Riga Old Town Walk: A Self-Guided Walking Route
By The Latvia Travel Tales team · Last updated
Photo: Canva.comThis self-guided route links the main sights of Riga's Old Town in one loop: Town Hall Square and the House of the Blackheads, Dome Square, the Three Brothers, the Swedish Gate, the Powder Tower and St. Peter's Church.
It is about 2.5 km and takes 2 to 3 hours at an easy pace. The whole thing is on foot, with no leg longer than ten minutes.
- ~2.5 km
- route length
- 2-3 h
- with stops
- UNESCO
- Old Town
Where to start the walk?
Start at Town Hall Square by the House of the Blackheads. It is a rebuilt merchant guild house with an ornate facade, facing the Town Hall and the statue of Roland. From here the Old Town opens out in every direction.
Next to it stands St. Peter's Church. Its tower has a lift and a platform at 72 metres with a view over the rooftops, the Daugava and the whole city, a good place to grasp the layout of the Old Town before you walk it.
Photo: Canva.comThe main stops
From Town Hall Square, walk to Dome Square, the largest in the Old Town and its heart, ringed by Riga Cathedral, one of the largest medieval churches in the Baltics. Continue through the narrow streets to the Three Brothers, three joined houses from different centuries that show how the city's residential architecture developed.
The route carries on to the Swedish Gate, the only surviving city gate, and the Powder Tower, a massive defensive tower that now holds the War Museum. From there you can loop back to Town Hall Square along Tirgonu Street.
Photo: Canva.com- Town Hall Square and the House of the Blackheads
- St. Peter's Church and tower
- Dome Square and Riga Cathedral
- The Three Brothers
- The Swedish Gate
- The Powder Tower
How long does the walk take?
The walk itself is about 2.5 km and takes an hour if you do not stop. With photos, the climb up the St. Peter's tower and a coffee break, 2 to 3 hours is more realistic.
The streets are cobbled and uneven in places, so bring comfortable shoes. The route is a loop, so it ends where it began.
Photo: Canva.comFrequently asked questions
How long is the Riga Old Town walking route?
About 2.5 km and 2 to 3 hours with stops. Without stops you can walk it in an hour. It is a loop that ends at the starting point.
Can you see Riga's Old Town without a guide?
Yes. The Old Town is small and well signed. A self-guided route with an audio guide gives you a story at each stop and lets you go at your own pace, without being tied to a group.
Take the route with you in the app
Latvia Travel Tales is free to download; audio guides and offline maps come with Pro (€4.99/year). Download the Old Town route and hear the story at every stop.