Things to do in Riga

A restaurant in the historic Jacob’s Barracks where three chefs cook and serve the dishes themselves. Listed in the MICHELIN Guide; cookery classes are held here too. Open daily 17–23.

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

A red-brick market hall across the river (completed in 1923), a state-protected monument that reopened after restoration in 2022. Food traders, cafés and shops, a flea market on Sundays, a one-hour gastro tour with seven tastings every Thursday at 11:00, and cookery masterclasses.

An aviation education and entertainment centre inside the Mols shopping centre. Three flight simulators: a Cessna 172, a Piper Matrix with a 180° screen, and an aerobatic plane on a motion platform with VR goggles.

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 three-day Christmas fair at the Ķīpsala exhibition hall that bills itself as the largest in the Baltics: free entry, free creative workshops in the “Rotaļnīca Quarter”, an inflatable park and the Baltic Food Zone. In 2026 it runs 11–13 December.

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.

A museum in the former St George’s Church in Old Riga. While its “Design Process” exhibition is open, children can use the Design Studio, trying ceramics, kinetics, poster design and weaving with worksheets linked to the works on display.

A tasting-menu restaurant on Elizabetes iela. The menu changes twice a year; listed in the MICHELIN Guide. Wed–Sat 17–23.

A cavernous Old Town cellar bar with affordable Latvian beers and spirits, traditional Latvian food and a changing line-up of folk bands. Open until 5 am on Fridays and Saturdays; book a table at weekends.

A multiplex in central Riga by the Central Market (formerly Kino Citadele): new releases, mostly in the original language with subtitles.

A karaoke club in the Radisson Blu Latvija hotel with professional sound and lighting, a host and backing vocals, spread over several areas. Good for birthdays and company parties. Open 22:00–06:00.

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 culture venue in Skanste, opened in 2019 in a 1903 freight-station warehouse wrapped in glass and steel. The main hall holds up to 2,000 people; concerts, shows and exhibitions.

A gastro-bar in a glass-and-steel greenhouse on the roof terrace of Galleria Riga. Cocktails built on herbs, fruit, berries and teas, a seasonal local menu and sunset views over the centre.

A boutique hotel with 36 spacious rooms in Berga Bazārs, a 19th-century quarter brought back to life by the Bergs family after independence; cafés, shops and arcades lie just beyond the courtyard. Oak floors, linen and leather, with works by Jānis Rozentāls and Jānis Tilbergs and a large collection by Ilmārs Blumbergs. Part of the MICHELIN Guide hotel selection.

A theatre founded in 1992. After a long reconstruction it returned to its historic building at Lāčplēša iela 25 in 2024.

One MICHELIN star, inside the A22 hotel. The tasting menu is built on seasonal Latvian produce; the evening begins and ends in a red lounge, and the chefs bring each course to the table and talk you through it themselves. The name honours John F. Kennedy, who visited this building at the age of 22. Thursday–Saturday evenings; booking needed.

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 concept bar from the TEIKA brewery in the Old Town, pouring beer from independent Latvian craft breweries, with a view of Riga’s historic fortifications.

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.

The spa of the Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga, with an indoor pool, saunas and a gym. Facials and wellness treatments for women and men, day-spa offers and a spa club membership; hotel guests with children can also use the Kids’ Spa.

A small cinema and gallery on Elizabetes iela screening auteur and documentary films.

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 hotel in Old Riga set in the historic Konventa Sēta quarter, whose buildings date back to the 13th century. It has 161 rooms, five spaces for meetings, seminars and celebrations, and an enclosed courtyard — practical when conference guests stay on site and want Old Riga on the doorstep.

Riga’s Orthodox cathedral in Esplanāde park, built in Neo-Byzantine style in 1876–1883 to a design by Nikolai Chagin and Robert Pflug. In Soviet times it housed a planetarium; today it is a church again, with gilded domes and a richly decorated interior.

A museum in the Laima factory building on Miera iela: the story of how chocolate is made and of the brand, whose roots go back to 1870, a comparison of chocolate types and a hot-chocolate tasting. In the creative workshop you make your own sweets and take them home in a gift box. Tickets €3–16.

