It’s quite possible to walk around Riga in one half day. 4-5 hours was enough for us with a rest in a wonderful cafe. In the article I share in detail all the significant sights of Riga with exact addresses and another important information, and also attach the route for printing and using it on the road.

How to get to Riga

by bus;
by train;
by car

Bus St. Petersburg - Riga

There are 2 companies bus transportation throughout Europe:

The buses are new: the seats are comfortable and recline as much as possible for a comfortable sleep, there are sockets at each seat, individual multimedia devices (Internet, music, movies, games), free WiFi, free tea or coffee, air conditioning and a toilet.

Train St. Petersburg - Riga

Departure from Vitebsky station, the most beautiful station St. Petersburg (Pushkinskaya metro station - red line No. 1).

The schedule and ticket prices can be found on the website Tutu.ru

To Riga by car

Also carefully read the article about, where I advise where you can inexpensively leave your car for a long time if you are flying away from Riga on vacation.

What to see in Riga in one or two days

Once upon a time, Riga Castle served the knights of the Livonian Order and had a defensive function. Today it is the residence of the President of Latvia.

Three Brothers (Trīs Brāļi)

Address: Mazā Pils iela 17, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia

Architecture of Medieval Riga. “White Brother”, “Middle Brother” and “Green Brother” - 3 buildings that show the development of residential building construction in medieval Latvia.

Zviedru varti)

Address: Torne iela 11, Riga

The Swedish Gate is unique in that it has been preserved in its original form. According to legend, they appeared thanks to a merchant who did not want to pay money to enter the city. He cut a gate in his own house and took a fee from those who wanted to enter the city.

There are also rumors that a young girl was walled up in the gate, who secretly from her parents met with a Riga officer. She was caught and walled up in the walls of the Swedish Gate. Local residents say that sometimes they hear the crying of the unfortunate person.

Cat house (Kaķu nams)

Address: Meistaru iela 19, Centra rajons, Riga, LV-1050, Latvia

This building, with the wonderful cat on the roof, has nothing in common with the fairy tale. However, he still has a legend: a rich merchant built himself a house and installed cats on the roof, pointedly turning their backs towards the Guild building, where they did not want to take him. With the scandal, the cats were eventually turned around, and they still show off to this day.

WatchLaima (Laimaclock)

Address: Aspazijas bulvaris 20, Centra rajons, Riga, LV-1050, Latvia

The clock was installed in 1924 to ensure that citizens were never late for work. Later they were decorated with the logo of the Laima confectionery company.

Freedom Monument (Brīvības piemineklis)

Address: Raiņa bulvāris 11 Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia

The Freedom Monument is located between the new and old towns. It was built in 1931 with the money of the townspeople. There is a woman standing on a pedestal 19 meters high.

Latvian National Opera (Latvijas Nacionālā opera un ballets)

Address: Aspazijas bulvaris 3, Centra rajons, Riga, LV-1050, Latvia

Very beautiful building, built 1860-1863.

Church of St. Peter (Rīgas Sv. Pētera baznīca)

Address: Skārņu iela 19, Centra rajons, Riga, LV-1050, Latvia

You can go up to the observation deck and appreciate the beauty of Riga from a 72-meter height.

Working hours:

The ticket office closes 1 hour early

Tuesday - Saturday

Winter time (September - April): from 10.00 to 18.00

Summer time (May-August): from 10.00 to 19.00

Sunday

Winter time (September - April): from 12.00 to 18.00

Summer time (May-August): from 12.00 to 19.00

Monday- closed

Entry tickets:

For adults: EUR 11.00

House of the Blackheads (Melngalvju nams)

Address: Rātslaukums 7, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia

Completely restored in 1999 after destruction during World War II.

The Dome Cathedral (Rīgas Doms)

Address: Herdera laukums 6, Centra rajons, Riga, LV-1050, Latvia

The way the cathedral looks now, it was created at the end of the 19th century. The cathedral is the center of the Latvian musical movement. The Riga Dome Cathedral also hosts religious services and concerts by famous musicians.

Where to eat inexpensively in Riga

The best restaurant chain in Latvia is “Lido”. They have a promotion for lunch: on weekdays from 12.00 to 15.00. For 3.90 euros you will be offered soup, main course, bread and drink.

If you are by car, then a convenient restaurant for a full lunch is the Lido Recreation Center (Lido Atpūtas centrs)

at the address: Krasta iela 76, Latgales priekšpilsēta, Rīga, LV-1019, Latvia

Very a nice place, with fountains and outdoor tables. Parking here is paid, but it is quite inexpensive (0.50 euros). When purchasing lunch at the checkout, you need to buy a special token for leaving the parking lot.

(Visited 852 times, 1 visits today)

Riga is the capital of Latvia and the most Big City Baltic states (just over 600 thousand people). The city took its name from the Riga River that once flowed in this place, which was later filled up. From 1150 Various traders stopped near the Riga River, gradually forming a small settlement. In 1201, the German priest Albert, who arrived in these places from the city of Bremen, built the first stone church, which served as a signal for the founding of the city.

Having visited Riga several times, we came to the conclusion that it is very difficult to walk around the Old Town without a clear plan: the streets are incredibly confused and winding, there is a constant temptation to turn somewhere, after which you end up in a place where you have already been, it seems like you are wasting time. In addition, it is very disappointing to return home and find that some of the attractions were overlooked. Having filled my own bumps, the idea came to write a tourist route Old Riga, covering all the main attractions.

