House of the BlackheadsStory N° 245
Riga Old Town & Art Nouveau Heritage
Wander Riga's cobbled medieval lanes and golden Art Nouveau facades, where every doorway whispers a century-old story
The itinerary.
3 days · 9 stops
Friday
Day One
Arrive and lose yourself in Vecrīga, Riga's UNESCO-listed medieval core, with its guildhalls, spired churches and amber-lit squares.
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House of the Blackheads
The ornate 14th-century guildhall on Town Hall Square, rebuilt from its WWII ruins, is Riga's most photographed Gothic facade.
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Riga Cathedral
Step inside the Baltic's largest medieval cathedral to hear its famous 6,718-pipe organ and admire the cloister.
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Folkklubs Ala Pagrabs
A cosy cellar pub serving hearty Latvian grey peas, rye bread and local craft beer beneath stone arches.
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Hotel
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga booking.com · AI hotel ratings: hotelist.com
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Getting around
- Arriving at Riga International Airport, taxi or Bolt into Old Town (~20 min)
- Everything in Vecrīga is walkable
Saturday
Day Two
A full day tracing Riga's golden age — from the world's finest Art Nouveau district to the bustling zeppelin-hangar market.
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Alberta iela & Riga Art Nouveau Centre
Mikhail Eisenstein's flamboyant facades line this street; the museum recreates a 1903 apartment to step into the era.
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Riga Central Market
Five 1920s zeppelin hangars packed with smoked fish, fresh berries, sauerkraut and Latvian cheese — graze your way through lunch.
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Three Brothers
The oldest cluster of dwelling houses in Riga, dating to the 1400s, tucked into a quiet medieval lane.
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Black Magic Bar
An atmospheric apothecary-style bar built around Riga Black Balsam, the bittersweet herbal liqueur invented here in 1752.
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Hotel
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga booking.com · AI hotel ratings: hotelist.com
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Getting around
- Tram 11 to the Art Nouveau district
- Walk back through the canal park to Old Town
Sunday
Day Three
A slow final morning of rooftop views and amber before departure.
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St. Peter's Church Tower
Ride the lift up the 123-metre spire for a sweeping panorama of red-tiled roofs and the Daugava River.
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Amber Riga Gallery
Browse Baltic amber jewellery — Latvia's 'gold of the north' — for a meaningful keepsake before heading home.
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Hotel
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga booking.com · AI hotel ratings: hotelist.com
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Getting around
- Walk in Old Town
- Bolt to Riga Airport for departure
Location.
Frequently asked
How many days do you need for Riga Old Town & Art Nouveau Heritage?
3 days. The itinerary runs from Friday to Sunday and covers 9 curated stops across 3 days.
How much does Riga Old Town & Art Nouveau Heritage cost?
Mid-range — €150–300 per day per person.
Where do you stay during Riga Old Town & Art Nouveau Heritage?
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga is the recommended base for the trip; the full hotel list per day is in the itinerary section.
What's included in the Riga Old Town & Art Nouveau Heritage itinerary?
Day-by-day stops at 9 restaurants, museums, viewpoints and landmarks; transportation hints between each leg; and a hotel base in House of the Blackheads.
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