The other side of Riga: Maskachka
Our local for this tour
Janis - Tour guide
Experience details
Destination
Riga
Category
Off the beaten track
Duration
3 hours
Mode of transport
Walking
Available languages
English • Latviešu
Highlights
- Family friendly
What's included
Private guide • Kids join for free
Here’s an overview of your tour
Since the 15th century, this area has been a refuge for people, sometimes even those fleeing from the East. That's why you can find and visit churches of various religious beliefs here, such as Russian Orthodox, Old Believers, Jews, Lutherans, Catholics, Armenians, and Baptists.
During the darkest times of the 20th century, the Jewish Ghetto was established in this area.
According to old tales of Riga, true friendship and a vibrant life can be found here. The people of Maskachka have discovered positivity even in difficult circumstances.
It's perhaps the poorest yet most vibrant place in Riga, known for its wooden architecture—a hidden gem waiting to be explored. Join me fearlessly on this journey.
Your itinerary
Meeting point
Latvian Academy of SciencesStart at Latvian Science academy building
The famous example of Stalin time architectureVisit Riga Jesus church
The largest and oldest wooden construction house in RigaVisit ruins of Riga Choral synagogue
Learn about Riga's largest Jewish synagogueSee the oldest synagogue
True hidden gem of RigaCafee
Have a fantastic coffee and some cakes in a surprising placeThe Grebenscikov Oldbeleviers temple (outside visit)
Find about Oldbelievers and how they wind up hereVisit the place of Riga Ghetto
The place of Riga Ghetto - a very challenging place of the history of RigaVisit St.John's russian Orthodox church
One of the rare churches that are made at the time of Art NouveauVisit russian Orthodox church of All Saints
Perhaps the spiritual hub of the Russian Orthodox ChurchVisit St. Francis roman Catholics church
Probably one of the most beautiful churches of Riga
Do you know all our tours are private & personalised?
Did you know that Withlocals tours are completely customisable to your needs? What you see here is a base itinerary that you can modify! Simply get in touch with your selected local and let them know what you would like!
Select your local guide
Explore the city with our diverse Withlocals hosts—passionate storytellers offering unique perspectives on every tour.
Janis
Tour guide
Janis4.840 reviewsI speakEnglish • Latviešu
Good to Know
Tips
- Bring a reusable water bottle to reduce plastic
- Be mindful of sharing the real secret spots - let's keep them a secret
- Be aware of cultural norms & be mindful
Included
- Private guide
- Kids join for free
Not included
- Because of ancient rules of courtesy please have some cash to donate at the 4-6 churches that you will be able to visit.
Cancellation
- Receive a full refund for cancellations done 7 days before the experience date.
- Your experience can be cancelled and fully refunded within 24 hours of purchase.
Reviews
- 5.0
Highly recommend!
"Janis’ deep knowledge of Riga’s history truly enriched our visit. He was open to all of our questions, even if we went off-topic. He provided insightful answers with a personal touch. Finally, his fr...
- 5.0
Highly recommended!
"What a fantastic introduction to Riga! Janis was knowledgable and friendly- an all-around great guide. The walk around Riga Old Town was the perfect way to learn about the history of the city while...
- 4.0
Review about Janis
"Janis was really friendly, very knowledgeable about the history of Riga. He made us feel very welcome, almost as if we were friends walking around the city, rather than a guided tour."
Why should you book a Withlocals tour?
100% customizable
Let your local host tailor the tour completely to your wishes.
Private guided tours
No strangers on your tour. It’s just you and your local host.
Responsible
Our tours are designed with people, places & the planet in mind.
Questions?
We are here to help!
What is the cancellation policy?
When you make a booking you will receive a full refund when you cancel more than 7 days before the start of the booking.
When you make a booking that starts within 7 days and cancel within 24 hours after purchase you will receive a full refund.
When you make a booking that starts within 24 hours your booking is not refundable.
Read moreWhat payment methods are available?
During checkout you can choose from a number of different payment methods based on your location. We accept a variety of payment methods such as Credit Card, iDeal and many more.Can I pay in any currency?
Payment is always done in Euro but you can view the total amount in your local currency. Your bank might charge you a conversion rate fee from your local currency to Euro. No extra fees apply.Is this tour always private?
All our tours are 100% private, only you and your host.
Our local for this tour
Janis - Tour guide
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