old town vibes
Riga’s charming Old Town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Notable landmarks include the ornate House of the Blackheads, facing onto Town Hall Square, the 800-year-old Riga Dome Cathedral and St Peter’s Church with its observation deck. Riga is relatively flat, which makes walking and cycling tours viable options.
Dine well
Riga has a vibrant culinary scene with 25 of its dining establishments listed in the Michelin Guide. Travellers seeking something simpler might enjoy a venison burger at Two More Beers. 3 Pavaru Restorans and FermaLatvian are good choices for excellent Latvian dishes. Noble Wine, Truffle Le Pig and Barents Wine Collectors are likely to appeal to travellers with refined palates.
hit a market
Riga’s Central Market used to house Zeppelin airships – now it showcases rye bread, fruit and vegetables, cooked meats and smoked fish. Even older, the brickwork Āgenskalns Market has a laid-back vibe and serves freshly prepared food. Saturdays represent an opportunity to trawl stalls in the Kalnciema Quarter.
Appreciate the architecture
Riga’s Art Nouveau architecture was in its heyday in the early 20th century. Latvian architects put their spin on the style and more than 800 Art Nouveau edifices can be seen around the city. Riga Art Nouveau Museum is in the former home of the celebrated architect Konstantīns Pēkšēns on Alberta Street – whose facades make it a popular thoroughfare.
A show thing
The Latvian National Opera dates from 1863 and provides a magical setting for performances from August into June. Tickets to shows such as Turandot, La Traviata and The Nutcracker represent good value. The National Theatre, which opened in 1918, is also an elegant building worth seeing both inside and out.
wheely good
Riga Motor Museum’s façade is reminiscent of a Rolls-Royce’s radiator. It holds an expansive collection of classic automobiles and other vehicles, such as the bullet-proof cars that once transported the Kremlin’s hierarchy, and a 1966 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow damaged while Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev was at the wheel.
green spaces
Latvia’s capital is dotted with green spaces, including Vērmane Garden, whose Tabu Tea House is a cosy spot for refreshments. The Esplanade Park hosts the Byzantine-style Nativity of Christ Orthodox Cathedral and a monument to Rainis, Latvia’s national poet. The Freedom Monument towers over the Bastejkalna Park, while the Kronvalda Park is ideal for unwinding.
worth a ride
A 25-minute ride from central Riga, Spilve Airport is a leading example of Soviet Neoclassicist architecture. Murals within the old airport depict Latvian costumes and Soviet pageantry.
The Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia is a 40-minute journey and provides insights into rural traditions amid relocated buildings from across the country.
Day trips from the capital
Built for the Dukes of Courland in the 18th century, Rundāle Palace is a restored baroque landmark, approximately an hour from Riga, as is Sigulda, a town famed for Gauja National Park, the largest in Latvia. The coastal town of Jūrmala is known for its Art Nouveau summer houses made from wood.
Water day out
Latvia’s capital is conveniently placed for spending time on beaches including Vecāķi, fringed by pine forest. Bathers can also stay in the city, which has several centrally located Blue Flag swimming areas. Lucavsala Bay, Rumbula and Kipsala are popular, and warrant packing swimwear during city breaks in Riga.
