Top Attraction in Riga

Riga, Latvia’s Thriving Capital

Latvia’s capital and the largest Baltic city, Riga, has stood on the banks of the river Duagava for over 800 years. There had always been small settlements in the area but by the 12^th century a definite trading centre had been established. Today’s Riga is a combination of its ancient, medieval roots and a healthy, vibrant modern city, with well-connected transport networks and plenty to amuse and entertain visitors.

Riga’s Architecture

One of the most interesting places in Europe where you will find a collection of German Arte Nouveau buildings, Riga is also home to a great many theatres and dramatic groups giving it a rich cultural history and very active social calendar. Its renown is such that in 2007 it achieved UNESCO heritage status.

The old town centre of Riga is a dynamic and exciting place to stay with many top quality bars and restaurants, live music and cultural performances.

Radisson Blu have four of their impeccably styled hotels in Riga including the newly built Radisson Blu Hotel Latvija which is a defining landmark on Riga's skyline offering chic stylish accomodation located in the popular business, shopping and bar district of Riga and close to historic attractions. The contemporary Radisson Blu Elizabete Hotel, Riga also offers fashionable, boutique styling with all the amenities of a five-star luxury hotel in the heart of the historic centre.

The city is also a boon for outdoor enthusiasts as there are the blue zones full of rivers, lakes and canals and the forests, woods and parklands of the green zones. These make up 54% of the city’s area.

The top attractions for visitors to Riga include:-

• House of Blackheads, a 14^th century guildhall that was rebuilt in 2001 after destruction during WWII and the Soviet occupation. It now functions as a museum and concert venue.
• Riga Dom Cathedral is one of Latvia’s recognisable images and has been since construction started on it in 1211. Along with its strange iconic domed tower, it has an impressively sounding pipe organ from 1882.
• St Peter’s Church has a long history and many distinct designs, including gothic, Romanesque and baroque elements. It is also the taller of Riga’s two interesting and memorable church towers.
• Riga Central Market makes use of the former 1930’s Zeppelin hangers and each of the cavernous spaces is home to a different selection of goods, ranging from fresh fruit and veg, meat and electrical products.
• Powder Tower, this marvellous piece of architecture is the last remaining section of the old town wall. Reconstructed in the 1930’s, it now forms part of the Latvian War Museum.
• Riga Castle serves as the Presidents residence and is also home to the Latvian National History Museum and the Museum of Foreign Art.
• Riga Museum of History and Navigation, opened in 1773 and contains an extensive collection of fascinating objects relating to the countries history.

Theatres and Performance groups of Riga

• Latvian National Opera, famous throughout the world for its operatic and ballet performances.
• Latvian Philharmonic Orchestra
• Latvian National Theatre
• Riga Russian Theatre, one of the oldest performing companies in the city that regularly puts on plays by Russian playwrights
• Diale Theatre notorious for their production of modern and contemporary foreign plays.
• Latvian State Puppet Theatre established in 1944 and has a regular schedule of performances for both children and adults.
• The New Riga Theatre, has since 1992 been performing modern, social plays for its dedicated audiences.
• Riga Circus, Europe’s largest permanent circus.

Riga is full of interesting places to visit, walks along the banks of the Daugava River, or wander the sculpture park. The centre has lots of fascinating buildings and memorable architecture and a multitude of small museums and dedicated collections. Described by many visitors as a small but friendly and cosy centre, full of attractions and sights to see.