Top Rated Attractions in Riga

Built from 1876 to 1883, the Nativity Cathedral at Riga is a religious site established while Latvia was still a part of the Russian Empire. It was designed in a Neo-Byzantine style by the architect Nikolai Chagin. Constructed with the blessings of Tsar Alexander II, this is one of the greatest Orthodox Cathedrals in all of the Baltic provinces. Known for the beautiful icons, some of which were illustrated by Vasili Vereshchagin, the cathedral was temporarily converted into a planetarium in the 1960s. The structure started to function as a cathedral again after the 1990s following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

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.

Vecrīga or Old Riga is the picturesque Historic Centre of the city of Riga. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, it is an architectural goldmine that admirably still manages to preserve its old-world charm thanks to its impressive collection of breathtaking medieval structures and boulevards that date anywhere from the 13th to the 15th Century. The district is home to the Riga Cathedral, which is an undisputed symbol of the Latvian capital and believed to be one of the largest medieval churches in the entire Baltic region. The St. Peter's Church is yet another splendid Gothic-style structure that offers a panoramic view of Riga and the Daugava. Some of the Old Town's other iconic landmarks include the Riga Castle, the House of the Blackheads and the Riga Town Hall.

Named in honor of the Albert of Riga, a bishop and founder of the city, Alberta ielai i.e. Albert Street is dotted with many classical buildings that were constructed using the Art Nouveau style. These buildings were designed by renowned architects such as Mikhail Eisenstein, Heinrich Scheel, August Friedrich Scheffel, Hermann Hilbig and many more. One of the popular attraction here is the Riga Art Nouveau Museum, which is housed inside a building designed by Eižens Laube and Konstantīns Pēkšēns.