The geographical and historical center of Riga is the Old Town, locally called "Vecrīga." The entire territory of this part of the city has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and for good reason.
The Old Town stretches along the right bank of the Daugava. It is filled with so many medieval landmarks and other notable historical and cultural sites that one tour is not enough to see everything. Every narrow street is wrapped in an aura of antiquity, and every building has its own unique history.
In the Old Town, you can visit such iconic places as Riga Castle, the residential building complex "Three Brothers," the Holy Spirit Convent Courtyard, the Great and Small Guilds, the House of the Blackheads, and many other attractions. Rising above the idyllic rooftops are the spires of Riga's famous churches - the Dome Cathedral, St. Peter's Church, and St. James's Cathedral, topped with golden roosters - a distinctive feature of church architecture in the Latvian capital.
Everything here invites leisurely walks and comfortable relaxation. Numerous cafes and restaurants, museums, and souvenir shops are open. Traffic is prohibited in the Old Town, so it is always quiet and cozy here, and nothing will prevent you from enjoying the wonderful atmosphere of old Riga.
