Why should you visit Riga, Latvia?

The Latvian capital of Riga is full of fascinating things to do. From the spot of the first Christmas tree to the controversial Cat House and the Black Magic Bar, Riga has plenty of attractions to keep you busy. In this Riga travel guide, we give you 13 reasons why you have to visit Riga.

Continue reading to get all the information you need to have the perfect 24 hours in Riga, Latvia.

We cover location, main sights, where to eat, and other tips to have a fantastic time in Latvia’s capital.

In addition, we include information for visiting the other Baltic countries of Vilnius, Lithuania, and Tallinn, Estonia.

*Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you buy something using the links, we will receive a commission. Using the link is at NO extra cost to you. We appreciate it when you buy through one of our affiliate links. It is a great way to show your support for us. It will allow us to continue to bring you valuable, free content.

Be sure to check out our full walking tour of Riga. We go to each of the places mentioned in this post: 13 Reasons to Visit Riga, Latvia.

Where is Riga, Latvia?

Riga is the capital of Latvia, and it is the largest city in the Baltics. It is in the location where the Daugava River meets the Baltic Sea.

What are the main sights to see in Riga?

These are the main sights in Riga that you can visit in 24 hours and the 13 reasons to visit Riga, Latvia.

-Old Town (Vecrīga)

-House of the Blackheads

-First Christmas Tree Marker

-St. Peter's Church

-Bremen Town Musicians statue

-Freedom Monument

-Powder Tower

-Cat House

-Swedish Gate

-Key to Riga

-Three Brothers

-Black Magic Bar

-Art Nouveau Architecture

1. Old Town Riga (Vecrīga)

Vecrīga, or the Old Town of Riga, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Almost all must-see places are in the Old Town of Riga. From the cobblestone streets to the medieval buildings, the Old Town of Riga is full of charm.

2. House of the Blackheads

The House of the Blackheads is in the heart of Old Town Riga in the Riga Town Hall Square.

Aside from being arguably the most impressive building in Riga, the House of the Blackheads has an intriguing history.

The Brotherhood of Blackheads, a guild of merchants and foreigners that lived in Riga, built the magnificent building. Members of the guild used the building for meetings and hosting wild parties.

After being bombed during WWII, the House of the Blackheads was rebuilt and opened again in 1999.

Today the House of the Blackheads is a museum and event venue.

3. First Christmas Tree Marker

A marker that claims that the first public Christmas tree was displayed there in 1510 is in Riga Town Hall Square.

The Christmas Tree Marker is in front of the House of the Blackheads in the northwest corner.

During Christmas time, a real tree is in the spot of the First Christmas Tree Marker.

4. St. Peter's Church

St. Peter’s Church is a Lutheran church dedicated to Saint Peter. It is also the tallest church in Riga. You can visit the observation deck to get panoramic views of Riga.

5. Town Musicians of Bremen

Located next to St. Peter's Church is the Bremen Town Musicians statue. Based on the Brothers Grimm fairytale, the story is about a donkey, dog, cat, and rooster.

Rubbing the noses of the animals is supposed to bring good luck.

6. Freedom Monument

Located on Freedom Boulevard, the Riga Freedom Monument honors those killed during the Latvian War of Independence.

At the top of the monument is a copper figure holding three stars.

Around the monument, you will find two guards on duty. The guards are members of the National Armed Forces and change every hour between 9 am and 6 pm.

7. Powder Tower

Near the Freedom Monument is the Powder Tower. It was part of Riga's defense system.

The tower gets its name because it used to store gunpowder. The Powder Tower has also been a prison, but today it is part of the Latvian War Museum.

8. Cat House

The Cat House is located in Riga's Old Town and has an amusing history.

Once owned by a wealthy Latvian trader, the beautiful yellow building is famous for the two cats on the roof. Legend has it that the trader was upset because the Great Guild did not accept him.

In response to not being accepted into the guild, he put copper cats on the roof with their tails facing the Great Guild building.

9. Swedish Gate

The Swedish Gate was part of the Old Town walls during medieval times. It is the last remaining gate. Wandering around the area near the Swedish Gate feels like you have gone back to medieval times.

10. Key to Riga

For lunch, head to Key to Riga. Located in Dome Square near the Riga Cathedral, Key to Riga is in the heart of the Old Town.

It serves up traditional Latvian food. The atmosphere of the restaurant is cozy with medieval decor.

Here you can try the national dish of Latvia (Pelēkie zirņi ar speķi). It is Latvian grey peas with speck. The grey peas are similar to chickpeas, and speck is bacon. This dish is popular during cold weather.

Key to Riga also serves up local Latvian beer called Mežpils.

11. Three Brothers

The Three Brothers consist of three of the oldest medieval houses in Riga. The addresses for the houses are 17, 19, and 21 Maza Pils Street.

The white house is the oldest of the three. It is from the late 15th century. The yellow house is from the mid-17th century, and the green house is from the late 17th century.

12. Black Magic Bar

The Black Magic Bar has been around since 1752.

It is the place to go to try the famous Riga Black Balsam. The recipe for this liqueur has been the same for 250 years.

Inside the Black Magic Bar, you can sit by candlelight and sample Riga’s famous liqueur.

There are several types of Riga Black Balsam. Some of the flavors include original, cherry, and black currant.

The liqueur can be drunk on its own or mixed in a coffee or cocktail.

The Black Magic Bar also has a host of chocolates infused with Riga Black Balsam.

13. Art Nouveau Architecture

About one-third of the buildings in the historic area of Riga use Art Nouveau architecture. That makes Riga the most famous city for Art Nouveau.

Art Nouveau architecture was in demand from 1890 to 1910. This type of architecture was hugely popular in Riga because it was experiencing a financial boom.

Those are our 13 reasons to visit Riga. We hope that these 13 reasons have inspired you to want to visit Riga, Latvia.

Interested in visiting the Baltics? Check out our Ultimate Guide to the Baltics!

We had an epic time road-tripping through the Baltic capitals of Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn. Our week-long Baltic road trip includes our favorite sights in the three Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. We also give our recommendations for must-try Baltic food.

Interested in traveling to Vilnius, Lithuania?

The Lithuanian capital of Vilnius is a quirky city that is often underrated. It boasts a magic tile in Cathedral Square and Užupis, a tiny Bohemian republic. Our Vilnius Travel Guide will show you why Vilnius should be on your list of places to visit!

We give you all the information you need to have the perfect 24 hours in Vilnius, Lithuania.

We cover location, main sights, where to eat, cost, and other tips to have a fantastic time in Lithuania’s Capital.

You could also check out our Vilnius Walking Tour Vlog.

Interested in traveling to Tallin, Estonia? Check out our Tallinn Walking Tour.

Want to know how we captured our photos and videos?

Check out our Vlogging Gear Blog or Vlog to find out what cameras and equipment we use.

*The links in this post are affiliate links. If you buy something using the links, we will receive a commission. Using the link is at NO extra cost to you. We appreciate it when you buy through one of our affiliate links. It is a great way to show your support for us. It will allow us to continue to bring you valuable, free content.

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