Best Travel Guide Riga | ArrivalGuides.com

RigaGuide was updated: 2025-07-09

Riga greets visitors with a unique and breathtaking silhouette, beautifully reflected in the Baltic Sea. A stroll through the city centre offers a charmingly confusing mix of a modern metropolitan city with exclusive shopping, vibrant nightlife, international cuisine, and ancient traditions in a capital that has been multi-cultural throughout its 800-year history.

Do & See

Riga offers plenty in terms of sightseeing and entertainment, just as one would expect from a city that was named the European Capital of Culture in 2014. Guided tours normally depart from Old Town Square. Many of the most beautiful and interesting sights are concentrated in the Old Town, so it is a good idea to start your tour from there.

Freedom Monument

The Freedom Monument, or "Milda" (as the locals call it), towers gracefully between the Old Town and the city. The 42-metre-tall statue is a symbol of Latvia’s freedom and independence. The honour guard changes shifts every hour, on the hour, from morning until evening.

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Three Brothers

The Three Brothers are the oldest stone residential buildings in the city, situated in the picturesque Maza Pils alley in the Old Town. Each of the three houses represents different stages in the architectural époques of Riga, from Medieval to Baroque.

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St. Peter’s Church

St Peter's Church in Riga is known for its tall tower, which offers stunning views of the city, including the red roofs of Old Town, the modern part of Riga, Riga Bay, and the Daugava River with its large port. The church itself was originally built in 1209, but only a few walls and pillars remain from that time. The Gothic tower, which was over 130 meters tall, was completed in the late 15th century. However, it collapsed in 1666 and was rebuilt in the Baroque style in 1690–at the time, it was the tallest wooden structure in the world. In 1721, the tower was struck by lightning and burned down. It was later restored, but once again it burned down during World War II. Renovation of the tower began in 1967, and today, it stands at a height of 123.25 meters. Visitors can access the second gallery, which is 72 meters above the ground. In 1997, St Peter's Church was added to UNESCO's World Heritage list.

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Latvian War Museum

The so-called Powder Tower, the last remnant of the 13th-century wall that once surrounded the heart of Riga, now hosts a war museum. The aim of the museum is to reveal to the public the complicated military history of Latvia, with a special emphasis on the 20th century, during which the Latvian people had to win their independence twice.

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Riga Castle

Founded in 1330 and located on the banks of the Daugava River, the Riga Castle is one of the country's most prominent medieval castles. Throughout its history, it has suffered significant damage and seen various rulers and wars. After numerous reconstructions, it is a typical sample of late Classicism architecture. Currently, it serves as the official residence of the President of Latvia.

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Riga Nativity of Christ Orthodox Cathedral

Constructed in the Neo-Byzantine style between 1876 and 1883, when the country was a part of the Russian Empire, the Nativity of Christ Cathedral in Riga is the largest Orthodox church in the city. It has undergone several transformations over the years, being used as a planetarium and a restaurant during the Soviet Era. However, it has since been fully restored as a church and now holds regular Orthodox services. It has also one of the biggest organs in Europe with 6,768 pipes.

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