Top Things to do in Latvia
Top Hotels in Latvia
What to do and see in Latvia, Latvia: The Best Things to do Good for Big Groups
Discover the best top things to do in Latvia, Latvia including Riga Motormuseum, Dzintari Forest Park, House of the Black Heads, Riga Town Hall Square, Old City Riga (Vecriga), Central Market (Centraltirgus), Rundale Palace Museum (Rundales Pils), Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum, Gauja National Park, Venta Rapid Waterfall.
Restaurants in Latvia
1. Riga Motormuseum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 660 reviews
The renovated Riga Motor Museum opened its doors to visitors on the 2nd of July, 2016. At the Museum you can view the largest and most diverse vintage motor vehicle collection in the Baltics, exhibiting more than a 100 unique automobiles and motorcycles. Our exposition is a thrilling and interactive tale of unique cars, notable people and historic events. The authentic motor vehicles are complimented by touchscreen monitors, operable models, videos, interactive exhibits, virtual reality and other information provided by modern technology; making the museum visit into an exciting and insightful adventure. For Riga Motor Museum visitors to feel comfortable, and to have a valuable and productive visit even on an entire day’s visit, we offer a range of additional services - interactive activities in the children's play area, exploratory guided tours, a museum cafe, gift shop and free parking.
Reviewed By Ravennor - Stockholm, Sweden
Highly recommended for all types of people of all ages.m Good for people with mobilty issues. The exhibition is beautiful and also very educational. Not only vintage cars but also vintage bicycles, motor bicycles, telephones and radios are exhibited as well as fire vehicles, ambulances, lorries and buses, with plenty of information, yet not too overbaring.. Some parts also exhibits and explains life under Soviet rule, and how Latvian technological production survived during that time. Many of the vehicles are extremely high priced collector's items. There are quite a few interactive features that work for adults and children alike, For us who remember the times before the wall came down, there is a section with cars belonging to famous Soviet leaders, such as Stalin and Brezjev, together with a wast collection of many other Soviet vehicles. You can have your picture taken, receiving hail from the masses as you pass as the leader of the 1st of May parade in Comrade Brezjevs place. You get the picture for free if you provide your e-mail address. The bar/ cafe/ restaurant is relatively price worthy. You CAN go by bus to the door! Bus no 5 leaves from the Central station area and back with a stop on the street just outside the museum. Thebus ride takes about 35 minutes from the Central station area while the taxi takes 15 minutes, but the bus ride only cost 2 euros. No need to walk for 15 minutes to the bus stop as Google tries to trick you into!
2. Dzintari Forest Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 488 reviews
The park is suitable for both: admirers of active and calm recreation. There are children playgrounds for all age groups, road for roller skating and pedestrian roads, cafes, parking lot and toilets in the park. The park is opened all year round. In winter park is an excellent place for distant skiing on a lighted trail. The access is very convenient; there is a parking place for 200 cars at the park. In 2010 a panoramic tower was opened here. The tower is 33, 5 m high and it reveals unforgettable view of Jurmala. The tower has 12 balconies on different levels so everyone can choose the height.
Reviewed By W9416LYbeckyh
This is a great area for anyone! A nice loop walk partly along a boardwalk, tree-trekking for all ages (and reasonably priced), the tower for great tree-top views, ice cream stands (reasonably priced)! Not far from Majori Station and close to the beach! A must see if you are in the area!
3. House of the Black Heads
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,780 reviews
Closed for Covid-19 at the moment. On the last Saturday of month - join open FREE guided tour at 13:00 on English! Get the 1h tour with guide for free, pay only the entrance fee! Pre-reservation is necessary on website or by e-mail. It is one of the most beautiful buildings in Riga, with a unique legacy of the Black Heads brotherhood that was established here at the end of the 14th century, along with the existing merchants’ guild. The young and joyful foreign merchants united in the brotherhood organized splendid events, later becoming honorable members of the local community. As time passed the house began to host visits of foreign kings and other noble guests and continues to fulfill this task up to today – concerts, balls, gala dinners and diplomatic receptions are frequently organized here. Now every visitor has the chance to explore the exhibition about the history and economic development of Riga City.
Reviewed By Nitvoyodelo - Vineland, United States
The original building was from the 13-14th Century. It was the home of a guild called the Black Heads, merchants, ship owners and foreigners in Riga. The building sustained damage during WWII and later rebuilt, after the fall of Communism.
