Riga in two days: 11 main places, tickets and opening hours

Riga is compact, and you can walk the entire historic center in a couple of hours. The real issue is different: without a plan, it's easy to get stuck on Dome Square and miss half the city. We've put together 11 of the Latvian capital's main attractions with prices, opening hours, and distances.

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What to see in Riga: a two-day plan

💡 In short:

• Spend your first day in the Old Town: Dome Square, the House of the Blackheads, and St. Peter's Church are all within a five-hundred-meter radius of each other.
• Save the second day for the Riga Motor Museum, which is away from the tourist streets.
• Book cathedral tickets in advance, otherwise you'll just stand in line at the entrance.
• Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official Dome Cathedral website

1. Dome Cathedral

© Chris06 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Chris06, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Dome Cathedral, or simply the Dome, was founded in the early thirteenth century. Construction dragged on for decades, and the builders managed to mix Romanesque style with northern Gothic. The church burned and was rebuilt more than once over eight centuries, so its appearance now reflects features of several eras and architectural schools at once.

The wooden spire was replaced with a metal one in the eighteenth century. Today the tower rises nearly a hundred meters and anchors the main vertical of the square. On Sunday morning you won't get inside.

Inside there is an organ that draws not only travelers but also concertgoers. Nearby, the Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation operates, one of the oldest in the country, and its collection numbers about half a million exhibits on the culture, daily life, and seafaring of Latvia.

• Cost: admission 5 €, children aged 11 to 18 pay 3 € (as of 09/2026, pricing on the cathedral website). Children under 10 enter free.
• Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 10:00-17:00, Sunday 14:00-17:00 (as of 09/2026, schedule on doms.lv).
• Address: Herdera laukums, 6.
• The catch: on Sundays until 14:00 the cathedral is occupied with services, so plan a morning visit for another day.

2. Historic center

© Jorge Franganillo from Barcelona, Spain · CC BYPhoto: Jorge Franganillo from Barcelona, Spain, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The Old Town (Vecrīga) is like a labyrinth of cobblestone streets between Dome Square and the Daugava. This is where you'll find Riga's main architectural surprises. The medieval boundary runs along the nineteenth-century boulevards.

Nearby stands the Freedom Monument, unveiled in the mid-1930s. The woman on top holds three stars, which symbolize the three historical regions of Latvia. She has no torch, unlike the American statue.

In the evenings, the word "Jugendstil" is often heard in the center. That's what Riga's Art Nouveau is called, and the city has a great deal of it. The Latvian National Opera building deserves special attention, with its Ionic columns and allegorical figures on the facade.

• How to get there: the entire Old Town is walkable; the nearest tram and bus stops are on the boulevard ring.
• Who it's for: for those who want to see both medieval and Art Nouveau architecture in one area.
• The catch: there is almost no parking in the center, so leave your car outside Vecrīga.

3. Riga Castle

© Jorge Franganillo · CC BYPhoto: Jorge Franganillo, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

Rīgas pils stands on the bank of the Daugava and serves as the official residence of the President of Latvia. The fortress was built to defend the city, but its military function disappeared back under the Poles and Swedes. Today government offices work here, not a regular museum.

The castle underwent a lengthy restoration that lasted for years. Some of the halls housed exhibitions from two museums: the Museum of Foreign Art and the National History Museum of Latvia. The former moved to another building long before the renovation.

From the outside, the walls look more interesting than the interior corridors. You'll only be allowed inside through an official program or during receptions. On the plus side, the castle offers a view of the river and the Old Town.

• Address: Pils laukums, 3.
• How to get there: about a five-minute walk from Dome Square.
• Not for: those expecting free access to the halls and exhibitions.
• The catch: there is no free access inside; the castle is occupied by the presidential residence.

4. St. Peter's Church

© Diliff · CC BY-SAPhoto: Diliff, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

The tower of St. Peter's Church is taller than any of its neighbors in the Old Town. Its spire is visible from the other bank of the Daugava, making it a handy landmark. An elevator takes you up to the observation deck just below the spire.

At the top sits a rooster that once worked as a meteorologist. It was painted in two colors, gold and black. When the rooster turned its gold side toward the city, merchants knew the wind was blowing from the sea and ships would enter the port.

The church is considered one of the oldest buildings in Riga, with a history going back to the thirteenth century. The clock appeared only in the mid-fourteenth century. The tower is closed on Mondays, so come on a different day.

