Zinātņu akadēmijas skatu laukums

A natural history museum in central Riga with roots in the Riga Naturalists’ Society, founded in 1845. Exhibitions cover Latvia’s nature, geology, animals and plants — a good stop for families with children.

One of Riga’s oldest churches, first mentioned in the chronicles in 1209 and Lutheran since 1523. Its spire has collapsed and burned several times, most recently in 1941, and was rebuilt in 1973. A lift takes you up to the tower’s viewing gallery for a view over Old Riga.

One of Old Riga’s best-known buildings, on Town Hall Square. The first house here was built in 1334 as a warehouse and a place for merchants to meet and celebrate, and from the mid-15th century it was used by the Brotherhood of Blackheads, a guild of unmarried merchants and foreigners. Destroyed in the Second World War, it was rebuilt at the end of the 20th century; inside you can see the halls and cellars.