Thanks to its interesting architecture and well-kept streets, Riga can be visited at any time of the year. If you have little time, but a lot of desire to get to know the Old Town of Riga as fully as possible, then this is the place for you!

The tourist route is designed in a circle, so you can go to Old city Riga from any convenient point and just start following the instructions of the article.

Old town of Riga

Old Town of Riga is included in the World Heritage List cultural heritage UNESCO for “outstanding universal value”, the unique in the world quality and quantity of architectural monuments in the Art Nouveau style, which have preserved their historical appearance relatively unchanged, and for wooden architecture of the 19th century.

It is important to note that the bus and railway stations are located in close proximity to the Old Town; you just need to cross the street and you can already enjoy the unusual medieval houses!

We will start our walk from the Town Hall Square, from where several main attractions open up at once.

Town Hall

The first Town Hall in Riga was built in 1226 after the city won the right to independent politics and an independent court. The building was built to house the formed body of the city council. Since then, the Town Hall has been rebuilt and expanded several times. The modern Town Hall is a copy restored in 2003 after the war. Now the Riga City Council is located in the Town Hall building.

House of the Blackheads

Opposite the Town Hall stands the most beautiful building in Riga - the House of the Blackheads. It was built in the 14th century by a guild of artisans and was then called the New House. Strange name(House of the Blackheads) gained a foothold after the building began to be rented in 1477 by a guild of merchants who traveled to neighboring and distant countries to buy goods. It was dangerous to purchase and deliver goods to Riga at that time, so only young and unmarried men, mostly foreigners, were recruited into the guild. By and large, this trade guild was more like an army with a charter, a hierarchy, they even had their own fleet, thanks to which the merchants successfully fought off robbers and pirates. Initially, the patron of the guild was St. George (the patron of knights and warriors), but later the merchants chose the black St. Mauritius (also the patron of knights), hence the guild was called the Guild of the Blackheads, and the building - the House of the Blackheads. By the way, Saint Mauritius has never been to Riga.

After the Second World War, the House of the Blackheads had to be completely restored; work lasted until 2000.

From the Town Hall Square you can clearly see the towering spire of St. Peter's Cathedral, let's go straight to it!

Menzendorf House

On the way we turn behind the House of the Blackheads to the House of Menzendorf.

This building is a monument architecture XVII century, slightly lopsided with different windows and a winch on the roof. Such winches were used to lift heavy loads to the upper floors. Now this house houses a museum with a permanent exhibition of the daily life and everyday life of Riga residents. But originally it was a residential building with a store on the ground floor. The second oldest pharmacy in Riga was located here. According to legend, it was here in 1752 that the Riga pharmacist Abraham Kunze first prepared the famous Riga balsam.

Saint Paul's Cathedral

Saint Paul's Cathedral - oldest church Rigi. The first mention of the cathedral dates back to 1209. St. Peter's Cathedral was built at the expense of the townspeople and for the townspeople; there was even a city school attached to the church. From 1408 to 1473 The cathedral was restored, its altar part was rebuilt, and in the same years the cathedral acquired a bell tower. In the 17th century, the cathedral was decorated with three portals and a Gothic spire on the tower.

After the Second World War, the cathedral essentially lay in ruins; restoration and restoration work was completed only in 1983.

Despite the fact that the cathedral has now been transferred Lutheran Church, entrance fee is 9€ for an adult. This price includes a tour of the church and a climb to the observation deck, which offers views of the entire historical Center Rigi. The height of the tower is 123.25 meters. Until the appearance of the TV tower in 1985, St. Peter's Cathedral remained the tallest in the city.

Monument to the Bremen Town Musicians

We go behind St. Peter's Cathedral and find ourselves in a very cozy courtyard, where a monument to the Bremen Town Musicians is erected.

In 1990, this monument was presented to Riga by the German sister city of Bremen, where the founder of Riga himself was from. Be sure to make a wish and rub the nose of some animal; the higher you can reach, the more your innermost wish will come true!

St. John's Church

After the monument to the Bremen Town Musicians, we look up at the Church of St. John. The church began its history in 1234 with a small wooden chapel. In the 13th and 15th centuries, the already stone church of St. John was destroyed by city residents as part of a popular uprising. At the beginning of the 16th century, the church was rebuilt with a remarkable stepped pediment. Now the church is a monument of medieval church architecture; there is a Lutheran church in it.

House Kaleju iela, 23

We walk along the Church of St. John and turn left, go to the crossroads and see on the corner a very interesting building 1903 in Art Nouveau style. Its portal is decorated with flowers, chestnut trees and the sun.

John's Compound

We turn left again and dive into the arch of the brick wall.

This place is called St. John's Compound, as it is actually located in the courtyard of the Church of St. John. Until 1234, there was a castle of the Bishop of Riga, adjacent to the castle of the Order of the Sword, then this territory passed to the Dominican Order, and later St. John's Metochion became city property. Only two parts of the fortress wall have survived to this day.

Courtyard of the Convention

Through the arch we pass into the courtyard of the Convention - one of the oldest city blocks of Riga - this is another attraction of the city. If the gate is closed, then the Convention courtyard can be accessed from neighboring streets.