• Hours: daily except Monday, from morning to evening; longer in summer than in winter. Check the exact schedule on the parish's official website.
• Cost: the observation deck ticket is sold separately; check the current price on the same site.
• Address: Skarnu iela, 19.
• The catch: the observation deck is closed on Mondays.

5. Great guild and small guild

© Nenea hartia · CC BY-SAPhoto: Nenea hartia, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The two guilds stand across from each other and recall how mercantile Riga lived. The Great Guild united merchants, while the Small Guild represented artisans. The former is considered the oldest public building in the Baltics.

The building was constructed from a design by a famous architect and decorated in the spirit of English neo-Gothic. Inside, mosaic tiles on the staircases and stained glass windows commissioned specifically for the guild have been preserved. The doors are framed by Latin phrases in Gothic script.

Today the premises are used for celebrations, concerts, and conferences. Some of the halls are occupied by the Center for Folk Culture with classes for children and adults. You can get inside during an event.

• Address: Amatu iela, 5.
• Getting there: about a three-minute walk from Dome Square.
• Who it's for: those interested in guild history and neo-Gothic architecture.
• The catch: you can't get inside on ordinary days; you need a ticket to an event.

6. House of the Blackheads

© Diliff · CC BY-SAPhoto: Diliff, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

The House of the Blackheads is the most ornate facade on Town Hall Square. It was built for a brotherhood of foreign merchants whose patron saint was St. Maurice. The black head of the saint gave the house its name.

The building was heavily damaged during bombing. It was rebuilt on its original site only at the end of the twentieth century, for the city's anniversary. Today it hosts ceremonial receptions for heads of foreign states.

In front of the entrance stands a statue of Roland, a symbol of medieval Riga's independence. After reconstruction, a small museum was opened in the basement. Inside you'll see the ceremonial halls and a silver collection.

• Hours: daily 10:00-17:00 (as of 09/2026, Melngalvju nams).
• Cost: the ticket is in the low double digits; check the exact price on the official website.
• Address: Ratslaukums, 7.
• The catch: on certain days the halls are closed for official events, so check the date of your visit in advance.

7. Cat House

© karel291 · CC BYPhoto: karel291, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

On the roof of a building near the Great Guild sit copper cats. Their tails are raised, their backs arched, as if the animals are about to leap. These figures gave the building its name, the Cat House.

There's not a single line about the cats in any fairy tale, but there is a legend. The house was built by a wealthy merchant in the early twentieth century. He was not accepted into the guild, so he turned the cats' backs toward his offenders, which means you're unlikely to walk past such a house without noticing it.

The scandal turned out to be loud, and the matter went to court. The sculptures were eventually turned in a more "diplomatic" direction. The cats remain on the facade today, and the ground floor is occupied by a restaurant.

• Address: Meistaru iela, 10.
• Getting there: about a two-minute walk from Dome Square.
• Who it's for: those who love urban legends and unusual details.
• The catch: tourists are not allowed inside; the building is occupied by a restaurant and offices.

8. Latvian Museum of Architecture

© giggel · CC BYPhoto: giggel, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

The Museum of Architecture occupies the Three Brothers complex, the three oldest residential houses in Riga. It was founded in the first half of the 1990s. The museum has no permanent exhibition of its own, so the space operates as exhibition halls.

The museum's holdings contain around nine thousand items. Among the materials and documents are projects by Wilhelm Bockslaff, Christoph Haberland, and Janis Baumanis. The exhibitions cover the country's historical heritage and contemporary architecture.

Admission is free, which makes the Three Brothers a convenient stop along the way. The museum courtyard is also open: fragments of lost Riga buildings are displayed there. You can see the inside of a medieval house without a ticket.

• Hours: weekdays, closed on Saturday and Sunday (as of 09/2026, museum's official website).
• Cost: free admission (as of 09/2026, Latvian Museum of Architecture).
• Address: Maza Pils iela, 21.
• The catch: the museum is closed on weekends and has no permanent exhibition.

9. Riga Motor Museum

© Nenea hartia · CC BY-SAPhoto: Nenea hartia, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Rīgas Motormuzejs is located in Mežciems, far from the Old Town. Getting there takes time, but the collection is considered the best in the Baltics. You can easily spend more than an hour in the halls.

The museum was founded by an antique car club in the late twentieth century. The modern building was assembled from Finnish materials, and the museum received state status a few years after opening. Besides cars, there is a replica of a telephone booth, a horse-drawn droshky, and a vintage gas pump.

