Lovable Latvia

Riga From On High

What better way to start your visit to a new city than admiring the view from above? From St. Peter's Church in the old town, the Stalinist Latvian Academy of Sciences, mountainous National Library (also known as the Mountain of Light), or the Riga Radio and TV Tower (the tallest structure in the EU), extraordinary views of Riga and even the sea are easy to find. If you'd like to accompany great views with excellent drinks, we can recommend the best rooftop bar in the city so you can kick back with cocktails.

Introducing Riga

Today you’ll be exploring the beautiful city of Riga and its UNESCO-listed Old Town. Historically an important trading port on the Baltic Sea, Riga had a strategic advantage for invaders, which resulted in periods of Polish, German, Swedish and Soviet rule all leaving their mark. You’ll walk through the winding streets of the Old Town to take in the sublime architecture as your guide makes the past come alive for you with stories. Your guide will meet you at your accommodation for this 2-hour tour, and will bring you back to your accommodation, or suggest places for further exploration.

Artful Architecture: Art Nouveau Tour

Riga’s Old Town is protected by UNESCO, in large part because of the gorgeous Art Nouveau buildings in the center. We suggest taking a look at some of them today. The style accounts for about 40% of Riga’s buildings, so there’s plenty to see. Alberta Street and the so-called Quiet Center, where the embassies are located, are great places to start. If you would prefer the company of an expert local guide to make sure you don't miss any of the best and most impressive details, we can arrange that for you.

Central Market Private Tour

Come and discover what Latvian food is all about, what the locals eat, and where they do so. This excursion will show you many local specialties, allowing you to taste and experience them. Find out about the history of the Riga Central Market (housed inside giant zeppelin hangars), with seasonal foods and more. This is a tasting tour, so be prepared to try quite new foods and beverages. The tour is a walking tour with tastings within the market, instead of gourmet restaurants, providing an authentic taste of Latvian food, with real locals.

Riga Canal Boat Group Tour

Back in the old days, before the Daugava rider was bridged, small boats used to transport locals across the river, and Riga's smaller waterways. The larger boats made up the "river tramway," while the smaller ones were "river taxis." Step aboard one of these historic vessels, and see boulevards, parks, squares, fountains, bridges, markets, and the old harbor as you cruise the canal that once formed the city's moat. For the tour's climax, you'll head down the river, taking in majestic panoramas of Old Riga’s spires and the modern and Soviet buildings of the left bank.

Find the Wind's Birthplace

Go beyond Liepaja's dazzling white beach, and explore "the place where the wind is born," delving into its culture and Art Nouveau architecture. While today known for its shore, this humble town played a major role in American history, as the port from which many Poles, Lithuanians, Jews, and Russians embarked for new lives in the New World.

Karosta, the "War Port"

Delve Into the Medieval

Cesis, with the medieval castle ruins at its heart, is one of Latvia's most beautiful, and romantic, destinations. On this tour, you'll wander the Old Town, learning the stories behind its parks and buildings, the town's old traditions regarding jewelry, and its pivotal role in the Latvian War of Independence before heading to the castle. From the castle tour, you'll enjoy a view of the town, as you learn about the crusaders who built the castle, and the pagan hillfort it replaced. Carrying lanterns, you'll descend into the dungeon, to learn why the garrison of this Latvian Masada chose to blow themselves up rather than surrender to Ivan the Terrible's besieging army.

Ready Your Taste Buds