Top 5 things to do in Riga
Riga Old Town (Vecriga)
Like most European cities, Riga has an ancient part of the city dating back hundreds of years. Riga Old Town is the highlight of Riga city and a must see place on any traveller's list.
In Old Riga you can find famous tourist attractions, beautiful boutique hotels and mouth watering restaurants, cafes and bakeries. Numerous souvenir shops and stalls are also mushroomed all over the Old Riga Town.
Each building, street or square of the Old Town is a piece of Riga’s 800 years of history. While strolling around the Old Town at must see is St. Peter's Church, a significant example of Gothic architecture in Riga and the Baltic states. First built in 1209, it was dedicated to Saint Peter, the patron of Riga. A lift takes visitors up to the top of the steel spire to an observation gallery, which offers an amazing view of Riga.
And don’t forget to visit the House of Blackheads located on the Town Hall Square and The Dome Square, also known as the heart of Riga. Here most of Riga city feasts and fairs take place. On the Dome Square you can explore the architectural monuments of Riga, including the Riga Cathedral which is the most photographed religious building in the city. Today one of the most famous organs in the world is located within the Cathedral, and is a key highlight of any visit.
The best places to worm out Latvia’s history are The Museum of the Occupation of Latvia and Riga Powder Tower (both have free-of-charge entrance).
Riga Old Town is the best area to stay while visiting Riga City. There are few Old Riga Hotels we would really like to recommend you - Old Riga Palace Hotel; Hotel Radi un Draugi; Hotel Avalon; Old City Boutique Hotel; Ekes Konvents.
Riga Art Nouveau
Did you know that the historic center of Riga boasts the largest collection of Art Nouveau buildings in Europe?
More than a third of the buildings in Riga's central district are classified as Art Nouveau. The style, which developed in Riga between 1896 and 1913, was influenced mainly by German, Austrian and Finnish architects. The most typical elements of Art Nouveau buildings are steep roofs, heavy building materials and the use of ethnographic ornamental motifs.
In total, there are over 800 Art Nouveau buildings in Riga. The most impressive examples of the style can be found on Elizabetes, Alberta and Strelnieku Streets.Buildings by one of the most famous architects, Mikhail Eisenstein, can be found at Elizabetes 10a and 10b, as well as at Alberta 2, 2a, 4, 8 and 13. On Alberta 13 stands a fully restored building dating back to 1904 which now houses the Riga Graduate School of Law.
Experience the magic of Riga Old Town and wander past a wealth of Art Nouveau buildings on one of Riga Urban Adventures - Riga Discovery Tour.
Flavors of Riga
After a historic stroll through Riga city, rest your feet in a funky Riga bar, cosy cafe or candle-lit Riga restaurant. If you want to taste a world class cuisine or just grab a cup of great coffee; you will find something to satisfy your taste buds.
Here are some of our favorites:
Italian style restaurant “Rossini” is located in the Art Nouveu area (also known as an embassy district of Riga). It will take you just about 10 minutes walk from Riga Old Town to get here.The restaurant is decorated with photos of wineries, churches and ancient architecture from all over the Apennine Peninsula. The atmosphere here is really friendly and the waiters welcome you with a smile, making this a really pleasant place for dining or just having a glass of nice wine.The menu includes Italian pastas, salads, soups and tasty pizzas. The prices, like the atmosphere, are friendly and welcoming!
(Pumpura street 6, Art Nouveau area)
- The cosy "Flying Frog Cafe" lies in the very centre of Riga. It is a favourite for locals because of its great cuisine and caring service. When it is cold outside, you can enjoy a hot drink near the fireplace or sit at the bar and chat with the friendly bartender. During hot summer days you can relax and take a break from the sun in the shadowed pub garden. Most recommended dishes here are Ceasar salad in the "Flying Frog" style and Spicy Buffalo chicken wings with Dor-Blue cheese sauce.
