Ķīpsala developed as a fishing village on the left bank of the Daugava River. In the 18th and 19th centuries, it experienced industrialisation, becoming one of Riga’s most important ship transshipment points and stopping places. Today, Ķīpsala is home to diverse constructions of significant contrast – both historical wooden architecture, which forms part of the UNESCO-recognised unique wooden architectural heritage of Riga, and buildings constructed during the Soviet era, such as the Ķīpsala swimming pool on the RTU university campus, the construction of which began in 1965.
Several of the historical wooden buildings found in Ķīpsala have been renovated and make for appealing sightseeing for those who enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Ķīpsala promenade and port piers near the Daugava River.
Žanis Lipke Memorial
Perhaps the best-hidden museum in Riga. The secrecy of this memorial is not only literal, but symbolic – this is a place where people hid and were hidden. It was home to Žanis Lipke, who saved the lives of dozens of people during World War II. The Lipke Memorial is the realisation of a clear and pure idea, a very ascetic and laconic project. It affects multiple senses: sight, hearing, and smell.
Architect Zaiga Gaile designed the memorial building so that the path through the closed tunnel, which begins at the large entrance gate, prevents visitors from feeling the true scale and structure of the building, and it takes time for visitors to find its centre. It is a surprise when you realise that the unified structure, together with the underground level, has three floors, which are connected in the centre by an open shaft, allowing the basement to be seen from the attic. A concrete bunker has been reconstructed according to the original dimensions on the basement floor with nine bunks that unfold along the walls. Visitors can see the bunker from the attic floor, but cannot actually enter it. It is difficult for the modern visitor to comprehend the reality of living for such a long time in such extreme conditions – within a dark, cramped, cold, airless room, without water and amenities. By making this bunker inaccessible to visitors, viewable only from a distance, the memorial emphasises that its goal is not to help visitors identify with the former inhabitants of the bunker, but to try to strengthen historical awareness.
“We had an idea, and from it grew an unusual museum on a complex topic. I am very pleased to see that this work has been so highly appreciated,” says Māris Gailis, founder of the Lipke Memorial.
OLA FOUNDATION complex
Ola, a three-storey concrete and glass building that encapsulates the work of architect Uldis Pīlēns, is nestled in the middle of the complex among century-old lindens and thick oaks. “The architecture of Ola is a space that develops along with its inhabitants. It is a place that embodies the art of cognition. Both of oneself and the world,” says Pīlēns.
The modern glass and concrete building, which resembles an egg from above, is a site of culture, art and education. The building is an experiment by Pīlēns with the latest technologies, ideas and achievements in architecture. The Ola Foundation complex won the Grand Prize at the “Best Building of the Year in Latvia 2022” competition, received the “Export and Innovation Award 2023” in the category “Most Exportable New Tourism Product 2023” and has been nominated for the prestigious “European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture”, named after Mies van der Rohe.
The Ola Foundation complex also incorporates a hotel with a specially designed interior and atmosphere. Here, every detail tells a story. The residence combines finds brought back by Ola Foundation owners from their travels, design elements and architectural solutions created especially for the residence, to create an elegant atmosphere for an unforgettable and comfortable stay.
The Ola Foundation complex also offers rental space for various events. For more information about the exhibitions and concerts taking place at the complex, visit the “Ola Foundation” blog page.
Guests are invited to explore the Ola Foundation complex and current exhibitions independently (without a guide).
Osta Restaurant
A restaurant with a view, Osta is located in a great location on the left bank of the Daugava, which creates a fantastic atmosphere, because you can immerse yourself for hours in watching daily life on the Daugava – passing fishing boats, ships entering the port and the calming flow of the river. Across the river is the historic grain elevator of the Riga Port and other industrial objects, providing a completely different view of Andrejsala and its surroundings.
Osta is a family business where each guest is welcomed with special attention and care. “We love gastronomy; it is our passion, hobby, business and obsession. We travel a lot and are passionate and committed to growing together and offering all we’ve learned to our friends and guests”, say the creators of the restaurant.
The Osta menu is dominated by fish and local products. Preserving and highlighting the basic flavours of each ingredient, meals are prepared using modern methods. Guests are offered home-smoked fish, which highlights the special taste and traditions of Latvia. Main courses of meat and fish are prepared on a Josper charcoal grill, giving them a natural and unforgettable aroma. The restaurant’s menu also includes more unconventional desserts, sweet potato cheesecake.
Pilsētas Jahtklubs Yacht Marina
The Pilsētas yacht marina in Ķīpsala is one of the largest and most modern yacht clubs in the Baltics. The peace and quiet of Ķīpsala on the other bank of the Daugava, opposite the Old Town, allows night-time visitors to the port to relax and unwind onboard a yacht at night. The deck provides a stunning view of ancient Riga, which has remained almost intact since the Middle Ages – a rare phenomenon in Europe.
The yacht club can accommodate up to 200 yachts at the same time with a draft of up to 3.8 metres. The marina is equipped with modern amenities such as showers, electricity and Wi-Fi, and wastewater collection and security services are also available. Yacht club guests can dock here by applying for a yacht parking space in advance. The cost of a parking space is based on the dimensions of the yacht and parking duration.
Ķīpsala’s Sandy Beach and Volleyball Courts
During the warm summer months, the Riga Municipal Police Rescue Station operates on the beach. During the swimming season, sanitary facilities, waste containers and changing cabins are installed on the beach, garbage is collected daily, and the top layer of sand is raked twice a month.
Two beach volleyball courts have been installed on the beach, as well as a children’s playground and outdoor exercise equipment. During the swimming season, the swimming area is fenced off with buoys.
Riverside Camping
At Riverside Camping, you can enjoy the charm and silence of the countryside not far from the city centre, as well as enjoy leisure activities such as paddling along the river, swimming or sunbathing, and enjoy ice cream from the local cafe.
The campsite offers parking for vehicles of various sizes and dimensions, from cars to large campers, as well as a tent area for hikers, motorcyclists and cyclists. Boat rental is available for the romantically inclined, while kayaks – solo and tandem – promise more adventurous fun. Either way, guests are invited to search out and explore the most beautiful of Daugava’s hidden bays and enjoy its stunning sunsets.
Ķīpsala Exhibition Hall BT1
International exhibition hall BT1 in Ķīpsala has been hosting important and well-known exhibitions in food and construction, beauty care, tourism and education, as well as active recreation and motor sports, for several decades. The exhibition centre can accommodate large-scale and technically complex events, and offers a modular layout that can be adapted to the needs of each event. Exhibitions are well attended and attract several thousand people, creating a significant amount of traffic in Ķīpsala on weekends featuring popular events.
Ballast Dam
This street and historical hydrotechnical structure in Ķīpsala was previously known as the Ķīpsala or Podraga dam. Today, most of the construction consists of detached houses, but there are also several public buildings, including the Saules akmens at the beginning of the street. The longest section of the street has only even-numbered addresses, as the Daugava River is on the odd-numbered side. There are several boat and yacht marinas here, and the site also offers a beautiful view of Riga’s Old Town.
Ķīpsala is within easy walking distance of Riga city centre (10-15 minutes). When travelling by public transport, you should get off at the Ķīpsala stop. For example, it is accessible from the Esplanade stop via bus numbers 53, 37 or 41. There are several paid parking lots available in Ķīpsala, which are located next to or within a short distance of the locations mentioned in this article.