You'll have sightseeing choices galore when spending time in Old Town Riga. Latvian National Opera is an ideal place to start here, but there are plenty of other fine attractions to experience. House of the Blackheads, Riga Castle, and Riga Cathedral are not far from the concert hall and will fill in your day nicely.

Browse tours and tickets to explore Latvian National Opera

Tours & day trips

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Riga: Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads

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Food, drink & nightlife

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Riga: Central Market Traditional Food Tour in a Small Group

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Adventure & outdoor

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Riga: Beer or Cider Bike Tour

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Spa & wellness

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K5 Phytotherapy And Aroma Therapy With Body Sculpting Effect

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Classes & workshops

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Private Chocolate Masterclass in Old Town of Riga

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Popular places to visit

Freedom Monument

This large historic monument near Riga’s Old Town is a national shrine of great importance where public ceremonies are held.

St. Peter's Church

Riga's tallest church is dedicated to the city’s patron saint and is where you can see new artworks, watch a concert and enjoy great views of the Latvian capital.

Bastion Hill

Explore the great outdoors at Bastion Hill, a lovely green space in Riga. Visit the shops and stunning cathedral in this culturally rich area.

Menzendorff House

Wander through the richly decorated rooms of a 17th-century mansion to find out how Riga’s wealthy elite used to live.

House of the Blackheads - Riga - Latvia

Nikon D750 - ISO 199 - Tamron SP15-30mm lens f11 - 20mm - f/13 1/50 sec

House of the Blackheads -Latvian: Melngalvju nams- is a building situated in the old town of Riga.

The original building was erected during the first third of the 14th century for the Brotherhood of Blackheads. It was founded in the 13th century as a gentlemen’s club for wealthy single merchants and their journeymen. In 1477 they rented the Great Guild’s New Hall, which was housed in what is now the Blackheads House and in 1773, when the Great Guild moved premises, they bought it. The society’s members were mainly German, but there were also English, Scottish, Dutch, Swedish and Norwegian members.

The society’s not so politically correct name originated from one of their patron saints; St Maurice was supposedly a black African Christian Roman commander who died as martyr after refusing to kill fellow Christians. St Maurice’s head was depicted on the Blackheads coat of arms, thus giving them their name.

Unfortunately, during World War II, the building was destroyed, along with almost all of the Town Hall Square and nearby St Peter’s church tower. The remains were demolished by the Soviets in 1948. The current reconstruction was erected from 1995 to 1999 by Valērij Kargin the president of Parex Bank. The reconstruction was inspired by an engraving in the portal which read “Should you ever see me falling, raise me up, it’s your calling”.

The bear depicted on the photo is one of the “United Buddy Bears” who spent the summer of 2018 in Riga. They stand together “hand in hand”, symbolising the future vision of a peaceful world.

Did you know that the first documented use of a decorated tree during winter celebration was recorded in 1510 in Riga? Take a look to my story to see one of the first christmas tree decoration.

Art Nouveau Buildings

Learn about the local history of Riga when you take a trip to Art Nouveau Buildings. Visit the stunning cathedral and shops in this culturally rich area.

Town Hall

Town Hall is just one of the places to see in Riga, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Visit the stunning cathedral and shops in this culturally rich area.