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Riga

About

Discover the history of Riga

Latvia's capital, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is renowned for its striking Art Nouveau architecture and picturesque medieval Old Town with cobblestone streets and lively squares. Museums, galleries, and concert halls fuel a vibrant cultural scene, while the Central Market—housed in converted zeppelin hangars—showcases local life. Winter transforms Riga into a Nordic wonderland: snow adorning Art Nouveau facades, Christmas markets at Dome Square, ice skating on frozen canals, and traditional sauna culture. Short days and crisp air offer chances to catch the Northern Lights. Parks and gardens round out this dynamic urban landscape where history meets modernity.

Travel score

The travel score throughout the year.

January

40
Poor

February

50
Moderate

March

55
Moderate

April

64
Good

May

76
Very good

June

76
Very good

July

57
Moderate

August

65
Good

September

78
Very good

October

64
Good

November

58
Moderate

December

38
Bad

Things to do

Discover the best attractions in Riga and its surroundings

Riga Central Market

Its five halls were assembled between 1924 and 1930 from the steel frames of German zeppelin hangars, in a functional Art Deco style. Still a working food market, it is UNESCO-listed together with the historic centre.

The Freedom Monument

The Freedom Monument is a 42-meter limestone sculpture commemorating Latvia's independence, standing at the heart of Brīvības bulvāris, a tree-lined boulevard featuring cultural institutions and public spaces.

Bastejkalna Park

Hilly green space with man-made cascades, small bridges, sculptures & a swan house on the canal.

House of the Black Heads

Destroyed in 1941 and levelled in 1948, the guild house of the Blackheads, a brotherhood of unmarried merchants, was rebuilt to the original design and reopened in 1999. The stepped gable, medieval cellars and reception rooms are open to visitors on Town Hall Square.

Dome Square

Market

The largest paved square in the old town opens at the foot of the cathedral, whose 19th-century organ is heard at regular recitals, with Latvian Radio along one side. The Christmas market is held here in December.

Latvian National Museum of Art

National museum of art housed in an imposing building with a Baroque & classicist-style facade.

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