A school trip to Riga – tastings, history, medicine and fashion

What can pupils gain from such a school trip?

A varied itinerary allows pupils to learn outside the usual classroom environment. Hands-on activities encourage creativity and collaboration; a visit to a production facility helps them understand the manufacturing process; historical attractions prompt them to reflect on Latvia’s past; whilst museums expand their knowledge of the human body, pharmacy, design, cultural history and various professions.

To ensure the day’s programme is not too intense, it is advisable to choose no more than three attractions and to allow time in between for lunch, rest and travelling from one attraction to the next.

Stop 1 – a tasting session or hands-on workshop

A hands-on activity that engages the pupils can be included at the start or end of the excursion. Such a stop gives pupils the chance to get hands-on, learn about how food is made and create something of their own together with their classmates.

🍫 Caps! chocolate masterclasses

In the Caps! chocolate masterclasses, pupils work with chocolate, decorate chocolate bars or truffles, and learn more about the chocolate-making process. During the session, each participant creates their own edible work of art using chocolate, candied berries, nuts, seeds and other decorations.

The masterclass combines creative activities with a talk about chocolate and is suitable for both a school trip and a team-building event.

Why include it in your trip? All pupils are actively involved in the session and can take home the chocolate creation they have made themselves afterwards. It provides a good balance to history lessons or museum visits.

Approximate duration of the visit: 1 hour.
Prices: depending on the programme chosen – approximately 15–18 EUR per participant.
Address: TEODORS building, 74/1 Gustava Zemgala gatve, Riga.

🍦 “Avenei” ice cream factory

At the “Avenei” ice cream factory, pupils can learn about the production of fruit and plant-based ice cream, see the working environment and find out how the product goes from an idea to the finished ice cream. All programmes include a tasting session, whilst the more comprehensive offers also feature games, a quiz and an ice cream masterclass.

Teachers can choose between a brief tour of the production facility, a more interactive tour with taste games, or the full programme including a masterclass.

Why include this in a school trip? Pupils get to see a real production environment and can make the connection between a product they are familiar with in everyday life and food technology, entrepreneurship and various professions.

Approximate duration of the visit: 30–90 minutes, depending on the programme chosen.
Prices: from 13 to 26 EUR per participant, depending on the programme.
Address: Tēraudlietuves iela 22, Riga.

Stop 2 – Riga’s historical and industrial heritage

The second part of the tour can be devoted to the history of Latvia in the 20th century. The teacher can choose between an authentic civil defence bunker or the Stūra House, where it is possible to gain an in-depth understanding of the history of the Soviet occupation and repression.

🕵️ Civil Defence Museum ‘Sakaru Bunkur’

The Civil Defence Museum – Communications Bunker is housed in the premises of an authentic Soviet-era underground shelter. On a guided tour, pupils learn about the bunker’s layout, communications centres, technical equipment and various artefacts from the Cold War era.

The visit can be linked to history, social studies, safety and technological development.

Why include this in the tour? Pupils learn about history not just from an exhibition, but in a real underground shelter. The bunker’s rooms and the preserved equipment provide a vivid insight into the Cold War era.

Approximate duration of the visit: 45–60 minutes.
Prices: 5 EUR for children; 7 EUR for pupils aged 7 to 15.
Address: 2 Augusta Dombrovska Street, Riga.

🏛️ Exploring history at the Stūra House

At Stūra House, pupils can learn about the activities of the KGB in Latvia, the repressions during the Soviet occupation and people’s experiences under a totalitarian regime. Guided tours allow visitors to view the authentic rooms of the building and historical artefacts relating to the fates of those who were imprisoned there.

The visit is best suited to pupils in the upper years who are already studying the period of occupation, repression, human rights and the restoration of Latvia’s independence.

Why include this in your tour? The authentic rooms and people’s life stories help pupils understand that historical events affected specific individuals and families, and also encourage discussion about freedom and human rights.

Approximate duration of the visit: around 1–1.5 hours.
Prices: 5 EUR for pupils, 15 EUR for adults.
Address: Brīvības iela 61, entrance on the corner of Stabu and Brīvības ielas, Riga.

Stop 3 – museum and educational session

At the third

stop

, the teacher can choose a focus on natural sciences, medicine and pharmacy, or art and design. The RSU Anatomy Museum expands knowledge of the human body, the Pharmacy Museum offers an insight into the history of pharmacy and medicine, whilst the Fashion Museum provides creative workshops, cultural history and an introduction to various professions.

🧬 RSU Anatomy Museum

At the RSU Anatomy Museum, pupils can gain a clear understanding of the structure of the human body, its organs and organ systems. The exhibition features anatomical specimens that help students to visualise the subject matter in a three-dimensional way and in much greater detail than is possible from images alone.

The museum offers student-led tours, educational sessions and a drawing class entitled ‘The Skull’. A visit can be linked to biology, health education, art and careers guidance.

Why include it in a school trip? The museum provides an opportunity to supplement what is learnt in biology lessons with real anatomical materials and to explore the fields of medicine and healthcare.

Approximate duration of the visit: 1–1.5 hours, depending on the chosen workshop.
Prices: depend on the chosen tour or workshop.
Address: 9 Kronvalda Boulevard, Riga.

The exhibition of anatomical specimens may not be suitable for all pupils, so it is advisable to familiarise the class with the museum’s content before the visit.

⚗️ Pharmacy Museum

At the Pharmacy Museum, pupils can learn about the development of pharmacy and medical traditions in Latvia. The museum’s exhibitions provide an insight into the history of pharmacies, the preparation of medicines and the work of a pharmacist, allowing visitors to view historical artefacts related to pharmacy and medicine.

