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This full day private tour will let you discover the most remarkable Art Nouveau heritage in the Riga Old Town and at the same time the hidden gems still preserved in the seaside villages that belong to Júrmala, the most attractive Latvian city on the Baltic Sea.
The tour of the Old Riga will be done on foot, observing the most important Art Nouveau buildings in this part of the city. Although the old town of Riga has a very long history and preserves buildings that have been built since the 13th century, it also offers a wide variety of buildings in the Art Nouveau style.
Jūrmala is the most popular seaside resort in the Baltic states and we propose you to spend a few hours there with a private guide who is a. She will point out the historic Art Nouveau wooden cottages that were built there more than a hundred years ago.
It’s is a fact that Riga holds a very important place within the history of Jugendstil in Europe. Art Nouveau was at the height of its popularity when Riga was at the zenith of an unprecedented financial boom. But Riga isn’t the only place in Latvia famous for its Art Nouveau architecture. You’ll find a nice selection of prime examples in Jurmala and Daugavpils too. This tour goes to Jurmala.
If you and your group love Art Nouveau and love seaside resorts, with its wooden houses, forests and beaches, this private tour won’t disappoint you.
It is a combined exclusive tour that covers Riga’s Old Town and Júrmala that takes place any morning of the week. In these two areas you can see real jewels of Art Nouveau.
Part One – Old Riga:
During two hours you will discover the most important Art Nouveau buildings in this part of the city. Although the Old Town has a very long history and preserves buildings that have been built since the 13th century, it also offers a wide variety of buildings in Art Nouveau style.
Along the route through the streets of the old part of Riga your private guide will explain you the history of many buildings. One of them is the first Art Nouveau building of Riga, constructed during the last years of the 19th Century, when Art Nouveau was gradually arriving in Riga.
Many facades are decorated with animals (peacocks, owls, bears,…), masks, geometric motifs, symbols of Masons, stylizations of plant and other elements from nature like the sun,, and more.
During this amusing walk you will even discover the statue of a child reading a book on the roof of one of the buildings. In many façades your private guide is going to show you female and male figures, and anthropomorphic figures as well. Our guide will explain how a “beauty contest” was organised more than a hundred years ago to choose the best sculpture, and will show you the figure that won such a competition.
Apart from residential buildings and public buildings, you will see the only of all Riga’s synagogues that remains. On the outside the decoration is quite austere, but if you want to go inside the building (optional visit) you will be surprised by its sumptuous decorations combining Art Nouveau with elements that come from Egypt.
During the Art Nouveau years architects from many nationalities coexisted, for this reason we can see works from German, Latvian, Russian and Jewish architects. Most of the architects that worked in Riga also built summer villas also in different parts of Júrmala.
Part Two – Jurmala:
After the walk through the old town of Riga we will go to Júrmala by car (or minivan).
We will start our itinerary in Jurmala with the Lutheran Church in Dubulti, bulit between 1905 and 1907 by Wilhelm Bokslaff (during the first part of the tour your private guide will show you some buildings he desined in the Old Town).
After discovering the church, the most impressive Art Nouveau building in the city of Júrmala and one of the few churches built in Art Nouveau in Latvia, we will continue the tour discovering more historic buildings scattered around the Baltic coast. Most of them are made of wood, and combine elements of different neo-styles and Art Nouveau.
During the tour (partly by car and partly on foot) you will see a great variety of outstanding buildings , some with towers. Your private guide will pay special attention to those showing characteristics of Art Nouveau.
If you are interested in having a break, you will have some time to have a drink in one of the few selected restaurants in front of the Baltic sea which either are located inside an Art Nouveau building or have impressive views to Art Nouveau buildings.
It will also be possible to go to the beach during this tour. Our guide will also be flexible to alter the route according to your wishes.
The early 20th century was the golden age for the development of Riga. Its population doubled over the course of 15 years, surpassing 500,000 on the eve of World War I and becoming one of the major centres of industry, trade and culture on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea.
The city of Júrmala actually consists of 16 summer villages (Majori, Bulduri, Dzintari, Dubulti,…) which until the beginning of the 19th Century were inhabited by fishermen. Since then, they have developed as a seaside resort with nice houses belonging to affluent people who wanted to rest during the summer somewhere outside the city, next to the beaches and forests.
Jurmala has been a beloved seaside resort for over 200 years and is a resort like no other. Its Art Nouveau is a difficult to access treasure that deserves to be explored.
Not many people go to discover the Art Nouveau Gems hidden in the Jurmala area. Be one of the first international tourists doing so, and go with our excellent guide.
