-
Spīķeri
The shipping yard behind the Central Market is the latest district to benefit from a generous dose of gentrification. These crumbling brick warehouses were once filled with swinging slabs of hanger meat; these days you’ll find hip cafes and start-up companies. Stop by during the da
-
Latvian War Museum
The cylindrical Powder Tower dates back to the 14th century and is the only survivor of the 18 original towers that punctuated the old city wall. Nine Russian cannonballs from 17th- and 18th-century assaults are embedded in its walls. In the past it has served as a gunpowder store,
-
Latvian National Library
Looking like a ski-jump ramp designed by Swarowski, this new Rīga landmark is in fact a prophesy fulfilled. A feature of many Latvian fairy tales, the Castle of Light was drowned when the age of darkness came, but it would rise again from the waters of the Daugava in the new golden
-
Līgatne Nature Trails
Its a cross between a nature park and a zoo, where elk, beaver, deer, bison, lynx and wild boar roam in sizable open-air enclosures in the forest (it feels like an open-air zoo). A 5.1km motor circuit and a network of footpaths link a series of observation points, and there’s a 22m
-
Gūtmaņa Cave
The largest erosion cave in the Baltic is most famous for its role in the tragic legend of the Rose of Turaida. Most tourists visit to peruse the inordinate amount of graffiti spread along the walls – some of it dates back to the 16th century – apparently eagle eyes have found the
-
Cat House
The spooked black cats mounted on the turrets of this 1909 art nouveau–influenced building have become a symbol of Rīga. According to local legend, the buildings owner was rejected from the Great Guild across the street and exacted revenge by pointing the cats butts towards the hal
-
Pokaiņi Forest Reserve
Its one of Latvia’s biggest unsolved mysteries. In the mid-‘90s a local historian discovered subtle stone cairns throughout the park and realised that the rocks had been transported to the forest from faraway destinations. Historians have theorised that Pokaiņi was an ancient sacre
-
Latvian Academy of Science
Rising above the Moscow suburb, this Stalinesque tower is in fact a not-so-welcome present from the Russian capital, which has seven towers like it, only bigger. Construction of what is often dubbed Stalins birthday cake commenced in 1951 but wasnt completed until 1961, by which ti
-
Museum of Decorative Arts & Design
The former St George’s Church houses a museum devoted to applied art from the art nouveau period to the present, including an impressive collection of furniture, woodcuts, tapestries and ceramics. The building’s foundations date back to 1207 when the Livonian Brothers of the Sword
-
Ungurmuiža
Beautiful Ungurmuiža is one of the best preserved manor houses in all of Latvia. The stately red mansion was created by Baron von Campenhousen, who served under the Swedish king and Russian tsar. Descendants of the baron lived here until WWII, when the government swiftly seized the
-
Kalnciema Kvartāls
A lovingly restored courtyard with several wooden buildings has become the location of a very popular weekend market, where Rīgans hawk their local produce – fresh meats, cheeses, vegetables and even local spirits. But there is more to it, with live concerts, performances and art e
-
Old Castle Hill
The large old castle hill (pilskalns), 2.5km north of town on the western bank of the Venta, was the fortress of Lamekins, the Cour who ruled much of Kurzeme before the 13th-century German invasion. Legend has it that the castle – now ruined beyond recognition – was so staggeringly
-
St Katrīna’s Church
This Lutheran church isn’t particularly beautiful, but it’s the most important house of worship in town, since Katrina (St Catherine) is Kuldīga’s patron saint and protector (she’s even featured on the town’s coat of arms). The first church on the site was built in the 1200s, and t
-
Vīnakalns
Vīnakalns (Wine Hill), located on a tiny mound just 200m from the tourist office, started operating during the 13th century and was resurrected in the 17th century by Duke Jakob of Courland. The duke’s vineyard was never very productive and fell into disuse. Although operations res
-
Latvian People’s Front Museum
A branch of the National History Museum, this exhibition, involving modern interactive multimedia technology, goes through the period of the 3rd Atmoda (national awakening), that is the struggle for independence in the years of Soviet perestroika. Led by environmental campaigner Da
-
Regional Studies & Art Museum
Inside an art-nouveau house guarded by stone lions, this museum exhibits high-quality reproductions of abstract painter Mark Rothko’s paintings. Although long recognised in the West, Rothko’s work remained relatively anonymous in Latvia until the collapse of the Soviet Union. Today
-
Sigulda Medieval Castle
Constructed between 1207 and 1209 by the Livonian Brothers of the Sword, this castle lies mainly in picturesque ruins after being severely damaged during the Great Northern War. Some sections have been restored and you can now walk along the front ramparts and ascend a tower at the
-
Three Brothers
Tallinn has its Three Sisters, so Rīga, not to be outdone, has dubbed three of its old stone houses the Three Brothers. These architectural gems conveniently line up in a photogenic row and exemplify Old Rīga’s diverse collection of architectural styles. No 17 is over 600 years old
-
House of Crafts
Visitors can learn about the handicrafts of Kurzeme here and watch local artisans spin yarns (literally), before purchasing something to take home with them. Housed in a wooden structure built during the reign of the dukes of Courland, it was used as a boys’ school during Soviet t
-
Doll Garden
Latvias answer to the Chinese terracota army can barely scare a crow, since it is entirely comprised of straw-filled unarmed civilians. A local granny, Daina Kučera, populated a small roadside garden with over 200 almost-human-sized straw dolls dressed as our contemporaries of all
Total
178 -travel
FirstPage PreviousPage NextPage LastPage CurrentPage:
7/9 20-travel/Page Goto:
One of the most luxurious Yoga experiences in Europe
Top 5 destinations when chartering a superyacht in the Mediterranean
The ins and outs of visiting a Mongolian ger
Morocco made easy: the Sofitel Agadir Thalassa Sea and Spa Hotel
3 new trendy spots on Mykonos Island
5 of the best luxury dining options in St. Petersburg