Location: Riga
Top Things to do in Riga
10 Historical & Heritage Tours in Riga That You Shouldn't Miss
The Latvian capital, the largest city in the Baltics, is a fascinating mixture of proud Latvian tradition and influences of the various countries that have occupied it. Independent once again since 1991, Riga's Art Nouveau center has won it UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. Opened up to mass tourism with the advent of budget air travel, Riga's Old City and its abundance of bars and restaurants can be explored on foot. The New Town is easily reached by an efficient and modern bus and tram network.
Restaurants in Riga
1. Old Riga Walking Tour / Riga Altstadt Spaziergang
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Old Riga is like a pearl of Baltics , located near the Daugava river . Architecture is kept from the Medieval times , there are nice squares , beautiful park near Riga City Canal , near Opera Building and Riga , like a pretty lady have lots of stories and lots of secrets. Swedish Gate is connected with a love legend and pancakes , Riga Cathedral have an organ with 6718 pipes and the Dom Square is like a heart of Old Riga and Riga is celebrating a birthday party of Sherlock Holmes, because there is also a Baker Street. You are welcome , dear guests !
Inclusions: You will have a walking tour with a local guide speaking Latvian , Russian , German and English .
Exclusions: Food, drinks , entrances, transport services are not included in the price.
2. Riga–Vilnius One Way Sightseeing Tour Bus
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Take a trip from Riga to Vilnius and on the way learn about the history and people of two countries. Our knowledgeable local guides take a small group, maximum of 8 people, for a fun filled 12 hour road trip through Latvia and Lithuania.
Inclusions: Bottled water, Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions: Lunch
Reviewed By jadecB9905CT
My partner and I took the Riga to Tallinn tour and the journey was not only very comfortable but also so much fun and full of information. Sten, our guide was so knowledgeable and funny and we had great conversations all the way! This was probably the best guided tour we took in the area so we recommend it highly.
3. Riga–Tallinn One-Way Sightseeing Tour Bus
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Join our entertaining trip from Riga to Tallinn through the picturesque towns of Sigulda, Cēsis, Valga, and Viljandi. We’ll bring you to places you would not find on your own and help you discover two countries in one day. Our knowledgeable local guides take a small group, maximum of 8 people, for a fun filled 12 hour road trip from Riga to Tallinn. Learn about the diverse and interesting history of both Latvia and Estonia from your knowledgeable local guide. We’ll take you from small towns and medieval castle ruins to quirky local sights and through the beautiful countryside.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Bottled water
Exclusions: Lunch
Reviewed By Kastelanostevo
We had a personal tour on sunday 9 august 2020. our guide (Mikelis) had studied geography, i remember. We really enjoyed the tour. Visited Kaunas, hills of crosses, Salaspils Memorial, Rundāle palace and had a nice local food. Our guide could tell a lot and we could talk with him about heritage from the past, differences and similarities between countries and was really helpful.Thanks for the tour!
4. Hill of Crosses & Rundale Palace Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Take a day trip from Riga to Rundāle Palace and Hill of Crosses while learning about the history and people of two countries. Our knowledgeable local guides take you for a fun filled 7 hour road trip through Latvia and Lithuania.
Inclusions: Bottled water, Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions: Lunch
Reviewed By Kastelanostevo
We had a personal tour on sunday 9 august 2020. our guide (Mikelis) had studied geography, i remember. We really enjoyed the tour. Visited Kaunas, hills of crosses, Salaspils Memorial, Rundāle palace and had a nice local food. Our guide could tell a lot and we could talk with him about heritage from the past, differences and similarities between countries and was really helpful.Thanks for the tour!
5. Visit of Salaspils Memorial Ensemble
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
The Salaspils Memorial Ensemble was created in the place where National Socialistic Germany had a police prison and labour correctional camp (from 1941 to 1945). This beautiful memorial site was open in 1967 (Soviet days) as the Soviet Union politics were concentrating on hiding the bad moves of J.Stalin and instead wanted to show to the world the bad stuff done by Nazis. The memorial creates a symbol of the border between life and death with a 100 metre-long concrete wall, on which is written – “Beyond these gates the land groans”. There are also seven concrete sculptures: “Mother”, “The Unbroken”, “The humuliated”, “Protest”, “Red Front”, “Solidarity”,“The Oath”. A beautiful addition to the memorial - indoors exhibition open for visitors to learn from written materials, photos and also video materials where you'll see older people sharing their memories about how they managed to escape or skip the camp.
