Riga is a tantalising mix of medieval, modern, Soviet and Art Nouveau influences. It has brilliant nightlife, eclectic shopping and a fascinating history. The Old Town is a UNESCO heritage site and we think you should add it to your list.
Here’s our top 5 favourite experiences in the capital of Latvia.
The Old Town:
Starting with the obvious. Virtually every corner of the Old Town is a delight. From the Medieval streets and walls near the Swedish Gate to the collective buildings of the Three Brothers in Maza Pils St. Our favourite sight, of many, is the House of the Blackheads don’t miss the intricate, stepped facade. It was originally built in the 14th century, but was bombed during World War 2 and has been painstakingly re-built. It’s especially impressive floodlit at night.
The Central Market:
Housed in 4 gigantic hangars (built in the 1920’s for airships), Riga’s general market gives you an instant flavour of the city. There are 5 pavillions packed with local produce, souvenirs and goods covering 2300 square metres with over 3000 stalls. It’s vast. Our favourite area is the sweet section – home to tantalising displays of rainbow coloured Turkish delight, halva and jellies.
Hit the ice-cream:
Riga undoubtedly does good ice-cream. Our favourite is Molberts. It has 3 shops. We visited the one in Old Riga handily positioned next to Bastejkalns Park – a scenic spot to savour your cone. The flavours are novel and classic . We had honey cake and lingonberry. All cones are freshly made waffles and Molberts have a clever system of selling larger portions in returnable glass jars.
Art Nouveau:
Riga has the highest concentration of Art Nouveau buildings in the world making up a stunning third of the centre. Built between 1904 and 1914, there are gems everywhere, but the best display is in Albert St. Don’t miss it and the Jugendstil Museum which houses a beautifully preserved apartment. However, the most impressive part is actually the internal staircase before you enter the museum.
Stalin’s Birthday Cake, AKA the Latvian Academy of Science:
This iconic 21 storey building is visible across most of the city. Built between 1951 and 1960 during the Russian occupation it’s a must see if you are interested in Soviet rule or architecture. Another draw is the impressive public viewpoint on 15th storey, but be warned they only take cash for the entry fee.