4. Riga Town Hall Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,030 reviews
Reviewed By malcolmc998 - St. Neots, United Kingdom
Well worth a visit to The House of Blackheads which has an intriguing history going back hundreds of years, plus Workd War2 and the Russian occupation
5. Old City Riga (Vecriga)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,115 reviews
This charming maze of narrow and crooked cobblestone streets is filled with a mixture of architectural styles including Nordic, Gothic, Renaissance, baroque and Jugendstil, plus such historic sites as the 13th-century Riga Castle, St. Peter's Church, the Swedish Gate and the Freedom Monument.
Reviewed By 591raye - Tilburg, The Netherlands
Visited Riga for a long weekend without any expectations. Now I’m convinced, it’s one of the greatest cities with a great architecture, a great atmosphere and just a great ambiance???????? Discover the different squares with a lot of restaurants and bars with live music. Look at the street artists making art with fire , the opera singer , the street music bands and so on.
6. Central Market (Centraltirgus)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,386 reviews
Reviewed By bignbald - Northampton, United Kingdom
Would highly recommend going to the markets it’s awesome Great fruit and veg Fantastic cheeses ( buffalo / mozzarella) Fantastic meats ( all types) Awesome fish displays beluga included As much amber as you could ever want to see Traders are friendly Oh and for goods sake buy some honey ???? Medus? It’s one of the best tasting honeys in the world 5/5 Earlier the better 8am onwards
7. Rundale Palace Museum (Rundales Pils)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 557 reviews
Reviewed By Beto79 - Lille, France
The visit of the Rundale Palace was the highlight of my first visit to Latvia. I did not went with a private tour; I went using public transportation using information posted at TA. I am very glad I did because this allowed me to explore the sight at my own pace. Furthermore, none of the tour-guided people visited the exhibition "From Gothic Style to Art Nouveau" probably because it was not included in the ticket bought by the tour operator. There is a discount in the combined ticket if you buy it online (day ticket) For me Rundale palace is one of the most stunning palaces I have visited. They did an extraordinary job in restoring the splendor of the palace. Each room is opulent profusely decorated with beautiful objects and furniture. Once you finished with the second floor go to the basement and visit the special exhibition. It felt like I was in the TEFAF (The European Fine Art Faire), I was alone surrounded by an extraordinary exquisite collection of objects that went from Gothic style to Art Nouveau. It took me more than one hour as I perused the porcelain, the furniture and the ornaments. You do not want to miss that. The gardens were beautiful but not extraordinary as the grass was dry and it seems that they need some maintenance. I ate extremely well at the cafeteria; the soup of the day was really yummy and they served a large portion, the main was chicken which was good and the dessert was excellent. Service was a little bit slow, but very friendly, something that you have to appreciate when you are in Latvia. If you decide to go by your own; I recommend to take an early bus. You can buy it online. The palace opens at 10h00, so you can avoid some of the hectic tours that become more present during the day. You need to go to Bauska, and there you need to catch another bus to Rundale. Beware that there are very few buses between Bauska and Rundale, so never take the last one. The down side of going without tour-guide is that you miss all the context; you need to do some research on your own as the leaflets do not dwell into the historical context of the palace. The visit to the palace could take you the whole day (as if you were in Versailles).
8. Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 874 reviews
Reviewed By SolihullTony
We took one of the very efficient buses from Riga on a gloomy day at the end of December and thoroughly enjoyed our few hours at the open air museum. Even without the craftsmen who are there in the summer, it was so interesting seeing the lovely old, wooden buildings, mostly with mossy roofs.
9. Gauja National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 243 reviews
Reviewed By A1606AOstellap
Piece and Tranquillity. Gauja is beautiful! Recommended to go during the week days ( less people) We went on Monday. Left car in Sigulda Pludmale ( Camping Site on the beach near the bridge & Tartzan fun park)./ Had a ride to Ligatne and started our trip down the river back to Sigulda ( trip 6hrs, but there is a choice of shorter distances) You don't need to row much, as the river had strong current and takes you with it. Stopped for a swim on the beautiful sandy beaches. Child still had energy to go on the rides at Tarzan. Don't forget suncream and a hat :) P.S. This trip can be done for free if you have your own boat/ kayak and a lift .
10. Venta Rapid Waterfall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 269 reviews
Reviewed By Amalta256 - Vilnius, Lithuania
One of the longest waterfall in europe. In summer you can walk trought it by stones. Impressive view also some swimming place near waterfall.
