Riga With Us Review: Why a Private Tour Is the Best Way to See Latvia's Capital With Kids

Riga surprised us. We arrived in Latvia's capital expecting cobblestones and a couple of pretty churches. What we found was the highest concentration of Art Nouveau architecture anywhere in the world, a market built inside repurposed Zeppelin hangars, and a guide who somehow managed to make our three daughters genuinely interested in 20th century architectural movements.

When Riga With Us offered us a complimentary private sightseeing tour in exchange for coverage across our platforms, we jumped at the opportunity. We've done countless city tours during our travels, and private tours with kids make everything easier.

What's Included in the Riga Walking Guided Sightseeing Tour

The tour combines van transportation with walking segments, which turned out to be the perfect mix for exploring Riga with three kids in tow. Starting with a driving orientation let everyone get their bearings before we hit the cobblestones.

The Art Nouveau District: Where Our Girls Actually Paid Attention

Here's the thing about traveling with children. You can drag them through a hundred museums and a thousand historic sites, and they'll remember approximately none of it. But every now and then, something captures their imagination. Riga's Art Nouveau district was one of those moments.

Valentina, our guide from Riga With Us, dropped us off on Alberta Street, often called the pearl of Riga's Art Nouveau architecture. This single street was built entirely between 1901 and 1908, and the buildings are absolutely stunning. Ornate facades decorated with everything from mythical creatures to intricate floral motifs line both sides of the street, each one seemingly trying to outdo its neighbor.

What really stood out was how engaged our girls were. Harper, Lily, and Cora were listening, asking questions, and genuinely interested the entire time. Valentina did an incredible job getting their attention and making the history fun and easy to understand for them. She was patient, warm, and wonderful with our kids.

She explained how Riga boasts over 800 Art Nouveau buildings, accounting for roughly one-third of all structures in the city center. This makes it the city with the highest concentration of Art Nouveau architecture anywhere in the world. The buildings were constructed during a period of rapid economic growth when Riga was the fifth largest city in the Russian Empire, and architects like Mikhail Eisenstein took full advantage of the prosperity to create something extraordinary.

One building that particularly captivated the girls was a Swedish school serving children from three Baltic states: Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. Standing there while Valentina explained the Art Nouveau decoration, the details in the facade, and how the architecture was designed to be both beautiful and meaningful, we had one of those moments that makes traveling with kids worthwhile. History, architecture, and education all coming together in one place.

Exploring Riga's UNESCO World Heritage Old Town

After the Art Nouveau district, we got back in the van for more sightseeing before heading into Old Town to explore on foot. Riga's Old Town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, recognized for its stunning medieval architecture and that incredible collection of Art Nouveau buildings.

The old town charms with narrow cobblestone streets, beautiful townhouses, churches, and monuments. We passed landmarks like the Dome Cathedral, the largest medieval church in the Baltics dating back to the 13th century, and learned about the House of the Blackheads, which has an extraordinary story of destruction and rebirth. The original building was largely destroyed during World War II, and what stands today is a faithful reconstruction completed in 1999.

The Cat House made the kids laugh. This Art Nouveau building features two cats perched on top of its tower, their backs famously turned toward the Great Guild across the street. Legend has it that a wealthy merchant was denied membership to the guild, so he installed the cats with their tails pointed at the building in protest.

Riga is a stunning city with so much character and history. Having a private guide meant we could linger where the kids were interested and move quickly past what didn't capture their attention. No shuffling along with a group of strangers while one of our daughters desperately needed a bathroom.

Lunch at Lido: Latvian Food Done Right

After exploring Old Town, we wrapped up the tour with lunch at Lido, a local chain that serves traditional Latvian food cafeteria-style. The girls loved being able to see all the options and pick what looked good, and we loved that nobody had to wait for a menu or flag down a server with three hungry kids.

Lido is the kind of place locals actually eat, which made it a fitting end to a tour focused on showing us the real Riga rather than just the tourist highlights.

Why Private Tours Work for Families

We've tried group tours with kids. We've tried self-guided walking tours with kids. We've tried just winging it. And while all of those approaches can work depending on the city and the kids' moods, private tours consistently deliver the best experience.

