riga altstadt tour

Old Riga Walking Tour / Riga Altstadt Spaziergang

• You will have a walking tour with a local guide speaking Latvian , Russian , German and English .
• Food, drinks , entrances, transport services are not included in the price.
• Vecrīga, Central District, Riga, LV-1050, Latvia The starting point is the picking up point in Old Riga according to the guests interests.
• The guide will pick up the guests in Old Riga - it can be a hotel or an other place according to the guests interests.
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Service animals allowed
• Near public transportation
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Most travellers can participate
• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• Old City Riga (Vecriga)

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• You'll start at Vecrīga Or, you can also get picked up See departure details
• Pass by Old City Riga (Vecriga)
• You'll return to the starting point

• Bongalong13 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Highly recommend Fabulous guide. We visited Latvia as part of a road trip and although staying in Riga we wanted to see some of the nearby sights in the country and didn’t fancy a regimented long day bus trip. Ilze was such a find! Showed us what we wanted to see, plus a couple of other places we would not have seen with her expertise. Her knowledge of medieval and more recent history was thorough with a personal experience additional input made for fascinating stories.Information, sights, comfortable car and no souvenir shops. Highly recommended. Thanks for a great day Ilze. Read more Written 10 January 2023

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Old Riga Walking Tour / Riga Altstadt Spaziergang

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Tour Information

Key Details

• Mobile Voucher Accepted
• Hotel pickup Available
• Duration: 2 Hrs
• Language: English
• Departure Time : Suppliers and travelers coordinate start times within the given time periods. 9/3/2019 - 12/30/2020Monday:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM Tuesday:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM Wednesday:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM Thursday:09:00 .. read more
• Return Details : Returns to original departure point
• Cancellation Policy : This activity is non-refundable Tours booked using discount coupon codes will be non refundable.

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 !

Know More about this tour

During this walking tour , the guests will see our Riga Old Town , Dom Square, Livu Square, Freedom Square, Freedom Monument , Opera building , churches , Riga Cathedral, Blackheads' Building , Black Cars' Building , Three Brother' s and other highlights of Riga Old town without entrances into the buildings.

• You will have a walking tour with a local guide speaking Latvian , Russian , German and English .
• Food, drinks , entrances, transport services are not included in the price.

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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Traveler Reviews

Definitely the best way to see the town, and much better when not in a large group so you get the full attention of your guide. Ilze was wonderful - attentive, patient and full of local knowledge. You also get collected at your hotel if you prefer which was very convenient. Would highly recommend!

My husband was originally born in Riga, Latvia and the country is beautiful. Ilze Karlsone had done her homework before we arrived and found his parents home where they lived. She also found the farm where his mother was born and reared. Ilze is the best person to utilize and make sure you have an informative and fun tour of this wonderful place. By the way we first went in 2011, then 2014. This review only allowed me to use March 2020 and we did not go then due to the pandemic.

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Old Town Riga

Old Town Riga is a popular entertainment district in the historical and geographical center of the Latvian capital, featuring cobble-stone streets and an abundance of architectural gems.

Relax and be entertained in Old Town

• Spread your arms out on Rozena Street, the narrowest street in Riga, where you can touch opposite walls at once;
• Have a meal at one of the restaurants in Riga;
• View the churches of Old Town and a stunning view of Riga from the 72-meter high St Peter’s Church  tower;
• Visit one of the arts and crafts houses or souvenir stalls on Skarnu Street, where it is also possible to learn about the city’s rich trade history;
• Get a feeling of tranquility right in the center of Riga by visiting either John’s Courtyard or Konventa Courtyard.

Old Town Riga architecture

Old Town Riga, with its narrow cobblestone streets, not only features gorgeous Medieval-era buildings but unique sacral structures as well.

Craftsmen and artist houses

Buildings in the growing city were constructed by guilds of craftsmen and artists. Old Town is a striking example of how cities were built back in the day.

The buildings in Old Town are varied and constructed during different periods of history. It features over 500 buildings built in various architectural styles – Romanticism, Gothic, Mannerism, Baroque, Eclectic, Modernism, etc.

