Private Grand Riga City Tour: Art Nouveau & Old Town

Art Nouveau district holds one of the world's largest collections of the style, preserved intact across entire blocks.

A private four-hour tour of Riga starting from your hotel, traveling by car through the Art Nouveau district and Central Market, then walking through Old Town to see St. Peter's Church, the Blackheads House, Dom Square and other medieval landmarks. The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking guide, and bottled water. You choose the pace and can arrange coffee stops along the way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. House of the Blackheads10m
2. Latvian National Operapass by
3. St Peter's Church10m
4. Riga Castle10m
5. Swedish Gate10m

Explore Riga's Art Nouveau and Old Town

• Select transport: car or minivan
• Drive through central boulevards to Art Nouveau district
• Discover Art Nouveau buildings
• Pass City Canal parks and Fine Arts Museum
• See Freedom Monument and Daugava river bridges
• Visit Riga Central Market and try national food
• Walk through Riga Old Town
• See St. Peter's Church and St. Jacobs Church
• Visit Dom Square and St. Dom Cathedral
• Learn secrets of Cat House
• See Town Hall Square and Blackheads House

The experience

The tour begins with a drive along Riga's central boulevards into the Art Nouveau district, where entire blocks preserve the architectural style that defined the turn of the 20th century. From there you'll pass the City Canal parks, the Fine Arts Museum, and the Freedom Monument (a 42.7-meter granite and copper structure topped with three golden stars representing Latvia's historical regions) before reaching the Riga Central Market. This marketplace sits on the banks of the Daugava River a few hundred meters from Old Town and draws 80,000 to 100,000 shoppers daily, offering a cross-section of typical Latvian food and goods.

You'll then leave the vehicle and walk through Riga's Old Town, where the guide points out St. Peter's Church, the tallest spire in the cityscape and a prime example of 13th-century Gothic architecture. St. Jacob's Church; and Dom Square with its cathedral. The Blackheads House, located in the heart of Old Town, stands as one of the district's most distinctive facades. Along the way you'll learn about the Swedish Gate, the only surviving gate from Riga's medieval fortification wall, and pass Riga Castle, which has stood on the Daugava's right bank for over 700 years and now houses the residence of the President of Latvia.

The tour runs four hours total and includes hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned car or minivan sized to your group, WiFi on board, bottled water, and an English-speaking driver who serves as your guide. Coffee stops and detours can be arranged if you want to adjust the route. This is a private tour, so only your group participates.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• transport by air-conditioned car or minivan.
• English-speaking driver and guide.
• bottled water.
• WiFi on board.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to4h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Latvia Guide Tours

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to cover both Art Nouveau and Old Town in one outing: the mix of driving and walking lets you see more districts than walking alone, while the leisurely pace gives you time to absorb each one.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

What is the Art Nouveau district like, and why is Riga known for it?

Riga's Art Nouveau district holds one of the largest and best-preserved collections of Art Nouveau buildings in the world. The style, which emerged at the end of the 19th century and early 20th century, was the foundation of modern architecture, and entire blocks in Riga retain these facades intact.

How much walking is involved in the Old Town portion?

After the drive through the Art Nouveau district and Central Market, you leave the vehicle and walk through Old Town to see the churches, squares and historic buildings. The walking portion is part of the four-hour total, though the pace can be adjusted and stops arranged as you prefer.

What is the Blackheads House, and where is it located?

The Blackheads House is a distinctive medieval building located in the very heart of Old Town, near Dom Square. It's one of the most recognizable landmarks in Riga's historic center and a highlight of the walking portion of the tour.

Does the tour include entry to museums or churches?

The tour covers the exteriors and squares of Old Town's major sights, including St. Peter's Church and Dom Cathedral. Museum entries and any interior visits are not included in the tour price and can be arranged separately if you wish.

Can I arrange stops for coffee or photos during the tour?

Yes. The tour is private and flexible. Coffee stops and detours can be arranged on request, so you can adjust the route and pace to suit your interests.