A tour of the Riga Black Balsam factory in Grīziņkalns: the spirits warehouse and the building’s history, the vodka unit with its tanks and columns, the bottling line and the liqueur unit, where you hear the story of Riga Black Balsam and taste several drinks. €25, ages 18+ only; book in advance.

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 military history museum in the Powder Tower and the building attached to it in Old Riga. Founded in 1916 as the Latvian Riflemen Battalion Museum, its exhibitions trace Latvia’s military history from the Middle Ages to the present.

A puppet theatre in central Riga, founded in 1944; it moved back into its renovated building on Barona iela at the end of 2023. Shows for children and teens in Latvian and Russian, plus productions for adults.

The “Castle of Light” on the left bank of the Daugava: the national library building designed by architect Gunnar Birkerts and opened in 2014. The library was founded in 1919; the building hosts exhibitions and looks across the river to Old Riga.

The home of the Latvian National Opera and Ballet by the City Canal. The building opened in 1863 as the Riga City Theatre; today it stages operas and ballets, concerts and guest performances.

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.

The main building of Latvia’s national art museum, on the edge of Esplanāde park. The permanent exhibition covers Latvian painting, graphic art and sculpture from the 18th century to the mid-20th; the museum grew out of the Riga City Art Gallery, which opened to the public in 1869. Tue–Thu 10–18, Fri 10–20, Sat–Sun 10–17, closed Mondays.

A drama theatre in a building from 1902, where the state of Latvia was proclaimed on 18 November 1918. Performances run in three halls, mostly in Latvian.

A museum on the 51 years in which Latvia was occupied in turn by the USSR (1940–1941), Nazi Germany (1941–1944) and the USSR again (1944–1991). Founded in 1993, it has a new interactive exhibition, with Miks the teddy bear as a guide for children. Daily 10–18, Thursdays until 19; adults €8.

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 historic Great Guild hall in the Old Town, rebuilt in the Gothic Revival style in the mid-19th century. Its concert hall is home to the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra.

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.

A museum in the former Riga Stock Exchange building by Dome Square, holding Latvia’s largest collection of world art, from Ancient Egyptian objects to Asian art and European painting. Founded in 1920.

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.

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 Russian-language drama theatre in the Old Town, founded in 1883 and one of the oldest Russian theatres outside Russia.

Latvian home cooking in a vaulted Old Riga cellar, with a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand: sausages, grey peas, cepelinai potato dumplings and other traditional dishes. Tue–Sat 12–23, Sun 12–22, closed Mondays.

A gym that since November 2025 takes up the whole 6th floor of the Galleria Riga shopping centre. A large functional training zone, cardio with a view over Dzirnavu iela, a reformer Pilates studio and saunas.

The restaurant of Hotel Neiburgs, in an Art Nouveau building in Old Riga near Dome Square. Mediterranean cooking with an emphasis on fish and seafood; listed in the MICHELIN Guide.

A contemporary hotel in Old Riga on Jēkaba iela, close to the Swedish Gate. Large rooms with Old Town views, a rooftop bar and a fitness suite.

The tallest building in central Riga, with panoramic views from the upper floors: a hotel with conference halls, several restaurants, the ESPA Riga spa and the Skyline cocktail bar on the 26th floor.

An Old Riga restaurant on Skārņu iela serving modern Latvian cuisine from local, seasonal produce — meat, fish and vegetarian dishes with a wine list to match, on a menu by chef Vadims Jevsejevs. Gift options include a gift card (from €20) or dinner for two: a three-course chef’s choice or a modern Latvian dinner.

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

A themed Old Town bar built around Riga Black Balsam: Black Balsam cocktails, chocolate and pastries.

A hotel on Ķīpsala on the bank of the Daugava, with river-facing rooms, a rooftop terrace and a generous breakfast; handy for business trips, with Old Riga across the river and the Ķīpsala exhibition hall nearby.

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 historic circus building in central Riga, now a stage for contemporary circus — productions by Latvian and visiting international companies — and family shows such as the Christmas programme in December.

The largest medieval church in the Baltics, built from 1211. The Dome organ (1884) has more than 6,700 pipes; organ and choir concerts are held regularly.