Visit the Dannenstern building featuring an exhibition on how prosperous Riga residents once lived, the trio of historical buildings known by locals as the Three Brothers , as well as Riga Castle , the Powder Tower,  and many other architecturally and historically important edifices.

Old Town churches

In a relatively confined territory, five religious denominations were able to live peacefully with one another – each of them having its own church.

Old Town Riga’s most well-known churches:

• Riga Dome Cathedral  – the seat of the Latvian Lutheran Church’s archbishop, its foundation stone was laid in the 13th century and features a magnificent organ with outstanding sound
• St Peter’s Church  – features the highest church tower in the city with a viewing platform;
• St Jacob’s Church is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church’s cardinal in Latvia.

Cultural landmark

• In 1967 Old Town was recognized as a national protected zone,
• Since 1987 is a town planning landmark,
• Since 1997, the historical center of Riga has been included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
• In 2007, thanks to Old Town’s panorama and silhouette, Riga was granted the European Heritage Label
• Most buildings in Old Town have the status of cultural heritage landmarks

History of Riga

Riga was established in 1201 by Bishop Albert, and was granted city status in 1225. Even though local Liiv tribes inhabited this marshy territory on the banks of the Daugava River, the city’s history is associated with Germanic and Christian cultures.

In 1282, Riga became a member of the Hanseatic League, strengthening its position as an important trading city in the region.

Over the centuries, the city has developed as a center for trade, transit and later also became an industrial center. Up until the 19th century, Riga developed as a Germanic city, even though it had been previously under Swedish, Polish, and Russian control. However, in more modern times, Latvians began to take a larger role in the city.

Location and sights nearby

• The Top 10 Things To...

The Top 10 Things To Do And See In Riga's Old Town

Riga has become a top holiday destination for travelers from all over the world. The Old Town is the city’s very heart, showcasing well-preserved medieval architecture and narrow cobbled streets at every corner. From astonishing architecture to world-class museums, take a look at the top 10 things to see and do in this UNESCO World Heritage site.

1. Saint Peter's Church

Building, Church

Saint Peter’s Church

This Lutheran church is one of the oldest monument in Riga, though it looked now looks completely different from the original building, of which very little remains. What can be seen today is for the most part from the 15th and 17th centuries. The church’s 123-meter steeple, dominating the city, is unmissable. From there, the view of the Old Town and of the Daugava River is breath-taking, but make sure to go on a clear day. That being said, the interior should not be overlooked, as its three basilicas provide a fascinating insight into Riga ’s history. The church also holds temporary exhibitions of works by local artists.

Address: Saint Peter’s Church, Skārņu iela 19, Riga, + 371 67181430

Town Hall Square

This iconic square, a meeting place since the late 13th century, is a must-see for any visitor. Here Riga’s Hanseatic architecture is at its best, culminating in the world-famous House of Blackheads, built in the 14th century but so-called because in the 17th century its occupants were the merchants of the Brotherhood of Blackheads. It was unfortunately destroyed during World War II but has been rebuilt and stands as beautiful as ever since 1999. In addition to this important building, the square is home to a leading venue for contemporary art and to numerous bars and cafés, giving it a pleasant, old-fashioned atmosphere.

2. Riga Cathedral

Cathedral, Church

Riga Cathedral

Although Saint Peter’s is the more famous of the two, this church is Riga’s cathedral and deserves to be seen in its own right. It is so beautiful composer Franz Liszt wrote a piece in its honor. Built in the 13th century, it’s the largest medieval church in the Baltics but, like a lot of Riga’s landmarks, it has undergone extensive modifications since its foundation. Don’t forget to have a look at its organ, one of the biggest in Europe, and at its medieval cloisters.

Address: Riga Cathedral, Herdera laukums 6, Rīga, Latvia , + 371 67 227 573

Sit down at a café

Exploring the Old Town can be exhausting. To catch your breath, sit down in one of Riga’s charming cafés – on a terrace if it’s not too cold – and watch tourists and locals go about their business around, making Riga bustle with life. There you can, of course, have a cup of tea or coffee while people-watching, but why not give Latvia ’s national (alcoholic) drink, Riga Black Balsam, a try? Among Riga’s various establishments, we particularly like literary café Kafka, whose coffee is probably the best in the city.

