Things to do in Riga

Sightseeing flights over Riga from Spilve airfield in a Cessna 172 with room for 2–3 passengers. A typical flight lasts 30 minutes.

Official bathing site on Lake Bābelīte in Riga. Awarded a Blue Flag for 2026. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

A 42 m monument unveiled in 1935 in honour of the soldiers who fell in the War of Independence, by sculptor Kārlis Zāle. The granite, travertine and copper composition is crowned by a woman holding up three stars, and it is a symbol of Latvia’s freedom and independence. An honour guard stands at its foot.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Gulf of Riga in Riga. Awarded a Blue Flag for 2026. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

The rental point of a Latvian outdoor-shop chain, in Pārdaugava. It hires out touring and mountain bikes with helmets, child seats and bike bags, plus hiking kit — tents, sleeping bags, mats, backpacks, dry bags, stoves, cookware, lamps, camping furniture and trekking poles. Gear can be booked online and also collected at Gandrs points in Valmiera or Liepāja; the longer the rental, the lower the daily price.

A late-19th-century villa turned culture venue. In summer there is live music in the courtyard every week, the M/Darbnīca bar-club gives artists a stage, and the hip-hop club De Flou is on the villa square.

A quarter of restored 19th-century wooden houses across the river. On Saturdays 10:00–16:00 there is a market of local producers and craftspeople with free workshops for kids, and seasonal festivals bring concerts, exhibitions and open-air plays.

Official bathing site on the Daugava in Riga. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Riga’s first “Kiwi pub”: a big bar with Latvian and foreign beers, sport on several screens, pub food and a summer terrace.

A museum in a former locomotive repair shop in Pārdaugava, holding the largest collection of broad-gauge rolling stock in the Baltics. On set days children can climb into historic trains such as the ER2 electric train and the TE3 diesel locomotive, ride a hand-pumped draisine in summer and join school-holiday workshops.

One of Europe’s oldest open-air museums, founded in 1924, in pine woods on the shore of Lake Jugla. More than a hundred historic rural buildings — farmsteads, churches, windmills and bathhouses — have been brought here from every region of Latvia; in summer craftspeople work on site and there are festivals and fairs.

A LIDO restaurant complex: a timber building with a windmill on Krasta iela serving Latvian food. It opened in 1999, with its first guests arriving for the millennium New Year, and added an amusement park and a skating rink in 2003.

The University of Latvia’s botanical garden in Zasulauks, with a palm house and a Tropical Butterfly House where, from spring to autumn, blue morphos, owl butterflies and other exotic species fly among banana and coffee trees and orchids. The butterfly house opens daily 10:00–16:00 with a garden ticket.

Official bathing site on the Daugava in Riga. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

The main stage of the Song and Dance Festival in Mežaparks, held here since 1955. After the first phase of reconstruction (2018) it seats about 30,000, and Latvia’s biggest summer concerts take place here.

A lit 3.5 km cross-country trail in Mežaparks plus the paths around it. Equipment rental at Kokneses prospekts 39; the park is open around the clock, with cafés nearby.

A sports and leisure complex near Baldone: ski slopes in winter, a tree-top obstacle course and a zipline in summer.

Wakeboarding and SUP on the Daugava at Zaķusala, a few minutes from the centre. Also suitable for kids.

One of Europe’s largest markets: five pavilions rebuilt from First World War zeppelin hangars, plus an outdoor trading area. Meat, fish, cheese, vegetables, bread and spices; inside the pavilions there are places to eat Latvian dishes, fish, grills and craft beer. Pavilions 7:30–18, outdoor market 7–18.

The zoo in Mežaparks by Lake Ķīšezers covers around 20 hectares and keeps thousands of animals of several hundred species, from giraffes and lions to red pandas. The tropical house is home to birds, reptiles, frogs and insects, and there is also a country branch, Cīruļi, in Kurzeme. Tram 11 takes you there.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Gulf of Riga in Saulkrasti. Awarded a Blue Flag for 2026. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Riga’s public outdoor ice rink in Esplanāde park by the Rainis monument. Free with your own skates; skate hire €2.49 an hour for adults and €2 for children. Weekdays 11–22, weekends 9–22 (ice-care breaks 13–14, 16–17 and 19–20). Open from December to 1 March, weather permitting.