A museum on Alberta iela devoted to Art Nouveau, the style that shapes much of central Riga. Opened in 2009, it is set in the apartment of architect Konstantīns Pēkšēns, restored to its early-20th-century look. The street itself is one of Riga’s showcases of Art Nouveau architecture.

The largest collection of historic vehicles in the Baltics: more than 100 cars and motorcycles over three floors and 4,000 m², from a replica of the Benz Patent Motorwagen to Soviet-era and Kremlin cars and racing cars. Interactive displays, a children’s play zone and a café. Open Tue–Sun 10–18; adult ticket €12.

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.

An Old Riga museum holding about 8,000 porcelain pieces from the mid-19th to the late 20th century, with porcelain making and painting workshops — for example pressing textures into a small porcelain dish (from age 6). Pieces are ready a few weeks later; booking required.

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.

The oldest museum in the Baltics, which began in 1773 as the private collection of Riga doctor Nikolaus von Himsel. It sits in the Riga Cathedral ensemble in Old Riga and holds the largest collection on the history of Riga and its shipping.

A medieval-themed restaurant in an Old Riga cellar that, the restaurant says, once held Riga’s oldest wine cellar. Carved columns, worn wooden chairs and staff in period dress; the menu leans on game such as venison stew and hare. Mon–Thu 12–23, Fri–Sun 12–23:30.

A 50-metre pool for serious swimmers and beginners alike. Swimming lessons for kids and adults, plus a gym, sauna and climbing wall.

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.

The restaurant of the Grand Palace Hotel in Old Riga, with menus inspired by painters. Chef Timofei Monahhov received the MICHELIN Young Chef Award in the 2026 guide. Mon–Sat 17–22.

A ramen bar with a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand. The noodles are made in-house, and bowls of ramen are the heart of the menu.

A car hire desk at Riga Airport, in the E sector of the arrivals area. Cars and estates, sports cars and convertibles, 4x4s and vans are available. The desk is open daily 08:00–24:00, and cars can be returned around the clock by parking in P4 and dropping the keys in the box at the Sixt counter.

The highest bar in Riga, on the 26th floor of the Radisson Blu Latvija hotel, with a 360° view over the city. Signature cocktails and an Asian-inspired menu.

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.

A French bistro with a Danish accent and a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand. Smørrebrød open sandwiches at lunch, bistro classics in the evening. Chef Kaspars Barsukovs received the MICHELIN Opening of the Year award in the 2026 guide.

A concert hall in the historic Spīķeri warehouses behind the Central Market, home of the Sinfonietta Rīga chamber orchestra. Chamber and contemporary music.

A cinema with an ornate historic interior, opened in 1923. It shows European and world arthouse films and hosts film festivals and premieres.

A bar and restaurant on the top floor of the Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga, looking out over the opera house and the roofs of Old Riga. Asian fusion cooking; listed in the MICHELIN Guide.

An Old Town beer bar with Latvian and international beers chosen from digital screens above the bar, and floor-to-ceiling windows onto medieval Skārņu iela. Closed Monday to Wednesday.

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.

A palace of culture in Teika, built in the mid-20th century for the VEF factory’s workers. Concerts, shows and events, and home to many amateur arts groups.

Latvia’s largest multi-purpose arena, opened in 2006 (formerly Arena Riga). Hockey and basketball games, big concerts and shows.

A memorial museum on Ķīpsala, opened in 2012 next to the home of Žanis Lipke. During the Second World War Lipke built a hiding place here and saved Jews from the Riga Ghetto; inside, the building recalls a hideout and tells the story of the rescuers.

A science centre running since 1995: about 200 interactive exhibits on the laws of physics and optical illusions, a planetarium, a small underground labyrinth and the “Garage Theatre” with sound-and-light experiments. Visits must be booked by phone in advance.

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.

2 indoor padel courts in Ķekava. Runs without staff; the building also has a functional training room. On site: gear rental, coaches, a café, a gym.

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.

A craft brewery with its own tavern in Teika, the first Riga microbrewery to open a taproom outside the Old Town and centre.

A nano-scale brewery and bar in Avoti with ten 200-litre tanks. Known for an unusual mead made without hops, malt, juice or tea.

Yoga studio in Riga.

Yoga studio in Riga: Iyengar yoga.

