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Neigbourhoods of Riga: Honest tour through most beautiful and most unusual areas

By Honest Tours
10 out of 10
Exceptional
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Overview

Riga can be very different depending on which part of it you're in. On this tour you'll see all the various districts and hear about how they came to be and what they are now. Starting from the early 20th century's Art Noveau and garden city, wooden houses, little gardens on an island in the river, through soviet occupation with it's monumentalism, but also scant functionalism, then back to the independent Latvia's modern architecture - this tour has it all.
You'll get from place to place in a comfortable vehicle driven by your guide, but keep in mind - there's still quite a bit of walking involved.
If you've already seen (or just don't want to see) the Medieval Old Town, this is the best choice. Most of the places in this tour are less or non touristy, so you'd get a better perspective on what Riga really is.
Alternatively - if you haven't seen the Old Town yet, but only have one day, we can pop it in the itinerary as well - the tour is highly customisable. Just let us know!

Activity location

  • Art Nouveau Riga
    • Strelnieku iela 9
    • 1010, Riga, Latvia, Latvia

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Latvian National Museum of Art
    • 1 Jaņa Rozentāla laukums
    • 1010, Rīga, Latvia

Check availability

Sorry this activity isn't available on Sun, Aug 24
Please choose a different date

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's includedPrivate transportation
  • What's includedWhat's includedLunch
  • What's includedWhat's includedTickets to Observation Deck
  • What's includedWhat's includedTasting in the Central Market

Know before you book

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Activity itinerary

Art Nouveau Riga
  • 1h
Riga's UNESCO World Heritage listed Art Noveau area is one of a kind and this is where story of the modern Riga starts. We'll see some of the most decorative buildings, some less ornate, but highly artistic, and some of our very own - fusion of Latvian folk motives and Art Noveau the rest of the world knows. This area is very descriptive of the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Riga.
Mezaparks
  • 1h
Mežaparks (literally - Forest park) is one of the world's first garden cities - a turn of centuries concept of capturing benefits from both cities and countryside while avoiding the disadvantages of both. Early 20th century saw upper class citizens of Riga building their Art Noveau and Eclectic villas there, which was later joined by the Song festival Bandstand and a Zoo. Mežaparks is still one of the wealthiest areas of Riga today, but thanks to the lakeside and possibility for various sporting activities it's also one of the most popular summer destinations of regular Rigans as well.
Central Market (Centraltirgus)
  • 1h
This is one of the very few main bazaars of European towns that still functions as an actual grocery market instead of being converted to a tourist trap selling souvenirs. Here you can have a peek in what local people actually shop for. You'll explore the world of Latvian cuisine by tasting a few traditional things depending on the season and - if you like them - shop for items to bring back home with you. You'll hear the stories of how and why the largest market of Europe at the time (and still) was built, and how it has managed to survive the otherwise victorious march of supermarket chains.
Panorama Riga Observation Deck
  • 30m
  • Admission ticket included
The Observation Deck of Latvian Academy of sciences is located in the Moscow Suburb which is to the south of the old city of Riga along the road historically connecting Riga to Moscow, from which its name is derived. Here we'll see some remnants of the wood-only architecture from centuries ago spiced up by some "Stalin's Baroque" - post war Soviet monumentalism. The 65m high observation deck itself is quite different from the rest of the viewpoints of the city, since besides the old town and the river Daugava you can also see the central market along with less developed areas of Riga.
Lucavsala
  • 30m
A visit to one of Riga's islands, part of which is covered in small gardens. Those little green refuges are enjoyed by the old and young alike, having a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Some people use them just for relaxing and having a bbq, while others go at the idea almost professionally - growing vegetables and herbs not only for own use, but for selling in the market as well. This is an old tradition of Rigans, which can be traced back to centuries ago. And the whole thing is right in the middle of the city!
Ziepniekkalns
  • 1h 30m
Ziepniekkalns is one of the best examples of soviet urban planning, rows and rows of impersonal concerete panel apartment blocks. The longest building in Riga is found here - half a kilometer long, almost 400 identical apartments in one grey structure. If you have never seen any USSR residential areas, this place is a must. Here we'll talk about the times of Soviet occupation of Riga, the industry, the living conditions, daily life, etc. Also, this is where you'll have your lunch served. Authentic soviet food in an authentic soviet setting obviously :)
Āgenskalns
  • 1h
Āgenskalns is one of the oldest suburbs of Riga, but also one of the most hip today. We'll see the grand Latvian National Library building, stroll the streets of nice wooden houses and little cafes. This is where the tour ends, so you will have had experienced the full circle of Rigas history during the last hundred years or so. The guide will take you back to the starting point or whichever other location in Riga by your choosing.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIESArt Nouveau Riga
    • Strelnieku iela 9
    • 1010, Riga, Latvia, Latvia

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLELatvian National Museum of Art
    • 1 Jaņa Rozentāla laukums
    • 1010, Rīga, Latvia

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