If you love experiencing history and seeing collections of things that mesmerize one’s eyes, then, you are a lover of expensive collections of different types, and thus, you should visit the museums of Latvia. There are many places in Latvia to satiate your thirst for history and experience relics of bygone times.
The country of Latvia itself is a treasure trove of environmental diversity and history is embedded in every corner of its streets. This place is the first to have a bread museum and also an amazing chocolatier, where you can taste beans and see how chocolates are made.
10 best museums in Latvia
Here is a list of some of the top museums in Latvia that you can visit during your history-packed vacation there. To keep an eye!
1. Latvian National Art Museum
It is the largest collection of art in one place and has more than 52 thousand works of Russian and Baltic sculptors and painters and this place is also one of the most famous. Latvian Museum, which also organizes temporary exhibitions. This place has a huge collection of art from the 19th to the 20th century in the country and you will get to see the history of Latvia from that period. The art here is displayed from the famous art schools of Johannes Walters, Janis Rosenthals and Wilhelms Purwitz.
You will get the chance to visit the roof terrace of the museum and for; You will need an all-inclusive ticket. Its building is one of the best architectural proofs and was specifically built to house a museum in the Baltic region.
Place: Jania Rozentlas Square 1, Riga, LV-1010, Latvia
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
entrance fees: 6.00€
Must read: Summer in Lithuania: A traveler’s guide to enjoying a vibrant summer vacation in this European country!
2. Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum
Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia is the largest and is situated on the banks of Jugla Lake. and is a 30-minute drive from downtown Riga. In this museum, things have been collected even before the war and most of the things are in good condition. At this place you will get to see how the people lived here, their decorations, fields, barns, blankets used by them and other cultural things. You can stroll through traditional farms and houses of farmers, fishermen and experience how they decorated their living spaces in olden days.
Here you can try your hand at making pottery, weaving baskets and even take part in some traditional games.
Place: Brivibas Gateway 440, Riga, LV-1024, Latvia
Time: 10 am to 8 pm
entrance fees: 2€
3. Art Nouveau Museum
This museum is filled with a beautiful collection of architecture in Riga and exhibits 20th century Art Nouveau. Here you will find more than 800 examples of art from the period and get historical information about the craft from your guide. Near the museum you will find nouveau buildings and also see fridges, stoves, water taps of that time. You will experience bedrooms, bathrooms and all decorated with authentic nouveau art. If you are looking for souvenirs, you will find them in the museum shops.
Place: 12 Alberta Street, Riga 1010, Latvia
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
entrance fees: 6€
Read suggestions: Museums in Austria: 8 amazing repositories of history and art in the center of Europe
4. Rundale Palace and Museum
The palace is located in the middle of the Zemgale plains in the southern parts of Latvia and has the richest decoration of the place and was constructed by painters from Saint Petersburg between 1765 and 1768. The museum is the main research center of Latvian history and hosts various exhibitions throughout the year.
Place: Rundale District, Rundale Parish, Pilsrundale, Rundale Castle, LV-3921, Latvia
Time: 10 am to 5:30 pm
entrance fees: 8€
5. Latvian War Museum
image Source
it Latvian War Museum Located in the Powder Tower in Riga, it is the largest military museum in the country, with a mesmerizing collection. There are over 25,400 objects displayed chronologically at this place, and you will get to see pictures, photographs, weapons and a lot of war related things from this place. The Powder Tower has been rebuilt several times and was used to store gun powder in the 17th century. There used to be 11 cannons, a ball catcher here and later a torture chamber and a jail were also built here.
Place: Smilsu iela 20, Riga, LV-1050, Latvia
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
entrance fees: Free
Read suggestions: 10 things to do in Luxembourg and explore the best of this medieval European city!
6. Museum of the Occupation of Latvia
Those who are interested in Latvian and European history will enjoy this place a lot. This place throws light on the history of the time when this place was under the Soviet yoke Museum of Occupation of Latvia Shows many interactive shows along with some personal anecdotes to make the journey memorable and to inform the tourists.
Place: Raina Bulvaris 7, Riga 1050, Latvia
Time: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
entrance fees: Free
Read suggestions: 5 Amazing Beaches in Latvia That Will Bring Out the Beach Kid in You
7. Natural History Museum Latvia
it Latvian Museum of Natural History Its history dates back to 1845 and the time when Baltic Germans founded the Riga Nature Researchers Society. The mission of these people was to create a place full of nature’s goodness and natural history for visitors.
Place: Ten million. 4 Barona Street, Riga, LV-1050, Latvia
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
entrance fees: 2.13€
Read suggestions: 10 Palaces In Bruges That Showcase The Heritage And Grand Architecture Of This European Country!
8. Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation
image Source
Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation The oldest public in Europe and Latvia. The place is rich with the history and heritage of the country and has 16 halls that depict different eras between the 10th and 13th centuries. The building is located in the 13th-century Dome Cathedral of Riga.
Place: Palasta iela 4, Centra district, Riga, LV-1050, Latvia
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
entrance fees: 7€
9. Riga Motor Museum
image Source
This motor museum here is the largest and has a diverse collection of antique motors in the entire Baltic region and if you come with a guide you will get to hear the history of the different motors on display. The display also attracts the attention of your children and here you will get to see the world’s oldest patented car, Benz.
Place: 6 s. Eisenstein Street, Riga, LV-1079, Latvia
Time: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
entrance fees: 10.00€
Read suggestions: Paragliding in Austria: Head to these amazing destinations in the heart of Europe!
10. Turaida Museum Reserve
image Source
This museum of Latvia is a treasure trove of archaeological, architectural, art monuments and historical treasures. The exhibits date back to the 11th century and you’ll find a Turaida stone palace, a church, a garden and manor buildings.
Place: Sigulda District, Turidas iela 10, Sigulda, LV-2150, Latvia
Time: 9 am to 7 pm
entrance fees: 5.00€
read ahead: 11 Museums in San Francisco: To Learn Local History and Culture
Visit these above mentioned museums when you visit Latvia and you will also be enriched with a comprehensive knowledge of Europe and the history of the country. If you love visiting museums and want to take your kids to such places then Latvia is the best place to do so. The entire country may be small but it has some of the most valuable places and also various museums on your list when you visit those places. Now, don’t think too much and plan a vacation in Europe, visit Latvia and enjoy!
Are you looking to book an international holiday?
Book memorable holidays on TourTravelHotels with 650+ verified travel agents for 65+ domestic and international destinations.