The first castle of the Order of the Sword in Riga once stood on this site. The houses and courtyards adjacent to the castle were called the Courtyard of the Convention. At the end of the 13th century, dissatisfied Riga residents destroyed the castle. Since 1488, there was a monastery of the Tertiaries here. Since 1554 former monastery All that remained was the shelter, residential buildings and warehouses. Over the following centuries, the Convention courtyard was burned and rebuilt many times. By the beginning of the 18th century, a modern layout had developed.

We go deeper into the courtyard and see a yellow building from the 18th century. If you don’t know, you can pass by and not even notice that half the windows on this house are painted! It turns out that at the beginning of the 18th century, when Riga was part of the Russian Empire, a window tax was introduced, so many enterprising homeowners painted windows: both the house looks good and there is no need to pay the tax. And this is far from the only building in Riga with painted windows.

Black Riga balsam

We pass right through the Convention Courtyard and find ourselves on Kalku iela street directly to the front entrance of the old Riga pharmacy, which is no longer a pharmacy, but a bar-shop called “Riga Black Magic Bar”. Here you can buy the famous black Riga balsam, however, it can also be bought in a regular store.

As legend has it, in the middle of the 18th century, the Riga pharmacist Abraham Kunze, based on an ancient recipe for a vodka infusion of medicinal herbs, made a “miracle balm”, which, under the name “Kuntze’s Balm,” was offered as a medicine to the Russian Empress Catherine II, who suffered from colic. Having appreciated the healing properties of the balm, Catherine II granted Kunze the privilege to make it.

Livov Square

We turn right and get to Livu Square (Līvu laukums), from where several important sights of Riga open, such as the theater named after. Chekhov, Big Guild, Small Guild and House with Cats.

Livov Square was formed in 1950 after the demolition of urban buildings destroyed during the Second World War; in 1974, the square was reconstructed, adding places for recreation. IN summer time you can see lawns with the image of waves, since it was here that the very Riga River, after which the city was named, once flowed. In winter, you can admire the wavy benches.

Riga Russian Theater named after. Chekhov

No, not Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, but his nephew Mikhail Alexandrovich Chekhov. The Russian Theater in Riga appeared in 1883 and until 1902 it performed in a building owned by joint stock company"Hive". Later the troupe began working in its own building. All performances in this theater are performed only in Russian.

Gingerbread houses from the 17th century

On Livov Square, a small family of big-eyed houses from the 17th century has been preserved; they are also called “ gingerbread houses old Riga. These houses were built by rich merchants as their mansions; their peculiarity is the extension of one house to another

Now the first floors of these houses are occupied by restaurants, and the upper floors by offices.

Small Guild

The Small Guild is an organization of Riga artisans founded in 1226. It was also called the Guild of St. John. Craftsmen who were not members of the Small Guild were deprived of the right to claim the title of guild master - real discrimination.

The first building of the Small Guild was built in the 1210s. Then the building was rebuilt many times. The current building dates back to the mid-19th century and is made in the English Neo-Gothic style. The building of the Small Guild is very reminiscent of a miniature English castle.

Now the building houses the Small Guild Museum, a craft school, and constantly hosts concerts, balls and other events.

Big Guild

The Great Guild is an organization of Riga merchants, also called the Guild of St. Mary. The name “Big Guild” appeared in contrast to the “Small Guild”, since the building of wealthy merchants looked more impressive.

In the house of the Great Guild, meetings were held, transactions were concluded and meetings with out-of-town merchants, as well as holidays and banquets. The meeting hall was located on the top floor of the building and was built with the best possible acoustics, thanks to which the Philharmonic is now located in this building.

Only representatives of German nationality could become members of the Great Guild, and all transactions and sales of foreign merchants in Riga had to go through the Great Guild.

House of Black Cats

The House of Black Cats (or Cat House) was built in 1909 and belonged to the Latvian merchant Blumer, who really wanted to join the Great Guild. But he was not accepted there, because only Germans were members of the guild. Then Blumer ordered two cats to be made and placed them on each tower of his apartment building, turning their tails towards the building of the Great Guild. Later, when the merchant was finally accepted into the Great Guild, he turned around one cat. Now both black cats are each looking in their own direction, and the house of the Black Cats has turned into one of the main attractions and calling card of Riga.

Powder Tower

We continue walking along Meistaru ilea street and through a row of houses we come across the Powder Tower - the only surviving tower of the fortress wall (there were 28 of them in total).

Back in the 17th century, several cannonballs were stuck in the wall of the tower; you can try to find them. Since the creation of the tower (since the 1330s), it has been constantly under fire, it was rebuilt and renamed several times. During the Russian Empire, the entire fortress wall and other 27 towers were demolished, leaving the Powder Tower as a museum exhibit. However, the tower was in disrepair and gradually collapsed, until in 1892 it was handed over to Riga students, who promised to restore the tower at their own expense. The students received part of the money from the sold pigeon droppings that had accumulated in the tower over decades, and invested the rest from their own pockets. Together they organized a fencing hall, several dance halls and a beer hall. After the First World War, the tower housed the Museum of the Latvian Rifle Regiments, the Military Museum, the Nakhimov Naval School, the Museum of the October Revolution and, finally, the Military Museum of Latvia.

