Latvia.

21 fun things to do.

1. A movie theatre just for you

Cafe film noir

Located in the most beautiful cinema in Latvia, Cafe Film Noir offers private film screenings for people from the same household. Their movies list includes good old classics and modern favourites. As an additional bonus you can also order food from Tinto restaurant that will be brought to you as you are enjoying your movie.

2. Kemeri swamps

A guided walk on the swamps - take part in the organised tour to walk on the Kemeri swamps in the special shoes. A fun activity amongst Latvian national treasure!

Kemeri National Park Trails - another great idea for a weekend day out is a walk along the nature trails in one of the most beautiful natural parks of the country.

3. Be an artist

with Art&Wine Riga

Art&Wine Riga offers a home painting kit for the painting of your choice (they have a huge variety to choose from). This comes with the online art class, where a professional teaches you how to draw. A great idea for a relaxing evening. All you have to do is open a bottle of wine or your favourite scented tea, switch on the online class and make that first line.
*In the pandemic-free world they also offer in-person classes for a fun and creative evening out!

4. Spend the night in a hotel

...and feel like a tourist in your hometown.

Hilton Garden Inn Riga Old Town.

Based in the heart of Riga Old town, this newly built hotel offers amazing views on the main Riga sights. The design is great, the service is brilliant and the breakfast is simply marvellous.

Change your usual scene and find yourself immersed in the pleasures of a weekend getaway, where you might just fall in love with your city once again!

5. Takeaways

The list of restaurants that offer amazing food for you to take away and have a feast at home.

Unagi Inu - "Japanese soul food with a modern twist" as they describe themselves. THE place to go when craving Japanese food in Riga. Amazing service and best udon I tried since Tokyo. Your takeaway place number 1 in Riga

Space Falafel - for Israeli cuisine and best falafel I tried since Tel Aviv. In the covid-free environment they also do DJ Fridays and amazing limoncello shots

Zivju Lete Shop and Raw Bar - they offer fresh local fish and exotic seafood delights to cook at home, as well as great fish burger, oysters and seafood sandwiches to take away

Miit - their coffee and matcha are out of this world! I recommend their vegan sweets and any lunch offers - all is delicious!

Balts - healthy asian cuisine. Love their warm bowls and sushi sets. They also do great matcha latte and desert pots. All pink everything with a hip twist

Bowl 31 - "making healthy taste good" and succeeding at it, I might add. Especially recommending their asian bowls!

Mr. Fox - "slow food served fast". Tasty, healthy and colourful.

7. Sculptures taking over the city

- The Fox
A new landmark has appeared on one of the walls of Turgenev Street. This installation is a part of an eco-action. Made by the Latvian Academy of Art student Aleksandrs Marinoha.

- Sculpture garden at Zuzeum, which is currently closed for a visit, but can be enjoyed from the street, presents two sculptures - "Pore" by Antony Gormley and Thomas Houseago's "Large Walking Figure"

- Sporta 2 kvartals backyard hosts Mairis Briedis's hands sculpture brought to life by Didzis Jaunzems and Arnis Vatass

- Donata Mockus’ work “Homo Democraticus” (2020) - as part of the Sculpture Quadrennial in the urban environment of Riga can be seen right next to the Stone Bridge

- Six-metre statue to honour medical workers called "Medic for the World" is made by Latvian artist Aigars Bikse; located in front of the National Museum of Art

- And, of course, the beloved "Space Monkey" statue in Jauna Teika by Denis Prasolov

Grant Poet Hotel by Semarah

Overlooking the Bastejkalns park and the church steeples of the Old Town, this well-designed hotel is another "must" destination. Out-of-this-world breakfasts, room service and dramatic views of Riga - what more to want from a night away?

6. See some art

Many galleries in Riga found a creative way out of the current situation - they are offering exhibitions in a format of a window display. I must say that solutions like these make me so happy, because if not the creatives, than who is to bring beauty and celebrate life even in the saddest of times?

- Rigas Mazaka Galerija

the smallest gallery in town. The unusual aspect about it is that, unlike that typical one, this gallery is a window display and you, as a gallery visitor, are simultaneously just a pedestrian walking by, making it a COVID-safe visit. Currently showing Raids Kalnins "Misfortune in the Village".

