Jewish Riga Walking Tour

Hear about Jewish history
Visit Jewish Ghetto museum
See the Riga Synagogue
Riga Choral Synagogue visit
Explore Jewish heritage in central Riga and the Old Town on a focused walking tour connecting the former ghetto area, Riga Jewish Ghetto Museum, Choral Synagogue Memorial and Riga Synagogue.

Tour Type

City Walking Tour

Tour Duration

~3.5 Hours

Location

Riga

Tour Season

Whole year

From 35 EUR per person

Discover Jewish heritage and remembrance sites in Riga on a guided walking tour through central Riga, the former ghetto area and the Old Town. Visit important places connected with Jewish life, the Holocaust, remembrance and rescue, including the Riga Jewish Ghetto Museum, the Choral Synagogue Memorial and the surviving Riga Synagogue.

About The Tour

Tour Description

This Jewish Riga Walking Tour offers a focused and respectful introduction to Jewish heritage, history and remembrance sites in central Riga and the Old Town. The route connects places that help tell the story of Jewish life in Riga, the tragedy of the Holocaust, and the memory of people and communities affected by World War II.

During the tour, you will visit the area connected with the former Riga Ghetto and the Riga Jewish Ghetto Museum, where the history of Jewish life in Latvia, persecution, resistance and remembrance is presented. Your guide will help explain the wider historical context and the role these places played during the Nazi occupation.

The walk also includes the Choral Synagogue Memorial, one of Riga’s most important Holocaust remembrance sites, and the surviving Riga Synagogue in the Old Town. Along the way, you will hear about Jewish community life in Riga, the destruction of Jewish heritage during the war, and stories of rescue, including the courage of Žanis Lipke and others who helped save lives.

This is a walking tour designed for travelers who want to understand Riga beyond its main tourist landmarks. It is not only about visiting historic sites, but also about connecting them through stories, context and remembrance.

Tour Highlights

Walk through central Riga and the Old Town to discover important Jewish heritage sites, including the former ghetto area, the surviving synagogue and the memorial of the Great Choral Synagogue.

Riga Jewish Ghetto Museum

Visit the museum near the former ghetto area and learn about Jewish life, persecution, resistance and remembrance in Latvia.

Former Riga Ghetto Area

Understand the historic surroundings of the former ghetto and the stories connected with Riga’s Jewish community during World War II.

Riga Jewish Synagogue

See the only synagogue in Riga that survived World War II, located in the Old Town and still important to the city’s Jewish community.

Old Town Jewish Heritage

Discover the Old Town setting around the synagogue and learn how its location helped it survive destruction during the war.

Choral Synagogue Memorial

Visit the memorial at the site of the former Great Choral Synagogue, destroyed during the first days of Nazi occupation in Riga.

Žanis Lipke Remembrance

Learn about Žanis Lipke, one of Latvia’s best-known rescuers of Jews during World War II, remembered near the Choral Synagogue site.

Route at a Glance

A focused Jewish heritage walking route in Riga, connecting the former ghetto area, the Choral Synagogue Memorial and the surviving Riga Jewish Synagogue.

1

Riga Jewish Ghetto Museum

Former ghetto area

2

Former Ghetto Streets

Historic context

3

Choral Synagogue Memorial

Destroyed synagogue site

4

Žanis Lipke Remembrance

Rescue and remembrance

5

Riga Jewish Synagogue

Surviving synagogue

Explore the Stops
1

Riga Jewish Ghetto Museum

Begin at the Riga Jewish Ghetto Museum, located near the historic former ghetto area. The museum introduces Jewish life in Latvia, the Holocaust, anti-Semitic propaganda, resistance and people who helped provide shelter.

2

Former Riga Ghetto Area

Continue through the surroundings of the former Riga Ghetto. This part of the walk helps place the museum story into the real city landscape and gives important context to the history of Jewish Riga.

3

Riga Choral Synagogue Memorial

Visit the site of the former Great Choral Synagogue, which was burned during the first days of Nazi occupation in Riga. The memorial is one of the most important places in the city for understanding the tragedy faced by Riga’s Jewish community.

4

Žanis Lipke Memorial Connection

Near the Choral Synagogue Memorial, learn about Žanis Lipke, one of Latvia’s best-known rescuers of Jews during World War II. His story adds a human and deeply important layer to the route.

5

Riga Jewish Synagogue

Finish the main walking route at the Riga Jewish Synagogue in the Old Town. It is the only synagogue in Riga that survived World War II and remains an important Jewish landmark in the city today.

Additional information

  • This tour includes a moderate amount of walking through central Riga, the former ghetto area and the Old Town. Please wear comfortable flat shoes.
  • The tour operates in all weather conditions. Please dress according to the weather.
  • Entrance donations to the Riga Synagogue or the Riga Jewish Ghetto Museum are not included in the tour price.
  • The tour covers serious historical themes and is designed as a respectful heritage and remembrance experience.

Map of the tour

Frequently Asked Questions

This tour focuses on Jewish heritage and remembrance sites in central Riga and the Old Town. It connects the former ghetto area, the Riga Jewish Ghetto Museum, the Choral Synagogue Memorial and the surviving Riga Synagogue.

This is a walking tour focused on central Riga, the former ghetto area and the Old Town. The Jewish Riga Grand Tour is a broader tour that also includes transportation to memorial sites outside the city, such as Salaspils and Rumbula Forest.

The tour lasts approximately 3.5 hours, depending on the group pace, opening hours, access to sites and time spent at each stop.

The route usually includes the Riga Jewish Ghetto Museum, the former ghetto area, the Choral Synagogue Memorial, the Žanis Lipke rescue story and the Riga Jewish Synagogue in the Old Town.

Yes, the tour usually includes the Riga Jewish Ghetto Museum area. Entrance donations or museum-related costs are not included in the tour price unless agreed otherwise.

The route usually includes the Riga Synagogue in the Old Town. Interior access may depend on opening hours, security, religious services and local conditions.

No. This walking tour focuses on central Riga and the Old Town. If you would like to visit Salaspils Memorial and Rumbula Forest Memorial, the Jewish Riga Grand Tour is the more suitable option.

The tour covers serious and tragic parts of Riga’s history, including the Holocaust and the former ghetto area. The aim is to provide respectful historical context, remembrance and understanding.

The tour includes a moderate amount of walking through central Riga, the former ghetto area and the Old Town. Comfortable flat shoes are recommended.

Yes. The tour operates throughout the year and in different weather conditions. Please dress according to the weather, especially in rain, wind or winter conditions.

Tour Price and Booking

From 35 EUR*
Price includes:
  • Guide
  • Meeting at the hotel (if located in the Riga Old Town)
Not included:
  • Entrance donations to the Riga Synagogue
  • Entrance donations to the Riga Jewish Ghetto Museum
*The price depends on your group size. To receive an exact quote, please click “Inquire / Book”.
i Select "YES" if you want the tour without other travelers
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If you would like to visit memorial sites outside central Riga, such as Salaspils Memorial and Rumbula Forest Memorial, please see our Jewish Riga Grand Tour.
Jewish Riga Grand Tour

Jewish Riga Grand Tour

Tour in Riga visiting Riga center Jewish sights as well as Salaspils camp memorial and Rumbula forest memorial on outskirts.

Duration: ~3.5 Hours
Whole year
Price from:
45 EUR