Riga Art Nouveau Center, museum

Our visit to the Art Nouveau Museum in Riga reminded me how deeply Latvian heritage lives not only in stories, but in the very spaces we walk through. Riga is the world’s capital of Art Nouveau — nearly one third of its centre shaped by architecture that carries our history, our identity, and the quiet beauty of Latvian craftsmanship. The museum itself, housed in Konstantīns Pēkšēns’ 1903 residence, feels like stepping into a living memory. Every room — from the blue-washed sitting room with its daisy friezes to the warm fireplace room adorned with chestnut leaves — tells the story of a nation growing into its own voice. Roses on the walls, wooden beams, stained glass, hand-painted tiles, spiral staircases… all echo the same message: Latvia has always created beauty with heart, care, and intention. What touched me most was how lovingly everything has been preserved. The original parquet, doors, windows, radiators, artworks, tableware — all restored to honour how people once lived, gathered, worked, celebrated, and rested. The digital exhibition, meanwhile, brings the past into the present, showing how everyday Rigans shaped the city’s architectural miracle. Standing in these rooms, you feel that Latvian tradition is not frozen in time — it breathes. It continues through each preserved object, each restored pattern, each story told to a new visitor. This museum is more than a collection of interiors. It is a reminder that our heritage survives because we choose to cherish it — lovingly, carefully, generation after generation. And in that way, Art Nouveau in Riga remains not only an architectural treasure, but a living testament to the soul of Latvia 🇱🇻💫✨🙏 Liels paldies! Mēs noteikti atgriezīsimies 👈

Went with a group for an English language tour of the museum. Our guide was knowledgeable, easy to hear and very interesting. The museum has a very nice selection of Art Nouveau items and decor. It was especially interesting to learn about the number and variety of Art Nouveau buildings in Latvia. It was one of the first things that struck me on my first visit here last year, and I am now inspired to learn more, and explore the city with a better understanding of the unique architecture.

It's a nice small museum located in a beautiful art nouveau building. The museum itself was not very informative for us. Some posters were only in Latvian, but there was plenty of reading material in English and there were screens with different texts and information about famous architects in Riga, fotos of buildings and interior design pieces. But in general it lacked background information about the architectural worldwide movement and philosophy. Elements in the museum were more apt for children, e.g. the possibility of dressing up with hats of this time period. Also the people working there were dressed up and re-enacting situations in the art nouveau apartment that serves as museum. In general a recommended museum, but small and not as informative for us, as we thought.

It's nice, small museum. You can try epoque clothes and take pictures. The ticket price is 9€ for an adult. But the neighborhood is really amazing with wonderful Art Nouveau buildings and definitely worth a walk there.

This museum changed the way I looked at Riga. It was a little confusing to find, in part because there are two museums and separate signage. I enjoyed the interactive lower floor as a self-paced learning area. The main floor was a reenactment if the architect's apartment and had marvelous detail.

A great museum. Inside, there are not only rooms and objects, but also interactive displays, as well as staff dressed in the style of the time, telling stories and creating an atmosphere.

Recommended. Don't miss the painter Janis Rozentals apartment museum on the 5th floor. The surrounding architecture on Alberta and Elisabets ieala is stunning.

The Art Deco museum wasn’t very special. The museums in Brussels are far more impressive. There was an exhibition about Art Deco in Groningen, which felt odd without any explanation. I missed some depth instead it seemed mostly focused on mass tourism.