Riga by Canal Boat Sightseeing Cruise
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Riga by Canal Boat Sightseeing Cruise
By Riga by Canal
About
Ages 0-99, max of 8 per group
Duration: 1h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
German, Russian, English
- Riga City canal and Daugava River Sightseeing cruise.
- Audio guide on board (please bring along the smartphone and headphones to listen the audio guide)
What's not included- Gratuities
- Departure details
- Bastejkalna Park, Central District, Riga, LV-1050, Latvia Take a look at the Freedom Monument and then go to the left to Bastion Hill (Bastejkalns) across the bridge with the keys of love and on the right you will see a specially equipped pier.
Return details- Returns to original departure point
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 49219P1- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- With voucher You can travel on the date specified, a day earlier or a day later, if necessary, without rebooking, but please let us know by e-mail or phone, if possible.
- If the wind speed gusts increasing up 18-20 meters per second, we will be closed. We can change the route or schedule in case of bad weather, rain, strong wind or high water levels.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Heavy luggage are not allowed on board.
- Folding strollers are allowed on board.
- Most travelers can participate
- In the season of 2023 the route is being changed due to the construction of the Rail Baltica railway and the closing of the canal. More information on the website.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 49219P1
Itinerary
- You'll start atBastejkalna ParkCentral District, Riga, LV-1050, LatviaTake a look at the Freedom Monument and then go to the left to Bastion Hill (Bastejkalns) across the bridge with the keys of love and on the right you will see a specially equipped pier.See address & details
- Pass byBastejkalna ParkKronvalda Park
- You'll return to the starting point
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About the operator
- middle_aged_guy00Nice ViewsNice hour boat ride giving you great views of Riga. The boat goes the along central Riga and then goes out to the river to give you a great river view of the city. The scenery was excellent and the boat ride very relaxing. After you take the City Tour, take this boat ride to capture the beauty of the city.
- Passenger3839614231700Brilliant tour!This is a great way to see the city from a different perspective and learn a little more about Riga’s history from the audio guide as you take on the sights. The boats are compact but really comfortable and the staff are so welcoming! Our trip cost €36 in total (2 adult tickets) and honestly it was totally worth it! You’ll find the dock just ahead of the padlock bridge and tickets can either be purchased onboard or in advance online, quick tip! You’ll get a small discount on advance purchases.
- Bob B00Good ViewsYou get some great views on this little boat trip. The boats are very safe, modern and clean. Audio guide/ commentary is available, which gives some interesting information. Seems a little bit expensive, but I think worth it overall. You get the boats just by the bridge in front of the Freedom Monument.
- matthewfenn201700Great Canal TripI went on this canal trip with my friends it took hour,the weather was good,good audio Highly recommended
- NigelB94000Nice way to see old RigaQuite expensive at 18 Euro each it is a nice way to see the city while resting your tourist feet. You catch it in the park near the freedom monument. The trip takes about an hour. It starts in the moat which is now a park lake heading south towards the Zeppelin base market and onto the huge river heading north then back into the park to complete the circuit. Commentary is available via mobile phone and internet for the more technologically able!
- podrozeksztalca00An hour journeyBe sure to pick the histric looking boats for a bit more than the rest. It costs 18 Euro but it is much more comfortable, clean, very nice service, the audio guide in English, nice perspective from the canal and the river.
- Tracey T00Not the best canal but worth a tripWe just turned up and paid €18 each for an hour tour. Within 30 mins the heavens opened up and visibility was poor and we had to stand to try and keep dry. Other than the weather It was a nice trip
- Jean M00Must do!This is a leisurely trip through the canals and by the port. Perfect for those of us who are shutterbugs! You see everything up close to take great photos and relaxingly treasure the city. You buy the tickets along the canal, right by the boats. They leave once they get 6 or more on a boat.
- Fawwaz A00Expensive & SilentDepending on what you’re looking for, this tour can be a disappointment, or perhaps just okay. It’s a silent boat ride through the manmade canal (historically made by the Swedes for invasion reasons), out to the river and back to starting point. The tour is 50 mins not 1 hour, but by the 30th minute, I was wishing it would end. There is no audio guide; it’s quite slow (so that’s good for relaxing if it’s your aim), and you get to just watch the beautiful greenery surrounding you. Out in the river, you cross under the long bridge. Not much to write home about, really, except the €18 I burned for that. Nope.
- annieisathome00Delightful and relaxingThis takes about an hour through the canal, onto the river and back into the canal via the port. It's slow but informative and is a delight on a sunny day. Well worth the money
- RecRandy00FunI nice relaxing way to see the different view of Riga. I wish that boat captain had interaction with the people on the boat. Ours was on his cell phone the whole ride. The better view is from the side that you enter the boat or sit in the far back in order to get good pictures. My whole group enjoyed the ride and we got some good pictures.
