Riga: Jewish History and Heritage Tour
Old Town, Riga, Latvia
There are deep, tragic, but interesting history of Riga Jews. This excursion will includes the monuments of Jewish culture and heritage and also different stories about destinies.
Jewish Heritage Walking Tour in Riga
This guided walking tour in Riga explores key Jewish heritage sites, ideal for history and culture enthusiasts.
Highlights
- Visit the Riga Synagogue during an Old Town walking tour
- See the Great Choral Synagogue site and Rumbula Memorial
- Walk through the Maskavas suburb with its unique wooden housing
- Admire architecture designed by Mikhail Eisenstein
- See the house of philosopher Isaiah Berlin (1909–1997)
Description
Riga, Latvia’s capital and largest city in the Baltics, features medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, and Art Nouveau architecture, notably by Jewish architect Mikhail Eisenstein. The city has been home to prominent Jewish figures such as philosopher Isaiah Berlin, film director Sergej Eisenstein, chess champion Mikhail Tal, and photographer Philippe Halsman.
The tour includes a visit to the Riga Synagogue (Peitav Shul), the only synagogue in Riga that survived the Nazi period and remains active. Learn about how the Torah scrolls were protected during that time.
Explore the Maskavas suburb, historically the main Jewish settlement area in the 19th century with unique wooden houses. The suburb hosted the first Jewish secular school, now a private Jewish school, and the Bikur Holim Jewish hospital, which still operates today.
The Great Choral Synagogue site, now a memorial, reflects the tragic Nazi history and honors those who helped save Jewish lives. Visit the old Jewish cemetery, the Rumbula and Biķernieki Forest memorials, sites of mass murders during the Holocaust.
The Riga Ghetto Museum, located on the edge of the former ghetto, is one of the few places in Europe that retains original architecture and wooden houses where Jewish residents once lived. The museum walls display the names of over 70,000 Holocaust victims.
Tour itineraries can be tailored to your interests. Note that the synagogue and the Riga Ghetto Museum are closed on Shabbat and Jewish religious holidays. Tour duration varies depending on traffic conditions.
Includes
- Guide with car
Excludes
- Meals and tips
Important Information
- No special requirements; dress according to local weather conditions
Cancellation Policy
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Booking tip: Schedule your visit on weekdays outside Jewish holidays for full access. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
