Riga tours and tickets
Riga rarely sells out, and most of its sights take tickets at the door. What is worth booking is an organ concert at the cathedral, a table at a popular restaurant on a summer weekend, and a guide for the Art Nouveau district. Jūrmala, Sigulda and Rundāle are easy trips by train or car, and need little planning.
Book these first
- Dinner at weekends
- a week ahead in summer. The Old Town's best known restaurants fill on Friday and Saturday evenings, and in the Christmas season.
- Organ concerts and cathedral events
- a few days ahead. Seats are limited, and summer and December dates sell first.
- Jūrmala day trip transport in high summer
- no booking, but go early. Trains are frequent, though weekends in July and August run full. Leave before ten to get a seat.
Nobody pays to be on this page. The Viator buttons are partner links: if you book through one, Viator may pay us a commission, at no cost to you. Where the official site sells the ticket, we link it too. How we rank
Churches and palaces
Riga Cathedral
The largest medieval church in the Baltics, with a famous organ, a cloister and a museum. Entry is by ticket, and organ concerts are held on set evenings in the summer months. The nave can be seen by day.
Which to pick. Book an organ concert a few days ahead and choose the evening one. Sit midway back for the best sound.
A few days ahead for a concertVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorSt Peter's Church tower
A church tower in the old town with a lift to a viewing platform at about 70 meters. Tickets are sold at the entrance. The view covers the river, the old town and the new districts.
Which to pick. Go on a clear day, in the morning or at sunset. The lift is fast and the queue is short.
On the day is fineTours and tickets on ViatorHouse of the Blackheads
A rebuilt Gothic guild house on the main square with a decorated facade and rich interiors, used for ceremonies. Tickets are sold at the door, and the interiors include a cellar museum.
Which to pick. Buy at the door and allow an hour. It is a good stop after the square.
On the day is fineVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Museums and galleries
Riga Art Nouveau Museum
A restored apartment from 1903 on Alberta Street, furnished as it was, with costumed staff on some days. Tickets are sold at the door, and the visit takes about 45 minutes.
Which to pick. Combine it with a walk along Alberta Street. A guide is optional, since the signs are clear.
On the day is fineVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorLatvian National Museum of Art
A large museum of Latvian art from the 18th century to the present, in a grand building near the old town. Tickets are sold at the door, and changing shows are on the ground floor.
Which to pick. Buy at the door and see the permanent display of Latvian painting. It is a good rainy-day choice.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorLatvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum
An open-air museum by a lake, with old farms, churches and windmills from every region, and craft fairs in summer. Entry is by ticket at the gate. Allow half a day.
Which to pick. Go by bus or taxi and wear good shoes. Check the fair dates, since they draw large crowds.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Guided walks and tours
Art Nouveau walking tour
A walk of about two hours through the streets of Alberta and Elizabetes, with the facades, sculptures and stairwells explained. Small groups run daily in the season.
Which to pick. Take a small group in the morning. If you prefer to walk alone, pick up a map and start at Alberta Street.
A day or two aheadTours and tickets on ViatorCentral Market
A market in five former Zeppelin hangars, with produce, fish, meat and honey. Entry is free, and food tours include tastings. Allow an hour or two.
Which to pick. Go on a Saturday morning for the best choice. A guided taste works well if you want the local dishes explained.
Not needed, entry is freeTours and tickets on Viator
Day trips
Jūrmala
A resort town with a long sandy beach and wooden villas, about 30 minutes by train. Walk the main street, swim in summer and eat at a beach cafe.
Which to pick. Take the train and walk. In high summer go early, since trains and the beach fill by midday.
On the day is fineTours and tickets on ViatorSigulda and Gauja National Park
A town with castles, caves and a cable car over a valley, about an hour by train. Walking trails and a bobsleigh track make it a full day out.
Which to pick. Take the train and walk. A tour helps if you want castles and caves in one day.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorRundāle Palace
A Baroque palace with formal gardens, about 75 minutes by road. Entry is by ticket, with guided visits and an audio guide. Public transport is limited.
Which to pick. Go by car or on a small-group tour. Allow half a day, and see the rooms before the gardens.
A few days ahead in summerOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Booking tours and tickets in Riga
Do I need to book the organ concert?
In summer, yes, a few days ahead. Evening concerts fill, and the best seats go first. Outside the summer season, you can buy on the day.
Is the Riga Pass worth it?
It suits a stay with several museums and a lot of public transport. For one or two paid visits, single tickets are enough. Check what is included.
Can I see Art Nouveau without a tour?
Yes. The facades are on public streets, and a map is enough. A guide adds names, dates and stories, and is useful the first time.
Is Jūrmala worth a day?
Yes in summer, for the beach and the villas. Outside the warm months it is quiet, and the walk by the sea is still pleasant.
Is the cathedral open to visit?
Yes, with tickets at the door. The nave can close for rehearsals and services. Check the hours before you go.
What can wait until I arrive?
The market, the museums, the church tower and Jūrmala can all be done on the day. Book a concert and a weekend dinner a few days ahead.