Riga Motor Museum

Overview

The Riga Motor Museum is the largest automotive museum in the Baltics and one of the finest in Europe. After a 2016 renovation, it features interactive exhibits, rare Soviet-era vehicles, and unique pieces like Stalin's armoured ZIS-115 and Brezhnev's crashed Rolls-Royce.

Highlights

• Soviet leader cars: The personal vehicles of Stalin, Khrushchev, and Brezhnev — complete with lifelike wax figures.
• Brezhnev's crash: A Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow that Brezhnev personally crashed, displayed with a diorama of the accident.
• Interactive exhibits: Motion simulators, driving challenges, and a children's racing area.

History

Founded in 1989 by the Antique Automobile Club of Latvia, the museum began as a private collection. A major renovation in 2016 transformed it into a modern interactive experience, tripling visitor numbers.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Take bus 21 from the centre — the museum is in the Mežciems district, about 20 minutes from Old Town.
• Tip 2: Ideal for a rainy day or for families — the interactive exhibits engage all ages.
• Duration: 1.5–2 hours.