(Elizabetes street 31 a - right on a corner of Elizabetes and Antonijas street, Art Nouveau area)
- Vīna Studija (Wine Studio) is a wonderful place to spend an unruffled evening enjoying a glass... or maybe two... of great wine. As expected from Wine Studio, there is a wide range of wines and champagnes offered in a cosy restaurant as well as in a tiny shop for take-away. The menu is not as wide as in common restaurants, but it's quite good for snacks and desserts. One of the main reasons to come back to this place is its staff! They are always ready to answer any question about a wine culture and the wines offered. After 5 minutes of chatting you will feel like local and frequent guest.
(Elizabetes Street 10, Riga Art Nouveau area) By the way, if you choose to have dinner at “The Flying Frog”, you’ll just have to cross the street to get here.
More information about restaurants in Riga you can find here.
Riga Slow Food Market - On the second or fourth Saturday of every month in Berga Bazars, you can shop like a local. Here you will find season's specials, fresh dairy products, smoked meat and fish, sweet berries, amazing pumpkin soup and even genuine Riga souvenirs made by local craftsmen or artists.
Combine the beauty of the city with a range of tasty specialties that no food lover should miss on the Riga Urban Adventures Taste Riga tour.
Local experience in Riga
For travellers wishing to get off-the-beaten track check out the Central Riga Market (Centraltirgus). This huge marketplace located within five old zeppelin hangars, gives you an opportunity to experience the everyday lives of locals. Here you can haggle for fruit, vegetables, various trinkets or antiques. However, make sure to keep a tight grip on your possessions, as pickpockets are relatively common in this area.
Next to Riga Central Market you will find the Spikeri warehouse complex. This amazing neighbourhood has quickly become the heart of Riga art and culture scene. In the nearby red 19th century brick building the Museum of contemporary art KIM? is located. The area has been recently listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Spikeri is also known as a nice place for dining. You can choose between Restaurant Kitchen, Beer restaurant Merlin and DESA & CO (shop and cafe, offering various kinds of dishes made from deer meat).
Reconstruction of the complex is planned to be completed in 2012. It is planned to house the best College of Gastronomic Arts in the Baltic region and a farmers' eco-market.
Another interesting place to visit, if you want to step in the local shoes, is Kalnciema Quarter in Riga. It is an ensemble of buildings representing Western European architecture of late classicism and eclecticism executed in wood (18th-19th centuries). Kalnciema Quarter complex is a unique place even in the European level, as the wooden buildings of this period, have not survived in such concentration in other countries 
The group of these Riga wooden heritage buildings was renovated and opened to public by a small entrepreneurial business – BC Grupa Ltd. The company has succeeded to re-create the original spirit of the suburban environment and community in Kalnciema Quarter in Riga. The Kalnciema Quarter hosts various cultural and business events – fairs, concerts and even festivals.
Kalnciema Quarter is located right on the gateway from the Riga Airport to Riga Old Town (Kalnciema Street).
SPA Riga
Latvia has a pretty good image because of its wide range of SPA facilities. Various kinds of SPA hotels and resorts are located all over the country. Jurmala is the most famous place to go for a SPA holiday, but you can also find really nice SPA hotels in Riga.
The wide range services offered in Riga SPA hotels can satisfy almost every wish - starting from classic and relaxing massages to special treatment for a physical and spiritual recovery.
The most popular Riga SPA hotels:
Day SPA Aqua Villa – located in Old Riga
Dome SPA - the menu features a variety of treatments, including Turkish steam bath Hammam or a Finnish sauna. It’s a nice place to end up a busy day in Riga.
ESPA Riga – the 5 star hotel housed in an Art Nouveau building, in just about 5 minutes walk to Old Riga Town.
Jurmala favourites are:
Baltic Beach Hotel - based on Jurmala's traditions of mud treatments and healing springs, as well as the latest achievements of the SPA-industry.
Hotel Jurmala SPA – here you'll find more than 100 various treatments - classic massages, massages for couples and some exclusive treatments such as Amber therapy.
Amber SPA Boutique Hotel - Its focus on excellent customer service and comfort makes this boutique hotel an ideal choice for both short and long stays.
