The area around Old Town is mostly built between 1860 and 1914 and has many buildings that resemble Berlin, Paris, or Rome. Many Soviet-era movies set in Western Europe were filmed here as the buildings can make the city pass for a city in Western Europe.
Triangula Bastion - 11 Novembra Krastmala 17. Modern building with an excavated fragment of historical Riga fortification wall system which protected medieval Riga city from attacks from war ships. Also Triangula Bastion has the best view terraces in Riga. Open 9:00 – 22:00. Free entrance.
Town Square and Surroundings. �
Statue of Roland, (In the center of the Town Square). �
House of Blackheads, 1 kalku iela, ☎ (+371) 67044300. The House of Blackheads is where the merchants-to-be had their guild. Part of this building is the tourist information office, the rest is a fascinating museum. The upper levels house grand ballrooms while the basement has a wine cellar and several exhibits relating to trading in Riga.2 LVL, 1 LVL students. (latitude,)�
Town Hall. Pretty to look at, but not open for visitors. �
Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, 1 Strelnieku laukums, ☎ (+371) 67212715 (), . This noticeable and austere black building is clearly out-of-place. In the Soviet days, this housed a museum to the Red Riflemen, a group of Latvians who volunteered for the service to Russia during the Russian revolution of 1917. Now it houses a museum of Latvia's time under both the Nazi and Soviet occupations. Very long, but very moving--essential for anyone interested in the history of the USSR or Nazi Germany. Outside the building away from the town square stands the Soviet-era Monument to the Riflemen.Free. (latitude,)�
St. Peter's Church, 19 Skarnu iela, ☎ (+371) 67229426 (fax: 67211375). St. Peters Church, dating to 1209, is Riga's oldest church. Besides its ensemble of architecture, the church has an elevator to the tower from where you can see all of Riga (service not available on Mondays).2 Lats. (latitude,)�
St. John's Church, 7 Jana iela. 10AM - 5PM TUE-SAT. A smaller, less spectacular church near St. Peter's. There is a nice altar inside, and unlike most Riga churches, this one is free. The altar is from the Renaissance period and depicts the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. The ceiling is from the Gothic period, and has 5 separate vaulted compartments. There is also a huge pipe organ, and many stained glass windows. This church dates back to the mid 1200's. �
Porcelain Museum, 9 Kalēju iela, (), . 11AM - 6PM TUE-SUN. Covers the history of porcelain in Riga through the 19th and 20th centuries.1 Lat, 50 santimi for children, free under 7. �
Sun Museum, 1 Kungu iela, ☎ (+371) 67225587 (), . 10AM - 7PM daily. A definite contender for Riga's weirdest museum, this one covers the history of sun mythology and its role in Latvian culture.2 Lats, 1.5 Lats for students, children free. �
The Big Guild, 6 Amatu iela. Housed the guild of the tradesmen, who would join after being a member of the Blackheads (see House of Blackheads). Home to the Latvian Philharmonic, but you can't just walk inside. It's the exterior that's worth seeing though. �
The Little Guild, 5 Amatu iela. Another pretty building just behind the Big Guild, this one housed the craftsmen's guild. Like the Big Guild, you can't go inside except for a performance. �
The House of the Black Cat, Next to the Big Guild. This building (also housing a pub of no particular note) is most famous for the two statues of black cats on the roofs. The legend has it that a disgruntled tradesman who was not accepted into the Big Guild, built this house and put the cats on it with their tails pointing towards the Big Guild, thus expressing his scorn. �
Wagner Concert Hall, 4 Vāgnera iela. Wagner once lived in Riga, on the street now named after him. This hall where he performed occasionally holds concerts. �
St. Saviour's Anglican Church, 2a Anglikanu iela, ☎ 67222259, . Riga's only Anglican church has English language services every Sunday, and free concerts every Wednesday. �
St. Jacob's Catholic Church, 2 Klostera iela. Dating to 1226, this is one of the few Catholic churches left in Riga. At one point, it housed one of Riga's first schools.Free. �
Riga Castle - Rigas Pils, (Near the Northern boundry of the Old Town). The castle itself is fairly uninteresting, but it houses the following 2 museums: �
National History Museum of Latvia, 3 Pils Laukums, ☎ 67223004 (, fax: 67220586). 11AM - 5PM WED-SUN. The History Museum is interesting, however there is little English (Every room has its exhibits summarized on a single plaque). However, the museum does give a very good idea of Latvian history, and will give you a good understanding of the area.Admission: 2 LVL; Camera fee: 5 LVL. (latitude,)�
Museum of Foreign Art, 3 Pils Laukums, ☎ 67226467, . 11AM - 5PM TUE-SUN. The less interesting of the two museums: this is just a standard art museum.Admission fee: 2.50 LVL; Camera fee: 0.50 LVL. �
The Dom Cathedral in central Riga.
Cathedral Square and surroundings (Doma square). �
Riga Cathedral (Doma cathedral), 1 Doma Laukums, ☎ 67227573. Dating to 1207, it is one of Riga's symbols. The 6768-pipe organ inside is particularly spectacular. Besides the organ, however, the interior is rather spartan, and may not be worth the entrance fee.(latitude,)�
Museum of the Barricades of 1991, 3 Krāmu iela, ☎ (+371) 67213525, . 10AM - 5PM MON-FRI, 11AM - 5PM SAT. Covers the dramatic events that occurred in the tumultuous final year of the USSR, when Soviet authorities sent troops into Riga to overthrow the elected Latvian government.Free. �
The Three Brothers, 17, 19, and 21 Mazā Pils iela, . 9AM - 5PM TUE-THUR, 9AM - 4PM Fri. The Three Brothers are the oldest dwelling houses in Riga. One of them has a small architecture museum inside, along with changing exhibits about Latvia. �
Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation, 4 Palasta iela, . May - Sept: 11AM - 5PM daily, Oct - May: 11AM - 5PM WED-SUN. Actually 2 museums plus a number of special exhibits, though you pay one price. Like the National Museum, English translations are limited to plaques summarizing rooms, but here you can also pick up pieces of paper describing some of the exhibits. Both of the main museums are quite interesting, and they provide a good idea of what Riga was like in the past.3 lats plus more for photo permission. �
Latvian Parliament (Saeima), 11 Jekaba iela, . A rather plain building housing the Saeima, Latvia's parliament. It has had a number of uses--including as a soviet-era museum. Currently not open to visitors �
Arsenal Museum of Art, 1 Torna iela, ☎ 67357527, . April - Sept: 11AM - 7 PM Tue-Sun, Oct - Mar: 11AM - 5PM Tue-Sun. Riga's premier museum for modern art. �
Swedish Gate, Btw Torna and Aldaru iela. The last remaining gate from the old city walls. �
Powder Tower & City Wall, (Northwestern end of Old Town). The following attractions are here: �
Museum of War, 20 Smilsu iela, ☎ 67228147. May - Sept: 10AM - 6PM Wed-Sun, Oct - April: 10AM - 5PM Wed-Sun. �
St. Jacob's Barracks, Torna iela. The primary attraction here is the last remaining stretch of city wall directly opposite the barracks. �
Pharmaceutical Museum, 13-15 Riharda Vagnera, . Tue-Sat: 10am-5pm. In a renovated 18th century house.1 LVL. �
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Riga
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Riga - updated May 2024
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