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Vecrīga

Vecrīga

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This charming maze of narrow and crooked cobblestone streets is filled with a mixture of architectural styles including Nordic, Gothic, Renaissance, baroque and Jugendstil, plus such historic sites as the 13th-century Riga Castle, St. Peter's Church, the Swedish Gate and the Freedom Monument.
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  • ClaudiaNL
    The Netherlands127 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Atmospheric city center
    Cozy and attractive city center with lots of beautiful architecture (Art Noveau). The cobblestone streets also add to the feeling. You can enjoy walking from place to place here. In winter there are still many lights and decorations, even though the holidays are long gone. There are lively catering establishments everywhere, from coffee shops to beer cafés. All very affordable.
    Visited January 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written January 31, 2024
  • RlfDinky
    Roubaix, France5,798 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    When history structures architecture
    A very interesting guided tour of the old town to better understand the mix of different populations over the centuries (Baltic, German, Russian, etc.) which had an importance on the religion and structure of the city. The old town presents in some places its walls, its towers and its moat (which has become a canal). Building on sandy soil, taxes consisted of bringing back stones (to consolidate the city). The new part is linked to the passage nearby of Napoleon's armies (which led by mistake to burning down all the wooden houses... which then became land available for Art Nouveau).
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written February 25, 2024
  • Klichet
    Alicante, Spain168 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A city to wander around.
    Riga is a city of contrasts. But, without a doubt, the ancient city is the one that most attracts visitors. We entered from the other side of the river, which flows right into one of its most beautiful squares, the Rathausplatz, where we find the monument to the riflemen, the occupation museum, the House of the Blackheads, the Town Hall... But is that the surrounding streets are full of wonderful buildings. It is worth climbing the bell tower that can be seen behind, that of the church of San Pedro, and getting an idea from the sky of everything that the city offers. It doesn't matter which street you get lost in... In all of them you will find wonderful corners.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written March 30, 2024
  • Erling Glantz
    Viimsi, Estonia34,858 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Medieval history mixed with modern restaurants!
    Vecriga is a MEDIEVAL HISTORY that everyone should experience! Churches - old buildings and cozy squares with or without statues are a wonderful experience! I still remember many restaurants and cafes that have not closed and often with older decor! Old Riga must be experienced!
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 4, 2024
  • Elena E
    Milan, Italy111 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I love Riga
    I like the old town of Riga more than Vilnius and Tallinn. More places where you can have a good dinner, a more colorful atmosphere. Lately it looks less well maintained, but still, this is a place where nightlife is in full swing. People love to come here for bachelor parties. The atmosphere and number of night bars are conducive. There are many entertainment venues that are open until the morning.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written April 26, 2024
  • Andante Old Riga
    Riga, Latvia45 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great city to visit.
    Feeling like in a small Vienna. Quite empty for May month but it was raining. Great places where to spend evening. Impressive Vinyl lounge bar near by main square name Livu.
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled on business
    Written May 5, 2024
  • Daisy
    United Kingdom135 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful old town
    We loved Riga old town. It was great to explore all the beautiful, parks, streets and it is very compact city. We loved popping in to the many bars, shops and restaurants. There’s also a great market near the bus station with plenty of stalls and food venues within. Transport is easy due to train and bus stations. There’s not much of interest across the river apart from the massive library. Prices for food and drink are reasonable.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 6, 2024
  • Kajsa M
    12 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice
    Very nice buildings and nice restaurants, bars, cafes and souvenir shops. Tourist friendly. Most people speak English and are helpful. Cobblestone streets, easy to walk around, easy to get around and the distances between attractions are short.
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 13, 2024
  • Pernille I
    Copenhagen, Denmark7,189 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Charm of yesteryear - beautiful old town
    Riga itself is not very big - making it a perfect destination for a city trip. If you stay in the old center you are more in the middle of everything on arrival. The small cobblestone streets with their colorful facades are of crazy charm. At the risk of falling into the cobbles, you also have to look up to admire the details of the houses - one cuter than the other. One can easily visit everything in 4-5 days - in-depth version, but it is definitely worth it for this city of a tormented history that is now recovering to create its own identity. A real crush!
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written June 23, 2024
  • Klara W
    Kaunas, Lithuania6,337 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Romantic capital of Art Nouveau
    Riga needs no introduction: it is a magical city, rich in history, art and culture. It is one of the Art Nouveau capitals of Europe (buildings in this style cover almost a third of the old town), enriched by beautiful medieval churches, works of modern art, folklore shops, prehistoric trees, unusual museums and nice monuments to ancient Christmas trees. Walking along its narrow streets, admiring the statues and facades of Art Nouveau houses, tasting the famous “black balm” in one of the elegant chocolate shops are all wonderful experiences that seem to take the visitor back in time. One of the most beautiful capitals of Europe and the world, if you have not yet visited it I recommend it!
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 9, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles7,321 reviews
Excellent
5,063
Very good
1,902
Average
299
Poor
39
Terrible
18

S.Gagren
Latvia7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Solo
The old city is very nice, compact and is good enough for a day trip.
I stayed for three days, Riga city is very green, picturesque and there are sights to see.

I highly recommend to sit by the Daugava river, Also, go up to St. Peter`s Church, you will see a great view of the city.

The parks are just beautiful, the churches in the style of Hanseatic German towns.

