For business tourists, Riga offers not only professionally equipped conference venues, but also a wide range of recreational activities that help you recharge after work and explore the city. The largest business venues in Riga are located in or near the city centre, so the activities offered will also be nearby.
Business people don’t have much free time, so let’s look at recreational opportunities that can be enjoyed in one evening – from a simple walk around Art Nouveau Riga to enjoying a local beer in one of the idyllic neighbourhoods, where you can truly feel local pride and get to know the charm of Riga. Riga has a unique advantage – natural landscapes are reachable within a short drive or even a short walk. Meanwhile, the surroundings of Riga entice you with historical sites, nature, and, of course, the Baltic Sea and beaches.
Cultural and historical heritage
Riga is the largest city in the Baltic region, the historical centre of which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The architecture of the city is particularly diverse – it includes ancient churches and medieval houses, Riga's famous Art Nouveau examples, rustic wooden buildings and modern structures. Moreover, most of these architectural gems can be seen on an easy walk right in the centre of Riga. Old Riga and the quiet city centre will surprise you with its ancient spirit and the grandeur of Art Nouveau architecture, with more than 500 architectural monuments and, of course, with rich offerings of entertainment, restaurants and summer cafés. Old Riga is a popular tourist oasis of recreation and entertainment in the historical and geographical centre of Riga, where the main features are narrow, cobbled streets and rich architecture.
Koka arhitektūra un klusās Rīgas apkaimes
Wooden buildings, which have survived in Riga since the 19th century, are a rare and unique phenomenon in Europe. In Pārdaugava, Grīziņkalns and Maskavas forštāte, romantic wooden houses still stand, creating a calm small-town atmosphere – at times it is even hard to imagine that you are in a big city.
For example, the architectural nuances of Grīziņkalns have changed very little over the years, so even today, almost in the city centre, it is possible to enjoy the “quiet life of the city outskirts”. Grīziņkalns, with its unique wooden construction, is a cultural and historical monument of national importance, which is included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Historical Heritage List. Enjoying the architecture can be combined with having dinner or sipping a drink in one of the cafés on Avota or Lienes Street.
In turn, Ķīpsala and Āgenskalns surprise with many restored and very elegant wooden houses. In addition, Āgenskalns Market is the largest and oldest market in the area, and it has the status of a national cultural monument. The market’s historical pavilion has undergone renovation, and everyone is invited to see the impressive changes after the restoration. Local farmers, home-grown producers, and artisans gather at the market every day, but on Sundays, various events take place in the area and flea markets also come.
Canoeing, SUP boards, boats and catamarans in Riga waters
The Riga Canal and the Daugava are great routes to relax after work by joining a guided SUP or canoe trip. Rīgas Laivas offers rentals and training – beginners can learn the basics of rowing and go on a five-kilometre circular route along 16 bridges, while experienced ones can enjoy evening routes to the Zunda Canal, Lucavsala or the Daugava islands. Boating can also be enjoyed on Lake Jugla and Lake Ķīšezers. Not only rowboats, catamarans and jet skis are on offer, but also a floating sauna house for a leisurely evening. Meanwhile, in the Lucavsala recreation park and in certain places on Lake Ķīšezers you can try your skills at wakeboarding or indulge in windsurfing and parasailing. There are also cafés where you can have a meal and quench your thirst.
Beaches in the city
Riga is one of the few European capitals with beaches located 15 to 30 minutes from the city centre. Vecāķi Beach offers a wide strip of sand with volleyball courts and kiteboarding on days when the wind is stronger. Equally charming are the Blue Flag Vakarbuļļu Beach and Daugavgrīva Beach. Interestingly, both beaches are located on an island. To get to them, you have to go past the Daugavgrīva Fortress and take a path through the seaside nature park Daugavgrīva, which has many informative stands about the plants and animals found in the park. Clean and well-maintained beaches are not only by the sea, but also on the banks of the Daugava. Both the beaches of Ķīpsala and Lucavsasla allow you to sunbathe and swim while watching the panorama of Old Riga.
Green Oases – City Gardens and Parks
Riga is proud of its parks and gardens, which are like green oases between the built-up part of the city and the intense traffic. Among the most popular parks in the central part of the city, we should mention Bastejklans, Kronvalda Parks, Grīziņkalns, Ziedoņdārzs, Viesturdārzs and Māras dīķis, the Botanical Garden and Uzvaras Parks, which have undergone extensive changes in recent years and offer many different active recreation opportunities and equipment rental. An exclusive offer is the Panorama Wheel located in Uzvaras Parks, from which you can see Riga and the surrounding area from a bird's eye view.