Inclusions: Bottled water
Exclusions: Lunch
Reviewed By LightPacker444030
We did a tour with Krista and Amber Tours to Rundale Palace in Latvia and the Hill of Crosses in Lithuania. Krista was an amazing guide who provided us with a lot of information and perspective on living in Riga. The drive seemed to fly by as we talked non-stop with Krista and learned a lot of about her culture and life in Latvia.
6. Soviet Heritage Walking Tour - Riga after WW2
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 11 reviews
Visit must-see places in Riga that are legacies of the city’s Soviet past. Through some extremely moving, sometimes horrifying stories find out what life was like behind the Iron Curtain. You will leave the "touristy areas" and see typical Soviet time buildings and monuments, and learn more about the fate of the Baltic States and its people during and after WWII. You'll end the tour in so called Stalin's Birthday Cake (aka. Academy of Sciences) where you'll enjoy beautiful views over Riga.
Inclusions: Local and professional guide, Public transportation tickets, All Fees and Taxes
Exclusions:
Reviewed By 668bel_np
Latvian cuisine is exquisite and this is the perfect tour to discover it. We went around Rīga's central market with Liga, who introduced us to many flavours our palates had never tasted before: pickled veggies, hearty soups, delicious pastries. She made sure we were following all the sanitary requirements and we felt super safe with her. We couldn't recommend this tour enough. This is an experience for all senses since colours also invade you from all around. Great gourmet experience overall. Thanks Liga!
7. Riga Art Nouveau walking tour
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 8 reviews
Our Riga ART NOUVEAU walking tour is NEW and FRESH offer in Riga! With us you will see more, as we will not only pass by Alberta street buildings, but we will also walk with you through Riga boulevards and parks. Explore silent centre of Riga in a more relaxed and pleasant walk. It will involve 2 hour walking, but in a calm and relaxed way.
Inclusions: Professional guide with knowledge on Art Nouveau architecture in Riga
Exclusions: Tips for guide; food & drink, transportation
Reviewed By Sue T
Despite very cold and snow, our guide Tomps was excellent. Due to current situation unable to enter churches and museums but enjoyed our tour. Very informative.
8. Riga Old Town walking tour
Overall Ratings
4.7 based on 77 reviews
NEW! Riga Old town introductory tour, runs EVERYDAY at 10.30! It is ALL in ONE TOUR concept, with true local's story on Riga's and Latvia's history, introduction to art nouveau architecture, local food guidance and tips what else to explore in Riga! We will end the tour with FREE tasting of Riga Black Balsam and local dark chocolate. Welcome to join us - it will be both - informative and fun.
Inclusions: Free taste of Riga Black Balsam
Exclusions: Tips for the guide
Reviewed By G874LHcolinm
Fantastic time learning about the market and tasting some local cuisine, was great to taste some local cuisine we all had a great time, and would recommend this trip.
9. Daily Riga Bike Tour
Overall Ratings
4.7 based on 26 reviews
Only bike tour in Riga using professional tour guide system and reflective vests. This makes our tour much more efficient and safe! Choose a real bike excursion instead of a bike ride for less money! In 2 hours of easy cycling, you'll experience more apart from the Old Riga Town landmarks which are out of comfort zone by walking but easily accessible by bike and more cycling-friendly than covered by cobblestones Old Town. Under the care of the local tour guide, you’ll be introduced with many interesting objects and places which are not necessarily included in tour guide books but are an important part of our city and it’s history. We’ll have also some short stops for taking pictures and have a closer look. Thanks to the fact that Riga is flat Free Riga Bike tour is well suited for cyclists of all ages and different fitness level.
Inclusions: Bicycle, local ENG speaking tour guide, professional tour guide system, safety vest, helmet if needed
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By catjas2020
We wanted to explore the city and hired bikes for the family. Laila and Gints were so nice and really helpful. They advised us on the perfect bikes for what we needed and gave us lots of tips what to do and where to go. The bikes are in top condition and they have bikes for everything and everyone. They are so enthusiastic about their city and the region around that they have given us lots of ideas and plans to come back next year for a big adventure by bike...
10. Jewish Heritage of Riga
Make the most of Riga within 5 hours! Explore such city highlights as the Town Hall and House of Blackheads located on the Town Hall Square, enrich your knowledge about Jews and the Nazi period in Riga Ghetto and Latvian Holocaust Museum, enjoy fine specimens of the prevailing architectural style of Riga in the Art Nouveau Museum. You will have some free time for shopping before you return back to the ship/your hotel.
Inclusions: Private professional tour guide for 5 hrs, Private tourist-class vehicle for 5 hrs, Entrance fee to Riga Synagogue, Entrance fee to the Art Nouveau museum
Exclusions: Meals / snacks, Any other admissions, Gratuities
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