Riga English Self-guided Audio Tour on your Phone

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. The Riga Town Hall (Rīgas Rātsnams) dates back to the early 14th century when it was originally constructed as a venue for civic administration and governance. It served as the seat of the city council and housed various municipal offices.

   10 min

2. The original House of the Blackheads was built in the early 14th century as a meeting and gathering place for a guild of unmarried merchants, shipowners, and foreigners in Riga. The guild was known as the Brotherhood of Blackheads, named after St. Mauritius.

   10 min

3. Riga Cathedral was founded in 1211 during the early stages of Riga's development as a major trading city within the Hanseatic League. It played a central role in the spread of Christianity and the establishment of the city's religious and cultural identity.

   10 min

4. The Three Brothers are considered the oldest residential buildings in Riga and among the oldest in Latvia. They date back to different periods between the 15th and 17th centuries, reflecting the architectural evolution of the city over time. Each of the three houses represents different stages of Riga's urban development and architectural styles, from Gothic to Renaissance and Baroque influences.

   15 min

5. The Swedish Gate is one of the few remaining gates from the old city fortifications of Riga. It was built in 1698 as part of the defensive walls that surrounded the city during the Swedish rule of Riga in the late 17th century.

   15 min

6. The Cat House was built in 1909 by a wealthy Latvian merchant who wanted to protest against the exclusion from the Great Guild, a powerful association of German merchants. It was designed by architect Friedrich Scheffel in the Art Nouveau style, which was popular at the time.

   15 min

7. The Freedom Monument was unveiled on November 18, 1935, to commemorate the 17th anniversary of Latvia's independence from foreign rule (achieved in 1918).

   15 min

8. Built between 1876 and 1883, the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ is the main Orthodox cathedral in Riga and one of the largest Orthodox churches in the Baltic States.

   15 min

9. Alberta Street is located in the historical center of Riga and is famous for its concentration of Art Nouveau buildings. It was developed during Riga's rapid urban expansion in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when Art Nouveau was a popular architectural style.

   15 min

Cancellation

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

Know before you go

How it compares in Riga

• Its from-price is 95% below the median of the 59 city tours we list in Riga.
• It is shorter than most of them.
• 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