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Five ideas for guided tours in Riga

• The old town – Vecriga

  Vecrīga means “the old town of Riga” in Latvian. The historical center of the Baltic metropolis, almost exclusively pedestrian, is full of monuments and small streets forming a kind of labyrinth where it is pleasant to get lost. Along the way, you’ll pass by colorful old half-timbered buildings and discover lively squares with terraces, restaurants and bars, including Doma Laukums Square, which houses the 13th-century Protestant cathedral in its center. Enter St. Peter’s Church and climb to the top of its bell tower for a panoramic view of Riga. To finish your walk, go and rest in one of the parks surrounding the district, such as the Wöhrmann Garden or the Victory Park.

• The city’s canals

  To make the most of your visit to the city, take a trip along the canals that wind along the Daugava River. It is a pleasant and interesting alternative to discover the Latvian city from a different perspective. The cruise, which lasts about 1 hour, will take you through the old town, past Kipsala Island, and the most emblematic monuments of the capital, such as the National Theatre, the Opera, the Castle, the central market halls and the Kronvalda Park. This river walk will show you a different aspect of the city, without the stress of crowds or the fatigue of walking, and all this peacefully, along the water.

• The central market – Centraltirgus

  The Riga Centraltirgus covered market, located near the central station, opened in 1930. It is the biggest in Europe, with more than 3000 stands arranged in a style mixing Art Deco and neoclassic. It was built in the hangars where the German army stored its Zeppelins during the First World War. Come and venture there and you will not be disappointed by the carnival of colors and flavors offered by the myriad of goods scattered on different pavilions: fruits, meats, delicatessens, vegetables, flowers… It is a place not to be missed in the city, which welcomes on its 16,000 m² nearly 70,000 people every day.

• Vermanes Park

  If you’re looking for a place to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of the city, the Wöhrmann Garden, located right next to the Opera House, is a great choice. Opened in 1817, it is the oldest park in Latvia and offers lush vegetation and a splendid rose garden. Several bridges span a small canal where boats are available. Don’t hesitate to sit down in one of the cafés or terraces that await you in the shady alleys.

• Kipsala Island

  The island of Kipsala, in the middle of the Daugava River, can be reached via the Vansu Bridge. This old green fishing village is full of charming renovated wooden houses and small cobblestone streets. You will discover wild gardens and vegetable gardens from another time. This haven of peace with a privileged charm will allow you to escape in an absolute calm. Along the small beach, you will have a clear view of the whole city. If the weather allows it, you can even swim. This sometimes-forgotten place of the Latvian capital is one of the many hidden mysteries where an independent guide of Riga will lead you.