Riga/Outer East Bank

Getting in by foot would mean a rather long walk as most points of interest are several kilometers from the more central parts of Riga.
Have a look at the network maps to see which tram, bus or trolleybus you need to take. Driving can also be an option.

• Grebenshchikov Church

  address: Maza krasta iela 73
  An Old Believers' church.

• AndrejsalaAn artists' island is starting to emerge behind the passengers port a short distance north from the old town.

• Riga Motor Museum

  address: Eizensteina 6
  Contains former vehicles of Stalin, Kruschev, and Brezhnev. Recently renovated.

• Riga Ethnographic Open Air Museum

  phone: +371 67994106
  address: Brivibas 440
  The museum is in Jugla, near a lake of the same name. There are many traditional Latvian countryside houses collected in a forest/park and exhibitions inside them about the traditional things. The employees are often dressed in the traditional Latvian costumes, creating a nice atmosphere.

Grīziņkalns

• St. Paul's Church

  address: Augusta Deglava iela 1
  Neogothic church from 1885 marks the center of Riga's main industrial neighborhood. Most of the mural paintings are from 1930s and represent the art of independent Latvia before World War II.

• Gas storage buildingsTwo gas storage buildings from 1882 and 1901 (end of Matīsa iela) are landmarks of the old gas factory in Riga. These enormous structures reaching 40 m in diameter are probably the largest buildings of their kind in Eastern Europe. Note the pressure meter that mimics a clock.

• Baptist church

  address: Matīsa iela 50b
  Light neo-Romanic building from 1867 looks completely alien to its dark industrial neighborhood.

• Twin water towersLocated at the crossing of three railway lines (Mazā Matīsa iela), they are known among locals as Anna and Zhanna (Ann and Joan). Legend has it that Anna was a skilled quack in medieval Riga. She was accused in being a witch and burnt to death. This triggered her sister Zhanna to commit suicide. Their ashes were brought to a place that was considered wicked, which is exactly the triangle between the railway lines where the water towers are located. This place is indeed quite strange and renowned for its remoteness dominated by a huge cemetery and a prison. The water towers from 1885-87 are very pretty, though, and seen from afar.

• Matisa cemeteryMatisa cemetery adjacent to the water towers has an interesting monument to the heroes of the Russian Revolution of 1905. The monument was built during the time of Soviet occupation (1956-59) and represents the typical gloomy-gray concrete style of Latvian military monuments constructed after World War II. Another and equally gloomy 1905 monument is in the small park on Grīziņkalns hill on Pērnavas iela.

• Russo-Balt factoryValmieras iela and adjacent streets boast gorgeous industrial buildings from late 19th century. The largest factory was Russo-Balt that produced first cars and airplanes in the Russian empire. Most of these buildings are now abandoned and derelict but quite interesting to see. You will find lots of old plaques, signboards and other 100-year-old artifacts.

Southern and Eastern Maskavas forštate

The part of Maskavas forštate west of Lacplesa iela is covered in the Centrs article.

• St. Francis Church

  address: Katoļu iela 16
  Built in 1892, a gorgeous neo-Gothic building in the middle of slums. Features copies of Giotto's mural paintings in the Papal Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.

• All Saints Church

  address: Katoļu iela 10
  Orthodox church built in neo-Romanic style around 1880. Unlike other orthodox churches in Latvia, which are typically Russian in their style and nature, this one was designed by a Latvian architect.

• Church of John the Baptist

  address: Kalna iela 21
  Construction started in 1913-14 but it was not finished before the Russian Revolution and continued in 1920s when Latvia became independent. This led to a strange mix of styles rendering the church a rare example of modernist architecture implemented in an Orthodox temple. The adjacent Ivanovskoe cemetery is the main Orthodox cemetery of Riga.

• Church of Our Lady of Kazan

  address: Kalna iela 21
  Another church on the same cemetery. Build of wood in 1812-15 in a somewhat awkward style with 5 small domes sitting on a massive drum.

• Church of Gregory the Illuminator

  address: Kojusalas iela 5
  Armenian church built in 2011.

• Old New Synagogue

  address: Maskavas iela 57
  The only synagogue that survived through World War II. Built in 1889, partially restored after the war and converted into a residential building.

• Church of Michael Archangel

  address: Maskavas iela 170
  Old Believers church from 1894-95, nice example of the Russian Revival style.

• Horse-drawn omnibus

  address: Maskavas iela
  A funny monument commemorating the first Riga tram that was driven by horse power. An old iron construction nearby reminds of the former Hay Market.

• Old Jewish cemeteryA huge area that reminds of the Jewish population of Maskavas forštate. Established in early 18th century, this cemetery kept expanding till the beginning of 20th century. After all local Jews were exterminated by the Nazis during World War II, Soviet government destroyed the remaining gravestones and converted the area into a Park of Communist Brigades. Now there is a small Jewish memorial.

• MežaparksForest Park is a pleasant park area on the outskirts of Riga. There are large, gorgeous residential houses once inhabited by Riga's prewar elite during the summers. They were largely let go during Soviet times but many are now being refurbished, repainted, and brought back to their original glory.

• Riga Zoo

  address: Meza Prospekts 1
  The Riga Zoo is small, but fairly popular.

Arena Riga

address: Skanstes iela 21

An indoor sports arena and concert venue. Notable as the home rink of the city's ice hockey team Dinamo Riga, playing in the KHL, the arena is also where the world's greatest pop and rock artists and bands hold their Riga concerts.

Budget

• Lido Entertainment Center

  phone: +371 67504420
  address: Krasta iela 76
  The wooden building features three floors of dining, a built-in wooden windmill, and a small amusement park outside. The ground floor and basement operate cafeteria-style. There is a huge choice available, including a variety of soups including borscht and the Latvian cold beetroot soup, as well as kebabs, breasts, chicken sausages, fish, red meats. Blinis are another specialty here.
• Lido has another restaurant at
• The Latvian pizza chain Cili Pizza has six restaurants in the area covered by this article. If roaming around Grīziņkalns, the closest is at , for Maskavas forštate

• Fontaine Delisnack

  address: Aristida Briāna iela 9a
  Fast food, open 24/7.

• Ezītis miglā (Avotu iela)

  phone: +371 23110945
  address: Avotu iela 32a
  Reasonably priced drinks and food, nice atmosphere.

• Godvil

  phone: +371 66 666 666
  address: Brivibas gatve 214B
  Nightclub.

Mid-range

• Apartment Hotel Riga

  address: Brivibas iela 196
  Apartments on Riga's main street. Every apartment has either two separate beds or one double, as well as a washing machine, television, gas ring, air conditioner, refrigerator, and set of dishes.

• Days Hotel Riga VEF

  phone: +371 6 7166000
  address: Brivibas iela 199c
  Part of the Wyndham/Days Inn chain. A great option if you don't need to be within walking distance of the center.

• Dodo Hotel

  address: Jersikas iela 1
  Modern rooms with shower, WC, flat-screen TV, and hairdryer. French owned.