Street Smilšu iela

Smilšu iela street is rich in beautiful houses in Art Nouveau style. While we walk along it to the next attraction, we admire the peacocks and naked figures.

In total, there are about 800 Art Nouveau houses in Riga (due to which the city was included in the UNESCO heritage list), all of these houses with individual stucco were built before the First World War. The cost of a beautiful building facade could reach half the cost of the entire house.

Both of these houses were built in 1902.

Three brothers

Turn right onto Jēkaba iela street, and then left onto Mazā Pils iela street, the Three Brothers will be waiting for you there.

“Three Brothers” is a complex of preserved medieval houses in Riga. Each of the "brothers" has their own name. “White Brother” is the oldest, it was built around 1490. "Middle Brother" was built in 1646. “Green Brother” is the youngest and was built at the end of the 17th century.

Now the Latvian Museum of Architecture is located here.

Cathedral of St. James

Right here is Cathedral St. James and the Church of Mary Magdalene.

St. James's Cathedral is the main Catholic church in Latvia and the fourth largest church in Riga. The church was built in 1225 and was located outside medieval city Riga, for which it was nicknamed “the most famous rural church in Latvia.”

A little later, a convent was built nearby, with the Church of Mary Magdalene as its landmark. The monastery was also called the monastery of the singing virgins - the unmarried daughters of rich townspeople and landowners, as well as their widows, were kept there.

Riga Castle

We continue to move along Mazā Pils iela street and go out to the outskirts of the Old Town of Riga, to the Riga Castle. By the way, Mazā Pils iela is translated as Little Castle Street.

Remember, you read about the first castle of the Livonian Order of the Sword, destroyed in the center of Riga. It was destroyed by the city residents themselves as a sign of discontent and protest. After the truce, the people of Riga promised to restore the castle and in 1330 they built a new one, but not in the city center, but on the banks of the Duagava. Strategically, the location was very convenient; from here it was possible to view all the ships on the river. The truce with the townspeople did not last long, and in 1484 the Riga residents again destroyed the castle; only one tower remained standing. After the peace agreement, the inhabitants of Riga again restored the fortifications in 1497-1515.

After the knights, Polish, Swedish and Russian governors were stationed in the castle, each of them completed the construction of the castle to their own taste. For some time the castle was used as a prison. Now the castle has been declared the residence of the President of Latvia, and there are also several museums here.

Church of Our Lady of Sorrows

Having walked around the castle and taken a good look at it, we move on to inspecting the pale blue Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, which is located next to the Riga Castle.

The Church of Our Lady of Sorrows is a Catholic church located on the territory of Castle Square. It was built in the second half of the 18th century. It is interesting that after the completion of construction, the Austrian Archduke Joseph II came to Riga, expressing his dissatisfaction with the unimpressive appearance of the palace church, after which funds were allocated and the church was rebuilt to its current size.

English Church of the Holy Redeemer

Across the house is the English Church of St. Redeemer. This is an Anglican parish church built between 1855 and 1859. The church was built for British sailors. All construction material, and even the soil for the foundation, were brought from Great Britain.

Among Riga residents, this church is famous for the fact that in July 2005 it hosted the first gay service in the history of Latvia.

The Dome Cathedral

And now, finally, we begin to explore the most important attraction of Riga - the Dome Cathedral, for which we go deeper into the Old Town along Pils iela street and end up at Dome Square - the largest in Riga.

There are also many wonderful Art Nouveau houses here, so take your time to leave the square and take a good look at everything.

The Dome Cathedral, the main temple of Riga, is the largest medieval temple in the Baltic countries. Translated it means “House of God.” The cathedral was founded in 1211 as the residence of the founder of Riga, priest Albert. Construction took a very long time, and only by 1270 was it possible to complete the cathedral in general terms. In 1547, the cathedral was engulfed in fire, as a result of which the original decoration of the church was lost. Construction continued, and instead of two planned towers, only one was built in the center of the facade. In 1595, the tower was completed with a wooden spire, which surpassed even the spire of St. Peter's Cathedral in height. However, due to frequent repairs, in 1766 the wooden spire was replaced by a low domed tower with a cockerel.

The Dome Cathedral has many historical and artistic values. The main value of the Dome Cathedral is the organ. At the time of construction of the cathedral, it was the largest organ in the world with a height of 25 meters. If you are lucky enough, go to organ concert in the Dome Cathedral, but not daily at noon, but in the evening, it lasts for a whole hour, and the ticket price is the same - from 10 €. Just visiting the cathedral without a concert costs 3€.

Sherlock Holmes in Riga

Now we are transported to London in the 1890s. We go behind the Dome Cathedral from the side without the tower (on Jauniela Street) and, voila, we are on Baker Street!

It was here that the famous London detectives, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, lived and walked. The apartment at Baker street 221b is located in a small nook behind the red one-story house on the left. Surprisingly, there is no sign or even a hint of Sherlock Holmes on the house (probably because the film was shot by Russians), which is why many tourists pass by this nook.

“17 moments of spring” in Riga

After walking around London, we are transported to Switzerland to Stirlitz’s safe house. It is enough to turn your head in the other direction, and now you are already on the Flower Street of the city of Bern from the movie “17 Moments of Spring”. It was from the window of this house that Professor Pleischner jumped out after swallowing an ampoule of poison. Now there is a hotel whose name is the same as Stirlitz’s pseudonym, with which he signed his coded messages from Berlin to Moscow.

