House of the Blackheads
EuropeCultureArchitectureHistory

Riga

Old town lanes, art nouveau blocks, and market halls

Plan with AISee the 2 itinerariesPhoto: Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Typical trip length3–7 days
On travli2 itineraries

About Riga

Riga sits on the Baltic coast in Latvia. Its center mixes old and new. The old town features narrow streets and historic buildings. Beyond that, art nouveau facades line the main avenues.

The old town centers on the House of the Blackheads, Riga Cathedral, and St. Peter's Church. The Three Brothers and Swedish Gate mark early residential and defensive sites. Alberta iela offers the best examples of art nouveau. Riga Central Market provides a daily bustle of goods. Rundāle Palace makes a suitable outing from the city.

Why travelers love it

Top attractions

2 Riga itineraries

Riga questions

Is the House of the Blackheads open every day?

Hours change with the season and events. Confirm current times on the official website before visiting.

Is Riga Cathedral open to visitors?

Yes, it welcomes visitors during set hours.

Can visitors enter the Three Brothers?

The oldest house holds the Latvian Museum of Architecture and is open during museum hours. The other two houses are not open to the public.

Is Riga Central Market worth visiting?

It offers a direct view of daily trade in large historic halls.

Can you climb the tower at St. Peter's Church?

Yes. The tower is open to visitors with an elevator option for part of the climb.

When was the Swedish Gate built?

It was completed in 1698.