Three neighbouring houses on Mazā Pils iela that form the oldest complex of dwelling houses in Riga. Each house represents a different period of house-building; the buildings are home to the Latvian Museum of Architecture.

A free cross-country ski trail in Pārdaugava with artificial snow, instructors and equipment rental (€4 an hour for children, €5 for adults). On sunny days about 200 people use the rental point.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Gulf of Riga in Riga. Awarded a Blue Flag for 2026. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

The Christmas market on Dome Square: crafts by Latvian makers, hot drinks and treats from more than 80 vendors. At weekends there are concerts and things for kids: Santa, a carousel and creative workshops.

An observation deck on the 17th floor, about 65 m above the city, in the Academy of Sciences high-rise, completed in 1961 and for many years the tallest building in Latvia (about 108 m). A lift goes to the 15th floor, then two flights of stairs. Opening hours can change with the weather.

A bar in an old wooden house with a low-key entrance: Latvian craft beer, a big courtyard terrace and antique furniture in a relaxed, alternative atmosphere.

Flights over Riga in a hang glider that takes off from the water, or in a motorised trike. Flights last 10–20 minutes and can be filmed on a GoPro. Teens aged 14–18 fly only with a parent. Gift vouchers available.

Bike and Segway rental in Old Riga on Pils iela. Choose from city, mountain, folding and electric bikes or a tandem, with child seats and trailers available; a helmet, lock and map are included, and a deposit is required. Guided bike and Segway tours of Riga, Jūrmala and Sigulda are also on offer.

Cross-country loops of 1.1 to 4.9 km in Biķernieki forest for classic and skate skiing. Lit until 23:59, with artificial snow laid around Lake Linezers; rental and instructors available.

Biķernieki Complex Sports Base, Latvia’s main circuit, built in 1966 in Biķernieki forest; its longest layout is 5.9 km. It hosts Baltic touring-car races, Drift Masters and European Rallycross rounds, and has a speedway school, a motorsport simulator, safe-driving seminars and a karting track, plus a winter track in the cold months.

Boat trips on the Riga canal and the Daugava.

Official bathing site on the Bolderāja quarry in Riga. A new official bathing site from 2026. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

1 outdoor padel court in Bukulti. A tennis club near Lake Baltezers that has added a padel court. On site: gear rental.

A laid-back Old Town bar that doubles as a collection of film, fantasy and comic memorabilia, with an arcade game and a terrace. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Tennis club with courts in Teika, Purvciems, Pļavnieki and Jugla; the indoor courts are in Teika and Jugla. Coaching, courses and table tennis too.

A 10-hour minibus day trip from Riga in English: Rundāle Palace with an audio guide, Bauska Castle, lunch at a local restaurant (paid separately) and a walk on the Great Ķemeri Bog boardwalk, with a tasting of Latvian snacks and drinks on the way. From €149 per person; best from May to September.

Campsite on Dole Island in the Daugava with boat rental; a floating sauna runs here too.

Indoor and outdoor tennis courts in the west of Riga. Courts can be booked on weekdays and at weekends.

A 9-hole golf course in Jaunmārupe with a driving range. The golf academy offers lessons, Green Card courses and club rental.

A floating Russian bath on the shore of Lake Ķīšezers in Mežaparks: a panoramic window, a mini cinema, a kitchen and the option to stay overnight. €40 an hour; a Japanese ofuro wooden tub, massages and scrubs cost extra.

An outdoor paintball, laser tag and airsoft park on a former industrial site in Mežaparks. Several themed fields, automatic markers, smoke and blast effects, and scenarios run by a game leader.

Helicopter flights in a two-seat HungaroCopter HC-02, one passenger with the pilot. Choose 30, 45 or 60 minutes; flights can also be bought as a gift. Each flight is confirmed the day before, depending on the weather.

2 outdoor padel courts in Babīte. A small independent club in Vīkuļi, between Riga and Jūrmala. On site: gear rental.

Golf club with a hotel near Piņķi: an 18-hole course plus a 9-hole academy course. A Green Card course for beginners and a junior academy for young players.

Four indoor hard courts and four outdoor courts, plus four beach tennis courts. Court rental includes the gym, sauna and running track; there is table tennis and coaching for kids and beginners.

