Book Olympic Air Flights to Riga

Sightseeing in Riga

Roam the narrow stone-paved streets of the beautiful historic centre of Riga and admire the lively small squares that keep popping up around this enchanting maze, as well at the Livu square with the restaurants and the tourist shops. The Old Town is a UNESCO monument, as it features more than 150 historical and architectural monuments dating from the 13th to the 19th century. One of the most significant buildings of the district is the imposing Riga Cathedral, Saint Peter’s Church, the red building of the House of the Blackheads (brotherhood of single foreign merchants) and the famous buildings of different eras called “The Brothers”, because they are adjoined.

Riga is famous for having the most beautiful art nouveau district in Europe, according to UNESCO. About one third of the city buildings is in art nouveau style, built between 1904 and 1914, in a time of great economic growth. You can find some of the nicest examples of this style on the east of Elizabetes street and along Alberta street. You can also visit the Art Nouveau Museum, housed in the apartment of the famous Latvian architect Konstantins Pēkšēns, reviving in every detail the style of the era, with furniture and objects collected exclusively from the time that art nouveau flourished.
Address: Alberta Iela 12, LV-1010 Riga, www.art-nouveau.riga.lv

The largest domed Cathedral in the Baltic, is right here, in the central square of the Old Town and dates back to the 13th century. In the church interior you can admire one of the largest pipe organs in the world, with 6,768 pipes.
Address: Doma Laukums 1, LV-1050 Riga, www.doms.lv

The baroque belfry of the super-high Gothic church of Saint Peter (1209), dominating the city landscape at 123 metres, is an excellent choice if you want to get a birds’-eye view of Riga. Skārnu 19, LV-1050 Riga, www.peterbaznica.riga.lv

The copper and granite Freedom Monument is one of the most significant landmarks of the city, symbolising the struggle of Latvian people for independence and freedom. Since 1935, when it was built thanks to public donations, it stands at a height of 42 metres in the park area, between the Old and the New Town and is a place of commemoration and political gathering. The change of the honour guard takes place every hour.
Address: Brivibas Bulvaris and Raina Bulvaris, LV-1050 Riga.

Grab a coffee to go and walk along the Pilsetas Canals, the “City Canal”. This is an old fortification trench of medieval Riga, which has currently transformed into an idyllic area of greenery and parks that separate the Old Town from the 19th century Art Nouveau district. Walk along the river and enjoy the tranquillity of nature in one of the most delightful promenades of the city.
Address: Centrāltirgus iela 5, LV-1050 Riga.

Riga's museums

The Museum of the Occupation of Latvia extensively presents the history of half a century of oppression of the Latvian nation (1940-1991) by the Nazi and the Soviet occupation.
Address: Strelnieku laukums 1, LV-1050 Riga, www.okupacijasmuzejs.lv

To explore the living conditions in Latvia in the 18th and 19th century, visit the Open Air Ethnographic Museum. This is living museum, that faithfully reproduces the atmosphere of the time, through 100 wooden structures, including farmhouses, windmills and churches, in a park, by the banks of lake Jugla, while even the staff of the park follows the period dress code and lifestyle.
Address: Brīvības gatve 440, LV-1024 Riga, www.brivdabasmuzejs.lv

The Museum of the History of Riga & Navigation, which is also the oldest museum of the city (1773), presents the turbulent history of Riga. The museum emphasises on the era of great maritime growth of Riga, as a mercantile and shipping hub.
Address: Palasta iela 4, www.rigamuz.lv

Shopping in Riga

Riga features the largest and oldest market of Europe, with more than 3000 vendors selling their goods. The Central Market (Centrāltirgus) is situated next to the railway station and it is no surprise that locals call it the “stomach” of the city. An attraction in its own right, it unfolds under the roof of five huge Zeppelin hangars, offering a never-ending variety of goods: fresh local food and flowers to clothes, home appliances and CDs at bargain prices.

On the stalls outside Saint Peter's church, at Skarnu iela and on the south end of Valnu iela, you will find many street vendors selling local products, ranging from faux bijoux and wool gloves to paintings, matrioshkas and handmade children's dolls.

The main commercial street of the city is Audeju iela, featuring designer boutiques, large department stores, as well as the oldest (1930) and recently renovated commercial centre Centrs, with over 150 shops and entertainment establishments.

Food and Entertainment in Riga

In Latvia, the local cuisine is an interesting blend of culinary influences from Eastern Europe and Russia. Servings are really filling, and the local dishes mainly comprise of cabbage, potatoes, beef, pork and fish. In Riga, you will find exceptional restaurants serving both Latvian cuisine dishes and a large variety of tasty options literally from around the world. Do not miss the chance to try the famous Black Balsam local drink.

The Old Town is an excellent choice for food and drinks. Most cafés, bars and clubs are conveniently situated around the central Doma laukums square and along Kalku iela. The scenery is even more picturesque in the summer, when the tables are outside and people stroll the street holding drinks.

Trip ideas around Riga

The largest and most popular sea resort of the Baltic is Jurmala, just 20 minutes away from Riga by train from the central railway station of the city. It features beautiful sandy beaches, but you can also admire the elaborate wooden architecture of the area, the elegant old mansions the famous spas and the local cuisine.

Do not miss the chance to take a daytrip to the historic medieval city of Sigulda, built on the ancient valley with the same name. This is the ideal destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Here, you can admire the idyllic natural scenery, the mysterious inscriptions of the 17^th century on the legendary cave (Gutmanis) and the 3 castles of the area, with the jewel in the crown being the dreamy 13th century Turaida Castle. A walk to the Dainu Hill, an open-air sculpture exhibition dedicated to Latvian folklore characters, is certainly worth taking.

Transport from Riga airport

Riga International Airport is the largest airport of the Baltic, located 11 kilometres from Riga.

The easiest and cheapest way to get to the city centre is to catch bus line No 22 that connects the airport with Riga central (Abrenes iela - Airport line). Services depart every 10-30 minutes and the journey takes about 30 minutes. Moreover, minibus No. 241 also connects the city centre with the airport. If you choose to move by taxi, note that the ride takes about 20 minutes and the fare list should be posted on the right back door.

A classy city of amazing architecture, gastronomy, history and nature, Riga is an ideal destination in the summer, when the city comes to life with numerous festivals. From the Opera Festival of the city, held in June, to the renowned Positivus Festival for the crowds of electronica every July, Riga has in store an event for every taste. Book your tickets to Riga on www.olympicair.com and get carried away by the enchanting allure of the Baltic.