Restaurant 1221

Walking in the footsteps of Sherlock Holmes and Stirlitz, you have probably already noticed and, perhaps, even photographed a very colorful house with cows. This is a restaurant, you don't have to go into it.

Rozena iela – the narrowest street in Riga

From the restaurant with the cows, turn onto Krāmu iela street, and then immediately turn left onto Rozena iela street. This is the narrowest street in Riga, its width ranges from 1 to 2 meters. On this street there was the first foundry in the city, where bells and cannons were cast. Only the wine warehouses have survived to this day, now converted into another restaurant.

If you are on this street in the evening, be sure to admire the star garlands hanging in the narrowest part - it is very beautiful.

Recreation area "Egle"

From Krāmu iela street we get to a recreation area called Egle, which translates as “spruce”.

There are many restaurants and street sculptures here. There was once a building on this site, but it was demolished in 2010, and now Riga residents and tourists relax here.

Since this is the very center of the old city, you can’t do without attractions! Let's turn back and see Tirgoņu iela (Merchant) street. The street was in Riga already in 1333 and has never changed its name throughout its history. The houses on this street are residential with shops on the ground floor.

Town Hall

And here is the Town Hall on the horizon, we again returned to the Town Hall Square and the House of the Blackheads, where we started our walk through the Old Town of Riga!

What else to see in Riga will be written in the next article!

On the first day of our acquaintance with the capital of Latvia, “Riga in three days,” we walked through the sights of Art Nouveau, had lunch at the Lido entertainment center and had a good time (at least we hope for you) in evening Riga.

Walking tour of the sights of Riga with a map and explanations

The second day we will devote to exploring unusual interesting places in Riga - we will take a walk through the creative quarter of Spikieri, buy food at the Central Riga Market, have a picnic on the beach, and after the Jurmala promenade we will plunge into provincial Riga - we will have a walk through the Tornakalns district, feeding ducks in the park Arcadia. And we will end today near the Monument to the Liberators of Riga.

Well, let's go!

Riga walk map for three days - day two

Sights of Riga in three days. Second day

We continue our acquaintance with the sights of Riga. Yesterday we devoted ourselves to getting to know Riga in the Art Nouveau style, but today we will spend it in an unusual way. But first things first.

So, the traditional time to wake up is at 9 am. Long walks await us again. And who said that rest is easy?

We had a hearty breakfast and set off, our destination is the recently restored Daugava promenade (3) behind the Central Bazaar.

You can get here by tram number 7 or 9, stop Central Market. We get off at the bus stop and allow ourselves to walk for half an hour in the Spikieri quarter (2).

Here is located concert hall, several interesting restaurants, a children's playground, and in winter - a free skating rink.

Views of the Spikieri quarter in Riga

A leisurely walk with access to the promenade along the river.

Back to railway bridge, and then we cross the road and head to the central market (4).

About interesting story we talked about the market in the essay - “” - legend or truth. Our goal is to pack a picnic basket, because we have a walk ahead and lunch on the beach in Jurmala.

Seafood in the fish pavilion, hot Uzbek lavash, homemade cheese, fruit, draft beer, and, finally, Latvian bacon - the choice of products is very wide and can satisfy the most demanding taste. We shop and, quite hungry, head to the central railway station (5) - our route by train to.

Buy a ticket to Majori station - after relaxing on the beach, we will walk along the promenade of the resort town towards Dzintari station.

The train to Jurmala takes about twenty minutes, the walk to the beach (we focus on the bulk of visitors) takes about ten minutes. It's lunch time and here we are on the beach - it's time to have lunch. At the same time, lie on the sand, and if the water allows, take a swim.

Time flies quickly on the beach. We have a leisurely half-hour walk along the beach.

Noticing the concrete exit to the beach, we turn off, and on the left remains the site of the annual New Wave, the KVN festival, the Comedy Club and dozens of touring performances of pop stars.

A couple of hundred meters ahead and we come out onto the main promenade of Jurmala - Jomas Street.

If it happens in the summer months, look around - you will probably recognize one of the famous compatriots.

You can have dinner at a restaurant you like - the prices here are higher than in Riga, but still do not reach Moscow prices. The service is generally good, but we wouldn’t dare call it flawless.

Map of the walk “Riga in three days - day two”

A walk along Jomas will take about an hour, we return to Majori station and back to the city by train. We get off one stop before the final one - at Tornakalns station (6).

The station makes an amazing impression, as if we were transported to the middle of the last century, and there are still no mobile phones or the Internet.

In the tragic 40s, trains with repressed residents of Latvia left for Siberia from here, as is recalled by the heated vehicle standing here in memory of the tragic days. There is also a memorial nearby.

We go up the street and turn left, before us appears the intimate and cozy Arcadia Park (7) - one of the favorite walking places for residents of the capital of Latvia.

Views of Arcadia Park in Riga

A leisurely walk along the canal, ducks scurrying back and forth (you can feed them if you have bread), young married couples... Idyll, in a word.

Five hundred meters from the park there is a large ensemble (8).

The tall stele and the figures of warriors remind us of the bloody battles of the Second World War. Despite calls from radicals to demolish the entire complex, every year on May 9, tens of thousands of city residents gather near the monument, and the foot of the monument turns into a flower carpet.

