My 12 Top Things to Do in Riga, Latvia (Based on Multiple Visits)

Finding fun things to do in Riga isn’t too difficult. Narrowing them down to fit within one trip, on the other hand, is. While my first trip to the Latvian capital in 2019 wasn’t my favorite, I still saw huge potential. Having returned since then, I can confirm that Riga is well worth spending a few days in. 

My trips to Riga are often part of bigger adventures in the Baltics, and the city—while geographically close—feels very different from Tallinn and Vilnius. Known as the Paris of the North, you will definitely feel a sense of elegance as you wander along streets lined with Art Nouveau architecture. But at the same time, Latvia’s biggest city has a gritty and authentic feel. 

Regardless of what you’re interested in, you will almost certainly find plenty of ways to fill your time in Riga. Based on my own experiences, I’ve put together my top recommendations to help you enjoy a fun city break or stopover as part of a bigger adventure. 

1. Visit St. Peter’s Church

St. Peter’s Church is, in my opinion, the prettiest church in Riga. It’s right in the heart of the Old Town, and as a result, I think it should be one of the first places you visit. The main attraction here is the observation deck, which offers views over the city itself and the Daugava River.

The view toward Riga Cathedral is the most commonly-photographed one, and the houses around look lovely from above. You will also be able to spot the Freedom Monument from here, along with Riga Central Market, the Latvian Academy of Science building, and the City Hall. It’s possible to spot cruise ships docked in Riga, too. 

It’s possible to see the interior of St. Peter’s Church, too; the building itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can buy tickets for both the church and the tower from the ticket office. The church has an elevator that will take you to the top. 

St. Peter’s Church is open from 10:00 to 18:00 daily, except on Friday and Saturday. On these days, it’s open until 22:00. 

Address: Reformācijas laukums 1, Riga, LV-1050

Website: https://svpetera.lv/en/

2. Take a River Cruise

The Daugava River has been a crucial part of Riga’s trading past, and it’s an unignorable part of the city landscape today. Taking a river cruise is the best way to not only learn more about the Daugava’s historical importance for the Latvian capital, but also to see Riga’s most famous sights from a more interesting perspective. 

Several river cruises operate in Riga, and many of them follow a similar path. You’ll get to not only see the Old Town, but also—in many cases—other parts of the city that would otherwise have been easier to ignore. Boat tours in Riga are very affordable in comparison to many other European cities, especially other parts of Northern Europe. 

We took this sunset river cruise, which would also be my top suggestion. There are, however, also cruises that run throughout the day. Note that many boat tours in Riga don’t run during the winter, so be sure to check availability for the dates you plan to visit. 

3. Check Out Riga’s Beer Scene

While Riga has a bit of a reputation as being a place for bachelor and bachelorette parties, the city is working hard to get away from this. In fact, many bars throughout the Old Town explicitly do not allow such groups. But you don’t need to resort to debauchery to explore Riga’s excellent range of beers. 

The Latvian capital was where I first fell in love with stouts and other dark beers. Away from that, though, you’ll find various places to try craft beer, which has become more popular in recent years throughout the city. One example is Labietis, which has a spot in Riga Central Market. You’ll also find its main brewery on the outskirts of the city center. 

In addition to visiting bars yourself, you can also join a brewery visit and sample multiple different beers. Doing so is also ideal for learning more about the process. 

4. Learn About Riga’s Jewish History

Even if you’re only spending a few days in Riga, you should take the time to learn about the city’s Jewish heritage. Like much of the Baltic region, Riga had a large Jewish population before World War II—which was believed to be around 10% of the city’s population. Sadly, many did not survive the Holocaust. 

While Riga’s Jewish population has started to recover in recent years, it’s still nowhere near what it was before World War II. In the city, we went to the excellent Riga Ghetto and Latvia Holocaust Museum to learn more about before, during, and after the conflict. The museum was detailed, with multiple rooms and exhibitions. 

You can pay a donation when visiting the museum, and you’ll find information cards in multiple languages. For me, it was a pretty eye-opening experience. 

