€250
/group
Neighbourhoods of Riga
Starting from the early 20th century's Art Noveau and garden city, wooden houses, through soviet occupation, then back to bodern architecture - this tour has it all.
Honest Tour of Riga
HONEST TOUR OF RIGA
€159 / group
- Photo Friendly
- 4-5 Hours
- Max 8 people
Honest tour of must-sees with the best* private guide of Riga
Every city has it's good, bad and the ugly, and there's always the option of highlighting just one side of the coin. On this tour we try our hardest to stay as honest and objective as possible, not loosing the perspective of a local at the same time. 4-5 hours, including a coffee break, might seem long, but a half day tour like that is the shortest possible time to cover all the most important sights that Riga's heart has to offer without a rush. Still - depending on your desire or availability, it can be longer or shorter as well - you can decide during the tour or contact us beforehand. It's customisable as well, so if you'd like to drop a thing from the itinerary or add something different (eg, central market), the guide will be happy to adjust. We don't take tours more than 5 times a week, so the tour would stay fresh and the guide wouldn't become a machine of spouting facts and figures. * as described by his mother and some of his friends.
Typical Tour Itinerary
This is what the default tour would look like, but we are happy to change it according to your needs. (click on timeslot to expand)
10:00 - Meet your guide on Albert Square or at your Hotel
Your guide can pick you up from your hotel if it’s located in or reasonably close to the Old City of Riga. Otherwise the meeting point would be Albert Square (Alberta laukums) which can be tricky to find on some maps, so you might want to use the adress of a building next to it: Vecpilsētas iela 19.
10:15 - Medieval Riga
This is the oldest part of Riga, here you’ll see the history – how the city of Riga and nation of Latvians formed during last 8 centuries. The most important medieval churches, merchants’ houses, parts of fortification systems and even last few residential buildings of simple people that have survived from medieval times. You’ll hear stories of how people lived starting from times back when the city was just founded, through centuries up until soviet occupation and the modern life of the independent Latvia.
12:15 - Coffee Break
A 20-30 minute break for a coffee and some snacks.
12:45 - Park Area and Circle of Boulevards
The circle of boulevards and parks serves as a transitional area between the centuries-old medieval German Riga and the “modern” Riga built by Russians and Latvians. Here you’ll have a nice stroll through the greenest part of central Riga, see some monuments and museums, hear some stories of how the actual cultural transition happened.
13:15 - Riga's Art Noveau
So-called modern center of the city is the part of Riga that formed during the turn of 19th and 20th centuries – the last decades of Russian Empire. Here you’ll see the beautiful facades of Riga’s Art-Noveau (aka Jugendstil), and, if lucky, get a glimpse on the interiors as well. Riga is the city that has the highest concentration of Art-Noveau buildings in the world, so you’re in for a treat. You’ll hear about the time of new-found cultural identity of Latvian people, the art, the architecture, the bourjouis – everything culture related from the turn of centuries.
14:30 - End of Tour
You’ll end the tour at the Freedom Monument, right next to the Old City. The finishing time can vary slightly depending on the pace of tour, how many questions you have, etc. If you need to change the ending point or time, we’ll be happy to adjust according to your wishes.
Historic Landmarks
Riga's historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997, but even though there's parts of it more than 800 years old, it's still a real, living city.
Fully Narrated Tour
Not only you'll see the sights, but you'll get to hear all the stories about the buildings, parks, monuments and the people behind them.
Best* Guide Of Riga
Tour is done by a certified tourguide who also happens to have a college degree in cultural tourism. * as described by his mother and some of his friends.
Hidden gems
Your guide will take you not only to the most important sights, but also to the roads less travelled, places that tour groups don't usually take.
Have a Question?
Feel free to reach out and we're happy to answer any questions you may have.
Tour Pricing
4-5 Hour Tour
Max 8 people
€159/group
- Pickup from Hotel
- Sightseeing
- 5-6 km of walking
Reviews
Harijs was extremely personable and knowledgeable with a keen sense of pride in Latvia’s history. His friendly demeanor made this private tour worth every dollar. Highly recommend!!!
Scott L
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