Does your cruise ship stop in Riga?
We offer full services for a shore excursion in Riga including main sites and Jewish sites. Travel in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide who will share not only the history of this fascinating city but also the fascinating stories of the Jewish community today. Our package includes pick up (and drop off) at the boat terminal, guided city tour and a visit of the Jews in Latvia museum. There are kosher restaurants to choose from and other museums of interest to explore on request. Tell us your wishes and we will arrange a tailor-made program for your day in Riga.

Once called the Paris of the North, the largest city of the Baltic and capital of Latvia is quickly re-gaining this reputation. With an ice-free port, Riga has been for centuries a crossroads of trade and also of numerous cultural influences: Swedish, Russian, German. Latvians enjoyed independence only periodically and since 1991 this western-oriented country has blossomed.

Old Riga is an architectural gem - a World UNESCO Heritage Site. A 13 th century church, medieval houses with Gothic gabled roofs, Renaissance guild houses and baroque homes of the wealthy - the city has something from every century and for everyone’s taste! Perhaps most unique in Europe is the plethora of Art Nouveau housing rivaling that of Vienna or Barcelona. Jewish architect Mikhail Eisenstein created what is now an open-air museum to Art Nouveau on Alberta St.

See the Eisenstein house where Riga born Jewish philosopher Sir Isaiah Berlin lived. Visit the Peitva Schul—the one synagogue to survive the Nazi period which is still in use today and hear how the Torah scrolls were saved. Passing the parliament building one can learn of how Jewish democrats were involved in the creation of the first independent Latvia in 1920 and of the Jewish parliamentarians at work today.

The Maskavas suburb with its unique wooden housing is the historical Jewish quarter. Never a ghetto until the Nazi years, Maskavas became the main area of Jewish settlement in the 19th century. The first Jewish secular school is used today as a private Jewish school. Likewise the historical Jewish hospital Bikur Holim is still in use.

The sites of the Great Choral Synagogue and old Jewish cemetery are now places of contemplation of the Nazi inhumanities. Two roads from Riga lead to the Rumbula and Bikernieki forests where mass murders were carried out. Both are now important memorial sites.

Rumbala and Birkenieki forests are places to grieve the great loss of the Riga Jewish community. Stories of armed resistance and Jews in hiding who refused to surrender but fought to their deaths can be told in the ghetto. Stories of those who survived and also of the Righteous Among the Nations who helped save some lives can be found in the excellent museum: “Jews in Latvia”. This comprehensive museum is housed in the Jewish community center and is a must for any visitor. Have a tasty kosher meal next door at Lehaim restaurant or a chat with a community member.

Today’s community reflects Latvia itself. They are Latvian or Russian speaking; the older generation still speaks Yiddish. Your guide might double as an actor in the Jewish theater. The rabbi might tell you it is difficult to get a minyan together for the daily morning and evening services but on holidays the large synagogue is full—with people bringing non-Jewish friends too! The Jewish community of Riga is re-inventing itself. It enjoys official support from the government and those with Jewish ancestry are finding many good reasons for reclaiming their identities. The young people speak English and are eager to meet Jews from abroad. Jewish Riga, like the city itself, is looking forward to the 21 st century.