I share Soviet Latvia through personal stories - from my family, friends, and people of Riga who lived it. This tour helps you understand how this history shaped who we are as Latvians and why it still influences our politics and perspectives today.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 6.
At the heart of Riflemen Square stands the Memorial to the Victims of the Soviet Occupation, known as "History Tactile." Your guide will take you through its two distinct sides, each telling a different part of the same story — and you may hear it too, through the memorial's haunting audio installation.
From Riflemen Square, your guide will walk you through decades of Soviet architecture visible in a single glance — from Stalin-era buildings to late 1960s modernism. Learn the controversial story behind the Riflemen Monument, and take in views of the Daugava with two more Soviet-era landmarks on the horizon: Vanšu tilts and the iconic TV tower.
Visible from the route, the Academy of Sciences — known locally as "Stalin's Birthday Cake" — is one of the most striking examples of Stalinist architecture outside Russia. Your guide will share the story behind it, including how it was funded, and by whom.
On the Daugava riverbank, your guide will point out the Soviet-era monument marking the spot where Tsarist troops opened fire on peaceful demonstrators in January 1905.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Riga Soviet Walking Tour with a Local Guide lasts about 2h 15min. The itinerary has 4 stops.
Prices start at $51 per person for this Riga experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
The meeting point is Look for the striking red granite soldiers - the monument stands between the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia and the Daugava River. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
The experience is available in EN.
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 15 travellers can book together.
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Confirmation is sent by the operator within 24 hours of booking.
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 4 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Tours with Emīls.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Our guide Emil was excellent . He was very knowledgable and had lovely stories with his own families experiences . A lovely walk-in tour which was not rushed and was very enjoyable .
Thank you so much for the kind words! It was my pleasure to be your tour guide. Hopefully, see you once again in Riga!
Emils shared the story of Riga with us during a walking tour that delved deep into the city's society, economy, culture, history, and architecture. What made it truly unique was his perspective as a sensitive young man who experiences the present through the lens of his own family history—from his parents to his grandparents and great-grandparents. This allowed us to gain a much deeper understanding of Riga’s past and present from a special viewpoint that you simply cannot find in guidebooks or historical texts. Emils is kind, accommodating, incredibly knowledgeable, and thoughtful. This tour is an absolute must-do in Riga!
Thank you so much for such an amazing review! It was my pleasure to be your tour guide in Riga. All the best and hope to see you again!
Fantastic tour. Highly recommend. Emil’s stories of his family’s past with Soviet occupation were captivating and intriguing. Anyone into history will really enjoy this tour.
Kenneth, thanks a lot for lovely review! All the best!
Emils was hospitable, knowledgeable and most importantly, flexible based on our needs. We had just finished a 2 hour walk of Old Town with another guide and found all the cobblestone streets to be too much. Because of this, we were tempted to cancel our 2 hour Riga Soviet Walking Tour which was 2 hours later that day. In talking with Emils, and explaining our dilemma and concerns, he assured us that he would keep those streets to a minimum. He absolutely kept his word making our tour enjoyable and educational. We are thankful we made the decision not to cancel. Emils enthusiasm and passion in sharing stories and facts kept our interest throughout the tour. He encouraged questions and always had an answer. I simply cannot imagine having done this tour with anyone else! Thank you Emils.
Thank you for the amazing review! It was my pleasure to be your tour guide. Hope to see you in Riga once again!
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riga Soviet Walking Tour with a Local Guide | 2h 15min | 5.0 (4) | $51 | |
 Riga Old Town walking tour | 1h 45min | 4.7 (381) | $19 | View |
 Riga Old Town Walking Tour in a Small Group | 1h 30min | 4.7 (160) | $22 | View |
 Private Riga Old Town Walking Tour | 1h 45min | 5.0 (76) | $199 | View |
 Riga Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour | 2 hours | 4.9 (21) | $5 | View |
 Private Soviet Riga tour | 2 hours | 5.0 (18) | $199 | View |
 Latvian food tasting tour at Riga Central market (20 tastes) | 2 hours | 4.4 (299) | $40 | View |