For a nice view
Saint Peters Church
Your most popular option has two main advantages aside from the authentic Hunchback of Nostradamus vibes of climbing up the tower of the UNESCO's world heritage listed 13th century church. Firstly, the tallest church of Riga is also right in the old town so it's easily accessible and offers outstanding view on this part of the city since it is situated in it's heart. Secondly, for the price (9 euros) of getting on top of the tower, you also get to visit the Church itself. However, for this price, there is something that you do not get to see and it is Saint Peters Church. Such a pity that I would not recommend it but rather...
The science academy
Indeed, only 15 minutes away from the Old town, in the Moscow kvartal, is a surprisingly much lesser known observation point from which you can also catch the emblematic church in your pictures for 8 euros ! The building itself is also remarkable, not because it is beautiful but rather an exceptional heritage of time. Most sickle and hammer symbols form soviet times have been destroyed and are as of today only found in museums but this building, being a protected architectural monument, is one of the exceptions for which it remained.
Radisson Blu Hotel
This is my favorite and most recommended way to get a panorama of Riga. It is where the saying "it's about the journey, not the destination" comes true. The interesting part of using this totally free alternative is not when you do get on the last floor but the time spent in the lift, because it features a side made out of see-through glass that allows you to take flight above Riga, getting higher and higher above. Unfortunately, once you get on the last floor, the windows are not the biggest and after few minutes of observation, the best thing to do is to make sure to take the elevator on the opposite side from the one you moved up in to not miss out on half the view !
A walk in the old town
Here is an optimised itinerary in the order in which I advise you to visit to see most attractions located in the Old Town and find your way out in front of the Statue of Liberty.
This can be useful if you want to see a lot in little time but the whole Old Town is a World Heritage site so just walking around in an unorganized way will allow you to see a lot without even looking for it.
House of the Blackheads
If you are intrigued by the particular aspect of this building and what it is about, this article explains it quite well. I don't recommend visiting it as I think it is ugly and the interior is not so interesting.
From this point, you are very close to Saint Peters church. To its right, there is a small shop called Baltu Rotas where you can see some beautiful jewelry inspired by ancient Batlic tribes such as rings of Namejs or amber pieces and traditional pagan symbols on necklaces, bracelets or earrings.
The Riga Castle
On your way to see the Castle, you can pass by two more beautiful churches which will be first the lutheran cathedral of Dome and the Saint-Saviour's anglican church.
Three brothers
Going to see the Three Brothers houses, you can pass by Saint Mary Magdalene's church as well as Saint James.
I strongly recommending seeing the Three Brothers as they are the oldest dwelling houses of the city and are also just really cute ! I adore their style and they hold symbolic importance as they represent the development of Riga and it's evolution since they feature elements of different style (Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque).
Did you know ? There is a similar complex in Tallinn called the Three Sisters, built just a bit more recently than Riga's, illustrating the shared history and similarities of Baltic countries !
The Swedish Gate
Go under the Swedish gate and make a wish ! This is my favorite superstition about this gate. Most other legends associated with it are quite scary. Even this one is usually phrased as not passing through it to enter Riga is bad luck ! If you like spooky stories, this is the attraction that is well-suited for you.
The cat house
If the Swedish Gate ghost stories and darkness were too scary for your liking, head over to the Cat house and look up the fun legend behind the cat statues and Learn more around the Great Guild.
The Statue of Liberty
You can pass by the Small Guild as well on your way there if you want to see some sick neo-gothic architecture but I know that not everyone loves gothic as much as I do so to the essential idea ! After this small tour of the Old Town, you are only few minutes away from probably one of the most based monuments ; the Statue of Liberty. The monument is a memorial for soldiers that died during the Independance War but it is also celebrative of the soveraignty of Latvia and a symbol of Liberty. At the very top of the statue, the allegory of Latvia Mildaholds three golden stars representing the three Latvian cultural regions but the other sculptures are also all references to Latvian culture and History and I highly recommend to look up an explanation for each of them as you revolve around the monument.
To the store
If you have less than 24 hours in Riga, you can still check out the restaurant section of this site but if you do not have time for a longer food experience, the best way of having a glimpse into typical food that is eaten by Latvians in day to day life is heading to a Rimi store ! Try out new things that are produced in Latvia or that you have never seen. I also have a few tips of what to get but I will never include meat in my recommandations although dry herring for example is very common but I don't advise you to eat animals.
