For tourists
Welcome to Latvia – the brightest star of Europe’s North! When you have checked into a comfortable hotel, had your first dinner in Latvia and are ready to start planning your sightseeing don’t forget about Riga Central Market – the most magnificent market in the region. We promise – you have never seen anything like it.
Travelling from the airport by bus No. 22 and crossing Daugava on the Stone Bridge pay attention to how the metal arches of the Railway Bridge resonate with the shapes of the market’s pavilions. This architectonic ensemble has been repeatedly praised by prominent design and art magazines. Initially, the pavilions were built outside of Riga (in Vaiņode) as hangars for zeppelins and were moved to the capital at the end of 1920-ies.
Come and feel the sounds of market echoing from the arched ceilings of the pavilions. Visit all interesting locations one by one – the meat pavilion and dairy, grocery, greengrocery and fish pavilions. Buy some honey in honeycombs and genuine rye-bread from Latvia’s countryside.
Walk around the open air market area. Have a look at products by local farmers.
Be sure to see the market’s red brick warehouses, which are almost 150 years old now. Each of them is based on individual designs by prominent architects well-known and respected in Europe and Russia at that time – Kārlis Felsko, Frīdrihs Hess, Roberts Pfūgs, Reinholds Šmīlings, Jānis Baumanis. Out of 58 warehouses built between 1864 and 1886 only 13 survive to this day.
Handmade articles by local craftsmen and other valuable things will not fail to attract your attention once you are here. Such as genuine hand knitted warm woollen socks. Shawls, caps and gloves. At very friendly and highly acceptable prices.
When Riga Central Market was first opened in autumn 1930 it was literally the largest and most progressive market on earth, according to specialists. Anyone who visits the Central Market always sees it as special experience they have never had before.
Best things
- Fresh and organic products by Latvian farmers
- Widest selection of foodstuffs in Latvia
- Lowest prices
- Opportunity for bargaining
- Diverse souvenirs
Fascinating things
- Architecture of market pavilions
- Red brick warehouses
- Marketplace ambience
- The process of buying and bargaining
- Cellars
Exotic things
- Hemp butter
- Pig snouts
- Belyashes
- Draught kvass (in summer)
Worth knowing
- The market is sometimes crowded therefore beware of pickpockets.
Where to seek help
- Tourism police: 112
- Info service: (+371) 1188
- Ambulance: 112
- Riga Central Market municipal police station
Riga tourist information centre
- 6 Rātslaukums
- Riga, LV-1050, Latvia
- tel.: +371 67037908, 67037900
- fax: +371 67026068
- e-mail: