Walk along the narrow streets of the Medieval Old Town with our knowledgeable guides. The tour starts from the Town Hall Square- the central square of the city from 13th to 19th century. You will find out why Riga is called the capital of the decorated Christmas tree, where the key of Riga is being kept and much more.
You will have the opportunity to enjoy the architectural pearls from different centuries – from the oldest stone building in Riga dating back to 13th century to our Castle of Light – the National Library which was opened in 2014.
Pay a visit to the biggest churches in the Old Town- St. Peter’s, the Dome Cathedral and St. Jacob’s and find out why their spires are decorated with roosters instead of crosses.
There are many gems hidden in these streets and with the help of our guides you can discover the secrets of Riga. The tour also includes a question +answer session with the guide.
Jurmala is a seaside resort situated just 20 km from Riga. The natural curative features of this place were already well known more than 150 years ago. Nowadays golden beaches, blue sea, fresh air and the unique beauty of pine forests attract tourists from all over the world. You can see wooden country houses of the beginning of the 20th century alongside with modern cottages there.
Our Jurmala Sightseeing is a tour full of contrasts: you’ll see the beautiful beach and walk the crowded pedestrian streets full with bars and cafes, stunning beaches as well as some amazing architecture and beautiful nature.
Sigulda is often called the Latvian Switzerland. In summer and spring you can walk along the picturesque banks of the river Gauja and explore the main place of interest in Sigulda – the mighty medieval Turaida castle. The castle is an architectural monument of the 13th century. In winter, Sigulda is a center for Latvia winter sports like skiing, bobsled, and others.
During this tour you will have a chance to visit: the most visited museum of Latvia - Turaida museum reserve, where you can get acquainted with expositions concerning archaeology, culture and art history, which tell the story of events that have occurred during last 1000 years; Sigulda castle complex which was built in 1207 as a castellum type fortress. Today it is possible to climb up the North Tower and the Main Gate Tower, walk on the castle walls and enjoy the medieval aura; Bobsleigh and ludge track Sigulda - one of few buildings of this kind in the world. Its length is 1420 meters, track has 16 curves and 200m long braking distance. Siguda can safely be called an Olympic city - the inhabitants of Sigulda have won Olympic medals in both the skeleton, ludge, and bobsleigh. On the way to and from Sigulda you will also see the Gutman's cave (biggest cave in Baltics) and Gauja national park, as well as Walking-stick park, which is a tribute to Sigulda's most popular souvenir.
Tour to Jurmala starts in Riga from hotel reception with private guide and after 20 minutes drive by car/minivan to Latvian favorite summer time vacation town of Jurmala, the vibrant Latvian sea resort, famous with its numerous fantasy-like wooden summer houses architecture on Jomas Street and strolls over 40 km near great sandy beach of Baltic Sea with its wooden, the SPA` s and health temples which are facing the white beach, where historically rich and the aristocracy have come for more then a century, enjoyed the calm tranquility of this place and took a walk next to the beach with chance to finding the amber, later return back to Riga.
Descubra la historia, la arquitectura y la cultura que definen a la capital de Letonia en este tour a pie de Riga. Admire la hermosa arquitectura del pasado y disfrute del gran patrimonio, cultura y tradiciones de la ciudad. Desde la zona de Art Nouveau hacia la plaza de la catedral de Riga y la casa de las Cabezas Negras, deléitese con las mejores vistas de la cuidad y descubra sus tesoros ocultos.
Meeting point:“Laima” Clock next to the Monument of Freedom.
Duration:Approx. 4 hours.
Start or opening time:At 11.00 am.
End or closing time:At 3.00 pm approx.
Languages:English
Tour starts from Riga hotel reception with private guide and by car/minivan to The Gauja National Park, which was established in 1973 and consists of more than 900 sq.km begins at Riga hotel and after 1 hour drive out of city, where the park is located in the area known as "Vidzemes Sveice" - the Livonian Switzerland and offers a unique combination of picturesque hill landscapes, the Gauja River, medieval castles, sculpture parks and fauna and flora that are already extinct in many countries in Europe.
First the sightseeing of Sigulda - a small idyllic town with 10.000 inhabitants, foundation of which dates back in history in the beginning of the 12th century when German Order built a large castle here and it was destroyed during the Great Nordic War - but the ruins of the main building and the 2 towers are left and are used for dance and song festivals and a new castle was built in 1881 and today it houses the city council and a nice restaurant, from the castle ruins there is a fabulous view of the Gauja River and it is also possible to go over the river by cable car (ticket is not included in tour price), during the tour also a visit of the famous bob-sleigh track and just outside a town there are possibilities of canoeing and rafting on the Gauja River.
