do here.
Riga is known for its shopping, trendy dining spots, beautiful architecture, and affordable hotels as well as the wide selection of spa facilities.
See the historic buildings “Three Brothers”
The buildings “three brothers” are the oldest complex of houses in Riga, dating from the 15th century. The oldest facade is number 17 which is a mix of Gothic and Renaissance architecture.
The yellow house in the middle (number 19) goes back to the 17th century and is a mix between Renaissance and Dutch Mannerist design. Today, this building is the home to the ”Latvian Architecture Museum”.
House number 21, is a very narrow house in a beautiful turquoise color. This Baroque-style building with charming details was built at the end of the 17th century.
The Three Brothers buildings are incredibly beautiful and definitely a spot worth seeing in Riga,
Jurmala Beach
If you’re in the mood to go relax on the beach, we recommend visiting Jurmala Beach.
Jurmala Beach is located in Majori, around 45 minutes from Riga by train. Majori is a charming place to walk around in with both stunning sceneries with an ocean breeze.
In addition to being a very scenic place in Latvia, you can also pick amber and look at charming houses.
Swedish Gate
The Swedish Gate is a part of the wall surrounding the old town in Riga. The wall was built in 1698 after the war between Polen and Sweden.
Today, the Swedish Gate is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Riga and definitely worth a stop.
Town Hall Square
The Town Hall Square is a popular and beautiful square in Riga. The square is surrounded by more charming buildings, and great coffee shops, restaurants, and bars.
While visiting this location, keep an eye out for the house of the Brotherhood Blackheads, and the St. Peter’s Church. These two attractions are both worth popular tourist attractions in Riga worth visiting.
Visit Sigulda
Sigulda is located less than an hour’s drive from Riga or 20 minutes by train. If you’re the adventurous type, there is plenty of things to do and see.
In Sigulda, you can find many adventurous activities such as winter bob riding and summer rowing. Here you can also go zip-lining, explore caves, see beaver huts and look at beautiful medieval castles.
If you have a few days in Riga, we definitely recommend taking a day trip to Sigulda.
Treat yourself to a Spa
Riga has a wide range of Spa locations. You can find anything from budget to luxury, as well as family friendly spots. The capital of Latvia has a lot of options and it’s easy to find the perfect spa for you!
Espa Riga
Espa Riga is a luxury spa with 6 floors. This location is perfect for a couple or for someone looking for a relaxing luxury spa experience.
Aqua Villa
If you are looking for a more affordable spa, we recommend visiting Aqua Villa. Here they have a very talented staff and a wide range of spa treatments for a fair price.
Opera Hotel
If you’re traveling with your family, we recommend Opera Hotel’s spa. Opera Hotel has an amazing spa, as well as special spa treatments for kids.
Stroll around Vecriga – Old Town
One of the top things to do in Riga is to stroll around the old town and enjoy the friendly atmosphere. There are many lovely buildings to see and charming cobblestone streets while walking around.
In the old town, you can also find a wide variety of great restaurants, coffee shops, and bars.
St. Peter’s Church
The stunning St Peter’s Church is located in the middle of the old town of Riga. We highly recommend a visit to this church to not only enjoy the inside of the church but also to go up in the 80 m tall church tower.
The church tower will give you a stunning view of the whole city. From all the things to do in Riga, this view is something you want to add to your bucket list.
Latvian National Opera and Ballet
The Latvian National Opera and Ballet has wonderful performances with both ballet, soloists, choirs and orchestras. They have both classic and modern performances.
Here you can expect great performances at a reasonable price.
Visit Art Nouveau Museum
Riga is an exciting city, with many artistic and interesting buildings. The Art Nouveau is a museum housed in an apartment where one of Latvia’s art nouveau architects used to live – Konstantīns Pēkšēns.
On the inside, you can see the captivating architecture, which is absolutely worth a visit.
Riga has around 800 art nouveau buildings, and many of them are located around the same area. This is definitely one of the best things to do in Riga if you’re interested in architecture.
Stroll around Riga Central Market
The Riga Central Market is one of the largest and most visited markets in Europe. around 100,000 people come here every day to enjoy the food or get a good deal on groceries.
This market will offer local products, imported products, and tons of food. You can also spot some incredible hand made souvenirs.
Try Riga Black Balsam
Riga Black Balsam is liqueur made in oak barrels and has been produced since 1753. It was founded by the pharmacist Abraham Kunze and is made from a total of 24 different berries, roots, herbs, flowers, and essential oils.
You can try Riga Black Balsam in drinks, coffee, tea or as an ice-cream topping. A popular spot to try this liqueur is at the Black Magic Bar in the old town.
This is one of the best things to do during your trip to Riga. If you like the taste, you can always get a bottle as a souvenir.
Things to do in Riga on a rainy day
- Visit the Latvian National Museum of Art
- Visit the Riga Motor museum
- Drink delicious tea at Illuseum
- Visit Laima Chocolate Museum
- Have a drink at the Skyline Rooftop Bar
- Try Riga Black Balsam at the Black Magic Bar
- Go bowling at the Pepsi Center
- Stroll around the Central Market
- Go to the opera
- Treat yourself to a spa visit
Things to in Riga with children
- Visit the Riga History & Seafaring Museum
- Stop by Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia
- Visit Riga Firefighter Museum
- Go experient at Zinoo Center (5th floor)
- Go to the Go Planet Entertainment Center
- Visit Riga Chocolate Museum
- Eat dinner at Lido Restaurant
- Go to see a play at the Latvian Puppet Theatre
- Have a fun time at the Livu Water Park
- Visit Mezhapark
Want more tips on what to do in Riga? Leave a comment below.