Address: Kafka Kafija, Vaļņu iela 26, Riga, Latvia , + 371 22 335 131

Admire the Swedish Gate and the medieval streets

History buffs will love walking along the largest remaining portion of the medieval town walls to walk through the seventh-century Swedish Gate, the only remaining entrance to the Old Riga. It takes its name from the fact that back then Riga was part of the Swedish Empire. The oldest and narrowest streets in Riga, dating from the 13th and 14th century, sprawl beyond it, full of chatter from the lively bars and cafés that line them, such as local favorite I Love You .

3. Museum of the Occupation of Latvia

Building, Memorial, Museum

Museum of the Occupation of Latvia

A big black building stands next to the beautiful Hanseatic architecture of the Town Hall Square: the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia . This haunting memorial of the period from 1940 to 1991 when Latvia was occupied by Soviet Russia, Nazi Germany, and then Soviet Russia again is really worth visiting to get a tangible glimpse of Latvia’s traumatic 20th-century history and remember the countless victims of World War II and of the Soviet Union.

Address: Raiņa bulvāris 7, Riga, Latvia , +371 67 212 715

4. Arsenal Museum of Art

Building, Museum

Arsenal Museum of Art

The impressive nineteenth-century arsenal building has been turned into Latvia’s largest exhibition hall and now hosts some of the most exciting exhibitions of Latvian art. The permanent displays comprises a collection of modern and contemporary paintings, sculptures and drawings by Latvian or Latvian-born artists like Jūlijs Feders, Janis Rozentāls and Vilhelms Purvītis. The temporary exhibitions are very varied, highlighting the work of artists from all over the world, such as Luxembourg -born photograph Edward Steichen. All in all, the Arsenal is one of the best art museums in Latvia and essential for anyone interested in the country’s cultural history.

Address: Torņa iela 1, Riga, Latvia , +371 67 357 527

5. The Three Brothers

The three brothers.

‘The Three Brothers’ is the nickname given to the three buildings in Maza Pils street forming Riga’s oldest complex of dwelling houses. Though very little is known about their history, each building illustrates a different period of the city’s architectural development. The oldest one, 17 Maza Pils Street, was built in the 15th century and has crow-stepped gables and Gothic and Renaissance elements, while the neighboring house, 19 Maza Pils, shows Dutch Mannerist influence, and the last one, house number 21, exemplifies 17th century Baroque architecture. Today, the buildings house the Latvian Museum of Architecture .

Address: Latvian Museum of Architecture, Maza Pils iela 19, Riga, Latvia, +371 67 220 779

Go out at night

Riga is an increasingly popular party hotspot, combining all the fun of big Western European cities and none of their high prices. The nightlife is concentrated in the Old Town, conveniently also where most hostels are located. There’s a little of everything hiding in Riga after dusk, from huge mainstream clubs to quiet cozy bars to alternative cultural centers. Have fun, but beware of stumbling on the cobblestones and of scammers preying on drunk tourists.

6. Riga Castle

Riga castle.

By Valentine Baldassari Riga Castle is another 14th-century Latvian monument that has been destroyed and rebuilt throughout the centuries. It is now home not only to the National History Museum , but also to the President’s residence and offices. For this reason, much of it is off-limits so keep to the tourist parts unless you fancy a run-in with angry Latvians. The museum is full of artifacts from Latvian history, including coins and costumes, but there is very little information available in English. Nevertheless, visiting the castle is worth it if only to admire the fortifications and take in the view of the Daugava. This monument was unfortunately damaged in a fire in 2013 so two years later parts of it are still undergoing renovation.

Address: Riga Castle, Pils laukums 3, Riga, Latvia, + 371 67 092 106

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

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Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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July 21, 2019

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Is Latvia Expensive?

• Is Latvia expensive?

How expensive is Latvia?

How expensive is a one week trip to latvia, how expensive is a two week trip to latvia.

