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

What can pupils gain from such a 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 encourage them to reflect on Latvia’s past; whilst museums expand their knowledge of the human body, design, cultural history and different 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 between them for lunch, rest and travelling from one attraction to the next.

1st stop – 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 opportunity 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 school trips and team-building events. Programmes are available for groups of up to approximately 20–25 pupils.

Why include this in your trip? All pupils are actively involved in the session and can take home the chocolate creation they have made themselves. 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 discover 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. Depending on the programme, groups can consist of up to 25–40 people.

Why include this in a school trip? Pupils get to see a real production environment and can make the connection between everyday products 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 Latvia’s 20th-century history. The teacher can choose between an authentic civil defence bunker or the Stūra House, where it is possible to explore the history of the Soviet occupation and repression in greater depth.

Civil Defence Museum ‘Sakaru Bunkur’

The Civil Defence Museum – Communications Bunker is located within 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 authentic setting helps visitors to visualise how civil defence and emergency preparedness were organised during the Soviet era. The visit can be linked to history, social studies, safety and technological development.

Why include it in the excursion? 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, schoolchildren 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 explore the authentic rooms of the building and view historical artefacts linked 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. Before the tour, it is advisable to discuss the historical context and the need for respectful behaviour at the memorial site.

Why include this in the 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: allow approximately 1–1.5 hours.

Prices: €5 for pupils, €15 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 between a natural sciences or an art and design focus. The RSU Anatomy Museum complements the biology curriculum, whilst the Fashion Museum offers creative workshops, cultural history and career exploration.

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 pupils to understand the subject matter in a three-dimensional way and in much greater detail than through images alone.

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

Why include it in your tour? 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.

Fashion Museum

The Fashion Museum is situated in historic Old Riga and offers a glimpse of 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 an outfit made?’, whilst older pupils can take part in a career exploration session; in the creative drawing session, participants explore garment details and create their own clothing sketches.

Why include this in your school trip? The museum combines a tour of the exhibitions with hands-on activities and helps pupils 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 workshop 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 EUR. Free entry for teachers accompanying a group of pupils.

Address: Grēcinieku iela 24, Old Riga.

The museum also has a café where you can buy drinks, cakes and light snacks.

Possible tour itineraries

A practical and educational tour

1. Caps! chocolate masterclass – approximately 1 hour;
2. Civil Defence Museum ‘Sakaru’ Bunker – 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 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 route connects several more remote locations in Riga, so it is best organised by bus. 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 will 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

By choosing attractions in central Riga and Old Riga, such as the Stūra House, the RSU Anatomy 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 parking space available nearby. In central Riga and Old Riga, a large coach may require a separate parking space whilst the group walks to the Attraction.

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. Allow at least 20–30 minutes for travel between attractions in central Riga, and around 30–45 minutes for rides to Vecmīlgrāvis or Teika, depending on traffic.
• Plan for a time buffer. It is advisable to leave at least 15–20 minutes between bookings to allow for unforeseen delays.
• Allow time for lunch. On a full-day itinerary, it is advisable to allow around 45–60 minutes for lunch and a rest break.
• Consider the pupils’ ages. The content at Stūra House 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.