Welcome to Riga! Want to know the best places to eat? Cool events in town? Which places to go to and which to avoid? Or simply get some help to navigate the city? Book this private tour with a local and get the perfect introduction to Riga to start your city trip on the right foot.
Destination
Riga, Latvia
Category
City Highlight Tours
Duration
2 hours
Transport mode
Walking tour
Available languages
English, Français, Latviešu, Русский
Included
Private Guide
Local Tips & Tricks
City Orientation
All Withlocals tours are carbon neutral
Excluded
Entrance to attractions
6 reasons to book this tour
Discover the real Riga in a nutshell
Learn how to navigate the city
Get the latest tips & tricks from a local
Ask anything during this private tour
Can be 100% personalized to your wishes
The best way to kickstart your stay
What you can expect
First time in Riga? Wondering where to go and what to see in this fascinating city? We got you! Kickstart your time in Riga with a 90-minute introduction to the city with the help of your favorite local. This tour is the city overview you were looking for that brings together sights of main highlights and attractions, plus must-have tips and tricks that will help you get acquainted with the city, its people, and culture.
So, ready to start your time in Riga in the best way possible? On this private tour, you’ll meet up with the local host of your choice. Each of the hosts on this tour will show you their Riga in their way and based on their passions and expertise. The hosts know their city like the back of their hand and can’t wait to get you acquainted with Riga!
And what about that unique family-owned restaurant or that amazing local hotspot? Get personal recommendations from your local host and where to find the current hot spots in the city. Get insights on the local lifestyle and find out true stories about the city’s past as you take in vibrant, full-of-life present Riga. Historical facts, local stories, and great tips & tricks. What can be more awesome than that?
Any questions? Go ahead and ask your host about anything that pops into your mind and get all the answers you need for the perfect Riga trip. Locals always know best. And don’t forget, this private tour can be personalized 100% according to your wishes!
Choose your local
Get to know these 4 passionate locals, each bringing unique perspectives and talents. Choose your favorite, check their availability, and book to create an unforgettable adventure tailored to you.
Janis
Tour guide
4.848 reviews
English・Latviešu
Ieva
Local Guide of Riga
4.96 reviews
English・Français・Latviešu
Kristine
Guided tours without any haste
5.01 review
English・Latviešu・Русский
Margita
Art&Historian
4.955 reviews
English・Latviešu
This is the plan
Check out the plan below to see what you'll get up to with your local host. Feel free to personalize this offer with the host of your choice.
Meeting point
Meet at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, in front of the main entrance - Riga to start your journey
Itinerary
This is what our experience could look like, but it’s not set in stone! Once you book, you can chat directly with your host to make small tweaks to suit your preferences.
City Highlights
See Riga Castle, Freedom Monument, and more landmarks and must-sees of the city. Your local host will take you to the main spots of the city so you can get the perfect introduction to what makes Riga so special
Local Hot Spots
Along the way, your host will point out hangout spots and hidden gems that only the locals know about and will help you get acquainted with the city in the most local way possible
Food Recommendations
Receive tailored recommendations according to your taste and where to go and what to eat while visiting Riga. Avoid tourist traps thanks to your local host!
City Orientation
Learn how to navigate the city, and get the answers to your Riga questions that will help you in the following days making your time in the city much easier
Make it yours
Want to tweak the itinerary? Book directly & chat afterwards with your host to adjust highlights, skip stops, or make small changes to fit your preferences.
Book risk-free: Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund.
Need something special? Personalize your experience for more time, alternative locations or a completely tailored plan.
Flexible cancellation policy
Feel confident booking
Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. Even up to 7 days before your experience, you’ll receive a refund, minus the service fee.
Change of plans?
Reschedule your experience to a date and time that works best for you.
Loved by travelers worldwide
Simple and flexible – your plans, your way.
Reviews from guests
Frances
(About local )
2 June 2025
Leva is a very knowledgeable guide. It just ended up being myself but we had a great time. I would highly recommend and her English was amazing. She has a great sense of humour. If I ever get back to Latvia I would take a tour with her again. I will recommend her to anyone who is visiting. Thank you Leva ❤️Perfect Guide
Karen
(About local )
10 May 2025
Great informative walk around the central area of Riga. Margarita was well informed and very welcoming A lovely intersting tour
Jens🇩🇰 Denmark
(About local )
26 April 2025
Allthough we were late Lewa was waiting for us and gave us a very good intro to Riga - she knew a lot about the city and the country etc - and we had a good time - allthough very cold!
What she did not know was what Uffe, Denmarks foreign minister, did for Latvia back in 1991.