Construction, which lasted almost ten years, cost the state budget more than 300 million euros (and with equipment and maintenance they reach half a billion!). Free admission.

Our program today is coming to an end; ahead is a stone bridge - the oldest existing bridge in the city. (10) are already visible ahead. We are planning to meet him tomorrow, our last day in Riga.

What to see in Riga: overview of the most important attractions

The history of Riga, as well as the whole of Latvia as a whole, is closely intertwined with the history of the Russian state, so many have probably heard well about this city, seen it in photographs, in films, and maybe even visited here once. But for representatives of the younger generation, who entered adulthood after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Riga is typical European capital and is unlikely to be associated with something familiar and familiar. For travelers who are going to Riga for the first time, we have prepared an overview of the most important and interesting sights of this beautiful city.

What to see in Riga in 1 day?

Not every traveler thinks of organizing a purposeful trip to Riga (of course, we do not take into account business trips, trips to relatives, and the like). As a rule, this is either one of the points on a tour of Europe (in particular, the Baltic countries), or transit. In these cases, the question arises: what to see in Riga in 1-2 days and what is the most rational way to plan a route around the city? Let's figure it out.

Old city

Regardless of how much time you have in Riga, the first place you should go is the Old Town, or Old Riga - central District cities where medieval flavor has been preserved and a huge number of attractions are concentrated.

The old town of Riga occupies a very small area and you can leisurely walk around it from top to bottom in a couple of hours. Where to start your walk doesn’t really matter. As an example, we have plotted a route from Central Station Riga, where many city guests arrive.

Route by Old Riga

The Dome Cathedral

The Riga Dome Cathedral can certainly be called a symbol of the city. A huge medieval building is located on the square of the same name, in the very heart of Old Riga. The Dome Cathedral was founded back in 1211, but since then, of course, it has been repeatedly reconstructed and modernized. Today, the architecture of the cathedral belongs to the Gothic style with Baroque elements. The height of the cathedral, including the spire, which is immortalized by a cockerel, is 96 meters.

Due to the fact that Riga throughout its history suffered greatly from floods of its main waterway, the Daugava, the streets of the Old Town were covered with gravel. As a result of this, the floor level in the Dome Cathedral today is significantly lower than street level. There is a feeling that the cathedral has “grown” into the ground. By the way, since 2011, the cathedral has been gradually reconstructed. It will last 10 years.

An important object of the Dome Cathedral is a huge organ, 25 meters high and including 6,768 pipes. The cathedral regularly hosts organ concerts.

Riga Castle

Another medieval building on the territory of Old Riga is Riga Castle, whose history begins in 1330. The castle rises on the banks of the Daugava. Since the 20th century it has been the residence of the president of the country, but over the last few years it has been restored and therefore the residence has been temporarily moved to the House of the Blackheads. The castle was founded by the knights of the Livonian Order.

House of the Blackheads

One more " business card» Rigi is the House of the Blackheads. The construction of this attraction, as in the case of the Riga Castle, is associated with the Livonian Order - this is the years 1330-1353. However, during the Second World War, the building was completely destroyed and restored to its original form in 1996-2000, for the 800th anniversary of Riga.

Initially, the House of the Blackheads was built for the Great Guild - a community of traders (merchants). Later, the merchants united into a brotherhood, which was called the Order of the Blackheads, which gave the name to this architectural monument.

Dome Square

Dome Square is the heart of the Old Town of Riga and, of course, a gathering place for a huge number of tourists. Around the square there are cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops and other tourist attractions.

In addition to the above-mentioned Dome Cathedral, there are other important city objects on the square: the Stock Exchange building, the Latvian Radio building, the Banking building and others. Each of them has its own unique architectural style. All together they form a unique beauty architectural ensemble Dome Square.

St. Peter's Church

Along with the Dome Cathedral, St. Peter's Church rises above Old Riga - another unique symbol of the city. This is the tallest building in the Old Town and the second (after the Riga TV Tower) in all of Riga. The height of the church is 123 meters and 64 of them are on its spire.

It is this tall spire that arouses the admiration of all guests of the city and it is thanks to it that St. Peter’s Church is often called the main “calling card” of Riga, leaving behind the Dome Cathedral, the House of the Blackheads and other unique attractions of the city.

However, the Church of St. Peter attracts the attention of tourists not only due to its majestic appearance, but also due to the observation deck located at a 71-meter height. This is without a doubt the best Observation deck Rigi. It offers a breathtaking view not only of the Old Town, but of the entire city. There is an elevator to the observation deck, the entrance fee is 9 euros for an adult.

Three brothers

This name was given to architectural complex, consisting of three small quaint buildings located in old Riga on Maza Pils street. Each of the houses has its own name - “White Brother”, “Middle Brother” and “Green Brother”. "Three Brothers" were built in different time and reflect the different eras of residential building construction in the city. Today, all three buildings are not residential; they house the State Inspectorate for the Protection of Cultural Monuments, the Union of Architects of Latvia, the Latvian Museum of Architecture and the editorial office of the magazine “Latvian Architecture”.

Powder Tower and remains of the fortress wall

In the old days, Riga, as befits any medieval city, was surrounded by fortified walls. In the 19th century, almost all of the fortifications were demolished as their original functions were lost. Only one tower, the Powder Tower, and part of the city wall have survived to this day. Anyone can see them.

