The House of Blackheads is a distinctive Gothic treasure of Riga and is an excellent locus of history and culture. Consisting of two glorious triangular edifices, House of the Blackheads dominates its picturesque surroundings with grace. Its rusty red facade featuring colorful stained glass windows and intricate carvings makes it one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city. It was constructed in 1334 for the Blackheads, an organization of unmarried foreign merchants. The name of the brotherhood comes from Saint. Mauritius, a legendary African moor whom they chose to be their patron. Due to the high social position of the Brotherhood, the building became the center of all sorts of cultural events during the era. Although destroyed during World war II, it was restored to its former glory in 1999 and also houses a concert and a museum today. The house lovingly harbors an array of lavishly furnished rooms that are decorated with crystal chandeliers, antique furniture and arms and weapons. To step into House of the Blackheads is to be caught in a beautiful whirlwind which takes you back in time. It is an arresting sight when lights up during the night.

Soaring high and proud over the Daugava River, Riga Cathedral is one of the most emblematic masterpieces of the city’s Old Town. With its foundation stone having been laid in 1211, the cathedral was built under the orders of bishop Albert of Riga. Regarded as one of the largest of its kind in the whole of Baltic, the cathedral is entrenched in a design philosophy that is quintessentially medieval. Enormous and eclectic, the visage of the cathedral bears a profuse amalgam of various architectural styles including Gothic, Baroque and Romanesque, with fine undertones of Art Nouveau. Having largely framed the cultural and architectural landscape of the country, the cathedral harbors an interior which is the very embodiment of ancient grandeur which lingers over vibrant stained glass windows, gilded chandeliers, an intricately-carved pulpit and an ornate organ, which is one of the largest of its kind in the world. Home to an array of concerts, festivities and cultural events, the cathedral is a communal and architectural landmark par excellence.

RA is a gallery in Old Town established by gifted artist Rahmet Redzepov. This contemporary artists excels in portraits and landscapes. Right from nudes to flowers, Rahmet captures the beauty on his canvas. You can check-out his amazing collection at Gallery RA. For further details and updated timings, please call ahead.

The Saint Peter's Cathedral, since its construction in 1209, has been one of the oldest and most precious architectural monuments of the Latvian capital. This beautiful church was added to the UNESCO world heritage list in 1997. The church's 122 meter (400 feet)-high tower, that has undergone several transformations, is the place's most conspicuous feature that offers panoramic views of the city. Its Romanesque style and Gothic nuances of the facade further add to its allure and kindle one's curiosity about what lies within. The cathedral's interior is home to the Blue Guard Chapel, however, its timber-clad altar is the masterpiece that leaves visitors spellbound. Completed with exposed-brick walls and a grand candle holder, Saint Peter's Cathedral truly awes one with its peaceful aura and archaic charm.

Entrenched in a long-standing musical legacy, the iconic Great Guild dates to as far back as the early 14th Century, when it was founded in 1354 as a union of German merchants. Having been reconstructed and remodeled several times ever since, the Guild has deftly established itself as an integral entity which has carved out the cultural landscape of the country. Regarded as one of the oldest of its kind in the whole of the Baltics, Great Guild officially houses the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra and has been the very ground of some of the most legendary events to have ever gone down in the history of the country. Bearing a largely Eclectic facade with undertones of English Gothic splendor, the build has an interior which bears beautiful wood artistry, luminous stained glass windows and exquisite chandeliers, which together redefine opulence. Enclosed within the building are various spaces like the Auditorium, the Fireside Chamber, the White Hall and Minister Hall, all of which retain their ancient glory, but are tailored with cutting-edge acoustics and other sound and light equipment to keep up with the contemporary times. Hosting a repertoire of shows including film screenings, concerts and symphonies (among others), the magnificent Great Guild is, indubitably, one of the crowned landmarks of Riga.

The modern building of the Small Guild, a union on the city's craftsmen founded in the 13th Century, was built in 1864-1866, with ongoing interior decoration. The building was restored in 1999-2000 according to the archive materials and preserved photographs. All sorts of cultural and entertainment events take place there at present. Big conference rooms holding 70-300 people are also available.

As the story of the building goes, it once belonged to a rich Latvian merchant who was excluded from the Great Guild. He ordered two cat sculptures to be placed on the summits of the house towers with their raised tails facing the Great Guild in order to discomfit his opposers. After a lengthy court battle, the disagreement was resolved, the sculptures had to be refixed, facing the opposite direction and the owner of the house was admitted to the Guild. The house was built in the year 1909 by renowned architect Friedrich Scheffel who lent his signature Riga-style Art Nouveau designs to its exteriors.

The Swedish Gate built in 1698 after the Swedish occupation of Riga is the only gate to survive and retain its original looks. It was built in the fortification wall, surrounding the old city. Most of the wall was destroyed in the 1800s in order to improve traffic communication in the economically flourishing city. The city executioner lived in the rooms above the gate at that time. According to the legend, there was a red rose in his window above the gate every night before an execution.

First mentioned in 1330 as the Sand Tower (Smilšu tornis), this is the only tower from Riga fortification wall that has been preserved. It was the largest tower protecting the land entry into the city – from the side of the Smilšu iela, which was the only land entry into the city bordered by water. In the 17th Century it became a gunpowder warehouse and thus gained its current name. Cannonballs were also kept in the three-meter-thick walls. Nowadays, the Museum of War is located in the tower.

A gleaming beacon of Latvian independence, the iconic Freedom Monument was designed by the acclaimed Lithuanian-born architect Kārlis Zāle and constructed between 1931 and 1935. The monument is essentially a 42 meters (138 feet) obelisk clad in copper and granite, that commemorates Latvia's freedom struggle and disseminates a message of unity. The base of the monument is adorned with bas-reliefs and sculptures that delineate accounts of Latvian independence. A sculpture of a celestial-looking woman is seen holding three gilded stars in her outstretched hands, she overlooks the city from the monument's pinnacle. The stars in her hands symbolize the historical districts of the country and thus complete the imposing monument.

The Ethnographic Open-Air Museum, founded in 1924, is located in a vast pine forest on the shore of Lake Jugla, spreading over more than 100 hectares (250 acres) of territory. Being the biggest museum in Latvia and one of the oldest open-air museums in Europe it has a rich collection of more than 90 historical structures. There are authentic Latvian dwellings, peasant houses, churches and windmills - gathered from all over the country to represent life in Latvia between the 16th and 19th centuries. 18 craftsmen (bee-keepers, weavers, potters and others) work there during the summer, creating beautiful handicrafts and souvenirs made of natural materials. These can be purchased at both museums and Riga city craft fairs. Summer folk and organ music festivals have also become regular. This is a good place for a day out with the whole family.