If the weather is sunny and warm, you will spend the whole day walking through the streets, sipping coffee, admiring architecture and enjoying yourself.
Written September 16, 2020
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.

Samuel B-M
Birmingham, UK37 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old Riga is a melange of architectural styles: Art Nouveau, Baroque, Romanesque, and Gothic, all represented and proudly exhibited in pastel colours.

Cars are not permitted within Old Riga, so all exploration is to be done on foot—and there's no better way to admire the neighbourhood. Streets of cobbled stone wind through medieval alleyways, through large and busy squares, and past fascinating historic sites, each with their own story to tell, such as the House of the Black Heads, St. Peter's Church, the Three Brothers, etc.

During the Summer months, Riga is the Baltics' centre of activity, drawing in large crowds, but outside of peak season, it becomes quiet, curious, and even quirky. With over 9+ museums, culture is to be found everywhere.

I would wholeheartedly recommend hiring a guided tour and listening to the fascinating tales of the city's past, including how a disgruntled merchant installed a bronze cat on his roof to spite the merchant's headquarters (the cat's rear end faced the building's main window), or how tossing a goblet from the top of St Peter's Church would predict when the church would fall.
Written May 10, 2022
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.

Hans-Olof H
Stockholm, Sweden1,116 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
We visited Riga at New Year’s Eve. That meant that almost everything was closed, and it war rather chilly, but no winter. So, we mostly looked at the facades of many nice buildings and many that was not so nice that locally were called sad buildings. Riga is a not a wealthy town, and most people is not so well off even if a few are filthy rich. The population in Latvia has dropped by a third since it became a sovereign country. Almost half of those who have left the country is well educated young Letts that have moved to better paid jobs in other EU-countries and the rest is Russians that have moved to Russia. That means that the resources for renovating all the very nice Art Nouveau buildings are rather scare. That means at least in my impression that it is far less when half of them that are renovated and much smaller part of the large number of wooden buildings. However, many of the renovated buildings are remarcable decorated. These are much more elaborated than buildings from the same time in my hometown of Stockholm. So, they are well worth a visit.
That was opened on new years eve was the Lutheran medieval Cathedral. We visited it earlier in the day and later we attended an orgel concert that was really something extra, and so was the cathedral as such. The best way to see the town and different part of it is a combination of walking and tram-riding. And we really want to come back than the museum, and opera house is open and then it is leaves on the threes.
Written January 4, 2020
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.

Adam C
22 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Couples
Old Riga, has architecture to look at that is best seen on a bright day. There are several shops to pop in and out of including the standard coffee shops which are ever popular in cities these days.
When we visited there were a few market stalls selling local souvenirs.
The cobbled streets add to the atmosphere of the old streets and in the evening there was a busker singing opera on one of the corners
Written January 12, 2020
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.

Mary And Dave
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
Old Town Riga is simply a magical place to explore. So many fun shops to find Latvian goods, awesome restaurants and our favorite coffee cafe, Double Coffee. The cobblestone streets take you back in time, There are museums to visit and several cathedrals to spend time in. The old farmers market is fun to wander, but don't expect the stall workers to be very friendly :) Another great place to visit is across the river from Old Town. The National Library is beautiful inside and even has a cafe so you can enjoy a cup of coffee. We love Riga!
Written March 25, 2020
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.

Marlene D
London, Canada19 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019 • Couples
My husband and I traveled here for only 3 days during our trip to Europe. Riga was such a splendid surprise. The history and beauty are beyond description. The old city is so easy to discover with hidden alleys and medieval taverns to have a rest while enjoying a beverage. I can only imagine how beautiful it is in the summer. I had the very best potato pancakes at a small cafe. There were such lovely shops and restaurants to explore we know another visit will happen. You will not be disappointed to put Riga on your bucket list
Written February 27, 2020
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.

averyglenthorne
London, UK87 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2022
I visited in September 2022. The old city is very compact and walkable. There are lots of attractions and restaurants. Riga has regular train links to other towns in Latvia. Beware cyclists and e scooters. If you take a bus anywhere you MUST get a ticket beforehand at a Maxima or Narvessen store. My experience is that you can only pay the driver on the N22 bus to and from the airport.
Written September 30, 2022
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.

Coryy20
Port of Spain, Trinidad6,378 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Solo
Riga is a beautiful little city. It reminds me a bit of Vilnius Lithuania. I found the food to be very similar. People here bit outwardly friendlier. The city is beautiful with lots art inspired building. Many restaurants and stores and the food is delish esp. the pastries.

To me it is not too busy. It's more laid-back, maybe it's the time of year I visited. (See my post on Riga on my site caribbeansolotraveller.com)

Riga is a a city I would recommend .
Written June 27, 2020
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.

Rien W
Voorschoten, The Netherlands367 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2019
If you like old cities and a variety of architectural monuments, you should not miss the Old City of Riga. Many buildings have, depending on the era in which they have been built, magnificent ornaments. And nearly all of them in very good shape.
Written April 21, 2020
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.

Ray
Gorinchem, The Netherlands30 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020
Visited Riga for a long weekend without any expectations. Now I’m convinced, it’s one of the greatest cities with a great architecture, a great atmosphere and just a great ambiance😊😊

Discover the different squares with a lot of restaurants and bars with live music. Look at the street artists making art with fire , the opera singer , the street music bands and so on.
Written August 9, 2020
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.

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