When you come to the capital city of Latvia, there are plenty of great educational opportunities to be had. Riga is a melting pot of architecture, history, culture, art and museums. The historical side of Riga is apparent everywhere you look, but to get a true representation of the city, you must visit some of the amazing museums. With approximately 50 museums in Riga, you could spend your entire holiday browsing various galleries and exhibits. If you are more inclined to have a well balanced vacation, here are a few of the best museums in the city.

Occupation Museum

This is the most important museum pertaining to the recent history in Latvia. The exhibits consist of artifacts and stories about the years that Latvia was occupied by Soviet and Nazi forces. There are different sections for the 2 different times Russia occupied Latvia and 1 section depicting the Nazi occupation. The final part of the museum is a special area dedicated to revolution efforts and reemergence of Latvia’s independence in 1991. The museum is a powerful place and well worth a visit to learn about the struggles and triumphs of the Latvian people.

State Museum of Art

This is the biggest collection of Latvian artwork in the world with about 32,000 pieces. It is home to the works of Julijs Feders, Janis Rozentals, Konrads Ubans and countless other Latvian artists. There are some pieces from Russian painters such as Nikolai Roerich and his son Svyatoslav Roerich, but it is mostly a compilation of Latvian art. With so much different artwork to display, you can be sure that the museum galleries are always changing.

Riga Motor Museum

The huge antique automobile museum is not only famous in Latvia, but it has gained recognition throughout the world. Browse through over 100 vehicles including army trucks, cars manufactured in Latvia, motorcycles and some famous luxury automobiles for transporting high profile politicians. The institution has been distinguished by the top historical societies in Latvia and earned a membership into the International Association of Transport and Communication Museums. These honors are well deserved and you will easily see why when you visit the Riga Motor Museum.

Ethnographic Open Air Museum

The outdoor heritage museum, situated on Lake Jugla, is open all year round providing a fun and educational experience for people of all ages. Many festivals and souvenirs are available to celebrate the history of the Latvian people. You will truly feel like you are back in the old days as you tour houses and businesses from years past. There are master craftsmen such as a blacksmith, a spoon carver and a bee keeper scattered around the old buildings in the 100 hectare museum. Stay for the entire day or just a few hours to enjoy the great cultural attractions.