The Bremen Town Musicians

A rather popular attraction is the sculpture dedicated to the Bremen Town Musicians. Bremen is Riga's sister city. This monument, made by a Bremen sculptor, was presented to the city as a gift.

According to tradition, if you make a wish and rub the nose of any of the four musicians, it will definitely come true. Moreover, each animal is capable of fulfilling a separate wish, that is, you can make four in total! And the most secret desire is fulfilled by the rooster, which is the most difficult to reach.

Cat house

There are also quite unusual sights on the streets of Old Riga. For example, the House with black cats or, simply, the Cat House. This attraction is a building in the style of Riga Art Nouveau (rational Art Nouveau), built in 1909. The turrets of this building are decorated with sculptures of black cats.

The history of their appearance is quite interesting. A merchant named Blumer, who owned this house, installed cats with their backs turned to the Guild building, where they did not want to accept him, thereby demonstrating protest against such a decision. The Guild elder did not like this act very much. A scandal began that resulted in a lawsuit. However, the court did not find anything illegal in Blumer's actions. Later, Blumer was finally accepted into the guild and the cats were turned into the correct angle.

Yakovlevsky barracks

Opposite the city walls (or rather, the part that remains of them) stretches the Yakovlevsky barracks. They were built in the 17th century for Swedish soldiers defending the Gulf of Riga.

Of course, today the barracks are not used for their original purpose. Now they are located souvenir shops, shops, offices, cafes, pubs and restaurants. While walking around Old Riga, be sure to stop by here.

What to see outside of Old Riga?

If after a busy walk around the Old Town you still have enough time, pay attention to the following attractions.

Freedom Monument

The Freedom Monument is a symbol of Latvian independence. It is a 42-meter stele, erected in 1935, in memory of those who died during the civil war in 1918-1920. This attraction is located on the central street of Riga - Brivibas Boulevard, in close proximity to the Old Town.

Lime watch

Near the Freedom Monument there is another fairly well-known landmark of the city - the Laima clock. Their story began back in 1924. Since then, of course, they have been reconstructed more than once and changed their appearance.

Today, the Laima clock not only serves as the main city clock, but is also an important landmark: important meetings, dates, etc. are scheduled around it.

Riga TV tower

Speaking about modern symbols of Riga, it is definitely worth mentioning the Riga TV Tower - the tallest building in the city. Its height is 368 meters and according to this indicator it ranks first in the Baltic states and is one of the five tallest buildings in Europe. Built in 1986. The tower rises on a small island on the Daugava River.

At an altitude of 97 meters there is an observation deck from which, in theory, you can see the whole of Riga and its suburbs, but the local weather does not always allow this. One way or another, the Riga TV Tower is an integral element of the picturesque panorama of Riga.

Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ

The majority of the population of Latvia, as is known, profess Lutheranism (Protestant movement in Christianity), but Orthodoxy also plays a large role in the history of the country. Almost in the very center of Riga stands the Orthodox Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ. This incredibly beautiful building is made in the neo-Byzantine style.

Its construction was carried out in 1877-1884. We recommend that you pay attention to this attraction.

Excursions around Riga

An excellent solution would be to see all the sights of Riga as part of a group or individual excursion. Especially if you want to get to know the city as best as possible in a short time. The guide will be a local resident of Riga, who, like no one else, knows the city and its history very well and, moreover, speaks Russian.

LET'S TRAVEL CHEAP!

Any trip begins with searching and purchasing tickets - this is something you can and should save on!

When searching for cheap air tickets during our travels, we use search engines such as Aviasales and Momondo.

Some rules for finding cheap air tickets can be found in this article.

Every traveler, of course, wants to optimize their costs and find good hotel(or apartments) in terms of price/quality ratio. Thus, the more options you are offered, the more likely you are to find the best one. Therefore, your search can be greatly facilitated by the Hotellook service, which searches for the best accommodation booking systems.

You don't need to compare prices on different services yourself - Hotellook will do it for you!

To obtain a Schengen visa, as is known, the list of required documents includes an insurance policy for those traveling abroad.

When traveling to other countries where a visa is not required, taking out an insurance policy for the safety of you and your family members will also not be amiss, especially if you are traveling with children.

The road from the airport to the hotel or apartment after a long flight is often very exhausting. To get to your destination as quickly as possible, comfortably, without trudging around the city with heavy luggage, we often use the KiwiTaxi service - booking taxi transfers at airports and cities around the world.

The best way to get to know a new city are excursions from local residents. To do this, many travelers use services such as Sputnik8.

If you want a change of scenery for a couple of days and are thinking of flying to Riga, winter should not scare you. We’ve compiled a damn dozen life hacks that will help you spend your time comfortably and interestingly. Go!

House of the Blackheads

One of the most famous and “postcard” buildings in Riga is the unique and elegant House of the Blackheads on Town Hall Square. Since October 2017, it is finally open to tourists. Now you can not only take a selfie against the background of the facade and look at its textured details, but also go inside. Beautiful halls await there, in which the current leadership of Latvia still holds diplomatic receptions. You can explore the interiors on your own or with a guide. The new museum is open daily except Mondays, but may be closed for private events.

