Rejuvenating Riga (Latvia)
- Rebecca Rudd
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Medieval history, mystery and beauty, this is capital is full of breathtaking architecture along with many sightseeing opportunities that will leave you feeling truly exhilarated...
Ten Top Sights:
The Old Town (A UNESCO World Heritage Sight): full of cobbled charm, medieval mystery and colourful architecture, this enchanting place dates back to the 13th century.
St. Peter's Church: the tallest church in the city and a medieval masterpiece that offers breathtaking views of all around.
Riga Dome Cathedral: nestled in the Old Town, this is one of Riga's oldest and largest examples of sacred architecture.
The Freedom Monument: an iconic landmark in the city centre to honour the soldiers in the Latvian War of Independence.
House of the Blackheads: situated in the Old Town, this impressive building (once a meeting point for merchants) now serves as a museum and events spot.
Cat House (pictured above): this iconic landmark is a popular spot for tourists! Take in the blended styles of medieval and Art Nouveau, with the two arched cats on top!
Riga Central Market (pictured below- first from the left side): selling culinary delights (amongst other things), enjoy a little strolling and shopping time!
The Latvian National Museum of Art: take some quiet time out for yourself and admire the country's national masterpieces and cultural history.
Museum of the Occupation of Latvia: offers an insight into Latvia's history (between 1940-1991) when they were occupied by the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany.
JÅ«rmala beach: this famous, white sandy beach on the Baltic sea, is the perfect nature escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Need to knows!
Currency: | The Euro (EUR). |
Language: | Latvian is the official language spoken here but English is widely spoken here. |
Plug type: | Types C & F. |
Travel: | Often included as a port on many cruise ship itineraries. Riga's main airport is not far from the main city centre. There are many options for transport from bus to taxi. With the bus taking approximately half an hour or so. |
Cash or card? | Card is accepted most places, although I would still recommend carrying some small amounts of cash and change, as you may need it for the smaller stalls, markets and some public transport. |
My Experience:
This is the second time that I have had the pleasure of visiting this incredible capital city. The first time was in the February just before the first COVID lock down and then the second time was for a day last summer (2024) on a Baltic cruise.
The first time that I was here, I was able to stay for a good five days, which was wonderful as I could complete lots of sightseeing. However, with it being February it was very cold! And as a result of this, I did find myself ducking into coffee shops every hour or two to warm up with a hot beverage!
Visiting in the summer months was very different as the climate was warm and pleasant. I enjoyed returning and I found that I remembered a lot of the city's layout along with the key sights. Although I was determined to do something new (that I hadn't seen the first time round) so I took a wander up to Riga's Central Market. This is one of Europe's biggest markets, selling an abundance of delicious food and drink along with essential souvenirs! Here you can find: fruits and vegetables, breads, cheeses, meats, fish, pastries, flowers, confectionery and so much more! I enjoyed strolling around- it really was a feast for all the senses!