Things to see in Riga

This stunningly renovated gothic building on the revamped Rātslaukams dates back to 1334 when it was the meeting venue of local unmarried merchants: the Blackheads. It fell into decline during Soviet times, but after years of restoration it now gleams by day and shines at night when floodlit. The building's mighty gable rises dramatically 28m (92ft) above the square. The interior is suitably impressive with a rebuilt hall where the Blackheads once met.

Tue-Sun 1100-1800

Yes

The oldest church in Riga is dedicated to the city's patron saint. Originally built in 1209, it was reconstructed a few times, with the most recent one in 1941 after a fire. The 123-metre (403-ft) tower has an elevator taking visitors up to an observation gallery offering sweeping views of the city.

Tue-Sat 1000-1800; Sun 1200-1800

Yes

An intoxicating collage of gothic, art nouveau and Romanesque styles, this holy place is one of Riga's symbols. In the interior museum, there are displays portraying Riga between the World Wars, as well as maps and postcards of Old Riga. One of the highlights is the world-famous organ, crafted in 1884 with almost 7,000 pipes.

July 1 – September 30: Daily from 0900-1800, except on Wednesdays and Fridays from 0900-1700, on Thursdays from 0900 - 1730
October 1 – June 30: Daily from 1000-1700

Yes

The voluminous Freedom Monument, fondly known as 'Milda', occupies a sacred place in the hearts and minds of every Latvian. In 1935, private donations paid for and erected this potent symbol of the nation, which somehow survived four decades of Soviet rule. During the Communist era, locals often joked that the monument was really a travel agent, since laying flowers at the site guaranteed a one-way ticket to Siberia. Today, the monument is back to its best after a major renovation and still retains its poignancy, doubling as a favourite meeting point for the city's youth.

No.

Just outside the Old Town walls, the Roman Catholic cathedral of Riga has been reincarnated many times. St Jacob’s Cathedral (Jēkaba Katedrāle) was once a Lutheran parish church, a Jesuit church and even a Swedish garrison church. But now, revelling in layers of history, it is an atmospheric place of Catholic worship. The Church of Jesus (Jēzus Baznīca), Riga's oldest wooden church, has fought an epic battle with fire for centuries. Its survival alone is reason enough to visit. Grebenstchikov Church is another wooden structure, a gold-domed affair dating back to the early 19th century. Alexander Nevsky Church (Aleksandra Nevska Baznīca) is a Russian Orthodox structure dating back to the 1820s. Named after the 13th-century Russian prince celebrated by Riga’s Russian population as a folk hero, the church is bright yellow and hard to miss.

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Perhaps Riga’s most underrated attraction, the Latvian Ethnographic Museum is situated just outside the capital and offers a glimpse into rural life during the 17th and 18th centuries. Spread over 90 hectares (222 acres) of beautiful Baltic countryside, this open-air museum boasts a stunning collection of impeccably preserved wooden farmsteads, churches and windmills that you can wander around. A traditional tavern sells local cuisine and sometimes traditional craftsmen and women sell their wares around this venue too. Keep your eyes peeled for red squirrels, which you can see leaping between silver birches.

Daily 1000-1700; grounds (but not buildings) stay open until 2000 in summer.

Yes

The Latvian National Museum of Art is housed in an impressive baroque structure, which was the first building in the Baltics specifically created to be a museum. It is listed as an architectural landmark of national significance, and the top floor is adorned with six decorative paintings by the great Latvian artist Vilhelms Purvītis and the Estonian classical artist Gerhard von Rosen. The permanent exhibitions of the museum trace the development of professional art in the Baltic region from the mid-1700s to the present day. Its Russian art collection is reputed to be the richest in the Baltic countries. Alongside the permanent collections, the museum hosts temporary exhibitions, as well as regular cultural events.

Tue-Thu 1000-1800; Fri 1000- 2000; Sat-Sun 1000-1700

Yes