Vecrīga

Housed the guild of the tradesmen, who would join after being a member of the Blackheads (see House of Blackheads). Home to the Latvian Philharmonic – you can't just walk inside. It's the exterior that's worth seeing though.

Another pretty building just behind the Big Guild, this one housed the craftsmen's guild. Like the Big Guild, you can't go inside except for a performance.

This building (also housing a pub of no particular note) is most famous for the two statues of black cats on the roofs. The legend has it that a disgruntled tradesman who was not accepted into the Big Guild, built this house and put the cats on it with their tails pointing towards the Big Guild, thus expressing his scorn.

Wagner once lived in Riga, on the street now named after him. This hall where he performed occasionally holds concerts.

This noticeable and austere black building is clearly out-of-place. In the Soviet days, this housed a museum to the Red Riflemen, a group of Latvians who volunteered for the service to Russia during the Russian revolution of 1917. Now it houses a museum of Latvia's time under the Nazi and Soviet occupations. Very long, but very moving – essential for anyone interested in the history of the USSR or Nazi Germany. Outside the building away from the town square stands the Soviet-era Monument to the Riflemen.

The Museum of Decorative and Design Art is located in the former St. George’s Church building (1204), which is the oldest stone building in Riga. It features seven collections of decorative and design art work.

This museum holds various exhibitions that display different aspects of cinema art, actors and film history.

Covers the history of porcelain in Riga through the 19th and 20th centuries.

Historic sports equipment and sportswear, photographs from a variety of sporting events.

The collection covers the period from 1945 to 1991 in Latvia.

One of Riga's weirdest museums, it covers the history of sun mythology and its role in Latvian culture.

Latvian National Museum of Art is the most significant depository in the nation for works of art.

The History Museum is interesting, however there is little English (every room has its exhibits summarized on a single plaque). However, the museum does give a very good idea of Latvian history, and will give you a good understanding of the area.

Contains photos of Latvia since 1839, with focuses on the World Wars and 1905 Revolution.

Riga Photonics Center is part of University of Latvia. Occasional events.

Only fashion museum in the Baltics, created in one of the most popular tourist attractions in Old Riga opposite to the House of the Blackheads.

The Museum of Ancient Baltic Jewellery was established by two well-known Latvian jewellers.

LUMAS Art Gallery offer latest movements in the young art scene.

Contemporary art from Baltic states. Solo and group exhibitions.

Riga art gallery since 2000.

St. Peter's Church, dating to 1209, is Riga's oldest church. Besides its ensemble of architecture, the church has an elevator to the tower from where you can see all of Riga (service not available on Mondays).

A smaller, less spectacular church near Saint Peter's. There is a nice altar inside, and unlike most Riga churches, this one is free. The altar is from the Renaissance period and depicts the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. The ceiling is from the Gothic period, and has 5 separate vaulted compartments. There is also a huge pipe organ, and many stained glass windows. This church dates back to the mid 1200s.

Riga's only Anglican church has English language services every Sunday at 11:00, and free concerts every Wednesday.

Dating to 1226, this is one of the few Catholic churches left in Riga. At one point, it housed one of Riga's first schools.

One of the medieval castles in Latvia, on the bank of the river, which is now the seat of the Latvian president. The museum in the castle can be visited by the public.

Great Kristaps is popular with film industry people.

House what was gifted to Peter I and house he visited during his travels.

The oldest dwelling houses in Riga. One of them has a small architecture museum inside, along with changing exhibits about Latvia.

A rather plain building housing the Saeima, Latvia's parliament. It has had a number of uses, including as a Soviet-era museum. Not open to visitors.

The last remaining gate from the old city walls.

Statue of woman with amphora on a building.

The Art Museum Riga Bourse stores the largest collection of foreign art in the Baltic states.

Covers the dramatic events that occurred in the tumultuous final year of the USSR, when Soviet authorities sent troops into Riga to overthrow the elected Latvian government.

Actually two museums plus a number of special exhibits, though you pay one price. English, German and Russian descriptions of each permanent collections are provided in a booklet inside each exhibit hall. Both of the main museums are quite interesting, and they provide a good idea of what Riga was like in the past.

Arsenal Museum of Art is one of the largest exhibition halls in Riga. It is located in an important architectural monument – a customs warehouse or arsenal built at the beginning of the 19th century in the late Russian Classicism style. It was adapted for museum use in the second half of the 1980s.

For about 50 years it was a large union of memorial houses devoted to a range of writers. The latest reorganisation in 2009 has resulted in more simple and recognizable establishment – Literature and Music Museum.

Dating to 1207, the cathedral is one of Riga's symbols. The 6768-pipe organ inside is particularly spectacular. Besides the organ, however, the interior is rather Spartan, and may not be worth the entrance fee (even the organ is being restored, though).

St. Mary Magdalene's Church was made of stone in late 13th century. You can find perpetual worship nearby.

First stone church built in Riga after the Reformation had reached Livonia.

Individual and group fine art gallery.

The primary attraction here is the last remaining stretch of city wall directly opposite the barracks.

22 collections of Latvian and Soviet military equipment starting from World War I until today.

In a renovated 18th-century house. The museum showcases pharmaceutical equipment, traditional medicine and herbs and what pharmacies looked like a century ago.

Former residence of a wealthy merchant built in 1720, now a museum dedicated to life in Riga in the 17th & 18th centuries.

Laima is a Latvian chocolate manufacturer and means good luck in Latvian. The Clock is a traditional meeting place for people in Riga.

Jēkabs art gallery offers exhibitions and fine art auctions.

A pretty building in its own right, this is also a nice place to see an opera or ballet.

It is a team of highly professional musicians with strong traditions, generous sound and devoted performance.

Riga Theater-Club in heart of old city.

Oldest Russian theatre in the world outside Russia.

A small, pleasant park surrounding Brivibas Bulvaris. Sites in the Bastejkalns include a Chinese and a Japanese building, and the Bridge of Love over the Pilsetas Canal. The Bridge of Love has several locks on the railings put up by recently married couples. There is also a memorial to the two people killed here in the tumultuous events of 1991.