- Alma Gallery

same brilliant concept - gallery is planned in the way that the artwork is situated inside, while is meant to be enjoyed from the street. Currently on display : Kristiana Dimitere "WOOF, WOOF!". See it at Terbatas Street.

- Sporta 2 kvartals

two open-air art displays are happening in the Sporta Backyard at the moment - one in the tunnel and one in the temporary wooden "tent".

- Maksla XO Gallery

even though it is a traditional gallery, I strongly advice you to walk by to sneak a peak at the current artworks displayed there at the moment

- Museum Storage Facility

visit the "Forest of Sculptures" - a display of Antique and Renaissance plaster casts that can be seen from the street at Pulka Street 8

- Makslas Muzejs Rigas Birza

Voice of Glass- the exhibition on display. Specifically planned in a way that when it gets dark, it can be enjoyed from Smilsu Street

8. Sports outside

ATV ride in the forest & Slip and Slide

The two fun activities to do outside in the beautiful Latvian nature.

9. Cabin of serenity

Ziedlejas

In Gauja National Park, near the ponds and in the middle of the forest, hidden away are four little cabins. Beautifully designed by our local architectural firm OpenAD. This is a perfect place for a getaway. I guarantee you will leave this place recharged,

10. Spa outside of Riga

Annas Design Hotel and Spa

In the Latvian countryside a beautiful bright pink manor house is waiting to welcome you for a weekend getaway. They offer a private SPA experience and AMAZING dinners to be brought in your room.

11. East Coast trip

Veczemju Cliffs - red sandstone cliffs with abrasive caves and grottos. A beautiful location for a walk.

White Dune - 18 m high white steep slope with the pine trees on one side and the sea on the other. The jewel of Latvia's east coast and the city of Saulkrasti.

Carnikava - a little fishermen's town offer quiet seaside walks (with occasional hammocks and bungees), uncharted forest trails and a beautiful promenade.

Gauja River - about an hour walk from Carnikava promenade is a majestic place - a place, where the river flows into the sea

Garupe - another beautiful and a little less popular part of the east coast. Loving it for its proximity to Riga, beautiful trails and coastline.

12. Gauja National Park

Explore one of the most beautiful regions in Latvia. Amongst the countless places to see there, here are my personal favourites this season:

Bobsleigh Track in Murjani - this wooden abandoned track is enchanting. Visit it and see for yourself. Just be carful when you do (climbing inside may be dangerous).

Sigulda - Jana Tirgus is an amazing food hall I definitely recommend for all to visit. It is located in a beautiful building and offers delicious food. Another activity to do is to have a walk in the city. And last but not least - ride in a cable car over the Gauja River and the beautiful scenery of the National Park.

Gutman's Cave - grand yellow-brown sandstone cave is 19 meters deep, 12 meters wide and 10 meters high. Make sure to walk the adjacent paths and try the homemade sweets from Cafè Bundulitis.

Zvartes Rock - a scenic sandstone on the river Amata with the adjacent trails

13. Raksi Zoo

A short car ride from Cesis you will find the cutest place in all of Latvia - Raksi Zoo. Pet the llamas, camels, alpacas, goats and donkeys in a pretty little farm.

14. Kuldiga

The Venta Waterfall - the widest waterfall in Europe. One of the most important Latvian jewels. Truly majestic.

Kuldiga Old Town - the city is included in UNESCO’s Latvian National Register and is known as Latvian Venice. Get lost in the little romantic streets and marvel at the historic houses.

Noliktava No5 - this hotel certainly has style.

Although extremely instagrammable, it lacks in cleanliness, sound-proofing, parking spaces and service. Would recommend to visit it for its design, but when you do, don't get your expectations too high.

Lake Lackroga - just outside of the city is a magical place - the lake of a bright-blue colour

The Marmalade bakery - charming little cafe with delicious baked goods

The Bistro by Goldingen Room- well-styled place with good pizza

*for other things to see and do in Kuldiga I'd advice you check this website

15. Nature Trails

Sunset Trail, Saulkrasti - starts at White Dune and takes you till the centre of Saulkrasti. It is 17 km long and is believed to recharge the person who walks it.

Lake Kanieris Trail - a beautiful trail in the lagoon-type lake, which lies amongst the reeds and bogs.

