No other city in Europe can provide you a feast of experiences as Riga does. Whether it is the international cuisine or flourishing nightlife, historical places or old fashioned streets, this city has it all. For those who are embarking on Riga sightseeing the city certainly has many interesting things in store. And the best part is that the locals are extremely friendly and warm. It does not matter which part of the world you come from, you will be accepted here cordially. The city enjoys excellent weather for most parts of the year. Accommodation wise, there are many budget hotels in and around the Old Town area. Most of these hotels offer excellent hospitality services to their customers. For backpackers Riga is certainly a place worth visiting again and again!
If you are a history buff you will certainly like to maneuver through the narrow and winding streets of Old Riga. Most of ancient and historic buildings you will see in Old Riga are located in the vicinity of the Cathedral Square. As you undertake a walking tour through these areas covering secret courtyards and cobbled streets you will feel as though you have been transported back in time. The Riga Cathedral that was constructed in 1211 is a historic place to visit. After visiting this place you can head straight to Riga Castle that dates back to the 16th century. Today, Riga Castle is home to both the Latvian History Museum and the Latvian President. Peasant life tableaux and iron-age artifacts are among few things you can see in this museum.
While on Riga tours you will also come across the ‘Three Brothers’ that is located close to Riga Castle. Another interesting place here is the 3 medieval houses. Interestingly, one of these houses is believed to be oldest one in Latvia. If you are interested in knowing the recent history of Latvia then you need to head straight to Bastion Hill that is located close to the city canal. Four Latvians were killed by Soviet Russians in the beginning of 1991in an attempt to suppress the freedom movement of the country. The stones that are placed at the entrance of the park bear the names of the victims who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the country’s independence.
Tours in Riga will also require you to explore the New Town. Once you enter this part of Riga you will be made aware of the city’s turbulent history. The gorgeous Freedom Monument that you will see in this part of the town has a lot of significance. In fact, it is associated with three gold stars. What is really interesting with this monument is that it stood firmly even during the Soviet era and is now looked after by two guards as they are the symbol for protecting the country’s independence. Exploring New Riga can be as exciting and fun as exploring Old Riga during Riga sightseeing. After all, you will see the significance of Art Nouveau more here than anywhere else in the city. This form of architecture is one of the best examples of those that have survived the test of times.
Most of the buildings in the New Town area have facades depicting nymphs and mythological creatures. A trip to this part of the city is only complete once you visit the Latvian National Museum as it has an impressive collection of Latvian works dating back to 19th and 20th centuries.
It is not just the historical buildings and Old Town area that Riga is famous for. In fact, the city boasts of several world-class cafes that provide budget-strapped backpackers a variety of food and drink options at affordable rates. If you love anything made out of chocolate then head straight to Emihla Gustava Shokolahde as it serves a variety of dishes that are made with rich chocolate. You can head to Pulkvedim Neviens Neraksta if you are after evening entertainment.