A multiplex in the Akropole Rīga shopping centre, opened in 2019 as the first Apollo cinema in Latvia.

A cinema in the Domina Shopping centre in Teika, opened in 2021.

A cinema in the Rīga Plaza shopping centre, opened in 2021, with eight screens and 963 seats.

Swimming pool and spa in Riga. Weekday hours: 08:00–22:00.

CrossFit and functional training box in Riga. Open daily 07:00–23:00.

A creative workshop studio in central Riga: painting guided by a professional artist, ceramics (plates or a cup, with firing and glazing included), scented candles and classes for children. No experience needed, with wine and soft drinks while you work; booking required.

Yoga studio in Ulbroka. Wellness services are available too.

Yoga studio in Riga. Weekday hours: 09:00–20:00.

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.

Axe and knife throwing inside Drifta Halle: individual and group sessions with coaching. Popular for birthdays, stag and hen parties and company events; the throwing set-up can also come to another venue.

A restaurant on Ausekļa iela where the owner both cooks and serves. Listed in the MICHELIN Guide. Tue–Sat 17–23; booking recommended.

A Georgian restaurant listed in the MICHELIN Guide. Dishes come off a charcoal grill and out of a pizza oven, and the Georgian wines are imported directly from the makers.

Badminton training and games in Baloži, in the Baloži secondary school sports hall.

Badminton training and games in Riga, at the NBS sports complex in Čiekurkalns.

Badminton training and games in Jaunolaine, at the Jaunolaine sports house.

Riga’s first speakeasy, set in a former video-game shop: a dark courtyard interior and simple, well-balanced cocktails.

A classic interior with modern touches in the Art Nouveau district, an expressive cocktail list, rare whiskies and parties.

Swimming pool in Riga.

A craft beer bar and bottle shop with a regularly changing tap list from small Latvian and international breweries; bottles and cans to take away.

Pilates studio in Riga with reformer classes.

Combat sports club in Riga: MMA. Weekday hours: 08:00–21:00.

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.

Yoga studio in Riga: hot yoga.

Combat sports club in Riga: Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Combat sports club in Riga: Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Boat trips on the Riga canal and the Daugava.

Gym in Salaspils for strength and cardio training.

Gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. For women. Open daily 07:00–22:00.

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.

A bowling club in Imanta on Lielirbes iela: bowling lanes, a children’s play area, a bar and restaurant, and party packages.

EMS training studio in Riga: short workouts with electrical muscle stimulation.

Gym in Riga for strength and cardio training.

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

Tennis club in Āgenskalns with indoor courts bookable from September to May. The club’s site mentions a reconstruction, so check availability before you go.

A city-centre brasserie listed in the MICHELIN Guide. Steaks from the Netherlands, the UK and the USA take centre stage, including large cuts for sharing; oysters, tartare and burrata are on the menu too.

6 indoor padel courts in Riga. In the same building complex as Golden Point Arena. On site: gear rental, coaches, a café, a sports shop.

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.

A premium cocktail bar with fine spirits, food and a high-end sound system. Table booking recommended; entry from age 21.

CrossFit and functional training box in Riga. Weekday hours: 07:00–21:00.

CrossFit and functional training box in Riga. Monday to Thursday hours: 07:00–19:30.

A cocktail bar on the upper floor of an industrial space with neon signs and street-art walls. Cocktails have playful names, and there is bottled craft beer too. Closed on Mondays.

A theatre founded in 1920 by director Eduards Smiļģis. Since 1977 it has played in a modernist building by architect Marta Staņa, with up to 980 seats in the Large Hall plus a Small Hall and a Chamber Hall.

Gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Weekday hours: 09:00–21:00.

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

Swimming pool in Riga. Sports complex with a pool and a swimming school. Weekday hours: 07:15–21:30.

A Latin dance studio running salsa and kizomba classes Monday to Thursday evenings in two slots — from 19:00 and from 20:30. Schedule and prices are on the studio’s website.

An alternative music club in the Old Town: a bar at street level, a concert room in the basement and indie, rock and punk bands almost every weekend at a friendly entry price.

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.

An independent theatre in Āgenskalns where new and emerging artists stage work on current global, local and personal themes.