Ogre Blue Hills Trail - majestic trail includes a 30-meter-high observation tower, forest trails and, of course the jewel of the region - the Nature Reserve of a bright blue colour.

Mangalsala Nature Trail and Lighthouse - forest path will lead you to the sea. And on the beach you will notice the bright red lighthouse - what a beauty!

16. Cocktail Night

By Gimlet Nordic Cocktail Bar

Gimlet has always been my personal favourite cocktail bar in Riga and the news that hey offer the takeaway cocktails made me super happy. As by their usual philosophy, they experiment with local products and mix different tastes to create new types of cocktails every week.

17. Markets & carts

Cafe film noir

Agenskalns Market - official cultural monument with local fresh foods. A great place to go for local produce and diverse inclusive urban environment

36.line restaurant food cart - is parked right outside the Spice Shopping Centre. Get restaurant quality food in a street food van.

Ozo restaurant food cart - moves in-between the Skanstes Quarter and Carnikava. Offers a variety of foods and drinks.

18. Street Food

Rume Street Food - every Saturday and Sunday the Street Food feast is happening just outside and Rume Restaurant on Dzirnavu Street. Ramen, hot dogs, burgers, bao buns and hot drinks - a "must" weekend activity for every Riga resident.

B Bars Street Food - unlike Rume, these are happening from time to time without a strict schedule, but when those happen, they are definitely worth a visit! Besides that, BBars also does DJ parties (socially distanced parties outside, while the music is playing behind the window) - this is probably the closest to the night out you can get right now!

19. Picnicing at the Birini Castle

Choose a picnic site and a variety of foods to be put in your basket. On a sunny day head straight to Birini Palace - the manor parks are great for a long walk. The lakes, the alleys, the fields and, most importantly, the architecture - what not to like?

20. Manors

Jaunmoku,Liepupes, Krimuldas, Šlokenbekas and Lielvirbu manors.

1. Ungurmuiža

Not too far from Cesis, in the middle of the Gauja National Park, seats a beautiful manor house ensemble. Baroque style manor house and Latvian style wooden buildings (one of which is a restaurant that currently does takeaways) create a gorgeous ensemble that is surrounded by ponds, alleys and fields. Great spot for a romantic walk, a family outing or a spot to take yourself on a date to.

2. Jaunmoku manor

Neo-Gothic manor house with Art Nouveau elements is located not far from Tukums. This is a big complex, which includes a restaurant, a main house, a lake and nature trails.

4. Krimuldas manor

Majestic neoclassical villa and the adjacent buildings is located in the midst of the Gauja National Park. Beautiful yellow ensemble of the main house, wooden service buildings, Milly Cafe and view on to the Gauja National Park.

6. Lielvirbu manor

A beautiful white manor house in the Latvian countryside is surrounded by fields and typical Latvian wooden houses. Such a beautiful setting for a walk!

3. Liepupes manor

Manor house and the manor park capture the essence of the 18th century, when the house was built. Beautiful location for a walk, where, if desired, one can also spend the night.

5. Šlokenbekas manor

A fortified manor from the 15th century. This national archeological and architectural site used to protect Tukums, and now it is simply a site for a wonderful afternoon.

21. Riga Walks

1. Vermanes Darzs + Kurts +Ziedu Markets

2. Art Nouveau Centrs + Rocket Bean/ Better Bread

3. Viesturdarzs + Mulberry

4. Andrejosta+Kronvalda Parks+Pagalms

5. Riga Channel Walk (from Kongresu Nams till LU Faculty of Business)+Zvaigzne Café: Specialty Coffee & Books, including National Opera, National Theatre and Bastejkalns

6. 11. November Embankment + Spikeri Promenade + Spikeri quarter

7. Old Town + Rigensis pastry/Parunaasim

8. THE CENTRAL (From Barona to Valdemara and Elizabetes to Stabu) with coffee stops at Mikla, Kuktava, Miit, Muffins and More, Moltto,Kalve Coffee, Tinto; including Splendid Palace, Gertrude Church and National Museum of Art

9. Miera ielas republika, including Mr Page and Rocket Bean Roastery

10. Satekles, Marijas, Barona (from Central Station to Zuzeum) with coffee from various cafes in Berga Bazars/ Makonis/Katkevich, including Latvian Academy of Sciences building