Classic Car Museum (Retro-Auto Muzejs)
Riga's Classic Car Museum (Retro-Auto Muzejs) was officially established in 2010 but dates back to the Latvian Vintage Car Club, which was founded in 1972. With a motto of "save it from rust," the museum strives to preserve classic automobiles and to familiarize visitors with restoration techniques. More than anything, it brings together car and motorcycle aficionados.
The Basics
More than 100 items are on display at the museum, including 20 cars, 20 motorbikes, and 40 bicycles. Highlights include a 1915 La France Roadster, a 1935 Ford Eifel, and multiple BMW, Mercedes Benz, and Audi models from the 1930s and 1940s. The museum also showcases technical developments in the automobile industry and includes an exhibit dedicated to the history of the blinking turn signal. Visitors can skip ticket lines by pre purchasing tickets online.
Things to Know Before You Go
The Classic Car Museum is a must-visit for motoring enthusiasts.
Children under six enter free of charge; there are interactive displays to keep younger visitors entertained.
There is free Wi-Fi access throughout the museum.
The museum has an on-site restaurant, which serves an affordable set lunch that changes daily.
Book ahead if you want a 90-minute guided tour.
You can rent an audio guide for a small fee.
How to Get There
From the city center, you can take the number 5 bus directly to the museum. The trip takes between 30 and 40 minutes. If you have a car, it’s around a 20-minute drive from the center—free parking is available in front of the museum.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
The Classic Car Museum is open seven days a week from 10am until 6pm. It is closed on January 1, June 23 and 24, and December 24, 25, 26, and 31. It is recommended that you arrive at least two hours before closing so that you can fully explore the exhibitions.
Bauska Classic Car Museum
Serious motor enthusiasts should also make time for a visit to to the Bauska branch of the Classic Car Museum. Around an hour and a half south of Riga, the Bauska car museum introduces visitors to the development of farm machinery in Latvia, and car and motorcycle history of the 20th century. It also offers insight into Soviet-era all-wheel drive vehicles, and combat vehicles from World War II.
- House of the Blackheads (Melngalvju Nams)
- Jauniela Street (Jauniela Iela)
- Riga Old Town (Vecriga)
- Riga Cathedral (Rigas Doms)
- Riga Castle (Rigas Pils)
- St Peter's Church
- Small Guild (Maza Gilde)
- Riga Town Hall Square (Ratslaukums)
- Swedish Gate (Zviedru Varti)
- Latvian National Opera (Latvijas Nacionala Opera un Balets)
- Albert Street (Alberta Iela)
- Riga Art Nouveau Museum (Jugendstila Muzejs)