Close to the Riga Ghetto, I also recommend visiting the memorial of what previously was where the Great Choral Synagogue stood. The building was burned down in 1941; its ruins are now reconstructed, and you’ll see a memorial commemorating those who died in the building. This is totally free to see, and I recommend going here before continuing to the museum. 

5. Michelin Guide Dining at Shōyu

If I’m being totally honest with you, I wasn’t thinking too much about getting great ramen in Riga. It was probably one of the last cuisines I was thinking about, in fact. But sometimes, travel has a way of surprising you—and in this case, I’m glad that it did. Shōyu is an ideal place to have a low-key dinner while you visit Riga. 

Shōyu has received Michelin Bib Gourmand awards in 2024 and 2025, and it’s the first ramen shop in Europe to do so. I didn’t even notice this until we sat down and saw the Michelin placard outside the building. 

The menu is simple, but you will undoubtedly enjoy each ramen dish you have from the menu. Sides are also available, along with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. You’ll also find mochi for dessert, which is always good—and this was no exception. 

While Shōyu is popular, we didn’t need to book a table in advance. We showed up and were seated immediately. However, you can book tables before visiting on the website, too. 

When at the restaurant, you can pick from both soup-based and soupless ramen dishes. Various sake bowls (alongside other types) are available, too. Despite being a relatively upscale restaurant, the vibe was relaxed and prices were reasonable. 

Address: Ausekļa iela 20, Riga, LV-1010

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6. Photograph Riga From the Left Bank of the Daugava

When visiting Riga for the first time, you’ll notice that most of the city’s main attractions are on one side of the river. After crossing the bridge to the other side, we were surprised at how little there was in comparison. Yes, the main library is there, but the area otherwise has a lot of potential. 

While there isn’t a huge amount of things to do on the left bank, you will get some nice views of Riga’s Old Town. So, if you’re into photography, you should definitely make your way over to the other side of the river. The waterfront has various lookout points, and the walk across the Stone Bridge similarly offers some nice photo opportunities. 

Suppose you can, try to get over here at sunset. Since the sun will be setting behind you, the lighting hits nicely on St. Peter’s Church, Riga Cathedral, and the Old Town’s other landmarks. I’ve been here in both the winter and the summer, and regardless of when you’re in Riga, it’s worth coming here. 

While walking over the Stone Bridge, just keep in mind that you will be sharing the sidewalk with bicycles. During the warmer months, you will probably hear a bell or two politely asking you to get out of the way. 🙂

7. Visit Riga Central Market

Food markets are always good fun, and beyond that, they’re a good way to learn more about the local culture. Riga Central Market is a clear example of this, and it’s one of the biggest food markets in Europe. 

Spread across multiple halls, you’ll find fresh ingredients and various places to eat. You will have no issues finding local ingredients here, which is ideal if you’re self-catering and want to make a nice meal at your accommodation. Beyond that, you’ll find some nice souvenirs to bring back from your trip. 

I recommend dedicating at least a few hours to the food market, as when I say it’s big, I am not joking. Riga Central Market is close to the city’s main bus station, and it’s within walking distance of the Old Town. I recommend walking along the riverfront as much as you can, since some parts near the market aren’t so nice. 

In addition to seeing the food market yourself, you can also join a traditional food tasting experience if you would prefer. 

One thing worth keeping in mind: Riga Central Market is a pickpocketing hotspot, so keep an eye on your belongings when you’re here. 

Address: Nēģu iela 7, Latgales priekšpilsēta, Riga, LV-1050

8. Go to the Latvian Academy of Sciences Building Rooftop

The Latvian Academy of Sciences is one of Riga’s best-known buildings, and to say it looks Soviet-style would be an understatement. You can just tell it was built in the Soviet era, not just from the outside, but as soon as you step inside. While the interior leaves a lot to be desired, the view from the observation deck is worthwhile. 

You will see most of Riga’s iconic churches from the top, including St. Peter’s Church. You also get a great view of Riga Central Market and the yellow trains moving along the nearby railway bridge. In my opinion, this is one of the best photo spots in Riga. 

