There are plenty of walking tours that you can take around the Latvian capital, taking you around a tasting tour of food at Riga’s central market, all while explaining how life is really like for the locals here. While you can take a walking tour just around Old Town Riga, you can also do a walking tour that includes three of Riga’s best sights; Old Town, Art Nouveau Quarter, and the Central Market. Riga has many stunning churches, and you cannot miss seeing at least a few as you wander through the Old Town.

Walk peacefully through the Old Town, enjoying the cobblestone streets, and take in the numerous art nouveau buildings which makes Riga one of the most prominent cities (and most) in this architectural style. In addition to its gorgeous medieval Old Town, where many of its major tourist attractions are located, the city boasts the highest amount of Art Nouveau buildings in the world. You could easily spend an afternoon walking through Art Nouveau buildings or stopping by at one of many cafes and restaurants, all the while quietly taking in the atmosphere of the history of the Riga Old Town. Due to its concentration of Art Nouveau buildings, Riga is the capital of art Nouveau architecture worldwide -- so you should consider taking a walking tour around Riga with Art Nouveau to see the best examples of the architecture all over the city.

Look out for details on buildings and visit the Art Nouveau Museum in Riga for more detailed information on the style and its history. The modernity of this architecture is a pretty antidote to the older buildings across the river in Daugava, and it will remind you that Riga is a bustling, modern capital. This is Riga’s touristic core, and exploring it is the ideal Riga activity if you have just a day... mostly because the architecture is so diverse and magnificent. There are simply so many amazing things to do in Riga, whether it is classic attractions or a bit more alternative, that this city is sure to keep you busy for at least two days.

While central Riga may not have as much tourist sites as you find in Old Town, you are certainly less likely to run into tour groups and get to see the side of Riga many locals today call home. It is also the best district to stay during your visit to Riga, as it is more affordable than the Old Town, and has a lot of great coffee shops and restaurants catering to the locals. Considering it is located at the heart of the old city of Riga, you can walk from here to most of the following places that I have recommended in this guide, since they are all located within the city’s Old Town too. While Old town has no doubt attracted an increasing number of tourists over the years, there is an exceptionally good reason for that: its cobblestone streets and fascinating medieval-style architecture are just an absolute joy to wander through, and there are plenty of cool sites to explore.

Just like Saint Peters, Riga Cathedral dates from the 13th century, and has been rebuilt and renovated numerous times since. It is one of the oldest and most sacred buildings in the Baltics and is the building that you first see upon entering the Old Town.

St. Peters church is over 130 meters tall, so you are guaranteed an excellent view over Riga’s layout. When visiting the old town of Riga, you cannot miss Dome Church and St. Peters Church, both offering an amazing view over Riga. The views from the St. Peters Church are certainly the best of the city, allowing you to admire Riga’s unique skyline from different perspectives.

A series of stairs and an old, sometimes overcrowded elevator take you up, where you will get a good look at the red roofs and cobblestone streets of Old Town, as well as the gorgeous, bright blue Daugava River that divides the left and right banks of Riga. Latvia’s capital is a wonderland of Art Nouveau, with over eight hundred buildings, one-third of the city’s stock, dating back to the movement’s peak years in the early 20th century. While it is less vibrant than neighbouring Stockholm, Riga boasts a globally renowned Old Town, featuring intricate Hanseatic and Art Nouveau architecture, as well as a history stretching back to medieval times to the still-palpable ghosts of the Soviet Union.

A fascinating history, Riga’s appeal is also due to its wide Main Street, traffic-free nature, and bike-friendly culture downtown. It is not at all a big city, making it an ideal destination for a short urban escape, or even for a weekend break.