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Sigulda New Castle
This neo-Gothic manor house was built in 1878 as the home of Russian prince Dimitri Kropotkin, the man responsible for turning Sigulda into a tourist haven. It now houses Sigulda district council and is not open to the public, but you can wander through the grounds.
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Latvian National Museum of Art
At the time of writing, Latvias main gallery was expected to reopen after a thorough restoration. Sitting within the Esplanādes leafy grounds, this impressive building was purpose-built in a baroque-classical style in 1905. Check online for opening hours and prices.
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Ķemeri National Park
Beyond Jūrmalas stretch of celebrity summer homes lies a verdant hinterland of drowsy fishing villages, quaking bogs and thick forests. At the end of the 19th century Ķemeri was known for its curative mud and spring water, attracting visitors from as far away as Moscow.
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Vērmanes dārzs (Vērmanes Garden)
From Brīvības, pass the swirls of colour at the 24-hour flower market along Tērbatas iela to find the inviting Vērmanes dārzs frequented by locals. During the summer months, local bands perform in the small outdoor amphitheatre , and artisans set up shop along the brick walkways.
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Jēzus baznīca
It would be a classical-style Lutheran church like many other, if it wasnt made entirely of wood, which makes it a unique architectural gem and an eye-pleasing sight that dominates an astoundingly pretty square. Definitely worth the extra mile, if only for a brief moment of aesthet
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Valmiermuiža
Home to Latvia’s most popular ale, Valmiermuiža offers visitors a chance to see how the magic is made on their spirited (no pun intended) brewery tours. Expect friendly guides and plenty of grog to go around. Valmiermuiža is just north of the city centre, past Hotel Wolmar and Vies
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Vaivari Sanatorium
On the main road 5km west of Majori, this gaudy beachfront Soviet-era sanatorium resembles a giant, beached cruise ship that’s been mothballed since the Brezhnev era. Surprisingly it still functions, catering to an elderly clientele who have been visiting regularly since, well, the
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Peter’s Market
Vendors have touted their wares here since the mid-17th century. The market expanded in 1910, when a pavilion was constructed adjacent to the square. Today you’ll find stalls inside and out at this bustling complex, selling everything from second-hand clothes and pirated DVDs to fr
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Latvian Photography Museum
Occupying a historic merchants house, this little museum displays early images from Rīga along with changing exhibitions of contemporary photography. Theres also a camera obscura and an interesting display on local lad Valters Caps (1905–2003), the inventor of the miniature Minox c
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Latvia Institute of Fruit Growing
The massive gardens draws throngs of visitors each spring. Its apricot, cherry and plum orchards, as well the countrys largest collection of lilacs, are the legacy of Pēteris Upītis, an outstanding gardener, who founded an experimental farm here in 1945. The gardens come with a mus
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St Johns Church
Switch on your imagination in this 13th-century church where armour-clad Livonian knights prayed and buried their dead in what then was a lonely island of Christianity surrounded by the lands of pagans. Currently the home of the towns Lutheran community, the church contains tombs o
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Geidānmuiža
Not technically a muiža , Geidānmuiža sits around the corner from Āraiši and is the project of a few young Latvian entrepreneurs. Visitors who are interested in experiencing life during 14th-century Livonia can book a variety of authentic activities from archery to feast roasts. At
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Rīga Castle
Built in 1330 as the headquarters of the grand master of the Livonian Order, this building has been much mutated over the years and now only looks properly castley from certain angles. Until it was badly damaged in a fire in 2013 it was the official residence of the Latvian preside
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Tērvete Nature Park
Tērvete Nature Park protects three ancient mounds, including the impressive Tērvete Castle Mound, which was abandoned by the Semigallians after several battles with the Livonian Order. But its main pull is the Fairy Tale Forest, populated by whimsical woodcarved figures that almost
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Janis Rozentāls & Rūdolfs Blaumanis Museum
Follow the wonderfully lavish stairwell up to the 5th floor to find the former apartment of Janis Rozentāls, one of Latvia’s most celebrated painters, who lived here with his wife, Elli Forssell (a famous Finnish singer), and his friend Rūdolfs Blaumanis (a famous Latvian writer).
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Nativity of Christ Cathedral
With gilded cupolas peeking through the trees, this Byzantine-styled Orthodox cathedral (1883) adds a dazzling dash of Russian bling to the skyline. During the Soviet period the church was converted into a planetarium but its since been restored to its former use. Mind the dress co
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Jaunpils Castle
The small but perfectly medieval Jaunpils Castle is unique in the fact that it has largely retained its original look since 1301, when it was founded by the master of the Livonian Order, Gotfried von Roga. It also offers a unique chance to dine and sleep in the rooms that saw kings
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Latvian Riflemen Monument
Latvian Riflemen Sq, on the other side of the Occupation Museum, was once home to Rīga’s central market. Today the square is dominated by the imposing and controversial statue honouring Latvia’s Riflemen, who formed the core of Russias Red Army in 1918. Some of them served as Lenin
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Art Rezidence ‘Inner Light’
A visit here will surely cure any rainy-day blues. A local Russian artist runs the studio out of his home, and dabbles with a secret recipe for glow-in-the-dark paint by creating portraits that morph when different amounts of light strike the painting. Ethereal Enya music further e
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Jews in Latvia
This small and rather informal space briefly recounts the city’s history of Jewish life until 1945 through artefacts and photography. Rīga’s Jewish population (unlike that of Vilnius) was very much integrated into the rest of society. You’ll find a teeny kosher cafe in the basement
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