- Sue W00relaxing way to escape the crowds.After lunch at the Funny Fox I wanted to sit and relax away from the crowds. A stroll in the park brought me to the canal and the small river boats. A single cost 18euros which I thought expensive.( groups get cheaper rates I believe). It was a pleasant way to spend an hour and see parts of the city I would otherwise have missed.
- Mhldavies00Relaxing trip by canal and riverNot worth 18 Euros each - sat in the front of boat connected to boat WiFi but unable to open audio tour on safari - annoying to say the least - so a quiet sight seeing tour without information about the sights - took 50 minutes -
- Samantha S00Lovely Old Boat - No CommentaryI decided to do the hour boat tour but was a bit upset to find there was no commentary on board or even a prerecorded one that would have given me an insight into what I was looking at. I was a solo traveler and when I got on the boat there were some lovely Scottish women who invited me to join them at the back of the boat which was open. We had a good time and we were all disappointed that there was no commentary. Although, between us we sort of did our own pointing out sights and what we knew about them so it made it funny and interesting. If I had not joined them it would have been a long boring hour for me. Good old boat but just a shame as it could have been so much better.
- Liza W00Circular water tour of RigaI wasn't offered any access to a commentary online, but the booklet was fine as I'd already explored on foot. It's a nice way to while away an hour on a hot day and to see the old town from the river. A bit on the expensive side though.
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
125 reviews
Excellent
51
Very good
40
Average
22
Poor
8
Terrible
4
andy M
Stamford, UK308 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
We enjoy boat trips and were happy to spend 18 Euros each for a 45 minute trip, as it includes both the Riga canal and part of the Daugava river.
We boarded the 11a.m. boat from the landing stage near the Bastejkalns (Bastion Hill). Our boat was Rebeka, a small (17 person capacity), electrically driven (quiet) boat. There were only 7 passengers so there was plenty of room and the seats are reasonable comfortable.
We had a recorded commentary in English (not sure if that is standard), which was informative and amusing.
It is very pleasant looking at the lovely scenery along the canal and the statues and bridges. On the Daugava river we passed under the impressive railway bridge, saw the very tall Riga T.V. tower in the distance, the market (made from old airship hangars), cruise ships and the marina.
This is a great way to enjoy a relaxing trip with alternative views of the city.
We boarded the 11a.m. boat from the landing stage near the Bastejkalns (Bastion Hill). Our boat was Rebeka, a small (17 person capacity), electrically driven (quiet) boat. There were only 7 passengers so there was plenty of room and the seats are reasonable comfortable.
We had a recorded commentary in English (not sure if that is standard), which was informative and amusing.
It is very pleasant looking at the lovely scenery along the canal and the statues and bridges. On the Daugava river we passed under the impressive railway bridge, saw the very tall Riga T.V. tower in the distance, the market (made from old airship hangars), cruise ships and the marina.
This is a great way to enjoy a relaxing trip with alternative views of the city.
Written September 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Followbruin
London, UK102 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
The most efficient way of sizing up Riga is to take the Canal Boat Trip from its base not far from the Freedom Monument. The boat is comfortable and quiet, a relief from the city’s traffic noise. The canal glides through extensive leafy parks before diving under the bus station and the Central Market before the real surprise-heading out into the wide Daugava River. Have cameras ready for some unusual angles on Riga’s Old Town before completing the circle back to base.
Written June 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are glad you enjoyed the ride. Our boat cruise is so different, because so different is our Riga city, from Old Town with ancient architecture to rushing people and modern architecture. We wish you to succeed in finding new surprises in other places!
Written June 7, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
John
Portsmouth, UK12 contributions
Jul 2018
Canal sightseeing was not up to the expectation. The staff did not explain where they are taking. Basically i was sleeping in the boat for an hour because it was too boring.
Written July 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bethany B
County Durham, UK83 contributions
Sep 2015 • Couples
We boarded the Rebeka for our boat trip and spent a pleasant hour being taken along the canal and then out onto the river before looping back again. Music played throughout and there is an English voiceover which describes the major sights along the way which was both informative and witty in parts. After walking for miles this was a relaxing way to see the city, although a little pricy at 15€ per person.
Written September 26, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
G/J
United Kingdom146 contributions
Jul 2018
We had pre booked this trip via TripAdvisor before going, and on the day we went on the trip it was pleasant ride, seeing Riga at a different angle rather than walking or bus or car.
