The Ultimate List of Things to Do in Riga, Latvia: Top Attractions, Hidden Gems, & Seasonal Activities

If you're heading to the Baltics, you can’t skip Riga! There are so many amazing things to do in Riga, Latvia, from exploring its historic streets to diving into its cool, artsy side. Whether you’re here for a weekend or longer, this city has a little something for everyone.

Stroll through the charming Old Town, soak in the views from towering churches, or check out the local markets for a taste of everyday life. Riga is the perfect mix of old and new, with medieval buildings, hip cafes, and tons of green spaces to unwind.

No matter what kind of traveler you are, there’s no shortage of fun activities in Riga. Whether you're here to sightsee, eat your way through the city, or just soak up the vibe, this ultimate guide has got you covered. Get ready to fall in love with Latvia’s capital!

Fun Things to Do in Riga: Sightseeing

When planning your trip, one of the top things to do in Riga Latvia is explore the city’s incredible historical landmarks. From Gothic churches to modern cultural centers, Riga offers countless sightseeing opportunities for visitors to take in its architecture and history.

Here are the things you need to see while in Riga:

Riga Cathedral: a 13th century structure that is one of the largest and most sacred from the Medieval era - don't miss the 20 minute organ concerts!

House of Blackheads: the most iconic building in Riga, located in Town Hall Square

St Peter's Church: beautiful church with a bell tower you can climb the best views of the city

Three Brothers Latvian Museum of Architecture: a series of buildings that house the Latvian Museum of Architecture

National Library of Latvia: one of the most architecturally beautiful places in Riga, with panoramic views of the river

Freedom Monument: a monument honoring soldiers who died in Latvia’s fight for independence - it's lined with lights during winter in Riga! 

Latvian National Opera: beautiful for the architecture and great for a show!

Our Lady of Sorrows Church: a quaint blue church in the old town

KGB Museum (Corner House): a powerful museum located in the former KGB headquarters 

Riga Old Evangelican Lutheran Church: one of Riga's lesser-known but charming historic landmarks

Latvian National Art Museum: a museum which houses Latvia’s largest collection of national art

Art Nouveau District: a neighborhood known for its impressive architecture

Latvian Ethnographic Museum: an open-air museum outside the city that offers a look into traditional Latvian life 

Powder Tower: a piece of Riga’s medieval defense system which now houses part of the Latvian War Museum

Bastejkalna Park & Canal: one of the best green spaces in the city center - make sure to try a canal boat ride!

Spikeri Creative Center: an area near the Central market with former warehouses transformed into a cultural and artistic hub

Holy Trinity Church: a vibrant hot pink church with blue domes and green details

Swedish Gate: a gate which is the only remaining piece of the original Riga city wall

Bridge to Nowhere: an incomplete bridge with panoramic views

TV Tower & Zakasula Island: one of the tallest TV towers in Europe located on an island perfect for cycling and walking around

Fun Things to Do in Riga

Now that you've checked out the top sites of the city, let's check out some of the fun things to do in Riga!

 Stroll the Historic Center: an excellent way to get a feel for Latvia's capital

Go on a Free Walking Tour: an excellent way to learn about the city's history from a local

Browse the Riga Central Market: one of Europe’s largest and most vibrant markets

 Explore the Museums: dive into history by visiting the KGB building, the Latvian War Museum, or one of the other many options.

 Wander the Esplanade: one of Riga's best green spaces with a picturesque church

Experience the Exhibitions at Digital Art House: a unique cocktail bar, nightclub, and museum with 360 degree multimedia exhibitions

Ride Riga's Ferris Wheel: a great way to enjoy the skyline, especially at sunset!

Enjoy a Drink with a View: check out one of the great rooftop bars like Skyline Bar, Gutenberg's Rooftop Restaurant, or Herbarijs Kafejnica

 Learn About Riga's Jewish History: tours that take you through the city’s Jewish heritage

 Get Educated About "Behind the Iron Curtain" aka the Cold War: a Cold War-themed tour

Khinkali & Pelmeni Cooking Class: a class which teaches you how to make Georgian khinkali and Russian pelmeni from scratch

  Visit the Latvian Chocolate Museum: a seriously sweet tour

 Mushroom Picking in the Forests: exploring Latvia’s lush forests with a guide to forage for wild mushrooms

 Gin Distillation Class: craft your own gin blend while learning about botanicals and distillation techniques

 Whiskey Mastercass: taste rare pours and learn about distilling and aging techniques

 Latvia Beer & Bread Tasting: 

Beer, Cider, or Prosseco Bike: pedal around the city while sipping with your friends

 Local Brewery Experience: a brewery tour which includes tastings and behind-the-scenes access

 Go on a Pub Crawl: experience different bars with a fun group

 Latvian Wine Adventure: sampling unique local wines made from berries and rhubarb in a medieval cellar

 Private Boat Tour with Black Balsam & Snacks: a fun boat tour along the river

 VIP Nightlife Tour: fast entry to Riga’s top clubs, exclusive venues, which includes personalized stops

 Go on a Big Wheel e-Scooter Tour: a fun and eco-friendly way to enjoy the city's sightseeing

Ride on a Drift Bike: a truly thrilling activity!

