Town sign at Old Town Square in front of the House of the Blackheads
Highlights
A charming medieval town full of colorful buildings with interesting architecture and old churches that is worth a day or two to visit.
Time of Visit: July 2025
Duration of Visit: Three Nights
Description
Old Town Riga is a compact and charming place that is filled with old, colorful buildings and interesting architectural facades that provide a medieval feel. Many buildings in Old Town Riga are considered medieval, though some architecture contains later periods like the Gothic, Baroque, and Art Nouveau eras.
Its cobbled streets are still uneven. Walking along these streets while admiring the surrounding buildings is enough to transport you back in time. The only thing that reminds you are in the present are tourists that are equally gawking at what you are looking at.
Old Town Riga has many churches, museums, restaurants and shops. There are certainly plenty of things to see and do in a day and many choices of bar and restaurants to unwind too after a day of walking.
Just beyond the old town there are also other interesting places to visit such as Riga’s Central Market which is mostly considered the largest in Europe. There is also the Alexander Nevski Church and Riga Nativity of Christ Orthodox Cathedral. Both are Russian Orthodox churches where the exteriors are quite interesting and the interiors are lavishly and ornately decorated with gold motifs.
If you are tired of walking around, adjacent to the old town are a lot of green spaces with park benches. There are even boat rides.
So if you plan to visit any of the Baltic countries, you would not go wrong in including Old Town Riga into your itinerary. It has a different feel than the Old Towns of Tallinn in Estonia or Vilnius in Lithuania.
Activities
This YouTube video does a great job of showcasing many of the attractions and things to do in Old Town Riga and its surroundings. Below are additional attractions and information that were not shown in the video.
Central Market
The market spans across five large hangers. The materials for the hangers mostly came from former Zeppelin airship hangers that were built by the Germans in World War I in a different town in Latvia (and later moved to Riga).
There are permanent stalls inside the hangers where fresh food is sold (i.e. meat, fish, bread, etc). There are even eateries inside the market. During our visit, there were many temporary stalls that were outside the hangers. The stalls sold apparel, fresh fruits, flowers and vegetables.
First Decorated Christmas Tree
Riga is one of the earliest known places where a Christmas tree was decorated and displayed publicly. The event is believed to have happened in 1510, organized by a group called the Brotherhood of the Blackheads, a guild of unmarried merchants.
According to historical records, they decorated a tree with flowers and ribbons and then burned it in celebration – a tradition possibly blending pagan and Christian customs. There is a stone marker in the Old Town near the House of the Blackheads that commemorates this event. The stone marker or plaque reads “The First New Year’s Tree in Riga in 1510”.
During the Christmas season, Riga erects a large, beautifully decorated Christmas tree in the square outside the House of the Blackheads to honor the city’s historic role in this tradition. The tree is usually lit as part of a festive ceremony in late November or early December. The Old Town becomes a hub for Christmas markets, lights, music, and traditional food.
Our Lady of Sorrows Church
This Catholic church is located at the periphery of the Old Town. You can see the church by looking down the street from Dome Square. The church looks more like a Disneyland castle from afar and has a colorful exterior that is why it caught our attention.
The church was built in the late 18th century (1785) and has been restored several times. It was the first Catholic church built in Riga after the Reformation, when Catholicism was suppressed. The title “Our Lady of Sorrows” emphasizes Mary’s grief, especially as she stood by the cross during Jesus’ crucifixion.
Entry to the church is free. Nothing really fancy inside except on what you can expect to see in a Catholic church. Hey, at least its free so why not.
War Museum
The YouTube video briefly showed the inside of the War Museum but did not talk much about what we think should be the take away from the visit. We only spent less than an hour in the museum but felt deeply Latvia’s oppressed past from its invaders from the East and West, especially in the 19th and 20th centuries.
In general, the exhibits in the museum are arranged by eras, with the earlier times displayed in the lower floors and the modern times in the upper floors. We encourage you to read some of the excerpts from the displays during World Wars I and II. We are certain that you would be shaking your head and would wonder how humankind can be cruel to one another.
But as you ascend the floors, you can certainly see how Latvia’s dark past has given rise to a sense of nationalism. They understand that it is their country and they must do whatever is needed to keep it that way. Hence you will notice the slogan “My Latvia – My responsibility”.
How To Get There
The YouTube video does a great job of explaining how to get to Old Town Riga.
Where To Stay
We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn which is in the Old Town. Its location is convenient as we can return to our rooms if we get tired of walking and then go out again once refreshed. Plus there are several restaurants and shops nearby. Even the Central Market was less than a 15 minute walk from the hotel. Unless you are lugging a suitcase, the hotel is very walkable from the Central Train Station.
The YouTube video also suggests that staying within the Old Town has its advantages.
How To Get Around
You do not need to take any public transportation to get around Old Town Riga. The place is compact and walkable. If you do need to travel outside of Old Town, there are buses, trams and Bolt rideshares.
Expected Expenses
Most of the attractions in and near Old Town Riga are free. The House of the Blackhead, some churches and museums do have minimal entry fees (mostly less than 10 Euros).
Summary
Riga, the capital of Latvia, is a captivating destination because of its well-preserved Old Town (Vecrīga). It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Old Town is filled with charming cobblestone streets, colorful merchant houses, and a mix of Gothic, Baroque, and Art Nouveau architecture.
The Old Town is home to historic landmarks such as the Riga Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, and the ornate House of the Blackheads. It is also the site of the world’s first decorated Christmas tree. Its compact layout makes it ideal for walking tours, where visitors can explore centuries of history, vibrant public squares, cozy cafés, and street performers in a lively and atmospheric setting.
Beyond its historical appeal, Old Town Riga offers a unique cultural experience with museums, art galleries, and seasonal events like the Riga Christmas Market. The city blends medieval charm with a youthful, creative energy because of its thriving food scene, modern shops, and active nightlife.
Whether you’re interested in architecture, Baltic history, or simply soaking up the ambiance of a beautifully preserved European city, Riga’s Old Town provides a memorable and accessible introduction to the heart of Latvia.