Riga Weekend Guide: Two Days of Food, Culture, and Sights

Heading to Latvia? You can’t just skip the capital, Riga. The largest and most popular city in Latvia, Riga, isn’t your ordinary tourist spot. The city is a real gem, lined with tranquil scenery, extravagant destinations, and a diverse culture that makes you feel at home. While Riga deserves at least a couple of days, if you’re short on time and are staying for just two days, you can’t miss some destinations. But don’t fret; we’ve created the perfect guide for you.

DAY ONE

Since you’ll most probably be flying in, we recommend touring some of the more popular destinations so you can explore more of Riga on your second day. Here are the places you should visit on your first day in Riga. Depending on your area of accommodation and time you have, you can customise these attractions to suit your itinerary.

Old Town

Riga’s Old Town is a true stunner; it’s lined with the city’s most iconic landmarks, so you’re in for a treat. We recommend taking it slow; stroll the streets and observe the old buildings, taking in the Old Town’s charm. You’ll also meet many locals, all eager to give you a glimpse into Riga’s hospitality. The cobblestone streets, the medieval architecture, and the countless food vendors selling authentic Latvian snacks are enough to make any tourist feel at home.

House of the Blackheads

Take a trip back to the 1300s when the House of the Blackheads first stood erected. Built initially as a protective house for unmarried merchants, the House of the Blackheads was soon acquired by the Brotherhood of Blackheads, an incredibly powerful association. Since then, the House of the Blackheads has undergone several reconstructions, mainly from the 17th century, and then again after it was partially destroyed in WWII. Interestingly, the House of the Blackheads doesn’t only have a serious history, but a pretty fun one, too. Some believe the first ever tree decorated for Christmas stood here, so you can pretty much imagine how Christmas must have felt back then.

Three Brothers

Three houses, three different legacies, and three different designs. That is the legacy of the Three Brothers, a trio of houses that stand together, yet date back to different times. They’re also colored differently: white, green, and yellow. The white house is the oldest and was built back in the 15th century, sharing influences from Renaissance architecture. The other two, the green and the yellow houses, were designed in the 17th century. While they were once just a plain tourist site, you can find the Museum of Architecture here.

Food Tasting Tour at Riga Central Market

You’ll find plenty of popular eateries in Riga, but we recommend skipping the tourist traps and going straight for the central market food tasting tour. Here, you can meet with locals, learn more about their cuisine, and try their scrumptious snacks. This is great, since you can taste everything in one go.

St. Peter’s Church and Tower

Next, head to St. Peter’s Church and Tower, which not only serves as a popular historic landmark, but it also has one great thing about it: the observation deck. Climb the tower and you’ll be blessed with panoramic views of the city. It should not take much of your time to visit the church.

Powder Tower At the Latvian War Museum

A few minutes’ walk, the Powder Tower or the Latvian War Museum houses historical artefacts dedicated to the country’s history. You’ll find artefacts from the 1200s detailing Latvia’s turbulent history and an extensive exhibit on WWI. This museum is a must-see for history buffs.

Dinner At Domini Canes

You’ll be pretty exhausted by now, so we recommend taking a break and having dinner, even if it’s a bit early. Domini Canes is a pretty popular and moderately priced eatery just 8-10 minutes from the Powder Tower, so it’s perfect for you. Ensure you’re ordering Latvian food to really tie the whole day off.

DAY TWO

Today is all about exploring the tourist destinations you missed out on the first day. Make sure you’re up early so you can squeeze in as many destinations as you can.

Art Nouveau Walk

The Art Nouveau District is a stretch of streets featuring Art Nouveau buildings. If you’re an art lover, you already know what the hype is, but for those who don’t, art nouveau is an international style of art and architecture that has long influenced popular works. So, you can pretty much imagine how big of a deal this district can be.

Bastejkalns Park

The Bastejkalns Park is the perfect spot to slow down; since you’ll have spent a big part of your morning at the Art Nouveau district, it’s time to take a breather and stroll through the park. You’ll also find vendors serving fresh Latvian snacks.

Riga History & Navigation Museum

Next, visit the Riga History & Navigation Museum, where you’ll learn all about the city’s history. This is one place you can’t go on a whim; most of the boards are in Latvia, so we recommend linking up with a tour guide to get a deeper look. The tour should take you an hour or more, but you can stay longer.

Freedom Monument

Between 1918 and 1920, during the Latvian War of Independence, thousands of soldiers lost their lives. The Freedom Monument was erected to honour these soldiers and freedom fighters. And, although the Soviets barely gave it the importance it deserved, the monument is a significant spot today.

Corner House Museum

We expect you to be a bit sombre about this one since the Corner House Museum is one of the few former KGB buildings in the city. The museum outlines the history of the USSR, thrilling stories of espionage, daunting tales of torture, and similar actions committed by the KGB in Latvia. It’s a dark tale, but it will leave you more informed.

River Cruise

Finally, you’ll be close to sunset and feeling pretty hungry, so stop by the canal banks to grab a snack. Then, head up to the bank and take a river cruise. Although you’re free to visit other places, the River Cruise is perfect because you can sightsee some popular landmarks like the Riga TV tower and the modern library without having to walk all around. You’ll be relaxed, happy, and get to witness one of the most beautiful sunsets.