The history of the House of Blackheads is long and interesting. It was built in the 14th century and almost immediately passed into the use of the Blackhead Brotherhood - an association of merchants and shipowners. For hundreds of years, the building hosted musical concerts, dance balls and special events. It was heavily damaged during World War II and was almost rebuilt in the 2000s. And almost immediately it was occupied by the President of Latvia, whose palace was under restoration until 2016. Now the presidential offices have been vacated and are available to visitors. The entrance ticket costs six euros.

Christmas markets

In Riga, Christmas is celebrated for real - just like in Germany or Switzerland. On central squares In the old town there are trading stalls with New Year's souvenirs and decorations, Christmas music is playing, and there is a delicious smell of sweets and mulled wine.

Riga History and Navigation Museum

The streets of old Riga are too nice to spend time indoors. But when it’s cold or wet, museums become a good alternative to walking.

Where to ski, skate and sled

Mezaparks is the closest place to Old Riga for real winter activities. This is a forest walking area in the north of the city, on the shore of Kišozero (in Latvian - Kišezers). There are paths and picnic areas here. In winter, a skating rink is poured here and slides are built, a cross-country ski track is laid out, and equipment rentals are organized. The entrance ticket will cost two euros. Equipment rental - from two euros per half hour. Detailed price list is available on the website sniegaparks.lv; Russian and English version quite abandoned, but Latvian works.

Another interesting place for cross-country skiing enthusiasts there is a track in the Bikernieki forest. In winter, it runs along the Bikernieki Ring automobile racing track, so the environment is quite unusual. In the evenings, the lights above the ski complex are turned on. Equipment rental operates in the building of the Riga Motor Museum. Ski center accepts visitors until 21:00 on weekdays and until 22:00 on weekends.

Winter life of animals

The zoo in Riga is not bad, and it is especially interesting there in winter. There are usually few people, and you can calmly walk around the pleasant, clean area. It is curious that in cool weather they are especially active. Enclosures with wild cats and forest birds are very interesting. And you will also see that llamas, alpacas and even zebras and peacocks are not afraid of snow. If you want to warm up, go to the “Tropical House” - to see exotic animals. The zoo is open every day. Admission for adults is six euros, for children four euros.

Ice Sculpture Festival
45 kilometers southwest of Riga is the city of Jelgava, which annually hosts the only ice sculpture festival in Latvia. Not only amazingly beautiful sculptures are built here from ice, but also a bar for adults and slides for children. In the coming season, the ice show will take place from February 4 to 11, 2018, for the 11th time.
Sabji and Dal
You can dilute the laconic Baltic atmosphere with something exotic in the Indian restaurant Indian Raja (Skarnu street 7). It is located in the heart of the Old Town, right at the entrance to St. Peter's Cathedral, next to the monument to the Bremen Town Musicians. Book a table by the window to admire the cold Riga from a warm restaurant, while the enticing aromas of paneer, dal, malai kofta and hot flatbreads are lavished on your table. Hot and spicy dishes provide great warmth in cold weather. At the Indian Raja restaurant they speak Russian. Opening hours: daily from 12:00 to 23:00.

Baltic weather
In winter in Riga, the air temperature can be anything from -20°C to +10°C. Remember: there is a sea nearby, from which there can be good wind. Therefore, you should dress as closed, warm and comfortable as possible. And choose waterproof shoes. Even if the forecast looks good to you, it will most likely feel colder, since the humidity in the city is high.
However, in nature in winter it is usually white and very beautiful. Therefore, many people prefer to quickly do what they need or want in central Riga and go out of town.
Meditative Jurmala
Jurmala is a resort area of several villages on the coast Baltic Sea, about 20 kilometers from Riga. Easy to get to by minibus, train or taxi. The most popular place— the village of Dzintari, here is the famous Jurmala concert hall. There are no special attractions in Jurmala, but if you are attracted by cute resort houses, tall pine trees, an endless sandy beach and the absolutely incredible Baltic Sea, which is even more impressive in winter than in summer, be sure to come. And before your trip, have a snack in Riga; Jurmala is quite deserted in winter and you may not find a pleasant cafe or a suitable restaurant right away.
From winter to summer
Livu water park in Jurmala is open all year round. Inside there are swimming pools with fresh and sea water, fun slides, water bar, saunas, jacuzzi, and also a warm pool under open air. Spend your time here actively and happily. The water park is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. In winter, tickets for adults cost 18.5 euros for two hours, 22 euros for four hours and 25.5 euros for the whole day. Discounts for children, pensioners and families.
A complete spa holiday
Riga residents know a lot about spa holidays. You will be offered to warm up in saunas, relax in a jacuzzi or enjoy a massage in several spa hotels, the best of which are located in the already mentioned Jurmala. If we exclude the New Year holidays, prices in spa hotels are lower than in summer, and the atmosphere is much calmer and conducive to complete relaxation.
Shopping: profitable and practical
Riga is a great place for shopping at any time of the year. There are many shops in the city - as usual to everyone international networks, and unique - with designer clothes and jewelry, cosmetics and accessories. Prices are usually more reasonable than in Russia or Western Europe. Sales usually take place before Christmas and New Year holidays, and also towards the end of February.
Shops are also a great place to temporarily shelter from bad weather or warm up if you've been walking a lot and are cold. IN shopping centers- for example in Stockmann next to train station or in Galerija in the very center of the Old Town, you can not only shop, but also have a tasty snack. In Galerija, check out the Vina Studija wine bar on the ground floor.