Art Nouveau Walk
Alberta iela's facades with a guide.
LatviaIShowSpeed streamed here
Riga
The Art Nouveau capital of Europe — a Hanseatic old town, the world's largest market halls (built as Zeppelin sheds), and Baltic beaches.
- Metro population
- 600,000
- Country
- Latvia
- Region
- Europe
Overview
Why visit Riga
Riga is the largest city in the Baltics and the world's capital of Art Nouveau — more than 800 buildings in the style crowd Alberta iela and the surrounding streets with faces, flowers and mythological figures in stone.
The old town wears its Hanseatic trading history in gabled houses, the House of the Blackheads' ornate facade, and St. Peter's church spire overlooking the Daugava river. The Central Market occupies five WWI Zeppelin hangars — Europe's largest market — selling smoked fish, berries and everything else.
Speed's 2024 tour streamed from Riga. The city also claims the world's first decorated Christmas tree (1510, by the Blackheads guild) — a record its neighbour Tallinn cheerfully disputes.
Things to do
Top things to book in Riga
Popular tours and tickets. Compare prices and book ahead to skip the lines.
Old Town Walk
Blackheads, churches and Hanseatic lanes.
Jurmala Beach Day
White sand and wooden villas on the Baltic.
Market & Food Tour
Zeppelin hangar market tastings.
Plan your trip
Compare prices for Riga
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Compare two at a time
Side by side in Riga
Tour prices change by date and group size, so each site opens with your search ready to check today's price.
Starting prices checked on Nov 9 on each company's site. Prices depend on age, country and dates; confirm before you buy.
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Fun facts
Things you didn't know about Riga
- 01
Art Nouveau Capital
About a third of central Riga is Art Nouveau — the world's largest concentration.
- 02
Zeppelin Market
The Central Market's five hangars once housed German airships — now filled with food stalls.
- 03
First Christmas Tree
Riga's Blackheads guild reportedly decorated the first Christmas tree in 1510.
- 04
The Blackheads
The House of the Blackheads — a bachelor merchants' guild — was rebuilt from ruins in 1999.
- 05
Hansa Port
Riga was a powerful Hanseatic trading city for centuries.
- 06
The Baltic'S Biggest
With ~600,000 people, Riga is the largest city in the Baltic states.
- 07
Jurmala Beach
A 33-km white-sand resort strip is 25 minutes away by train.
- 08
Cathedral Of Cats
Two cat statues on a merchant's roof famously 'moon' the guild house across the street.
- 09
The Freedom Monument
The 1935 monument bearing three stars survived Soviet rule as Latvia's symbol.
- 10
Balsam Bitter
Riga Black Balsam, the herbal liqueur, has been bottled since 1752.
Random Riga fact
Tap the button for a random fact about Riga.
FAQ
Quick answers about Riga
Where is Riga located?
Riga is in Latvia, in Europe.
What is the population of Riga?
The greater Riga area is home to about 600,000 people.
What is Riga famous for?
Riga is famous for the world's finest Art Nouveau district, a Hanseatic old town, and Europe's largest market in Zeppelin hangars.
Did IShowSpeed stream from Riga?
Yes — IShowSpeed streamed from Riga on his 2024 Europe tour. See his full world tour map.
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