One perfect day in Riga, Latvia

Our Riga adventure kicks off conveniently close to the central bus station, an easily accessible point of arrival for those journeying to the city by bus or train. 

We traveled to Riga with Flixbus from Tallinn. The journey took about 4 hours at most and the cost was 25 euros per person for the round trip. The road connecting the two cities is stunning as it goes through a lush forest and even graced us with captivating glimpses of the Baltic Sea along one stretch of the road. Our visit took place in March, a time when both Estonia and Latvia were still blanketed in a layer of snow.

Nestled in close proximity to the bustling bus station lies the vibrant heart of Riga, the renowned Riga Central Market. This is the first stop on this itinerary.

This expansive indoor marketplace is divided into 4 large halls where locals come to stock up on vegetables, fruit, meat and fish. One large hall is dedicated to pastry and bakery, another to fruit and vegetables, and one is devoted exclusively to fish.

As you venture further, the market extends into a labyrinth of additional stalls and vendors. It's no surprise that Riga Central Market proudly holds the title of the largest and liveliest marketplace in Eastern Europe, drawing an astonishing 80,000 visitors daily.

Just beyond the bustling Riga Central Market stands the Palace of Culture and Science. If you've ever been to Warsaw, this building might look familiar. This tower shares not only a striking architectural resemblance but also a shared history with its Warsaw counterpart. Both these iconic structures were commissioned by Stalin himself during the 1950s.

The Riga Palace is just a little smaller compared to the Warsaw one. Ascend to the rooftop's observation platform, where, for a modest fee of 6 euros, you'll find yourself treated to a panoramic 360-degree view of the cityscape that stretches all the way to the Baltic Sea.

From the Palace of Culture and Science, you can easily see various Latvian emblematic landmarks, such as the Riga TV tower, which stands 368 meters high, making it the tallest TV tower in the EU. Then there's the Latvian National Library, founded in 1919 and now home to over 4 million books in more than 50 different languages.

As you descend from the observation platform, don't forget to check Riga's Annunciation Church, a rather colorful Orthodox church. 

Take a 20-minute walk to Riga's old town center, starting at the Black Heads' House, a medieval house that once housed merchants from the "black heads" brotherhood passing through Riga.

Continue on to Dome Square, the beating heart of the city. From the square, you can admire Riga Cathedral, the city's largest religious building. 

Continue on to the Swedish Gate, just a few minutes' walk from the Cathedral. Once a fortified stronghold, the city of Riga was once ringed by a series of eight imposing gates, reminiscent of the Swedish Gate that stands today as the sole survivor of this era.

The gate derives its name from a legend about a forbidden love affair between a young woman and a Swedish soldier. As the story goes, the tragic culmination of their romance saw the young girl confined within the very walls of the gate as punishment for her transgression. Like most European capitals, Riga also has its own ghost stories. It is said that the cries of the forsaken maiden still echo through the night near the gate.

Next on this itinerary is St. Peter's Church. En route, be sure not to overlook one of Riga's most iconic landmarks: the Cat's House. This architectural gem combines medieval charm with Art Nouveau style.  This house derives its name from the black cat statues that perch atop its two towers. The story behind these cat statues is quite delightful. Legend has it that the house's owner, denied entry into the prestigious Riga Grand Guild, decided to exact his revenge in a bold manner. He had the cat statues installed with their backsides pointed toward the Grand Guild building, as a symbol of his rebellion.

After the cat's house, head for St. Peter's church and its observation platform, accessible for a fee of 8 euros, with the convenience of a quaint elevator to take you upwards. From the church tower, you will have a breathtaking view of the rooftops of the old town, the Bay of Riga and the Daugava river.

After exploring Riga's treasures, it's the perfect juncture to indulge in a well-deserved coffee or lunch break. We wholeheartedly recommend the Parunãsim Café, a hidden gem tucked away in the heart of the old town. What makes this place truly unique is its setting within a meticulously restored former Gothic-style chapel, a testament to Riga's rich history. Once a place of worship, and today a must-see place for coffee lovers in Riga, the chapel also served as a school.

Continue on to Freedom Square to see the Freedom Monument. This is a memorial to the soldiers who died in the Latvian War of Independence. The monument is guarded by members of the Honor Guard. 

The tour ends with the Nativity Cathedral, a beautiful neo-Byzantine cathedral built when Latvia was part of the Russian Empire.

Before leaving Riga, make sure to stroll one last time in the city center and stop by at the Black magic Café to taste the local alcohol, the Black Balsam. 

To savor this Latvian tradition, there's no better place than the Black magic Café. Within the medieval ambiance of the Black Magic Café, enjoy chocolates paired with the famous Black Balsam. Latvians have a ritual of sipping Black Balsam before a meal to enhance digestion. 

The Black Magic Café offers Black Balsam tastings every day at 7pm.