Rye bread
You will definitely see a myriad of different types of rye bread which is widely consumed by Latvians. My personal favorite type is saldskabmaize which is sweet and sour but there are so many varietes of bread that they should suit every taste. See the pictures below and get inspired to make your own choice. Brand wise, the Lāči bakery or the Liepkalni bakery issued bread are your best bet. You can not get bad bread from there !
Pickled vegetables
As it is very common to have pickled veggies on the side or as a starter, you can find them in portion sized buckets directly from the store ! I recommend crunchy and sour cabbage with cucumber
Salads
Single serve salads will also be available for sure. I recommend the beetroot one because it's the most typical latvian salad after Rasols which is probably the most beloved but very often has sausage.
Something to drink
If you wish, you can grab a bottle of kvass. You must know that it is a fermented beverage so it still has a small percentage of alcohol (at max 5%, usually around 1%). This is why I prefer to recommend kefir, a thick sour fermented milk drink.
Sweet treats
For a dessert, you should absolutely look for the biezpena sieriņi, specifically the ones from the brand Karums. This chocolate covered cottage cheese based dessert is quite popular and cheap and it comes in many flavors. My favorite ones are chocolate, coconut and poppy seed-plombir (the homey nostalgic soviet ice cream !) but some are more audacious and very intersting such as rye bread with berry filling (not so successful attempt at a very "latvian" tasting flavor) or the delicious apple with cinnamon.
Another Latvian sweet is the gotiņa candy. My favorite mik candy brand is Saldus but I have not found it in Rimi for many years so your best option will likely be Skriveru brand ! They make them in many flavors and also generally have great sweets so check out the rest as well if you are into very sweet candy.
However, gotiņa is far from being my favorite. My first choice will always be the brand Laima. This brand has a long history of being loved by many Latvians and has all your traditional options. My recommandations are the zefir, and the ones I like best are the chocolate bars. You can have the marzipan one, Miks and the best, Serenade !
Nightlife
Only here for the night and you don't plan to spend it sleeping ?
Rīgas Ķirsis
This bar makes you play a stock market inspired game to get your drinks price. Very inciting and orginal way to try new (cheapest at the moment) beverages while waiting for a price crash". If you are interested in drinking alcohol, your must-try liquor will be the traditional Rigas Black Balsam shot (my favorite is with black currant). If you are not used to the Eastern European habit for stronger alcohol enjoyment, you should have their signature Ķirsis ; the cherry version of the liquor diluted with cranberry juice - a typical way to drink it for Latvians !
DM bar
Rather about the experience than the drinks, the atmosphere of this Depeche Mode themed bar will delight any fan and make any non-fan into one for a night ! Last timed I came to Riga, it was tragicly closed but if you have a long night, in my opinion, it's really worth checking !
Tornis
The Tower nightclub is decent for music but mostly great for 3 other reasons ; great light effects, being open late and bragging about visiting the largest club in the Baltics.
Skapis
If you are a young queer, this is the club you want to go to. It is the safest way to have a fun night out and has outright amazing music. However, they will not accept cash nor card for the drinks since you will pay with your liver. This place is just to dance the night away... Thirsty people beware !
30 minutes top
You are on the ride and have a short break wjile your train is chnaged or a bus delay ? You're in luck ! Don't believe me ? Rush to one of your many options and see for yourself ; their position is quite central.
From the central bus station
The station is right across the Central market so you can absolutely get an idea of this place in under 30 minutes.
Alternatively, you can see the Monument of Liberty or the St Peter's Church if you have 25 minutes or reach my favorite commemorative statue for the 1905 fighters in under 20 minutes. From the foot of the statue, you have a view on the National library on the other side of the Daugava River Canal.
From the train station
Access the Latvian Academy of Sciences in a 15 minute walk. If you have an extra 10 minutes, take the lift and get on top of this 17 floors Soviet-era Stalinist Gothic style building, the Riga Observation deck offers a panoramic view of the city. The price for this is now an astounding 8 euros which is why i recommend going directly towards the elevator and claiming you didn't know you had to pay if anyone asks about it.
For an even shorter connection, head to the closest, 5 minute away Rimi of the Origo mall and grab some of the recommended snacks to have a tasting on your next train !
