Neighbourhood · UNESCO
Riga Old Town
Riga, Latvia
A medieval and Hanseatic old town of narrow lanes, guild halls, church spires and café squares.
Viewpoint · Latvia · Riga
Latvian Academy of Sciences Observation Deck
A 1950s skyscraper with an open-air observation deck over the city.
about 45 min
For storytellers
Why Latvian Academy of Sciences Observation Deck matters
Locals sometimes call this tower the Stalin's birthday cake because of its wedding-cake style, a rare example of Soviet-era grand architecture in Riga. Its top floor has an open viewing platform, which shows the old town on one side and the sprawling suburbs on the other. It is a good place for the sunset and for a different perspective on the city.
Talking points
- The tower is a Soviet-era landmark in the wedding-cake style.
- The observation deck gives a panorama of the whole city.
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More in Riga
Neighbourhood · UNESCO
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Riga, Latvia
A street of extravagant early 20th-century facades with masks, sphinxes and swirling ornament.
Church, mosque or temple
Riga Cathedral
Riga, Latvia
A huge medieval church, famed for its great organ and mixed architecture.
Market · UNESCO
Riga Central Market
Riga, Latvia
One of Europe's largest markets, housed in five huge hangars originally built for Zeppelins.
Viewpoint
St Peter's Church
Riga, Latvia
A Gothic church with a tall spire and a lift to a tower viewing platform over the old town.
Monument
Freedom Monument
Riga, Latvia
A tall limestone monument topped by a figure holding three stars, a symbol of Latvian independence.
Also nearby
Within about 40 km, closest first.