Riga

The market

Riga's market on Dome Square sits between the cathedral and the Art Nouveau city, with more than eighty traders, a tree and a stage. Riga and Tallinn both claim the first Christmas tree; Riga's plaque says 1510 and is on the walk. The market runs into early January and stays open on Christmas Day.

Also in Riga

• Līvu Square stalls
• The free public ice rink in Esplanāde park

What to eat and drink

• Karstvīns, Latvian mulled wine, and hot Riga Black Balsam
• Pīrāgi, the bacon buns
• Piparkūkas, pepper gingerbread

The local specialty: Grey peas with bacon, the Latvian Christmas dish, and Riga's claim to the first decorated Christmas tree in 1510.

The walk

One hour with your host and a small tasting of the local specialty, from EUR 69 per person. Company evenings run two hours with tastings and a table to finish. How the hour works

Your host meets you on Dome Square, walks you through the market with karstvīns and pīrāgi, past the Blackheads House and the 1510 tree plaque, through the Old Town lanes to the Art Nouveau quarter or the Central Market halls, with the stories of the Hanseatic port and of the Latvian winter solstice customs that live on at Christmas.

• Dome Square market and the cathedral
• The House of the Blackheads and the 1510 tree story
• Karstvīns, pīrāgi and grey peas with a local
• Old Riga lanes, Art Nouveau streets or the Central Market halls

Your host is a Riga local from the LocalBini network who knows Old Riga, the market on Dome Square and the Latvian winter traditions.