Special mention should be made of Mežaparks, which is a huge, well-maintained green area that is a popular place for active recreation with sidewalks, trails for runners and cyclists, children's playgrounds, various recreational opportunities and equipment rental. During the creation and development of the park, one of the few compact forest areas in Riga was purposefully preserved. The Mežaparks Grand Stage is located here, where large Latvian and world-class cultural events and concerts are held. In order to appreciate the scale of this unique architectural structure, it is also allowed to visit it on a daily basis. The Riga National Zoo is also located here, where you can go for a nature walk, and Lake Ķīšezers with beaches, cafés and water activity equipment rental.
It should be noted that free Wi-Fi is available in many places in the parks and it is possible to rent bicycles and scooters.
If you rent a bike
A good way to clear your head after a working day and see the city is to go on a bike ride. Riga has an extensive network of bike paths – you can enjoy almost the entire city, so a bike is an ideal means of transportation to easily and safely travel and explore different neighbourhoods of Riga. Both banks of the Daugava are excellent places to travel – both the views of Old Riga from Pārdaugava and the bike path from Old Riga to the Ķengarags promenade. You can also get to the beaches of the Gulf of Riga and various coastal attractions by bike. Many recommend visiting Anniņmuiža – the manor house you see today was built at the end of the 19th century. In turn, Ķīpsala is an island of the Daugava rich in contrasts with an impressive view of Old Riga and beautiful wooden architecture. On the right bank of the Daugava, at the mouth of the sea, there is the Mangaļi Peninsula and the Mangaļsala pier. The nearby area has a military and strategic history, which is reflected in its appearance and objects, some of which have survived to this day. Sarkandaugava has a special ancient aura. Dauderi Park, which is one of the oldest in Riga, and the Latvian Culture Museum Dauderi are places that must be seen. The route through Biķernieki, Šmerļa and Jugla forests will be more suitable for those who like easy recreation and leisurely Sunday rides.
Enjoying beer culture
Beer lovers in Riga can go to several small and exclusive beer pubs, where they can not only enjoy beer, but, for example, watch the process of its production behind a glass wall. To truly enjoy the taste of beer, it should be enjoyed in small doses and leisurely. Many small Riga breweries are located in industrial and cultural-historical districts near popular tourist attractions. For example, after exploring wooden Riga, you can go to the brewery and bar Nurme in the neighbourhoods of Liene, Artilērijas and Krāsotāju streets. Here, beer is made by hand, using the highest quality raw materials, giving preference to local northern natural products. A tasteful beer bar with wooden interior elements and hanging chandeliers has been built in an old industrial brick building. Brewery tours with beer tastings are offered to groups of all sizes. A ten-minute walk away is the small brewery Alus Rūme Trofeja, which not only offers interesting beer flavours and an intimate atmosphere, but also delicious pizza baked on site.
Another place to mention is the brewery and pub Labietis, which has become a classic venue with experimental recipes and a summer terrace. Next to it is the Valmiermuižas alus embassy with both its own beer selection and more than 180 different Latvian small breweries.
Short routes outside Riga
After a working day at a conference, there is an opportunity to go on interesting one-night trips to places that are located near Riga and are easily accessible by rented bus or train, the traffic of which is convenient and regular.
In the direction of Vidzeme is Sigulda, which is located only 50 km from Riga and is one of the most beautiful cities in Latvia – with picturesque views of the ancient Gauja valley, castle ruins and breathtaking nature trails. There you can visit Gūtmaņala – the largest cave in the Baltics, go hiking along forest trails, visit the Turaida Museum Reserve and even take a cable car that takes you over the ancient valley.
Ogre is located only 36 km from Riga, and it is a city with a wide range – nature, culture, history and entertainment. The city centre is compact and diverse, and the immediate surroundings are also fascinating. One of the most popular recreational options here is a walk in the nature park Ogres Zilie Kalni. The largest area of the nature park is occupied by a protected habitat of European importance. The Blue Mountains of Ogre are home to 18 protected plant species, six protected bird species and several protected insect species. Not far from Riga is the charming Ikšķile – a historic small town located on the picturesque banks of the Daugava River. It is one of the oldest settlements in the country, boasting a rich history and culture and, of course, the ruins of the Ikšķile Church on the island of St. Meinard.
Saulkrasti, on the other hand, is a gorgeous small town in Latvia, located on the Baltic Sea coast and is known for its idyllic beaches, rich nature and peaceful atmosphere. This place is ideal for those seeking refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, offering both relaxation and active recreation opportunities for travellers of all ages. Nature and romance lovers are fond of the Saulkrasti White Dune Trail and breathtaking views of the Baltic Sea.
In the direction of Kurzeme, the resort town of Jurmala can be reached by train in just 15 to 20 minutes. It offers the unique charm of the Baltic Sea – a 24 km long white sandy beach and the peace of pine forests. This city is ideal for those who want to feel the proximity of the sea in all its manifestations – from peaceful walks barefoot on the warm sand to a refreshing swim in the blue sea waves. On summer days, you can enjoy the sunset by the sea, sitting in one of the cafés located on the beach or enjoy the hustle and bustle of the bustling pedestrian street Jomas.