While Riga Central Station isn’t very photogenic, the Riga sign outside is quite cool. The Latvian Academy of Sciences observation deck is the best place to see it in Riga from above. 

You can buy tickets at the front desk, but it’s cash-only. For this reason, we booked ours in advance. I suggest doing the same for convenience. 

9. Admire Riga’s Art Nouveau Architecture on Alberta iela

The Latvian capital is well-known for its Art Nouveau architecture, and you will find plenty of examples throughout the Old Town. However, I believe that the Alberta iela street is the best place to see this architectural style. It reminded me a lot of Helsinki. 

You will see all kinds of Art Nouveau architecture along this street, including some very grand designs. Since the buildings are largely residential, you can’t go inside. Still, though, they look pleasant enough from the outside. 

It’s possible to see Riga’s Art Nouveau architecture as part of a dedicated Old Town and Art Nouveau walking tour, along with going to see it yourself. Joining this tour is ideal if you want to see other examples of Riga’s stunning architecture. 

On Alberta iela, you will also find an Art Nouveau museum at Alberta iela 12. The street is easy to walk to from the Old Town. 

10. Stroll Around Riga’s Old Town

Most of the Riga photos you see on social media will be from its Old Town, and it’s definitely worth strolling around this part of the city when you visit. Most of the main churches are here, along with Riga’s City Hall and the iconic House of the Black Heads. You can actually buy tickets to see the House of the Black Heads’ interior, too. 

Riga’s Old Town has many cool hidden streets, and you should dedicate at least 3-4 hours to aimlessly wandering around. If you visit Riga in the run-up to Christmas, the city’s main Christmas Market is in the square next to Riga Cathedral. 

Since the Old Town is the most touristy part of Riga, I suggest getting up early and walking around before everyone else wakes up. That way, you will have most of the streets to yourself. Later in the day, consider visiting Riga Castle; some of the upper exhibition floors offer nice views of the Old Town and the opportunity to learn more about the recently renovated building. 

11. Visit the Freedom Monument

The Freedom Monument is perhaps the most iconic spot in all of Riga. It has been a key part of the city since 1935, and during the Soviet era, locals were not allowed to gather around the monument. After the fall of the USSR, however, it once again became a popular meeting spot. 

You can visit the Freedom Monument for free, but note that it isn’t possible to climb. Instead, the main joy here is to come and see a key part of Latvian history. You can also get some nice photos of the monument from the nearby Bastejkalna Park.

The three stars at the top of the monument represent Latgale, Kurzeme, and Vizeme, which together are Latvia’s three main historical regions. Since the monument’s square can get busy, I suggest visiting earlier in the day. 

The Freedom Monument is on the fringes of Riga’s Old Town. 

12. Food at Street Fries Kitchen

I’ve had a lot of great food in Riga, and after every trip, I keep saying that I need to come back and try it all. The problem is that doing so takes a lot of returning, and honestly, it’ll probably take me plenty more visits before I get close to eating all the food I’d like to here. So far, Street Fries Kitchen has been my favorite place to go for brunch in the Latvian capital. 

Street Fries Kitchen has delicious sweet potato fries, in addition to avocado toast, eggs, salmon, pancakes, and more. It felt to me like an NYC-style diner, and we were very happy with everything. While we came here for brunch, you can also get burgers and more if you want to visit later in the day. 

We had no issues showing up on the day and getting a seat. Besides food, we also had some coffee here. You will find two locations in the city, and we went to the one on Ausekļa iela. 

Website: https://streetfrieskitchen.lv/gb/

Final Thoughts

Riga has a lot to offer, and this is one of the reasons I’ve come back to the city multiple times. It’s much less touristy than many cities in Europe, and its beautiful Old Town is a dream for anyone who loves photography. On top of that, its gritty side gives Riga more of an authentic feel than what you will find in some other places. 

You can easily reach Riga from London, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and several other cities. If you ever find flights and want to go somewhere more unique, consider taking a trip to Latvia. I’m certain you will be charmed by its capital city. 

When visiting Riga, book your hotel in the Centrs district to ensure that you’re close to everything. I also suggest checking out my two-day itinerary if you want an idea of how to structure everything. 

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