If she had known that the score had been 10!Very good!
Maria🇫🇷 France
(About local )
13 April 2025
We had a great tour with Janis, he was flexible and agreed to meet us a different location than proposed initially. Also took note of our ideas to end a bit early in local bar - this as it was a really cold and windy day.
He gave us interesting information according yo our interest and question and it was a good way to get an introduction to the city and to the Latvian spirit and culture.
We can recommend this tour to anyone visiting Riga the first time,and the price was really reasonable for a 2h tour.Great kick-start tour with Janis
jonas1915
(About local )
29 March 2025
Great Tour, showed interessing places. Had a good time with Janis! Perfect mix of history and cold drinks. Every time again. Zum Beispiel - Cheers!Every time again with Janis 🥳
Andrew
(About local )
15 February 2025
Leva was such a great guide in our two hour introductory walking tour to Riga. We covered a lot of the sold Town and were given a clear insight to Riga past & present. She was not only personable but you felt that the tour was tailored to us. Really appreciated the honest recommendations, perfect.The best introduction to Riga
Kathryn
(About local )
7 January 2025
What a fantastic introduction to Riga! Janis was knowledgable and friendly- an all-around great guide. The walk around Riga Old Town was the perfect way to learn about the history of the city while admiring the beautiful architecture.
I recommend booking a tour with Janis on your next visit to Riga.Highly recommended!
Del
(About local )
7 January 2025
Margita was very personable - we enjoyed our time together. The information she shared with us gave us a great overview for our short stay in Riga. We loved the wide boulevards and the Christmas Market still in operation during our stay. We were able to wander around looking at some of the museums she suggested. The art nouveau recommendation was perfect. A great "taste" of Riga
Thijs
(About local )
29 October 2024
Dr. Karl Walter🇩🇪 Germany
(About local )
29 September 2024
Janis was knowledgeable, funny, even witty and over two hours informed us about historic facts, the electoral system, current affairs, but he also mentioned details a normal tourist would not discover and even gave personal advice concerning nice bars and good restaurants. Most intersting and also entertaining.
Ylva🇸🇪 Sweden
(About local )
26 September 2024
Fantastic and very interesting to see another part of Riga. Very nice tour!
Monica🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
22 September 2024
We enjoyed our tour of Riga with Janis. He was very knowledgable of the history and buildings of Riga. He was a joy to be with and gave us many recommendations for restaurants and other things to see. We would definitely do another tour with him when we go back, and we plan to go back to that beautiful city!very knowledgable and friendly
Erica🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
11 July 2024
Margīta was amazing. By sharing some of her experiences, it allowed us to feel not only her connection to Riga but to her country as well. It allowed us to feel a sense of shared experience.
She was very nice and very insightful it was truly a lovely tour. Highly recommend Margīta
David🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
2 July 2024
Margita took us on a varied tour around Riga. We started at the Freedom Monument and weaved our way around the hidden streets of old town before moving in to the new town. The highlights for us were the Art Nouveau area. Riga is a fascinating city and a personal tour, for us , allows us to really understand it's history, culture and people. Margita was a great guide and is clearly passionate about her city and county. Private tour of Riga
Sabrina🇦🇹 Austria
(About local )
10 June 2024
Margita is a great guide and highly experienced. We had a two hour tour and I wished we had booked more time with her. She is not only a wonderful guide, she is also a proud citizien of Riga and a great artist. She gave us many details, answered all of our questions and had very good advice for further things to do and see. I would recommend her as a MUST HAVE if you want to get to know Riga and the life of the Latvian people off the beaten tourist track.Very special experience, wonderful time
Heather
(About local )
22 April 2024
Janis was a great guide - it was a cold and windy evening for our tour, but he made the weather bearable and we thoroughly enjoyed the tour! We did this on our first day in Riga (just two hours after we arrived) and it was a great choice - it made the rest of our experience that much more meaningful having had a fun and interesting 'kick start' tour. I would recommend Withlocals and Janis to anyone!Great way to introduce yourself to Riga!
Lucas🇳🇱 Netherlands
(About local )
8 April 2024
Janis is a very friendly and fun tourguide. He speaks good english and has many stories to tell. A great way to to get a quick understanding of the city, culture and history of Riga. Absolutely worth it.Very nice
Eva🇩🇪 Germany
(About local )
3 February 2024
Janis doesn’t only know about all the historical background facts you need to know when looking at the great old buildings of the old part of town, but he also showed us cute places like hidden cafés and restaurants which we would never have found. He also recommended current events that are worth to be visited. very nice and competent guide
ingrida🇱🇹 Lithuania
(About local )
3 November 2023
Together with the friend from US we were keen to explore Riga's old town with the help of a local. Margita was our best experience ever. She was very knowledgable , very passionate and we fell in love with Riga because of her.