Our passionate local expert guide will captivate you with engaging storytelling tailored to your group’s interests. This personalization guarantees a unique and memorable experience that caters to your particular preferences. Once your private tour is booked, we will gather information on your interests and needs to tailor the experience to you.
We acknowledge that every group has distinct interests, and we adapt this private tour to meet them. Some common themes we’ve encountered in our Budapest small group tours include: General city exploration, Art Nouveau, architecture, cafés and restaurants, Jewish history, thermal bath buildings, hidden gems, and combinations of these elements.
We will also ask you if you have mobility constraints, children, or any special requirements. We will make our best so you have access to the local places of your interest that you wouldn’t find on your own.
On the day of the tour, we will remain flexible and adjust the itinerary and timings to meet your group’s needs, as every day is unique. Weather conditions may vary, and we are happy to accommodate your preferences for walking or other activities.
Accessibility:
Your private guide will meet you in front of Barbot House, Vila Nova de Gaia. Alternatively, the tour can start at your hotel, apartment, or at your preferred spot if centrally located.
The experience concludes in front of the Parliament, or we can escort you to a nearby point of interest of your choice. During the private tour, our guide will be happy to offer recommendations for the rest of your day in Budapest.
The point of departure will be the hotel where you are staying, the cruise ship terminal in Riga Passenger Port (near Old Riga) or an agreed meeting point (if your hotel is in another part of the city, tell us and we will tell you the place to meet).
The guide will leave you in the place that you prefer of Riga. As the tour ends at lunchtime, our guide can suggest you a place to have lunch according to your tastes, and leave you there.
Professional fully licensed guiding service with an Art Historian interested in Art Nouveau. Being specialised in the architecture of the 19th Century and beginning of the 20th Century, your guide is the perfect person to accompany you during this unique morning experience.
Vehicle and professional driver to go and return from Jūrmala.
Entrance fees to the museums or houses that may be visited during the tour.
This is a walking private tour and it is not required the use of public transport. If during the private tour you want to use a public transport like a taxi or bus, the fare is not included.
Food and drinks.
Languages – This full-day tour is usually conducted in English. If you’d like a guide who speaks another language, please let us know, and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
Unexpected Changes – Weather conditions, traffic, and site-specific restrictions may require itinerary adjustments. We stay flexible, with options to include additional landmarks in Riga and Jurmala, such as the Majori beach area, local historical mansions, or even the open-air Ethnographic Museum. Should any planned stops be unavailable, we’ll adapt with equally enriching alternatives. Cancellations and date changes are flexible, and we will provide the relevant details with your quote.
Selection of Guides – Our expert guides have extensive knowledge of both Riga and the charming resort town of Jurmala. They offer insights into everything from the architecture and culture to the beautiful natural landscapes along the Baltic coast. Early booking will ensure you’re matched with the perfect guide for this full-day journey.
Expanding Beyond the City – In addition to city highlights, this full-day tour is ideal for those interested in experiencing Riga’s natural surroundings and nearby coastal sites. We can arrange additional services, such as transportation with a private chauffeur, local restaurant reservations, or guided walks through Riga’s countryside.
Riga is a treasure trove of Art Nouveau, boasting one of the finest collections of this elegant architectural style in Europe. At the turn of the 20th century, the city experienced , and its commissioned lavish buildings that reflected their prosperity and ambition. Today, Riga’s Art Nouveau district—particularly along Alberta iela (Albert Street)—is a breathtaking open-air museum, lined with ornate façades, whimsical sculptures, and intricate floral motifs. The style here is uniquely eclectic, blending with the flowing lines and organic forms that define Art Nouveau, making Riga a must-visit for architecture enthusiasts.
The genius behind many of Riga’s Art Nouveau masterpieces is , a pioneering architect whose work transformed the city’s skyline. His buildings, such as the iconic 10b Alberta iela, are celebrated for their elaborate decorations, asymmetrical designs, and . Riga’s Art Nouveau isn’t just confined to grand residences—it extends to , each telling a story of creativity and craftsmanship. Whether you’re strolling through the historic center or admiring the details of a single façade, Riga’s Art Nouveau offers a captivating glimpse into the city’s golden age.
Beyond its beauty, Riga’s Art Nouveau reflects a fascinating . Unlike the more uniform styles found in cities like Paris or Barcelona, Riga’s architecture incorporates local Baltic motifs and a mix of influences from Germany, Scandinavia, and Russia. This blend of styles creates a . For anyone passionate about history, art, or design, exploring Riga’s Art Nouveau is like stepping into a .
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