Riga

Riga lies at the mouth of the Daugava (German: Düna) where it flows into the Gulf of Riga. The city’s name comes from the Riege, a small river that was later filled in. As early as the 12th century, merchants from Gotland came to the region, which later developed into an important center of Baltic trade and a prominent Hanseatic city. The Teutonic Order and Poland-Lithuania ruled Riga until the 16th century, before it came under Swedish rule and became the country’s second-largest city. In 1721, Riga, along with the entire Baltic region, was incorporated into the Russian Empire. German, however, remained Riga’s official language until 1891.

The many historic buildings are a major part of Riga’s appeal as a destination. The largest square is Dome Square, with its many street cafés and pubs. The cathedral was built as early as 1211 and expanded several times over the years. After being completely destroyed in the Second World War, Town Hall Square was faithfully reconstructed. The Town Hall, House of the Black Heads, Schwaben House, and statue of Roland evoke the city’s eventful past. Riga is considered Europe’s Art Nouveau capital, with around a third of the buildings in the center belonging to this architectural style. In contrast, a modern bridge spans the Daugava.

Thanks to its waterfront location, the city offers every opportunity for a wide range of water sports and is also a popular port of call for cruise ships. The seaside resort of Jurmala, effectively a suburb of Riga, serves as a popular local getaway for Riga’s residents. The Gauja National Park near the town of Sigulda is also easy to reach.
Riga offers everything you could wish for from a varied and relaxing Baltic Sea holiday, and there is, of course, a wide range of vacation accommodations in different categories.

You can book hotels in Riga directly.