As you got towards end of canal, had a surprise as you enter into the open water of the River Daugava so you get to see Riga from all sides including the docks. This will explain why this trip does not operate during certain wind speeds or weather.
As you got towards end of canal, had a surprise as you enter into the open water of the River Daugava so you get to see Riga from all sides including the docks. This will explain why this trip does not operate during certain wind speeds or weather.
Written July 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tinylass
Sheffield, UK4,293 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
This is near the Freedom Monument in the park and it costs 18Euros per person for a 1 hour tour through the canals and out in to the open river. You can buy tickets there and then and a boat leaves about every 20-30 minutes. They have a few lovely old looking wooden boats that are electric so are very quiet. It passes many sights and was a lovely way to spend an hour and see the city from a different angle.
Written June 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It is nice to hear that you enjoyed a trip with our boat. You described our offer quite broadly, the only thing I can add is that we have also an online audio guide, which expands the experience.
Have a nice summer!
Written June 25, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kirsteen M
Glasgow, UK72 contributions
Would recommend this, was a lovely trip and gave a alternative view of Riga. The captain was lovely too , really helpful.
Written June 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the review! We are very happy that you liked the boat trip. And it is nice to hear, that our captain was helpful. We invite always to ask the captains before the boat leaves the pier if any help is needed. Hope you enjoyed your stay in Riga.
Written June 12, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Aleksandra
The Hague, The Netherlands82 contributions
The boat ride was a very nice to experience the city. Very relaxing experience! There is a chance to listen to an audio guide if you’d like to hear about the sights (bring headphones). For us the driver put it on loudspeaker which was handy (we asked). The boat was not overcrowded which made the experience all the more pleasant
Written April 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for the nice review! We are grateful to you for asking about the possibility of listening to the audio guide loudly. We always try to satisfy our customers' requests, if possible. And as you mentioned, a smartphone with a headphone will come in handy, because an audio guide is in several languages to choose from. Let you succeed in discovering many more cities in the future!
Written May 2, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
andycoldham
Crawley, UK872 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
The trip itself is a lovely sedate cruise along the canal and then up the main river to complete the circle, there is no commentary so you have no idea what you are looking at and a brochure or a few words about the main sights would have been appreciated. Also look at the prices carefully, to the left of the freedom monument with your back to the old town is one station ( which I chose and its was 18 Euros pp and lasted about an hour, but had I gone to the right in near the opera house I could have got the same trip for 12 euros so I was a bit miffed.
Written July 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the review! We do not want to talk about competitors, but we want to emphasize the positive qualities of our service. Our boats are eco-friendly, they swim quietly and do not release odorous gases. Our masters are certified to drive a ship, comply with safety conditions. And the boat Darling is with a significant history, which can be found on our website. We are sorry that you did not have the opportunity to listen to our audio guide and even did not get a booklet, what we usually have, but we still hope, that you enjoyed your stay in Riga.
Written August 13, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MadDocNI
Belfast, UK1,187 contributions
Nice sedate trip along the canal. There is no commentary, but you get an information sheet with sights highlighted, and a few words about each.
Half of the trip is on the river, less peaceful because of the waves and river traffic. But this was nice too, with a castle on the waterside, and lots of interesting buildings and bridges, including the vestiges of one from the past.
Not overcheap at €18 for the hour, but worth it.
Half of the trip is on the river, less peaceful because of the waves and river traffic. But this was nice too, with a castle on the waterside, and lots of interesting buildings and bridges, including the vestiges of one from the past.
Not overcheap at €18 for the hour, but worth it.
Written July 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sansona020
Island of Malta, Malta3 contributions
Hi, can I stop at a particular stop to see the area and get the boat once again to continue the journey?
Thanks
Pétur Bjarni GÃslason
Lake Myvatn, Iceland91 contributions
No, it is no stop.
Hi, Can a 5 year old kid get on the boat? Do I have to buy a ticket for him? (you dont have a form for this age) Tanks!
Kaz
Leicestershire, UK310 contributions
Any age children can go on the boats I think under 5 year old is free
Steve V
5 contributions
Is there a bar on board?
Pétur Bjarni GÃslason
Lake Myvatn, Iceland91 contributions
No it is not a bar on board.
Christopher C
Glasgow, UK4 contributions
Can we buy tickets at the boat for travel today?
Sandra P
106 contributions
I really cannot confirm that it would be possible to buy tickets on the spot, as there are quite a lot of tourists already in Riga. I suppose it would be better if you consult the webpage of the company (easily to be found in GOOGLE) or the profile of Riga By Canal on Facebook.






































