A Weekend in Riga, Latvia - Olivia Michelle

Riga is the most beautiful European city that I hadn’t even heard of before we moved to England. I’m honestly astonished that more people don’t talk about visiting Riga. It has the beauty of Prague but with a quarter of the price tag. Here is what to see and do on your weekend in Latvia.

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House of the Black Heads
Rātslaukums 7, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia
I know, it has a bit of an odd name, but this is definitely one of my favorite buildings in Riga. The outside and inside of this place are beautiful. If you don’t have time to do the inside, then skip it. But if you have some extra time it is a cheap entry fee and has an amazing ballroom. You can read about the organization and see photos of the re-construction after WWII.
View more info on the website HERE.

St. Peter’s Church
Reformācijas Laukums 1, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia
There are three churches I highly recommend visiting on your trip to Riga. The first is not as pretty as the other two but it has the most amazing 360 views of Riga. It is a very nominal ticket fee to go up to the top via elevator. I could’ve spent hours up there just staring at these views.
View more info on the website HERE.

Holy Trinity Church
Krišjāņa Barona iela 126, Latgales priekšpilsēta, Rīga, LV-1012, Latvia
If there is ever a pink building where we are visiting, I am 100% going to see it! I was so happy to learn that Riga actually has two pink churches, so we visited both of them. Holy Trinity Church is the most beautiful Russian Orthodox Church in Riga. It is a little out of the way from the main things but it was worth a view in my opinion! We did not go inside so I am not sure if visitors are allowed inside the building or not.

Nativity of Christ Orthodox Cathedral
Brīvības bulvāris 23, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia
This beautiful pink and white church is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. It was by far one of the most beautiful churches on the inside, and I have been in many European churches. Unfortunately photos are not allowed inside the cathedral but visitors are allowed and it is free to enter. I snapped the photo below in the door way before entering.

Old Town Riga
Riga’s architecture is stunning. It is one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever been to in Europe (as I’ve mentioned a few times), but seriously! Colorful buildings after beautiful churches and old city gates hundreds of thousands of years old. Stroll Riga Old Town and you’ll find restaurants, souvenir shops, and streets as small as alleyways full of charm.

Riga Cathedral in Dome Square
Dome Square is a pretty spot located inside Riga’s Old Town. Here you can find Riga Cathedral and some art nouveau buildings.

Art Nouveau Buildings & Museum
Alberta street 12, Riga, LV 1010 Latvia
Speaking of art nouveau, Riga is known for its’ abundance of art nouveau architecture. I highly recommend going to the Art Nouveau Center & Museum. Right inside the center you can find this gorgeous stairwell that is free to see. Take a walk around the center and you’ll find quite a few art nouveau buildings to admire.
View more info about the Art Nouveau Center HERE.

Black Cats House
Meistaru iela 10/12, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia
Located in Old Town, make sure to walk by the Black Cats House. On the two rooftop peaks you’ll find black cats. Aurora loved it!

Riga Central Market
Nēģu iela 7, Rīga
Riga Central Market is the largest indoor market in Europe! This is a great place to grab local food and this is the cheapest spot to grab souvenirs. Speaking of food, I highly recommend doing a food tour during your visit! It is so much easier to go with someone inside the market that knows all of the best places and local foods to try.
You can click the link below to check out and book the food tour we did:

The market has some really interesting foods!

Hill of Crosses, Lithuania
This amazing site is less than two hours from Riga and is filled with millions of crosses and an amazing story of Faith. I highly recommend seeing this during your trip to Riga. We did the Sunrise Tour so we had plenty of time to get back and make the most of our weekend in Riga.
Read my full post about the Hill of Crosses HERE.

If you have extra time in Riga, check out some of their museums! There are easily over twenty museums in just the Riga city center, so there are plenty to choose from. We personally visited the Latvian Museum of Decorative Arts & Design and the Fashion Museum Riga.