We highly and absolutely recommend her.
A beautiful woman and a professional tour guide.
Ingrid and BjarkiComplete satisfaction
Hans Ulrich🇩🇪 Germany
(About local )
18 August 2023
Enjoyed our 2 hours with Margita. Very informative and entertaining. thanks Perf.ect guide
Alexis🇨🇭 Switzerland
(About local )
23 May 2023
johan.sverker🇸🇪 Sweden
(About local )
4 June 2025
With good knowledge but not neutral when describing the history of Riga. Much better when explaining about architecture and everyday life. We expected more than just a small bottle of local spirits for a few euros as s treat. For the money we also expected a more comprehensive progrmme. Knowledgeable but tendentious
Tomas🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
3 June 2025
We had a very enjoyable afternoon tour with Janis 4-7pm, he is very approachable, fun, engaging, flexible to accommodate personal interests. He has a vast knowledge about history beyond Riga.
We did the Old Town & Art Nouveau tour, he also gives Jewish Heritage Tours. Lovely tour with Janis
Philippe
(About local )
2 June 2025
Ronnie🇵🇱 Poland
(About local )
26 May 2025
Ieva was a wonderful guide. She shared the history of Riga and personalized with the story of her family. She started our tour with the Old Town and slowly made our way to the central area where we saw a cluster art nouveau buildings and the story behind it. Ieva is knowledgeable and informative. She was passionate about her country and we enjoyed her tour very much. Pick Ieva
Doris
(About local )
24 May 2025
Leva was absolutely wonderful as our 2h walking guide to historic centre & art nouveau buildings in Riga. She was knowledgeable, informative and flexible to our needs. She even escorted us by tram to our lunch destination at Riga Market. Highly recommend Leva as your personal guide in Riga
LEVA is an excellent guide in Riga
Nic🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
19 May 2025
We had a lovely afternoon wandering around the old town chatting with Ieva about life in Latvia and learning about the history of Riga. Ieva was very knowledgeable and very keen to make the tour fit us.Great local knowledge
Michelle🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
13 May 2025
Margita is a lovely person and a great food guide who explained all the different ingredients and traditions behind Latvian cuisine. Great food tour in Riga
Scott🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
11 May 2025
Margita was a wonderful guide that showed my wife and I the great food scene of Riga and Latvia. She also provided the history of Latvia which made understanding the food scene much easier. I would highly recommend her tour for anyone visiting Riga! Great tour of Riga
Jennifer🇩🇪 Germany
(About local )
2 May 2025
We had a fantastic time with Margita. She showed us some very delicious local food and shared some interesting insights about the old town. Awesome little food and history walk
William🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
26 April 2025
Went on a food tour with Janis. He was amazing, knowledgeable, and personable. The problem was the tour itself. We usually go on food tours when we visit new cities and the problem was this - there wasn't much food! We heard a lot about typical latvian dishes, but never got to try them - black balsam, kvass, dumplings, rye bread pudding. The food we did eat was great, but the portions were so much smaller than we expected. We have left other food tours actually stuffed! But this food tour was more like a handful of snacks. Again, great guide, mediocre tour!Great guide! Mediocre Tour!
Dina🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
24 April 2025
Very patient, informative, and generous with sharing stories. Great tour end-to-end! Thank you!Amazing!
Sofia
(About local )
14 April 2025
Art noveau walk
Anne Marie
(About local )
11 April 2025
We spent two very enjoyable mornings in Margita’s company. Her love of Riga really shone through. She was knowledgeable, interesting and fun to be with. She is a charming host in a fascinating city. Marvellous Magrita
Monique
(About local )
31 March 2025
Margita was a wonderful guide who introduced us to many local foods. She was very personable, professional and knowledgeable. She answered our many questions on traditions, education, family life and religion. Margita recommended restaurants and sites to visit on our own including the really fun folk club. Margita gave us far more than just a food tour and we would highly recommend a tour with her to start your visit to Riga. Fantastic food tour and insight into Riga
Ken🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
23 March 2025
margita is a true local with years of experience and knowledge. She customized the tour based on my interests and accommodation location. She provided me with a list of places to see and things to do for the remainder of my stay. I highly recommend her!!!Margita is amazing
Amy
(About local )
16 March 2025
Really interesting and fun tour with a great guide. Janis was very informative and helpful and have lots of advice on things to do locally. Great Tour
gb5vbtkdjx
(About local )
8 March 2025
Jamie
(About local )
21 February 2025
We had a lovely time walking to the market and devouring some unique Latvian food.