 Go on a Bog-Shoe Tour: strapping on special shoes to hike across ancient boglands 

 Experience Go Karting: a fast-paced a fun activity 

Hop on a Quad Bike Safari: off-road adventures in Latvia's countryside

 Visit the Riga Shooting Range: one of the most adrenaline=filled activities in Riga

 Have a Deltaplan Flying Adventure: Soar above forests, lakes, and cityscapes for a truly unique perspective of Riga

 Relax on a Floating Sauna: the perfect way to merge relaxation and tradition

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Fun Things to Do in Riga in Summer

Summer in Riga is a special time, when days are long, warm, and bustling with energy. There are so many incredible things to do in Riga during this time of year like outdoor activities, festivals, and even special dining experiences!

Hang out at Tallinas Kvartals: a venue popular for concerts, drinks, & food

Dine in the Sky: a unique dining experience hanging from a crane!

Experience the Summer Markets: enjoy fresh fruits, flowers, local crafts, and street food

Browse the Spikeri Flea Market: happening every other Saturday!

 Have a Picnic in the Park: Bastejkalna Park and Vērmanes Garden are two great options

 Take Canal Boat Sightseeing Tour: enjoy scenic views and historical info

 Try Flyboarding: hovering above the water on a jet-powered board

 Go on a Husky Hike: explore out in nature with a furry friend

 Kayak at the Latvia-Lithuania Border: paddle the beautiful river separating the two countries

 Paddle Board on a Latvian Jungle Tour: a true hidden gem for the nature-lovers

 Experience a Summer Bobsleigh Cable Car: ride around on a historical track in Sigulda city

Experience the Ultimate Water Adventure: enjoy panoramas of the city by kayak or SUP board, play on a floating obstacle course, sunbathe, swim, and grill

 Rent a Floating Grill: enjoy your own grill on the water complete with tables, chairs, and music

Celebrate Summer Solstice: one of the biggest celebrations for the Baltic and Scandinavian countries

 Go to the Riga Photography Biennial: creative exhibitions and events which show how photography is changing in the digital age

 Attend a Festival: there are a ton of fun music festivals to enjoy- from jazz to electronic music!

Riga Contemporary Art Fair: from July 10 to 13th, 2025 at Hanzas Perons this free fair has exhibitions, talks, and performances of artists from all over the world.

Experience Riga Art Week: from May 26th to June 1st the city fills with exhibitions, workshops, and pop-up events by local and international artists.

Celebrate Riga's Birthday: a celebration in August with concerts, fireworks, performances, markets, and family-friendly events across the city.

Watch the EuroBasket 2025 Championships: This year Riga is hosting one of the biggest sporting competitions in Europe!

Fun Things to Do in Riga in Winter

While summer is the most popular time to visit Riga, there are also so many great things to do in Riga in winter! Here are some exciting things to experience when it's colder and during the holiday season.

Visit the World's First Public Christmas Tree: a special monument in Town Hall Square

Enjoy the Christmas Market: it's one of the best in the Baltics!

Go Iceskating: a magical way to enjoy Riga's esplanade

 Go Husky Sledding: an amazing and fun way to experience the snowy landscapes outside the capital

Have a Bobsleigh Ride: an exciting way to enjoy Latvia's nature on a 1,420 meter track

 Try Winter Drifting: slide, spin, and master the art of drifting through ice-covered fields

Sip on Some Karstvins or Hot Chocolate: Riga has so many cozy cafes!

 Relax at a Spa: we loved the one at Wellton Hotel & Spa!

Fun Things to Do in Riga: Day Trips

There are so many things to do in Riga, but there’s so much more to see just outside the city! From castles and palaces to waterfalls and quirky forests, here are some of the best day trips you can take:

 Bauska Castle: a picturesque riverside fortress with medieval charm and great views

 Rundale Palace: Latvia’s most beautiful Baroque palace with stunning gardens

 Kemeri National Park: peaceful trails, a famous bog boardwalk, and birdwatching spots

 Cēsis: a charming medieval town with castle ruins and cobblestone streets

 Kuldīga: a romantic town known for its old wooden houses and Europe's widest waterfall

 Venta River Waterfall: the widest natural waterfall in Europe and a peaceful picnic spot

 Pokaini Forest: a mysterious area filled with ancient stones and local legends

 Dobele Castle: ruins of a 13th-century castle with scenic views and medieval vibes

 Ligatne Village: a cute historical village with old paper mills and scenic trails

 Cape Kolka: where the Baltic Sea meets the Gulf of Riga in a wild and beautiful setting

 Jūrmala: white sand beaches, pine forests, and cozy seaside cafés

 Sigulda: a favorite getaway for castles, nature walks, and adventure sports

 Turaida: a red-brick castle surrounded by forest and Latvian folklore

 Gauja National Park: Latvia’s largest national park with cliffs, caves, and river views

 Hill of Crosses: a hauntingly beautiful site with thousands of crosses (just over the border in Lithuania)

 Tallinn: the fairy-tale capital of Estonia, around 4 hours from Riga

 Vilnius: Lithuania’s vibrant capital, full of history and just 3.5 hours away

So are you ready to experience all of the fun things to do Riga, Latvia? We hope our guide has helped you plan a fun-filled itinerary in one of our favorite Baltic cities.

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