Highlights Of Riga
Tour code: RIX R002,
Duration: 3:30 hours.
Combined bus and walking tour around the UNESCO heritage center, panoramic view with the President Palace, the walk around the unique Art Nouveau area. Any sightseeing of Riga can not be complete without visiting the unique Art Nouveau area, so before going to the Old Town, we will make a 30 min. walk through the most majestic and beautiful street of Riga – Alberta Street.
The tour continues around the Boulevard Circle with National Opera and Latvian University, the Freedom Monument and rendezvous’ spots, including excellent examples of Art Nouveau as well as Medieval Architecture of cloisters, churches, warehouses and lodgings. The bus will deliver the guests to the Monument of the Latvian Riflemen, where the walking tour will continue in the Old Town.
The tallest building in Old Riga is St. Peter’ s Lutheran Church, first mentioned in the records in 1209. It used to be the tallest wooden building in Europe, 123 m high. Some free time for souvenir shopping is offered near Konventa Seta, where you can also find the oldest stone wall structure of Riga, the St. George Church (now the Museum of Applied and Decorative Arts).
The Dome Lutheran Cathedral, combines features of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and modern architecture. It is the largest religious building in the Baltic States. The cathedral is famous for its magnificent organ (1884), renowned for its superb acoustics. Music-lovers will be happy to learn that regular concerts take place in the cathedral. Like most medieval cities, Riga was once encompassed by a fortified wall, a few fragments of which can be still seen. One of the oldest parts, built between the 13th and the 16th centuries is in Jāņa Sēta (restored in 1957-60). Near Gunpowder Tower is a part of the wall including the Swedish Gate, built during the Swedish period in 1698.The baroque building above the gate is office of the Society of Latvian Architects.
In Pils Square you can see the imposing Rīga Castle, built between 1330 and 1353 by the Livonian Order, including a convent, four corner towers and a gate tower. Today the castle is the residence of the Latvian president. Oldest residential building in Riga Three brothers and St. Jacobs church.
Also, you have an opportunity to buy a famous Riga Black Balsam, a 45 percent proof herbal drink which is one of the visit-cards of our city. It is famous since 18th century for its rich taste, curable power and nice herbal aroma.
It will conclude your tour program and you will return to your coaches to go back to the pier.
What’s included: Transfer, Licensed guide.
Location: City centre.
Availability: All year around.