A cocktail bar and craft distillery in Old Town cellars: the first distillery in Latvia combined with a bar, and the country’s first rum distillery.

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

A five-star hotel in Old Riga with a spa: facial and body treatments, aroma rituals and a sauna looking out over the Old Town roofs to Riga Cathedral.

Escape rooms in central Riga on Valdemāra iela: a team game of puzzles and hidden clues for friends, families or colleagues.

A theatre that stages plays only by living playwrights.

An indoor drift hall across the river from the Old Town with a 3,000 m² track: drift-trike rides (up to 10 riders at once, riders over 125 cm) and passenger rides in a BMW drift car. Open daily, from 11:00 on weekdays.

Gym in Riga for strength and cardio training.

Gym in Riga for strength and cardio training.

EMS training studio in Riga: short workouts with electrical muscle stimulation.

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

Enri’s second tennis location in Riga, on Stirnu iela in Purvciems.

One of the largest escape-room operators in Riga, with about ten themed rooms, from the family-friendly “Time Machine” (6+) to the scary “House of Mysteries” (16+). Teams of 2–7 players get 60 minutes. A second site is at Miera iela 61.

Swimming pool and spa in Riga. Open daily 07:00–22:00.

Part of the F1 chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Weekday hours: 06:30–22:00.

Part of the F1 chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Weekday hours: 07:00–22:00.

Part of the F1 chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Weekday hours: 07:00–22:00.

Bouldering and climbing hall in Teika for beginners and experienced climbers alike. Open until late on weekdays.

Gym in Riga for strength and cardio training.

Part of the FitSpot chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Weekday hours: 07:00–22:00.

Part of the FitSpot chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Weekday hours: 07:00–22:00.

Part of the FitSpot chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Wellness services are available too.

Pilates studio in Riga with reformer classes.

A ceramics studio in central Riga where, guided by ceramicist Inga Frišfelde, you can work at the potter’s wheel or build by hand; the “Pottery wheel for two” session is a favourite.

An independent theatre in the Avoti neighbourhood: its own productions, guest shows from abroad, concerts and other contemporary performing arts.

A cosy cocktail bar that uses natural northern ingredients such as wild herbs, berries and fermented vegetables to bring Latvian and Nordic flavours into its drinks.

Gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Weekday hours: 07:00–23:00.

Swimming pool in Riga.

CrossFit and functional training box in Piņķi.

Eight indoor padel courts in Teika, open daily. Online booking, gear rental and parking by the building.

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

Combat sports club in Riga: Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Open daily 15:00–21:00.

A luxury hotel on the edge of Old Riga by the city canal, in a building with a Beaux-Arts facade. The Stage22 restaurant on the roof looks out over Old Riga and the canal parks, and downstairs is Kempinski The Spa with a pool and saunas.

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.

Table tennis club with table hire, group training for kids and adults, and private lessons. A second hall is in Iļģuciems.

An entertainment centre in Old Riga on the 4th floor of the Galerija Centrs mall: electric go-karts, an interactive Pixel room, virtual reality, a private karaoke room, pool and minigolf, all under one roof whatever the weather.

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.

Part of the GYM! chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Open 24/7.

Part of the GYM! chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training.

Part of the GYM! chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Open 24/7.

Part of the GYM! chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Open 24/7.

Part of the GYM! chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Open 24/7.

Part of the GYM! chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Open 24/7.

Part of the GYM! chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Open 24/7.

Part of the GYM! chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Open 24/7.

Part of the GYM! chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Open 24/7.

A wellness centre in the basement of the five-star Grand Poet hotel: a pool with underwater massage zones, a jacuzzi, a bio sauna, a Finnish sauna, a steam bath and an aroma sauna with a salt room.

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.

A cocktail bar in the Quiet Centre making personalised drinks from quality ingredients, pairing classic recipes with new flavour combinations.

An illusion theatre and museum in Torņakalns: magic and illusion shows for families and an exhibition on the art of illusion. Visits by arrangement.

Twelve indoor padel courts in Sarkandaugava, open every day from morning to evening. Rackets for rent, plus changing rooms and showers.

Part of the International Gym chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Open daily 10:00–21:00.