A boat from Riga to Majori via the Daugava, the Buļļupe and the Lielupe, from the Big Christopher statue in Riga to the Majori pier (Rīgas iela 2A). Up to 80 passengers on board; the season runs from 15 May to 15 October.

A craft beer bar in the Briāna street quarter with beers of many strengths and flavours and a popular summer patio.

A French restaurant in the Dome Hotel in Old Riga; in summer there is a rooftop terrace looking across the Daugava. Listed in the MICHELIN Guide. Tue–Sun 12–23.

Tennis school with indoor and outdoor courts plus a beach tennis court. Coaching, tournaments and classes for kids.

A rope park in Mežaparks by Lake Ķīšezers: courses from a kids’ route up to the black course 10–15 m high, which ends with a 200 m zip descent. The higher courses need a height of 140 cm; minors come with an adult. Open 11:00–20:00 at weekends; on weekdays groups by booking.

A rental point in Mežaparks on Kokneses prospekts with bikes, inline skates and one-, two- and four-seat pedal carts for kids and adults to ride along the park’s paths. In winter, when there is enough snow, it hands out ski equipment for the Mežaparks trail.

Latvia’s first social sauna club, on the waterfront in Andrejsala. Sauna masters lead 75-minute sessions set to music for up to 40 people, cycling through heat, cold plunges (there are three) and rest. Sessions are mixed-gender with separate changing rooms; tickets and passes are sold online.

2 outdoor padel courts in Ādaži. On the grounds of the Ādaži tennis centre on Gaujas iela. On site: gear rental.

An 18-hole golf course on the shore of Lake Ķīšezers, about 15 minutes from the centre. Driving range, golf lessons, a kids’ club and a restaurant.

2 outdoor padel courts in Ādaži. On site: gear rental.

2 outdoor padel courts in Riga. The outdoor branch of Padel Club Riga on Ganību dambis.

Six indoor and two outdoor padel courts in Čiekurkalns. Coaches, a kids’ corner, a café, a sports shop and free parking.

Paintball and laser tag on Zaķusala island. Paintball uses softer, more accurate balls; laser tag shows live results and stats after each game. Between rounds there are heated shelters and a rest area with tables and grills where you can bring your own food. Open 24/7 by booking.

3 outdoor padel courts in Garkalne. In a wooded spot at Augstkažoči, near Garkalne. On site: gear rental.

Latvia’s largest karting park, about 20 minutes’ drive from Riga: Sodi RT10 karts up to 85 km/h, a two-seater and children’s karts, and an ice track in winter. There is also a closed 4×4 off-road park, motocross and hard-enduro tracks with motorbike and quad rental, a safe-driving range with four tracks, and in summer a water park and campsite.

Guided walks in English where you pay what you think the tour was worth. The main tour, about 1 h 45 min, takes in St Peter’s Church, Town Hall Square and the House of the Blackheads, Konventa sēta and Dome Square; the same company also runs Art Nouveau, “alternative Riga” and evening ghost tours. Meet in front of St Peter’s Church; times and free booking online.

Boat trips on Riga’s city canal and the Daugava, including an Old Town panorama route.

Official bathing site on the Daugava in Riga. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

Official bathing site on the Daugava in Salaspils. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.

A free digital orienteering game that takes you around Riga to discover the city’s monuments and public art. It was created in summer 2026 by the Riga Monuments Agency together with Roadgames and is played in the Roadgames app, in Latvian or English. It also works as a free walking activity for a group of colleagues or friends.

A quarter of 16 renovated former residential buildings with bars, street food, concerts and karaoke. Family-friendly by day; at night there is dancing, a vintage bar and terraces such as Tallinas Pagalms and Ezītis miglā.

An Old Town sports bar with plenty of screens for football and NFL, an international beer list, pub snacks and a terrace in warm weather.

Event and party equipment hire in Riga and across Latvia: tents and canopies, tables, chairs and benches, TV screens and presentation kit, attractions and games, lighting and heaters. Suitable for family celebrations and weddings as well as company events, conferences and large outdoor events.

Flyboarding on the Daugava in Riga: a water jet lifts you up to 12 m above the surface. No special training needed; the instructor provides a life jacket, wetsuit and boots. Maximum weight 110 kg.

Official bathing site: a beach on the Gulf of Riga in Riga. Awarded a Blue Flag for 2026. The Health Inspectorate tests the water regularly during the bathing season.