Riga Discovery Tour
Riga, Latvia
From EUR 47.00
Office phone number: +37 129 283 441
Riga Discovery Tour
Riga, Latvia
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Explore Riga’s 800 years of history on a walking tour through the city’s districts both old and new. Soak up some of the beautiful architecture, heritage, culture and traditions of the past in Old Town and the Art Nouveau District, then escape to an off-the-tourist-track neighbourhood that really shows off the city’s charm. Then raise a glass to your new favourite city of Riga – a glass that’s filled with locally brewed beer.
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Highlights
- See the city from way up high in a building nicknamed “Stalin’s Birthday Cake”
- Explore the Riga Central Market and sample some seasonal produce
- Enjoy the charm of Riga’s Old Town and Art Nouveau District, ticking off all the must-see sites
- Escape the tourist traps and discover a creative neighbourhood most tourists don’t visit
- Say cheers to new friends over a glass of locally brewed craft beer and snacks
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Schedule details
- Duration: 3 to 3.5 hours
- Meeting point:
"Laima" clock near the Monument of Freedom, on the corner of Brīvības blv. and Aspazijas blv.; Aspazijas Blv. 20
View on Google Maps
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 2.00 PM
- Ending point:
Miera Street Republic. At the junction of Astrida Briana, Tallinas and Miera streets. The tram stop to Old Town is located here
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English speaking guide, entrance fee to observation deck, 1-ride e-ticket for local transport, 1 craft beer with snack.
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, souvenirs and personal shopping, transportation to/from the meeting and end points, tips/gratuities for your guide
Join an expert local guide for a walking tour of Riga that’ll introduce you to the city’s architectural style, historic sights, cultural heritage and local traditions.
Your Riga tour begins with a visit to the Riga Panorama Observation Deck, in a building that holds the nickname of “Stalin’s Birthday Cake” and is one of few sites remaining from Riga’s Soviet past. From this high perch your guide will give you an overview of the city, pointing out places of interest such as Pardaugava, Riga Port, the Central Market and Mezaparks.
Back on ground level, we’ll have a short stroll through Riga’s Moscow district, home to the Ghetto and Latvian Holocaust Museum, and the creative neighbourhood of Spikeri. Our walk will lead us straight to Riga Central Market, where you can experience daily life for Rigans and maybe even taste some seasonal products that are sold here.
Afterwards we’ll walk to the major historical and cultural attractions in Old Riga and the surrounding area. Wander through Town Hall Square to find Blackhead’s House, a stunning Gothic building with a Renaissance façade. Step back in time on Skarnu Street, the Convents yard and Jana yard. There is also plenty of time to see the Latvia National Opera, Livu Square, Cats’ House, The Dome Square, Riga Cathedral and Parliament House. Right before leaving Old Town, we’ll walk around the Monument of Freedom, where Latvians gather to remember those killed in the War of Independence. If you want to find out more about Latvia’s 50 years of occupation, your guide can show you the way to the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, so you can visit later during your stay.
You’ll also explore the Art Nouveau district, a stunning area with excellent examples of Art Nouveau architecture. This is a great place to grab dinner later, and your guide can help you to arrange for a reservation in one of the charming restaurants in the district. Just ask!
From there, we’ll jump on a bus to reach the final stop of your Riga tour. Your guide will lead you to a creative neighbourhood about a 10-minute drive from the city centre. This area is home to various local business, including small shops, bars and cafés. As well, the famous chocolate Latvian factory Laima is located here. (If you want to visit the shop, just let your guide know.) To finish the tour we’ll grab some delicious locally brewed beer and snacks and chat about any other things you may want to know about Riga for the rest of your stay.
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English speaking guide, entrance fee to observation deck, 1-ride e-ticket for local transport, 1 craft beer with snack.
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, souvenirs and personal shopping, transportation to/from the meeting and end points, tips/gratuities for your guide
Dress standard: Note that Riga can be quite cold in the winter months; dress warmly!
Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Child Policy: Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select ‘child’ above when booking. Children below the age of 6 are not permitted on this tour.
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Local contact
Office phone number: +37 129 283 441
Email address: info@rigaurbanadventures.com
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