Neigbourhoods of Riga: Honest tour through most beautiful and most unusual areas
5.0
2 Ratings
Rīga
Explore the diverse neighborhoods of Riga on a guided tour that takes you through the city's history and architecture. From Art Nouveau to Soviet occupation and modern design, discover the hidden gems of Riga beyond the touristy Old Town.
Duration:
10 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
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Art Nouveau Riga - Riga’s UNESCO World Heritage listed Art Noveau area is one of a kind and this is where story of the modern Riga starts. We’ll see some of the most decorative buildings, some less ornate, but highly artistic, and some of our very own - fusion of Latvian folk motives and Art Noveau the rest of the world knows.
This area is very descriptive of the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Riga. - Mezaparks - Mežaparks (literally - Forest park) is one of the world’s first garden cities - a turn of centuries concept of capturing benefits from both cities and countryside while avoiding the disadvantages of both. Early 20th century saw upper class citizens of Riga building their Art Noveau and Eclectic villas there, which was later joined by the Song festival Bandstand and a Zoo. Mežaparks is still one of the wealthiest areas of Riga today, but thanks to the lakeside and possibility for various sporting activities it’s also one of the most popular summer destinations of regular Rigans as well.
- Central Market (Centraltirgus) - This is one of the very few main bazaars of European towns that still functions as an actual grocery market instead of being converted to a tourist trap selling souvenirs. Here you can have a peek in what local people actually shop for. You’ll explore the world of Latvian cuisine by tasting a few traditional things depending on the season and - if you like them - shop for items to bring back home with you. You’ll hear the stories of how and why the largest market of Europe at the time (and still) was built, and how it has managed to survive the otherwise victorious march of supermarket chains.
- Panorama Riga Observation Deck - The Observation Deck of Latvian Academy of sciences is located in the Moscow Suburb which is to the south of the old city of Riga along the road historically connecting Riga to Moscow, from which its name is derived. Here we’ll see some remnants of the wood-only architecture from centuries ago spiced up by some “Stalin’s Baroque” - post war Soviet monumentalism. The 65m high observation deck itself is quite different from the rest of the viewpoints of the city, since besides the old town and the river Daugava you can also see the central market along with less developed areas of Riga.
- Lucavsala - A visit to one of Riga’s islands, part of which is covered in small gardens. Those little green refuges are enjoyed by the old and young alike, having a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Some people use them just for relaxing and having a bbq, while others go at the idea almost professionally - growing vegetables and herbs not only for own use, but for selling in the market as well. This is an old tradition of Rigans, which can be traced back to centuries ago. And the whole thing is right in the middle of the city!
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Ziepniekkalns - Ziepniekkalns is one of the best examples of soviet urban planning, rows and rows of impersonal concerete panel apartment blocks. The longest building in Riga is found here - half a kilometer long, almost 400 identical apartments in one grey structure. If you have never seen any USSR residential areas, this place is a must. Here we’ll talk about the times of Soviet occupation of Riga, the industry, the living conditions, daily life, etc.
Also, this is where you’ll have your lunch served. Authentic soviet food in an authentic soviet setting obviously :) - Āgenskalns - Āgenskalns is one of the oldest suburbs of Riga, but also one of the most hip today. We’ll see the grand Latvian National Library building, stroll the streets of nice wooden houses and little cafes. This is where the tour ends, so you will have had experienced the full circle of Rigas history during the last hundred years or so. The guide will take you back to the starting point or whichever other location in Riga by your choosing.
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Lunch
- Tickets to Observation Deck
- Tasting in the Central Market
Additional Information
Riga displays a variety of personalities based on its diverse neighborhoods. This tour will take you on a journey through these districts, explaining their evolution and current statuses. You’ll explore elements dating back to the early 20th century, such as Art Nouveau, garden city, quaint dwellings, exotic gardens on a river island, the solid structures erected during the Soviet occupation period, the minimalist functionality of that era, and ultimately the contemporary architecture of independent Latvia, all encapsulated in this tour.
Transport between these diverse locations will be in a comfortable vehicle, guided by your guide. However, note that the tour integrates a significant amount of walking.
Skip the sight-seeing fatigue of the Medieval Old Town if you’ve seen it already or simply prefer not to. Opt for this tour that presents less frequented or non-touristy spots, offering you a more intimate take on Riga’s true essence. On the other hand, if you wish to incorporate the Old Town in your single day tour, we can accommodate that too - the itinerary is highly flexible. Just let us know!
Location
Latvian National Museum of Art
Jaņa Rozentāla laukums
Right at the main entrance of the museum.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(2 Ratings)
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1 star
Barwellfamily
Jan 9, 2024
Exceptional day with Harijs - what a fabulous guide! - Exceptional day with Harijs - thoroughly recommended.
As a family of four (56, 54, 21 and 19) we were looking forward to our New Year break in Riga and without a doubt, engaging the services of Harijs helped make our trip the very best it could have been.
Harijs imparted a huge amount of knowledge to us, not only about the obvious history of beautiful old Riga, but also modern-day Latvia, its challenges and journey since WW2, its culture, people, transport, where they live and their gardens, even food and drinks at "Lido".
We came home with an insight into a small but incredible and proud country which was all down to Harijs.
His focus on communication and tailoring the tour to suit our needs worked well, "above and beyond" is a phrase that comes to mind.
Thank you Harijs, wishing you and your family well.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sebastian_m
May 11, 2022
Great tour! Harijs was... - Great tour! Harijs was such a knowledgeable guide and we had a very nice day trip. Customising the tour a bit was no problem and we really learned a lot. The tour gives a great overview of the different parts of the city!
Review provided by Viator
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