Is Riga worth visiting on a mini-break or as a part of a wider Baltics trip? The Latvian capital city of Riga is brimming with historic buildings, museums and attractions. If you want to visit two Baltic cities, it makes sense to visit Riga and one of the other two , as Riga sits in the middle. Plus, certain things about Riga are more appealing than the other two Baltic capitals. These are:. I started my trip off by going on a walking tour with Riga Free Tours around the old town to learn about its history and culture.
Other things to do in Riga include the House of Blackheads , which is an interesting look at Medieval Riga and its merchant groups, with the dungeons still being part of the historic building.
The Museum of Latvian Occupation is excellent β it covers a similar history to the Museum of Occupation and Freedom Fights in Lithuania, but the information and exhibits are presented better here.
I especially liked the large park where the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ is located. Founded in by Albert of Buxhoeveden, a German bishop , it quickly became a significant trading centre within the Hanseatic League. This early period was marked by rapid economic growth and the development of distinctive architectural styles. During the 16th century, Riga endured the turbulence of the Reformation and later, the Polish-Swedish War, leading to Swedish rule in the early 17th century.
Under Swedish control, Riga experienced cultural and educational advancements, including the founding of the University of Latvia in The Great Northern War in the early 18th century brought Russian rule, under which Riga continued to prosper as a major trading hub.