• How expensive is a one month trip to Latvia?

Is it expensive to backpack in Latvia?

Are hotels expensive in latvia.

• How expensive are activities in Latvia?

Is food expensive in Latvia?

Is transportation expensive in latvia, is latvia expensive to visit.

Latvia is a moderately priced travel destination. Compared to the rest of Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a moderately priced country to visit. It's ranked in the top 50% of countries in Europe for its travel costs, and is comparable to places like Norway and Malta.

Latvia is not as popular with tourists as other countries, but you'll find a nice selection of destinations at a range of prices. Cesis is one of the most expensive places to visit. However, if you're looking for a cheaper alternative, you can check out Riga.

On average, visitors spend about $124 per day during their visit to Latvia (U.S. Dollars). Prices vary dramatically by travel style and length of trip, but if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and use public transportation when possible, you can expect to stay close to this budget. See more travel costs for Latvia here .

Based on the travel expenses of others, a one week trip to Latvia costs around $866 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,732.

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a two week trip to Latvia will cost around $1,732 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a two week trip would cost $3,464.

How expensive is a month long trip to Latvia?

On average, a one month trip to Latvia costs about $3,712 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a one month trip costs $7,424.

There are a limited number of hostels in Latvia, so backpackers may struggle to find affordable and social accommodation. On average, hostel prices in Latvia are $19 per night for a dorm. The most hostels are found in Riga and the the cheapest are in Riga for $19 per night. If you're planning to visit Riga, be prepared, because this is where you'll find the most expensive hostels, averaging [HOSTELS_EXPENSIVE_1_PRICE] per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Latvia.

• $25 for a dorm bed at The Naughty Squirrel Backpackers Hostel in Riga more details

When analyzing the price of hotels in Latvia , they're very affordable compared to the rest of the world. The average price is $61 per night for a decent hotel room. Keep in mind that places like Jurmala are more expensive, averaging around $101 per night. But fear not, there are budget-friendly destinations like Daugavpils where you can book a room for an average of $50 per night.

Metropole Hotel by Semarah

Juras brize, how expensive are sightseeing activities in latvia.

Activities and things to do in Latvia can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $16 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting.

• Honest tour of Riga with the best private guide in town Viator $ 140
• Honest tour of Riga with the best private guide in town: $140
• Guided Ebike Tour on Forest Roads and Trails Near Riga: $87
• Private Jewellery workshop experience with stunning view of Riga : $60
• Riga old town and art nouveau district walking tour: $173
• Riga Jewish History Tour: $76
• Full Day Gauja National Park Ultimate Hiking & Sightseeing Trip: $271
• Taste Riga - Private Tour of Latvian Flavour: $282
• Old Riga Walking Tour / Riga Altstadt Spaziergang: $108

Food in Latvia can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $37 on food per person per day. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.

• Medieval Dinner on the 12th Century at Rozengrals Viator $ 118
• Medieval Dinner on the 12th Century at Rozengrals: $118
• Private Cooking Master Class In The Latvian Family : $130
• Riga: Central Market Latvian Food Tour: $42
• Riga: Unique Food Tour: $52
• Medieval Guided Tour & Three-Course Dinner Experience: $96
• Cooking Experience with Chef: Learn & Dine: $139

Local transportation in Latvia can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $22 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

Intercity transportation in Latvia can vary widely in price depending on the type of transit used and the distance traveled. Generally, other travelers have spent $107 on intercity transportation per person per day. To save money, take long distance buses or trains instead of flying, as it will almost always be cheaper, even if it's slower.

More for Latvia

If you're planning a trip to Latvia, check out these other informative travel guides.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works .

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Riga old town I Self-guided city adventure tour

• Group ticket (1-4 people)
• Roadgames APP
• Access to the sightseeing adventure game (2h).
• Entry/Admission - Riga Old Town Walking Tour
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Service animals allowed
• Near public transportation
• Infant seats available
• Most travelers can participate
• All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.

Similar experiences

More to explore in Riga

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Riga old town I Self-guided city adventure tour provided by Roadgames