A great addition to the tour was stopping at the National Library too.
A great time. Great food tour and history
Alice
(About local )
17 February 2025
We had a fantastic tour with Kristine. It was our first day in Riga and it gave us a great overview of the city. Really interesting facts and insights about the city. Great introduction to Riga
Carolyn🇸🇪 Sweden
(About local )
19 January 2025
We had an amazing afternoon with Margita! The food she selected was varied and delicious. On top of learning about the food culture of Riga and Latvia she gave us many insights into the history, architecture and culture of the country. She also gave us many recommendations of restaurants to try and places to visit which made our trip so much more special!An amazing afternoon
louise🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
27 December 2024
We had a lovely time walking with Margita.
It was cold but Margita kept us moving and we enjoyed all the facts about Riga she gave us.Great Tour
Claudia🇦🇺 Australia
(About local )
19 December 2024
Janis was really friendly, very knowledgeable about the history of Riga.
He made us feel very welcome, almost as if we were friends walking around the city, rather than a guided tour.
Ingibjörg🇮🇸 Iceland
(About local )
10 December 2024
We spent 3 hours with Margita, tasting various foods and hearing about history of Riga and Latvia. It was a lovely time and always gives you a different insight into the place you are visiting.Very knowledgeable and lovely
Gabriele
(About local )
7 December 2024
Margita is an excellent guide with a great knowledge of her home city Riga, historically as well as contemporary.
She has a good feeling of which areas, buildings, shops, spotlights are of interest for her guests.
We achieved a very good impression of a wonderful city in a 3 hour walk.
Thank you, Margita for this exceptional experience!Best of Riga
Henrik🇩🇰 Denmark
(About local )
1 December 2024
We had a great trip round the city. Janis is a very good and storytelling guide. Thanks for all the fun fact as well.Great experience
Corinne🇨🇭 Switzerland
(About local )
27 November 2024
Margita is such a good guide. She really loves Riga and is eager to show the hidden gems of this beautiful city.
It was the second time I booked her and it felt like coming back to a friend.What a wonderful tour in the rain
Diane🇨🇦 Canada
(About local )
25 November 2024
We did two tours with Margita in Riga—The 10 Tastings of Riga and Highlights & Hidden Gems of Riga—on consecutive days, and both were excellent!
Margita has incredible knowledge of Riga, showing us all the highlights of Old Town and the Art Nouveau neighborhoods while sharing fascinating insights. Her English is excellent, and her passion for her city really shines through.
The tasting tour was a highlight—stopping at spots like Lido in Old Town and exploring the market, where Margita picked out local foods to create a delightful picnic for us. It was a fun and unique way to experience Riga’s food culture.
Margita has lived in Riga her entire life, and her deep connection to the city makes her tours truly special. I highly recommend booking with her for an engaging and memorable experience!Fantastic Tours with Margita
Benedicte
(About local )
20 November 2024
We had a great time with Janis! Bikes were steady and he showed us all the sites to see. Janis is proud of his city and has a lot of knowledge, a good ambassador for Riga. Would absolutely recommend this form of sightseeing where you get a good experience, lots of fresh air and exercise all in one.Lovely experience
Tinna🇮🇸 Iceland
(About local )
17 November 2024
We had an absolutely outstanding experience with Janis during our recent trip to Riga. He guided us through two exceptional tours: Hidden Gems of Riga and 10 Tastings of Riga, and I cannot recommend him highly enough.
From the very beginning, Janis went above and beyond to accommodate our family’s needs, even providing a wheelchair for a family member, which made the entire experience stress-free and enjoyable. His flexibility and genuine care for our comfort stood out, but what truly set him apart was his incredible knowledge of Riga’s history, architecture, and culture.
On the Hidden Gems of Riga tour, Janis introduced us to parts of the city we would never have discovered on our own. His passion for Riga shone through in every story and detail he shared, making the city’s past and present come alive for us.
The 10 Tastings of Riga tour was equally unforgettable. Janis curated a perfect mix of traditional and modern flavors, and each tasting came with fascinating insights about Riga’s culinary traditions and the local food scene.
Janis's warm and friendly personality made both tours feel like we were exploring the city with an old friend. He struck the perfect balance between being professional and personable, and his enthusiasm was contagious.
If you’re planning a trip to Riga, do yourself a favor and book a tour with Janis. He’ll make your visit unforgettable, just like he did for our family.A family trip to Riga
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