Part of the International Gym chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training.

Part of the International Gym chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training.

Combat sports club in Salaspils: MMA.

A public wood-fired sauna in Ziepniekkalns with a large cool-water pool, €15 with no time limit. Wednesday is women’s day and Tuesday is family day; there’s a courtyard picnic area, a masseur and a buffet with beer and kvass.

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

Yoga studio in Riga: Jivamukti yoga.

Two squash courts alongside a gym and a water relaxation centre with a pool and several saunas. Rackets and balls for rent.

Latvia’s first trampoline park: trampolines, foam pits, soft obstacles, climbing walls and a stunt platform.

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.

A large bouldering hall in the SKY & MORE centre. Four-metre walls over thick crash mats, coached sessions, kids’ birthday parties and team-building events.

An indoor karting hall with a twisty track of roughly 250–300 m and room for up to eight karts at once. Sodi RT8 karts for adults plus karts for children. On site: an arcade, table tennis and a 200 m² event space.

A new karting hall in Teika with a technical 360 m track for beginners and experienced drivers. F1-style timing and a lounge area.

Motorhome hire with Adria and Etrusco vehicles, from a compact campervan to large motorhomes sleeping 4–5. In Latvia the vehicles are collected in Berģi on the Riga–Sigulda highway; the company also has pick-up points in Vilnius, Kaunas and Málaga.

A ceramics studio with courses for beginners and experienced potters alike, plus team-building sessions and events. The class calendar is on the studio’s website.

Combat sports club in Riga: kickboxing, boxing, MMA. Classes for children too.

A small independent cinema in central Riga showing arthouse and auteur films.

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 private sauna in Dzirciems with a cascading pool, a fireplace and a banquet room for up to 12. €20 an hour, booked in three-hour slots; daily 6–23, free parking.

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 large nightclub in the Royal Casino hotel complex that bills itself as the biggest in Latvia: distinctive design, the latest music and busy weekends. Closed on Mondays.

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

Yoga studio in Riga. Weekday hours: 09:00–21:00.

Swimming pool in Riga. Swimming school and pool for children and babies. Weekday hours: 09:00–21:00.

Combat sports club in Riga: MMA.

Tennis academy with courts, coaches and courses.

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.

Part of the Lemon Gym chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Open 24/7.

Part of the Lemon Gym chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training.

Part of the Lemon Gym chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training.

Part of the Lemon Gym chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Open 24/7.

Part of the Lemon Gym chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Open 24/7.

Part of the Lemon Gym chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training.

Part of the Lemon Gym chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training.

Part of the Lemon Gym chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training.

1 indoor padel court in Riga. A fully automated court in Āgenskalns for games or private events. On site: gear rental.

Combat sports club in Riga: boxing. There is also a gym.

Combat sports club in Riga: boxing.

A wine bar pouring additive-free wines from around the world and hosting natural-wine events.

A Latin-inspired bar serving classic and signature cocktails built on fresh citrus and spice.

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

New to the MICHELIN Guide in 2026. The ingredients are mostly Latvian, with Mediterranean and Asian influences in the flavours. Open daily 12–23.

A contemporary art gallery and culture bar with live music and cocktails inspired by 19th- and 20th-century art movements. Closed on Mondays.

One MICHELIN star in a former red-brick warehouse in Torņakalns. A spiral staircase leads up to the dining room, the menu is a surprise, much of the produce is home-grown, and chef Max Cekot designed the furniture and tableware himself. Thursday–Saturday evenings.

Yoga studio in Riga: pole dance.

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.

Tennis courts in Mežaparks, on Ezermalas iela.

Gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Weekday hours: 07:00–22:00.

8 indoor padel courts in Mārupe. The first MH Padel venue, in an office park on the Riga–Mārupe border. On site: gear rental, coaches, a café, a sports shop.

13 indoor padel courts in Mārupe. The largest MH Padel venue, in Mārupes Parks near the airport road. On site: gear rental, coaches, a café, a sports shop.

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.

Yoga and Pilates studio in Riga.

Pilates studio in Riga. Weekday hours: 07:00–20:00.

8 indoor padel courts in Riga. The same building has a gym and a burger restaurant. On site: gear rental, coaches, tournaments, a café.

Gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Wellness services are available too.

Part of the MyFitness chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Monday to Thursday hours: 06:30–23:00.

Part of the MyFitness chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Monday to Thursday hours: 06:30–23:00.

Part of the MyFitness chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Monday to Thursday hours: 06:30–23:00.

Part of the MyFitness chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Monday to Thursday hours: 06:30–23:00.

Part of the MyFitness chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Monday to Thursday hours: 06:30–23:00.

Part of the MyFitness chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Monday to Thursday hours: 06:30–23:00.

Part of the MyFitness chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Weekday hours: 06:30–23:00.

Part of the MyFitness chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Weekday hours: 06:30–23:00.

Part of the MyFitness chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Weekday hours: 06:30–23:00.

Part of the MyFitness chain: a gym in Dreiliņi for strength and cardio training. Monday to Thursday hours: 06:30–23:00.

Part of the MyFitness chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Weekday hours: 06:30–23:00.

Part of the MyFitness chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Weekday hours: 06:30–23:00.

Part of the MyFitness chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Weekday hours: 06:30–23:00.

Part of the MyFitness chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Weekday hours: 06:30–23:00.

One of the largest padel centres in Latvia, with 15 indoor courts on the Imanta side of Riga. Coaches, racket rental and a café on site.

Yoga studio in Riga. Weekday hours: 08:00–21:00.

Swimming pool in Riga. The National Armed Forces sports-base pool, with 50 m and 25 m lanes and a sauna. Open daily 07:00–23:00.

Pilates studio in Riga with reformer classes.

A wine bar where the staff help you match wine to your food.

Escape games on Barona iela: a team of two or more is “locked” in a themed room and has to solve puzzles to get out before time runs out. A game takes under an hour.

A hidden speakeasy in the Old Town near the Italian Embassy: house infusions, premium spirits, a mirrored interior and rotating art by local artists.

A small brewery in Avoti, opened in 2016. Drink in or take away; flavours include pine buds, almond, cocoa, rowan and pumpkin.

5 indoor padel courts in Riga. Located inside the Rimi Olympic Sports Centre. On site: gear rental, a café, a sports shop.

Archery in the heart of Old Riga with an instructor, suited to all ages and skill levels. A short introductory session, or longer workshops for stag parties and teams.

Part of the OLYMP Sports chain: a gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Weekday hours: 07:00–22:00.

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

Gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Open daily 08:00–22:00.

CrossFit and functional training box in Riga. Weekday hours: 07:00–21:30.

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.

3 indoor padel courts in Dreiliņi. On the 2nd floor of the Sāga shopping centre; the MyFitness chain’s padel hall. On site: gear rental, coaches, tournaments, a gym.

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.

7 indoor padel courts in Riga. Padelstar’s second Riga hall, on Brīvības gatve in Teika. On site: gear rental, coaches, a café, a sports shop.

A concert venue in a former cinema on Marijas iela, hosting local and international artists.

An indoor paintball and laser tag park in Jugla, on the former Rīgas audums factory site. Games by booking at any hour; there is a rest room and you may bring your own food and drinks.

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.

Squash courts, table tennis and a sports hall under one roof in Pārdaugava. After a game there is bowling, billiards and a bar.

Pilates studio in Riga. Weekday hours: 08:00–20:00.

Pilates studio in Riga. Weekday hours: 09:00–20:00.

A public wood-fired sauna in Dreiliņi that calls itself the largest wood-fired sauna in the Baltics: two big stoves, a Turkish bath, massages and a Charcot shower, plus a grill bar on site. €13 an hour.

Pilates studio in Riga with reformer classes. Weekday hours: 08:00–20:00.

Pilates studio in Riga. Weekday hours: 08:00–20:00.

A games bar in central Riga with neon minigolf, pool, darts, table tennis and arcade machines. One entry ticket covers every game until closing. Entry from age 14; on Fridays and Saturdays after 18:00 it is 18+.

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

Gym in Riga for strength and cardio training.

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.

A wine bar and shop specialising in Catalan wines, with tapas and vermouth.

Pilates studio in Riga.

