Riga Cruise Port Guide

Riga, Latvia — cruise port — Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Photos: Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 3.0) · via Wikimedia Commons; Krista Roolaid, TheProblemChild, Ivan Zanotti, Alwisgm, Marco Domizio · via Google Maps

Country:: Latvia
Region:: Baltic
Coordinates:: 56.9475° N, 24.1069° E

About Riga

Riga's cruise season runs from May through September, offering extended daylight for exploring Latvia's capital city. The port sits at the mouth of the Daugava river where it meets the Baltic Sea, placing you within walking distance of the city's most significant attractions.

Most of Riga's highlights cluster within the Old Town, just steps from the port. The House of the Black Heads is a museum located directly at the port, whilst The Freedom Monument and Bastejkalns Park lie under 1 km away. Other nearby attractions include Rīgas Rātslaukums, the Cat House, Laima Clock and Līvu Square, all within 0.5 km. The Riga UNESCO World Heritage Site encompasses the historic centre you'll be exploring.

What to see and do

Riga is home to 588,911 inhabitants and serves as Latvia's largest city. The city's territory covers 307.17 km² on a flat and sandy plain near the Gulf of Riga. From here, you can reach nearby Baltic cruise destinations including Copenhagen, Gdańsk, Helsinki and Kiel.

Riga, officially Riga State City, is the capital, primate, and largest city of Latvia and the second most-populous city in the Baltics. Home to 588,911 inhabitants, the city accounts for a third of Latvia's total population. The population of Riga metropolitan area, which stretches beyond the city limits, is estimated at 847,162. The city lies on the Gulf of Riga at the mouth of the Daugava river where it meets the Baltic Sea. Riga's territory covers 307.17 km2 (118.60 sq mi) and lies 1–10 m (3–33 ft) above sea level on a flat and sandy plain.

Things to do in Riga on a port day

Top-rated sights within reach of the cruise terminal. Ratings, hours and reviews from Google — check opening times before you go.

Photo: Piotr Wawrzyniak · via Google Maps
Museum

House of the Black Heads

4.6 (13,227) 0.0 km from port

Gothic-style property built in 1334, with medieval cellars & a presidential silver collection.

Near: Museum of the Occupation of Latvia (29 m) · Salve Restaurant (29 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Friday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Sunday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- 5 · “House of the Blackheads is in Rigas old town. It is now a museum, but was built as a warehouse…” — Steve N
- 5 · “The House of the Black Heads (Melngalvju nams) is one of the most striking landmarks in Riga and a place…” — Agrim Karki
Website Google Maps Directions +371 20 688 099
Photo: Pakho Wong · via Google Maps
Monument

The Freedom Monument

4.7 (12,507) 0.6 km from port

42m statue dedicated to Latvians who lost their lives fighting for independence between 1918 & 1920.

Near: Embassy of Germany (89 m) · Embassy of France (92 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “You’ll probably walk past the Freedom Monument while exploring Riga, so it’s an easy stop. It’s an elegant monument with…” — Tibor
- 5 · “The Freedom Monument was one of the most meaningful places I visited in Riga. Standing beneath the towering monument, I…” — Agrim Karki
Website Google Maps Directions
Photo: Arina Vasiljeva · via Google Maps
Park and Garden

Bastejkalns Park

4.7 (8,876) 0.5 km from port

Hilly green space with man-made cascades, small bridges, sculptures & a swan house on the canal.

Near: Embassy of France (29 m) · The Freedom Monument (64 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Dogs allowed
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “Beautiful park. Lots of spots to sit next to the canal. Has at least one cafe but didn't visit. Has…” — Samu Puuronen
- 5 · “A beautiful Park in central Riga.A very green space, with trees and shrubs and plenty of flowers. An extensive network…” — Steve N
Website Google Maps Directions
Photo: Dracelina · via Google Maps
Tourist attraction

Cat House

4.4 (3,519) 0.3 km from port

Built in 1909, this medieval-inspired building is known for its 2 cat sculptures on roof turrets.

Near: Gastro Pub Duvel's (15 m) · Great Guild (59 m)
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “The can made me so happy, she deserves more than just one house!” — Denis Haxhnikaj
- 5 · “We really enjoyed visiting the Cat House in Riga – it’s such a quirky and charming spot in the Old…” — Eleonora Baldassari
Website Google Maps Directions
Tourist attraction

Laima Clock

4.6 (2,146) 0.4 km from port

Restored clock dating to 1924, serving as local landmark & popular meeting spot.

Near: McDonald's (39 m) · The Freedom Monument (148 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “Classic meeting place in the city, cool clock and historic sign.” — Jozef Watson
- 5 · “This place is magical in the sense that it is where you plan to meet people. It's the perfect place…” — Daniel Aleksander Jensen
Google Maps Directions
Tourist attraction

Rīgas Rātslaukums

4.7 (1,908) 0.0 km from port

Cobbled 13th-century market square destroyed in WWII, with reconstructed buildings & monuments.

Near: Roland's Statue (15 m) · House of the Black Heads (23 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “Rīgas Rātslaukums was one of those places that instantly made me slow down and take everything in. The moment I…” — Agrim Karki
- 5 · “Beautiful old town Riga with a lot of interesting landmarks pre and post Soviet era” — GIRUBA BEULAH SE
Google Maps Directions
Tourist attraction

Līvu Square

4.6 (338) 0.3 km from port

Near: Great Guild (65 m) · New Yorker (71 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “Beautiful square in Riga's old town with many colourful buildings. Worth passing by, especially on a sunny day where the…” — KY
- 4 · “Тhe bright colors, the lights, the crowds of people make you want to be a part of this place” — Rumyana U-Lazarova
Website Google Maps Directions
Tourist attraction

Riga UNESCO World Heritage Site

4.8 (180) 0.3 km from port

Near: Latvian Radio (LR) (25 m) · Dome Square (37 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “Riga’s UNESCO World Heritage Site designation makes sense the second you walk through Old Town. The architecture alone does it.…” — Seth Ilzy
- 5 · “Nice area. Beautiful buildings, silent traffic. Nice just walk around or sit on terrace.” — Pekka Kuusisto
Website Google Maps Directions