Private Grand Riga City Tour

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Art Nouveau, the distinct style in art of end-19th century and early-20th, was the "father" of modern architecture. Riga is a well-known Art Nouveau mecca.

   20 min

2. Riga Central Market is situated in the heart of Riga, a few hundred meters from Old Town on the banks of the River Daugava, next to Riga International Bus Terminal and Central Railway Station. It is not only one of the largest marketplaces in Eastern Europe in area, but also one of the most visited, as 80,000-100,000 people shop there per day on the average.

   20 min

3. The Black Heads house is located in the very heart of Old Riga. Wonderful, surprising, royal.

   10 min

4. The Freedom Monument has been Riga's central landmark for almost a century. This 42.7 m tall granite and copper work of art is a symbol of the Latvian nation's striving for freedom and independence. The woman on top of the monument is holding up three golden stars, which represent Latvia's historical regions of Kurzeme, Vidzeme, and Latgale.

   Passes by

5. Latvian National Museum of Art is the most significant depository in the nation for works of art. Reopened in May 2016, the building itself has been upgraded, modernized but its majestic beauty from a long-gone era - preserved.

   Passes by

6. Just a bridge span from Old Town, on the left bank of the Daugava, looms an extraordinary, culturally significant edifice, the Castle of Light - the new National Library.

   Passes by

7. Riga's White House — the Latvian National Opera and Ballet on Aspazijas bulvāris was opened in 1923; an average of six new productions are presented each year, retaining balance between opera and ballet. In total, the opera sees over 200 performances and several symphonic and chamber music concerts a season.

   Passes by

8. Latvian Academy of Sciences observation deck offers Riga guests and local residents to have a breath-taking view of Riga's Old Town and the Daugava River from the building's 17th-floor balcony at the height of 65 metres.

   Passes by

9. Riga's St.Peter's Church dominates the cityscape as the tallest spire, and as one of the oldest and most valuable monumental architecture edifices in the Baltic States from the Middle Ages. St.Peter's is the tallest of the Riga churches, a significant landmark, and a prime example of the 13th century Gothic style.

   10 min

10. St.John's Church is the oldest house of worship in Riga. Originally the Dominican monastery's chapel was located here in the 13th century. After several reconstructions, around 1500 the edifice acquired its present appearance - high Gothic pediment, span roof and a small tower.

    10 min

11. It's hard to believe that the Square once was the site of the Riga River, which was a shipping route for transporting Latvian grain up to the 16th century. Later it was called the Rīdzene River and even Rīdziņa as it gradually became narrower. Today, along the old route of the river, pavement wears away the shoes of countless Rigans and visitors to the city, and beautiful flower-beds remind one of the past times.

    10 min

12. Riga Castle has stood on the right bank of the River Daugava for more than 700 years. Through the centuries, it has seen severe destruction, numerous rulers, and wars. Today it houses the residence of the President of Latvia.

    10 min

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 16 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Riga

• Its from-price is 21% above the median of the 59 city tours we list in Riga.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 9 of 59.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Riga

Riga, Latvia's capital on the Baltic, is a Hanseatic city of medieval spires and streets of Art Nouveau façades.

Riga was founded in 1201 and grew rich as a Hanseatic trading port on the Daugava River. Its old town, listed by UNESCO, has cobbled lanes around the Dome Cathedral, with a famous organ, and the spire of St Peter's Church, which has a viewing platform. The House of the Blackheads, a gabled merchants' guild hall, and the Three Brothers, among the oldest houses in the city, stand in the heart of the old town.

Top-ranked sights in Riga: Riga Cathedral (Rigas Doms), Riga Town Hall Square (Ratslaukums), St Peter's Church.

See all 442 experiences in Riga