The Riga With Us tour exemplified why. We set our own pace. When Cora needed to stop and examine every cat decoration she spotted on the buildings (there are a lot), we could pause. When Harper had questions about why some buildings look newer than others, Valentina took the time to explain the complicated history of destruction and reconstruction that marks so many Baltic cities.

The van portion of the tour was brilliant for getting oriented to a new city while giving everyone's legs a rest. We saw parts of Riga we never would have reached on foot, and the girls could absorb information without the distraction of tired feet.

Practical Information for Visiting Riga

If you're planning a trip to Latvia's capital, here are some useful details we picked up during our visit.

The Art Nouveau district is concentrated in an area called the Quiet Centre, a roughly 10-15 minute walk from Old Town. You can explore it independently, but having a guide who can point out the details you'd otherwise miss and explain the stories behind the facades makes a significant difference.

Other Tours to Consider With Riga With Us

While we did the walking guided sightseeing tour, Riga With Us offers some unique experiences that caught our attention:

Husky Sledding and Balsam Tasting A 30-minute husky sled ride combined with tasting Riga Black Balsam, the city's signature herbal liqueur that's been made for over 300 years. Available through Viator or GetYourGuide.

Staying Connected in Latvia

Before you head to Latvia, make sure you've got your mobile data sorted. Riga's Art Nouveau district practically demands Instagram documentation, and you'll want Google Maps working when you're navigating those Old Town cobblestones.

Holafly offers unlimited data eSIM plans that cover Latvia as part of their Europe package. Use code ADAMANDLINDS for 5% off any plan. The Europe eSIM works across 40 countries, so if you're combining Latvia with other destinations, you won't need multiple plans.

If your trip extends beyond 30 days, consider Holafly's monthly global plans for better value: the Light Plan offers 25GB for $49.90/month, or the Unlimited Plan runs $64.90/month. Check out the monthly plans here.

Book Activities in Riga

Looking for more things to do in Latvia? GetYourGuide offers easy booking for tours, day trips, and activities throughout the Baltic region.

Planning a larger trip through Europe? Linds can help plan a custom itinerary as a travel advisor. Reach her at [email protected].

Our Verdict on Riga With Us

If you're visiting Riga with kids, we highly recommend booking a tour with Riga With Us. They are professional, knowledgeable, and truly a joy to spend the day with. The combination of van transportation and walking segments kept everyone happy, and having a guide who could engage children while delivering genuinely interesting historical context made all the difference.

Riga deserves more than a quick stop. The medieval foundations of Old Town, the Art Nouveau explosion of the early 1900s, a food culture worth exploring. There's a depth here that surprised us.

We arrived expecting pretty buildings and left understanding why this Baltic capital earned its place on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Riga

Is Riga worth visiting with kids? Absolutely. The city is compact and walkable, and the Art Nouveau architecture is visually stunning enough to capture children's attention. A private tour makes it even better by letting you set the pace.

How long do you need in Riga? Two to three days is ideal for covering Old Town and the Art Nouveau district with time for meals and exploration. A private half-day tour is an excellent way to orient yourself and hit the highlights.

What is Riga famous for? Riga is famous for having the world's highest concentration of Art Nouveau architecture and its UNESCO-listed medieval Old Town.

Is Riga expensive? Compared to Western European capitals, Riga is quite affordable. Restaurant meals, accommodation, and activities cost significantly less than in cities like Paris or London while maintaining high quality.

What is the best way to see Riga's Art Nouveau buildings? A guided tour is the best approach, as guides can explain the architectural details, point out features you'd otherwise miss, and share the stories behind the facades. The Art Nouveau district is concentrated in the Quiet Centre, about a 10-minute walk from Old Town.

When is the best time to visit Riga? Late spring through early fall (May to September) offers the mildest weather and longest days. However, winter visits can be magical, especially around Christmas markets season.

We received a complimentary tour from Riga With Us in exchange for coverage across our platforms. All opinions are our own, and we only recommend experiences we genuinely enjoyed.

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we genuinely use and believe in.