Tour furthers to the other side of the river and visit of the Gutman Cave, a huge red sandstone cave and then up to the hill the ruins of the Turaida Castle (entrance), which was inaugurated by Bishop Albert of Riga and completed in 1214 and remained untouched until 1776 when it was seriously damaged by a fire, but now a part of the castle has been rebuilt, it is again possible to enter the tower and the main building and close to the castle you will find a little wooden church from 1750, the Daina Hill sculpture park of Latvian folksongs, and not to forget - the Tomb of the "Rose of Turaida".
Rundale, one of the most beautiful baroque palaces in Latvia, was built in 1736-1740 as a summer residence for the Duke of Courland, Ernst Johann Biron. The palace was designed by the outstanding Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, the creator of the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg. Crystal chandeliers, silk wallpaper, rich stucco molding, sculptures, luxurious tiled fireplaces, mirrors, elegant galleries and refined colors and frescos were made by Italian artists Francesco Martini and Carlo Zucci. Now the renovated areas show the former glory of the palace. During the summer the tour includes a visit to the palace’s French regular park.
The representation rooms in the eastern wing of the palace – the Gilt Hall, the White Hall, and the Great Gallery – are open to the public. The central block accommodates the Duke's suite with reception parlours and private rooms, and the eastern block – a fully restored suite of Duchess's rooms. The Rundale Palace Museum works as a centre for research into Latvia's history, through creating collections, arranging exhibitions and producing publications. The exhibition halls display applied art, fine art and historical expositions; the palace hosts the Early Music Festival and recitals of classical music.
The regular French style park with its rose garden, the Green Theatre, ornamental parterres and the fountain, are open for the public. In summers, the park becomes the venue for the Garden Festival. A Baroque palace cannot be imagined without the French garden, an elaborate architectural framework devised of green plantings that should manifest the triumph of art over nature. The park spreads out to the south of the palace, and Bartolomeo Rastrelli designed it together with the palace building. An artificial canal runs around the park, encircling also the palace and the stables. Although Rundale's formal garden is but 10 ha large, Rastrelli has managed to fill it with an intricate maze of allées, cross paths, pergolas and bosquets.
Tour begins from hotel reception in direction to Old Town with private guide and then walking tour at the Old Riga, which was first referred to in chronicles in 1201, excursion starts by passing pedestrian Kalku Street with Livu Square and it’s medieval buildings, Small and Great Guild Houses, Dome Cathedral (entrance), Stock exchange building, Blackheads House (photo stop only), St. Peter’s Church, then passing Latvian National Opera House, city canal, tour ends at Freedom Monument and back to hotel.
A beautiful cultural walking tour around the Old Town of Riga including visits to The Cathedral of St Stanislaus and St Ladislaus, Gediminas’ Tower and Trakai Castle. The perfect tour to understand the history of such a characteristic place
HIGHLIGHTS:
* Learn and experience the fascinating history of this city
* Go up the Gediminas’ Tower and see the panoramic views
* Explore Trakai Castle and its picturesque surroundings
Start this walking tour around the Old Town, filled with medieval era buildings and narrow cobbled streets. Stroll down Rozena Street, the narrowest street in Riga, where you can spread your arms and touch both sides. Roam carelessly around this charming Town embracing the everyday life of the locals.
Next, we’ll visit The Cathedral of Vilnius, dedicated to saints Stanislaus and Ladislaus found just off of Cathedral Square. This church captures the soul and beauty of Catholicism, with over 40 works of art from the 16th to 19th Century amongst these are breathtaking frescoes and paintings.
Climb the Gediminas Tower, the symbol of the city built on the Tower Hill and boasts impressive views over the whole city and the River Neris Valley. Look out over the landscape from a whole new perspective. Afterwards, we’ll have a quick pause for your lunch break, for you to enjoy lunch as you please.
Enjoy a scenic drive out to Trakai Castle, the capital of medieval Lithuania. Step out into this surreal miniature, wooden town and breathe in the peaceful aura around this stunning location. Explore the Trakai Castle and Museum itself, marvel over artefacts from the 17th and 18th Century whilst touring a 15th Century Castle.
During the voyage we guarantee an unforgettable view on the Old city and its’ towers, Riga castle, Riga passenger terminal, TV Tower in Zak¸usala and other pla- ces that cannot be left without notice. River boat ”Vecri¯ga” is able to host up to 150 guests.
If you wish you can catch the sun and the wind, and have a delicious cocktails on the open upper deck of the boat which is decorated in a tropical style or you can relax in our bar which is located in the lower deck of the boat. In this deck you will also find a modern style passenger saloon with panoramic window.