Riga Town Hall Square (Ratslaukums)

With so many attractions on the square or immediately nearby, visiting the Riga Town Hall Square is a natural part of exploring the city’s historical center. Walking tours, bike tours, and hop-on hop-off buses all find their way to the square, even if it’s only a short stop to show off the House of the Blackheads and nearby St. Peter's Church. Visitors can move on to these landmarks after seeing the Riga Town Hall Square or head inside the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia.

• The edges of the square are lined with bike stands if you wish to park and lock your bicycle here while visiting nearby attractions.

• Although the square is cobblestoned, modern renovations have made it suitable for strollers and wheelchairs, with only a small step up to the Roland Statue.

• There is no shade or awnings to take shelter under around the square, so you’ll want an umbrella when visiting during rain and snow.

With its location within Riga Old Town, walking is the best way to reach the Riga Town Hall Square. If coming by car, it’s best to find one of the many parking lots in the surrounding streets and park there. When traveling outside the Old Town by bus, trolleybus, or tram, alight at Grēcinieku Iela stop on the waterfront, which is the nearest stop.

While the Riga Town Hall Square can be visited round the clock and as much as you like, morning visits are usually the least impressive. Not only is the square likely to be busier with tourists, but the light isn’t ideal for photographing the House of the Blackheads. Instead, try afternoon or even nighttime visits to see the square illuminated.

On the far side of the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia from Riga Town Hall Square lies another square, the Latvian Riflemen Square. This small plaza is named after a monument to the Latvian Riflemen, a controversial reminder of the country's occupation under Russia, especially since the square also hosts the Memorial to the Victims of the Soviet Occupation.