A visit helps to link pharmacy with chemistry, biology, the use of medicinal plants, health and scientific development. It also offers pupils the chance to gain a closer insight into the profession of a pharmacist.

Why include it in your excursion? The Pharmacy Museum complements the natural sciences curriculum by providing an insight into the history of medicines, pharmacies and pharmacy, and can be easily combined with a visit to the RSU Anatomy Museum.

Approximate duration of the visit: depends on the chosen tour or workshop.
Prices: it is advisable to confirm the current prices and the terms of the chosen programme at the time of booking.
Address: 13 Riharda Vāgnera Street, Riga.

👗 Fashion Museum

The Fashion Museum is situated in historic Old Riga and offers visitors the chance to view clothing and accessories from various eras. The museum’s exhibitions change regularly, allowing pupils to explore fashion as part of cultural, historical, design and social development.

For younger pupils, there is a workshop entitled ‘How is a garment made?’, whilst older pupils can take part in a career exploration session; in the creative drawing session, participants study garment details and create their own clothing sketches.

Why include this in your visit? The museum combines viewing the exhibition with hands-on activities and helps visitors learn about the professions of designer, pattern-maker, technologist, tailor, photographer and other fashion-related roles.

Approximate duration of the visit: 1–1.5 hours, depending on the activity chosen.
Prices: €5 per pupil; for groups of 10 pupils or more – €3 per pupil. Guide services for groups of up to 25 people – €20. Free entry for teachers accompanying a group of pupils.
Address: Grēcinieku iela 24, Old Riga.

🚌 Possible tour itinerary options

A practical and educational tour

1. Caps! chocolate masterclass – approximately 1 hour;
2. Civil Defence Museum ‘Sakaru Bunkur’ – approximately 1 hour;
3. RSU Anatomy Museum – approximately 1–1.5 hours.

Visits to these attractions will take a total of approximately 3–3.5 hours. Including travel time, a lunch break and a time buffer, the tour will take approximately 6–7 hours.

Tour of medicine, pharmacy and the natural sciences

1. Pharmacy Museum – pharmacy, the history of medicine and an introduction to the profession;
2. RSU Anatomy Museum – human anatomy and medicine;
3. Caps! chocolate masterclass – approximately 1 hour.

This itinerary is suitable for classes wishing to link their excursion to biology, chemistry, health and an introduction to medical professions. The day concludes with a practical and creative chocolate-making workshop to complement the educational programme.

Tour of manufacturing, history and natural sciences

1. ‘Avenei’ ice cream factory – approximately 45–90 minutes;
2. Civil Defence Museum ‘Sakaru Bunker’ – approximately 1 hour;
3. RSU Anatomy Museum – approximately 1–1.5 hours.

This itinerary connects several more remote locations in Riga, so it is best organised by coach. The total duration of the day will be approximately 6–7 hours.

History and natural sciences excursion for older school pupils

1. Exploring history at Stūra House – approximately 1–1.5 hours;
2. RSU Anatomy Museum – approximately 1–1.5 hours;
3. Caps! chocolate masterclass – approximately 1 hour.

Stūra House and the Anatomy Museum are located in the centre of Riga and are relatively easy to reach from one another. To get to Caps!, you’ll need to use public transport or a coach. Total duration of the tour – approximately 5.5–6.5 hours.

Creative and cultural-historical tour

1. Fashion Museum – approximately 1–1.5 hours;
2. Stūra House – approximately 1–1.5 hours;
3. Caps! chocolate masterclass – approximately 1 hour.

The itinerary combines fashion, design, history and hands-on activities. Including a lunch break and travel time, the day should be planned to last approximately 5.5–6.5 hours.

Short tour for younger schoolchildren

1. Fashion Museum workshop ‘How is an outfit made?’ – approximately 1–1.2 hours;
2. Caps! chocolate masterclass – approximately 1 hour.

The itinerary, comprising two practical and creative sessions, travel time and a lunch break, takes approximately 4–5 hours.

🚍 Transport for a school excursion in Riga

If you choose attractions in central Riga and Old Riga, such as the Stūra House, the RSU Anatomy Museum, the Pharmacy Museum and the Fashion Museum, part of the itinerary can be covered on foot or by public transport.

A coach is particularly recommended if the programme includes the Civil Defence Museum (the Communications Bunker in Vecmīlgrāvis), the Caps! chocolate masterclass on Gustava Zemgala Street or the ‘Avenei’ ice-cream factory on Tēraudlietuves Street. These attractions are located in different parts of Riga, and private transport helps to ensure that booked visiting times are adhered to more precisely.

If you choose to travel by coach, it is advisable to check with each attraction before the ride to confirm where pupils can get on and off, and whether there is a coach park nearby.

View transport service providers for school trips

✅ What should a teacher bear in mind when planning a school trip to Riga?

• Book each attraction separately. Visiting times and the chosen programmes must be agreed with the relevant service provider.
• Allow time for travel between venues. Traffic in Riga can be heavy, so ensure there is sufficient time between booked visits.
• Allow time for lunch. For a full-day itinerary, it is advisable to set aside approximately 45–60 minutes for lunch and a break.
• Consider the pupils’ age. The content at Stūra Māja and the Anatomy Museum may be more suitable for older pupils.
• Check the group size. Some workshops and museum sessions have a maximum number of participants.
• Check prices at the time of booking. Offers and prices may change over time.