Aerial view of Riga

16 THINGS TO DO IN RIGA IN WINTER AND FALL

ByPilar

Are you planning a visit to Riga and is the fact that is not Summer stopping you from doing so?

Well, it should not!  Riga is a city that has plenty of activities to offer all year round and you will not regret your trip.

A view of Riga town from the top of a building at sunset time.
Riga bird’s eye view

Riga is the capital city of Latvia and it has a population of almost 650 000 people. The city is situated in the Gulf of Riga where the river Gaudava enters the Baltic sea.

Riga historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and not only the city has lots of activities to offer but there are many coastal towns and countryside attractions easily reachable on a day trip.

I stayed in Riga for one week to attend the “Women in travel summit” conference and do some sightseeing.   I am writing this article to summarize the best activities you can do in the Riga during Winter and Fall.

You can also get a bit out of your Riga itinerary and take a trip to Tallinn to visit this creepy historical site

1. Have a stroll around the Central Market

Riga Central Market is the Europe´s biggest market and it has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list together with the historical city.

This is a photo of the Riga central market from outside There are four round arc shaped buildings. The color of the buildings is yellow sand with blue round roofs. There are cars parked outside and people walking.
Riga central market from outside

The market main structure has been built using old German Zeppelin hangars and its five main structure are bursting with buyers and sellers on a normal day.

This is the picture of some pumpkins in a stall in Riga central market.
Riga central market pumpkins
Man making bread at Riga central market. You can see him from the back with a big artifact checking the status of the baking breads. The man is wearing a red shirt.
Making bread at Riga Central Market

 

It is seem like a cheap shopping place in Riga.  You can go there to admire the stalls but also for a meal, as there are several restaurant on the markets that even remain open after the market closing hours.

2.Walk on the Gaudava Riverside at night

Be prepared for the cold winds and wear some thick hat and gloves but do not miss the spectacular blue Railway bridge shining over the Gaudava river.

Railway bridge at night with blue colour lights. The bkle is refeclting on the river waters.The bridge view consists of 5 arcs with white and blue lights.
Railway bridge Riga

3. Visit Riga Old Town

Riga Old Town is vibrant with cafés and restaurants. You can have first have a dinner, and then a walk around the old style buildings and end up sipping a cocktail at one of its several night bars.

 4. Observe the art nouveau architecture

Get lost in Alberta street observing the art nouveau buildings. You are in the world capital of art nouveau. A third of the buildings in Riga city center are art nouveau buildings, making the city the place with the highest concentration of art nouveau art in the world.

The corner of an Art Nouveau building in Riga. The color of the building is light grey and there are two trees on the left of the photo. On the right of the photo you can see a line of trees and a street with some cars parked on it and a man walking.
Art nouveau building Riga

5. Take a day trip from Riga

       There are several tours that will bring you out of Riga from one day to enjoy nature and Latvia culinary delicacies.

Pilar at the entrance of the park wearing a brown winter jacket and a black hat with a car. She is wearing the bog walk boards that are flourescent color. There are some pine trees on the back.
Ready to boardwalk on the Kemeri bog

       I recommend the;

 “Food glorious food tour” and “Into the wild, wild Latvian bogland we go”

READ MORE:

 Two day trips from Riga

Athens landmarks and monuments

Waterfalls Spain

6. Take a Riga beer tour

The beer tour starts usually at 17:00 and you will visit several local breweries were you will enjoy some local brewed beers with snacks.

 Alķīmiķis

A beer bottle and beer glass half full on a counter at Akiminis beer brewery. There are some metal machinery used to brew beer on the background of the photo.
Alkiminis beer

 Ziemeļu Enkurs – Northern Anchor Brewing Co.

Four girls trying four types of different beers with snacks
 Drinking beer and snacks at Ziemeļu Enkurs – Northern Anchor Brewing Co.

 Labietis

Labietis bar entrance and outside terrace. There are a few tables and sits but there are no people sitting on the terrace.
Labietis
Different beers and snacks at a table. Four glasses of golden color beer and one glass of black beer.

 Valmiermuiža Beer Kitchen

( I took this tour as a sponsored tour when I was attending the “women in travel summit conference”)

7.Watch a Riga bird´s eye view from one of it viewpoints

You can do this from the Skyline bar on the 26thfloor of the Radisson Blue Latvija or go up to St. Peter´s Church tower or the Latvian Academy of Sciences Observation deck.

A view of Riga town from the top of a building
Riga Bird´s eye view from the Radison Blue

8. Eat at one of Riga´s underground restaurants

There are many underground restaurants in Riga Old Town that offer traditional Latvian food and feel so cozy in the basement.

9. Visit Riga´s freedom monument

   The freedom monument is just a few minutes walking from Riga´s Old Town. It is a memorial for the soldiers killed during the ¨Latvian world of independence” A not to be missed attraction.

Freedom monument. It is a rectangular tower standing on its own with a statue on the top. There is a line of tress on the left and some buildings on the back.
Riga freedom monument

10. Visit Riga Town Hall square

 The city town hall was completely rebuilt after world war II and it is a nice place to visit during the day and the night.

Riga town hall square at night. There are a couple of buildings with lights and a statue on the square.
Riga Town Hall Square at night

11. Unwind at Bastejkalna park

Take a break in between your cultural visits and relax in nature at this park that is very close the Old Town. You can take a boat ride on the canal or just walk watch the beautiful colors of the trees in Fall.

12. Riga cathedral

The Riga cathedral is the biggest medieval church on the Baltic states. It was built in 1211 and since them it has going through many reconstructions.

It is one of the most iconic landmarks in Riga

13. Swedish Gate

The Swedish Gate dates back to 1698 and it was part of Riga´s wall to provide access to the camps outside the city wall.

The Swedish gate has a legend that it narrates that in the old days the house belonged to a rich merchant. The merchant needed to pay taxes to bring goods into Riga. The merchant got rid of his house and build the gate in its place for tax avoidance purposes.

Riga Swedish gate. It is an arc and under the arc you can see a street where there is a couple walking. The street floor is wet as it has been raining.
Riga Swedish Gate

14. Nativity of Christ cathedral

This is an impressive building of Neo Byzantine style 1873 and 1886 is a truly must see. This was the first building I visited during my visit to Riga and I was really impressed with its beauty

15. Try the Riga Black Balsam

This is the most typical Latvian drink and there are full stores dedicated to it. You can try it either warm or cold. But be aware. This is quite strong. For the true spirits lovers.

16. Enjoy a musical evening at the Latvia national opera

Just a few minutes walk from Riga Old Town you can find the Latvian national opera.

Enjoy a musical evening while your visit to Riga.

Pilar
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