An Old Riga restaurant on Kaļķu iela where European classics meet world flavours: breakfast, pizza, burgers, pasta, seafood and steaks, cocktails and live music in the evenings. The gift card (€15–300) is valid for 12 months and can be used over several visits.

CrossFit and functional training box in Riga. Weekday hours: 07:00–21:00.

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.

Swimming pool and spa in Riga. A large pool, a small pool and a children’s pool. Weekday hours: 07:00–22:00.

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

A Mediterranean brasserie with more than 1,000 wines on its list. Its sommelier Ivars Kalniņš received the MICHELIN Sommelier Award in the 2026 guide. Open daily 12–23.

Riga Technical University’s curiosity centre in Āgenskalns, opened in 2023: three halls of interactive exhibits on smart cities, energy, water supply and future technologies, including a drone simulator. Science shows and hands-on workshops — 3D printing, chemistry and wood design. Closed on Mondays.

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

Sports hall in Pētersala that fits up to eight badminton courts. Courts are rented by the hour, and the Riga Badminton School trains here.

Badminton training and games in Salaspils, at the Salaspils sports house.

Swimming pool and spa in Salaspils. Pool with a sauna and steam room.

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

Gym in Salaspils for strength and cardio training. Weekday hours: 08:00–22:00.

A cocktail bar and club over two floors with big dance areas and live music, busy at weekends. Happy hours 17–18 and 21–22.

Tennis club in Saulkrasti.

Yoga studio in Riga.

An Italian restaurant with a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand and an industrial-style interior. The pasta is made in-house.

A small wood-fired sauna in Avoti near Ziedoņdārzs park, open almost round the clock (7–5). €25 per person per hour with towels and sheets; a fireplace in the lounge in the cold months, karaoke for up to six, rituals with aromatic oils and massages.

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.

CrossFit and functional training box in Riga. Weekday hours: 07:00–21:00.

Gym in Riga for strength and cardio training.

Gym in Riga for strength and cardio training.

CrossFit and functional training box in Riga.

Gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Weekday hours: 07:00–23:00.

Gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Weekday hours: 07:00–22:00.

CrossFit and functional training box in Riga. Weekday hours: 06:00–22:00.

Gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Pilates classes too. Wellness services are available too.

Swimming pool in Riga. Weekday hours: 07:00–22:00.

Indoor minigolf on Tērbatas iela with a competitive vibe and drinks on hand. Good for birthdays, family mornings and team building.

A day spa in central Riga with a pool, a jacuzzi and saunas, plus private relaxation rooms with tea. Treatments for women and men, including mothers-to-be, use natural products; there are detox rituals and a yoga studio. A smaller sauna-and-pool area can be booked just for your group.

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.

A warehouse-style electronic music club outside the centre: techno, minimal, house and acid nights with local and international DJs.

An izakaya-style sister to Snatch, new to the MICHELIN Guide in 2026. Think Japanese pub-style plates to share; the team received the MICHELIN Service Award.

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.

A bar with a very long cocktail list, especially Negroni variations, and breakfast served all day. Other branches are at Avotu iela 4 and Šķūņu iela 10.

A wine room next to the Splendid Palace cinema, with wine alongside breakfast, lunch or dinner.

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.

12 indoor padel courts in Riga. A purpose-built padel arena in Pleskodāle with high ceilings. On site: gear rental, coaches, tournaments, a café.

A long-running LGBTQ+ bar and nightclub with several rooms, a lounge and a dance floor. DJ, drag and karaoke nights, plus lip-sync contests.

Pilates studio in Riga. Dance classes too. Wellness services are available too.

A big bowling and billiards hall in Ķengarags: 24 bowling lanes and 24 tables for pool, Russian billiards and snooker. There is a bar, a banquet hall and a hotel in the same building.

3 indoor padel courts in Riga. In Ķengarags, near the bank of the Daugava. On site: gear rental.

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.

An Old Town beer bar with more than 100 beers and beer-based cocktails that are hard to find elsewhere in the capital. Food too.

Badminton training and games in Riga, at the RTU sports centre in Āgenskalns.

Gym in Riga for strength and cardio training. Wellness services are available too.

Swimming pool and spa in Riga. Weekday hours: 13:00–21:00.