Riga has so many different things to offer and we are often asked by people: ‘What should I do in Riga?’
For us living here, it is quite easy. We take for granted many of the fantastic things to do in Riga that we enjoy each day. As for visitors like yourselves, it is a different story, so below we will go through some of our favourite things to do in Riga. These are ideas for things to do for free, and let us tell you, there are plenty of them!
Riga Central Market
By far one of the best areas within Riga and a must see, for sure. So much to experience here, sights and sounds and most importantly tastes.
With a wide range of local, seasonal products the market district, comprising of 5 large pavilions, numerous old store house and an open air section is a place to spend a great deal of time. Here you can see the reality of Riga through its residents.
Maybe try our food tasting tour to learn about all the treats and hidden gems the market has to offer. From meats to milk products, bread to smoked fish, there is an amazing amount of sensations for you to indulge in.
A little tip, just behind the Fish pavilion is Maskavas iela, you will see lots of old warehouses here. There are plenty of nice food surprises here as well!
The Great Cemetery
You may ask why a cemetery is on a things to do in Riga list! Well for me it is surely one of the most underestimated parts of our city.
Old family crypts left opened and abandoned, scarred by 2 world wars and a city that has changed hands numerous times. There is a sense here of the old Russian Imperial times and of the Merchant families who helped carve out Riga’s ongoing legacy.
Some of our bike tours run through here as well many other great districts and areas around the central region of Riga.
The Great Cemetery is situated in a woodland area redesigned in the Soviet times to be made into parkland for mothers and children, the maternity ward is just down the road on a very aptly named street, Miera iela or The Street of Peace.
Latgalite Market
Looking for your mobile phone that was stolen in Riga’s Old Town last night? Or maybe you forgot the charger to your ipod, or possibly you are looking for some Imperial Russian banknotes.
Well Latgalite has it all, including a load of tools, junk and scrap parts. It is Riga’s flea market in the true sense and no doubt songs will be sung about this place long into the future. Maybe not everything for sale is 100% working but do not fear, prices are fair and sometimes you may even find your own car stereo with your favourite CD still inside.
I have personally used this place to repair many things, the people are funny and friendly. German and English is often understood here. Try our Riga Alternative tour to get the most out of this special corner of Riga.
Andrejsala
Previously an extremely busy and important harbour, Andrejsala has now fallen a little bit by the wayside, a bonus for the local creative types!
Spaces have been taken over and used to create artist studios, workshops, offices, art residences and sometimes the occasional event and party. A few years back this area was at its peak and things have started to slide a little since. From 2010, however, there has been some form of revival in the area with a number of nice little events, with live music, theatre and electronic events taking place.
All good I say, find a local and ask if something is going on down there. Another great idea is to jump on a bike and check it out for yourselves!
The Art Nouveau of Riga
What can be said about Riga and its Art Nouveau? Well, quite simply it is the best in Europe; 100′s upon 100′s of buildings dot the streets in all of the major districts of Riga.
Many people want to see Alberta iela and Elizabetes iela but really, do not restrict yourself to these streets. Riga’s central district is full of some of the greatest examples from all across Europe.
If you want to explore this alone I recommend to buy yourself one of the many books available from book stores in Riga such as ‘Art Nouveau Buildings in Riga’ by Jānis Krastiņš or ‘Riga the complete guide to Architecture’ by Jānis Krastiņš and Ivars Strautmanis.
Alternately join our Riga Art Nouveau Tour and let us lead you through the greatest period of Riga’s construction. Enjoy!
Riga Science Academy
The Former Science academy is not the only skyscraper in Riga but it has one of the best views of Riga from its 104m high viewing area.
It is possible to go to the viewing platform for a small fee and gaze over the Central Market, the Moscow suburb, the river Daugava and the centre, as well as the old town and the former worker’s district.
The construction for the Science academy, also known as Stalin’s birthday cake by locals, was started in 1951. The first idea for it’s usage was to build it for farmers, so they can come to the capital and make decisions and hold seminars together. It was later decided that it should be used for the purpose of Science. Today the building stands as one of the many high rise features of Riga’s skyline.
Spilve Airport
This hidden airport of Riga has not been used on a large scale recently (only as a landing field for private use). Spilve airport is hidden behind bushes and trees, away from the sight of the general public.
This amazing airport in Riga is accessible, if you go completely out of the central districts of Riga and past the industrial zones and factories. Monumental Soviet classicism with enormously large facade windows and an interesting landscape around, it is a nice place to relax and explore.
Spilve airport was arranged in the latest styles of the era, you can just imagine 1950′s furniture and technology and carpets from all over the USSR as well as VIP rooms covered in Chinese textiles.
Now, the territory is extremely quiet and it a good place to go by bicycle, tram or bus, feel the tranquility of the ensemble and see a fully realised vision of Soviet architecture still standing in modern Riga.
Griziņkalns park
Deep in the workers district on the edge of the city centre, there is a huge and beautiful park. Grīziņkalns park (Grīziņš hill park) has been one of the most important parks for citizens in recent times.
At the turn of last century the park was known for having carousels, sideshows, spectacles and a cinema. Nowadays there is one of the biggest skate parks in Riga and next to it, a children’s playground.
During the uprising of 1905, approximately 100,000 workers gathered together in Griziņkalns to make a great strike because of poor working conditions in warehouses and factories nearby. During the Cold war, there was an underground bunker here with a Helicopter landing pad on the top.
Griziņkalns park is best accessed by public transport or by bicycle.
Riga Free Tour
If you are traveling and want to get to know other travelers, see from the city from another perspective and have fun at the same time, the Riga Free Tour is for you!
The meeting point is in front of the tallest church in Riga, St. Peters, every day at 12.00, seven days a week. Young adventurous tourists have the chance to meet completely random people with similar traveling stories.
But, most importantly, Riga Free Tour takes you away from the old town and explores places unknown and unheard of, including Riga’s suburbs, the Centre, the black market and the former Jewish Ghetto. You’ll hear stories you won’t hear anywhere else.
If you want to say thanks to the guide, you can put a tip in their hat after the tour! There are similar projects in Tallinn, Vilnius, Tampere, Kaunas and Parnu too!