A restoration workshop operates at the museum. It brings back to life not only its own vehicles but also exhibits from other museums. For children and adults, this museum is the best fit on the list.

• Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-18:00, closed on Monday (as of 09/2026, Riga Motor Museum).
• Address: Eizenšteina iela, 6.
• Getting there: by tram or car, too far to walk from the center.
• The catch: far from the center, you need to allow time for the trip.

10. Bremen Town Musicians monument

© Lee Vilenski · CC BY-SAPhoto: Lee Vilenski, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The Bremen Town Musicians have settled in the Old Town near St. Peter's Church. The sculpture was cast by Krista Baumgärtel, and it carries a hidden political meaning: the end of the Cold War. The four heroes of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale peer into the window of the robbers' house.

The donkey's nose is polished to a shine. Tourists believe that touching it grants a wish. One version says you can make a wish at the other animals too, but the rooster is the hardest to reach.

The monument is small, and you can easily walk past it. It stands near Skārņu iela, a stone's throw from the church tower. Bring your camera: in the morning there are almost no people here.

• Address: near Skarnu iela, by St. Peter's Church.
• Cost: free, the sculpture stands in the open air.
• Who it's for: those exploring the Old Town with children.
• The catch: during the day a photo queue forms at the sculpture.

11. Riga Radio and TV Tower

© Modris Putns · CC BY-SAPhoto: Modris Putns, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

The Riga Radio and TV Tower stands on Zaķusala island and rises to 368 m (as of 09/2026, BB.lv). No structure in Latvia is taller. Metal instead of concrete allows the tower to "grow" slightly in hot weather.

Important: the observation deck is closed to visitors. In September 2026, a large-scale reconstruction began on the tower, costing almost €39 million (as of 09/2026, BB.lv). The project promises new glass platforms and an extreme route at a height of 220 m. Opening dates have not yet been announced.

You can admire the tower from outside or from the opposite bank of the Daugava. Zaķusala island is easy to reach by bus. If you want to go up, plan your visit after the work is completed.

• Getting there: Zaķusala island, by bus from the center.
• Address: Zakusalas krastmala, 1.
• The catch: the observation deck is closed for reconstruction.

Riga attractions on the map

Open the map to plan a route through all the points on the list. The sites are compactly located in the center and on Zaķusala. Save the map in advance in case you won't have internet during your trip.

Before heading out on your route, check the address of the nearest stop. This will save you time and keep you from wandering in circles around the Old Town.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need for Riga?

Two days is enough to see the main sights without rushing. Spend the first day in the Old Town: you will cover Dome Square, St. Peter's Church, and the House of the Blackheads. Leave the second day for the Riga Motor Museum in Mežciems. If you want to add museums, plan for a third day.

Where is Riga Castle?

Riga Castle stands at Pils laukums 3, on the bank of the Daugava, five minutes from Dome Square. Today it houses the residence of the President of Latvia, so there is no public access inside. It is worth viewing the walls from outside and the view of the river.

What can you see in Riga for free?

The Latvian Museum of Architecture in the Three Brothers complex offers free admission on weekdays. The city sculptures are also free: the Bremen Town Musicians monument and the Freedom Monument. A walk through the Old Town and along the embankment costs nothing either. You only have to pay for entry to cathedrals and museums.

When is the best time to visit Riga?

In summer the days are longest, and observation decks stay open until evening. Many travelers choose June and September, when there are fewer people. In winter it gets dark early, but hotels are cheaper. St. Peter's Church is open longer in summer than in the cold season.

Dome Cathedral or St. Peter's Church?

Both sites are in the Old Town, and you can visit them in one day. Dome Cathedral is interesting for its organ and the museum next door; admission costs €5 (as of 09/2026, cathedral website). St. Peter's Church offers the best view of the city from its observation deck. Start with the cathedral, then go up the tower when the weather is clear.

Can you go up the Riga TV Tower?

Not yet. The observation deck is closed to visitors, and a large-scale reconstruction began in September 2026. The project promises glass platforms and a route at a height of 220 m. No exact opening dates have been announced. For now, the tower can only be viewed from outside.

In short: what to book

Riga does not require a big budget: half the places on the list are free. But tickets to cathedrals and observation decks are better bought in advance, otherwise you will lose time in line.

• If you have one day: start with the Old Town and St. Peter's Church.
• If you have two days: add the Riga Motor Museum.
• If you are traveling with kids: go for the Bremen Town Musicians and the Motor Museum.

Riga tours on GetYourGuide