About Riga

Riga, the capital city of Latvia, is an eclectic blend of Eastern and Northern European cultures. It has a rich cultural heritage and is home to many museums and concert halls. Riga is also known for its wooden buildings, Art Nouveau architecture, and the Old Town, a must-see attraction for tourists. The Old Town is open to pedestrian traffic only. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its Art Nouveau architecture, which dates back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. Its quaint cobbled streets allow travelers to enjoy its old-world charm on foot. The famed Livu Square is located here with plenty of bars and nightclubs for party animals. This is the city's most popular area with tourists.

The Riga Central Market, just outside the Old Town, is housed in five huge Zeppelin hangars. It is Europe’s largest market attracting more than 100,000 visitors a day.

Riga perfectly blends timeless tradition and beautiful architecture, so visit the city and get energized with its spiraling Gothic skyline.

Public Transport System

Tram, Trolleybus, Bus, and Rail.

Cleanliness and Efficiency

Cleanliness: High; Efficiency: Moderate

Mode & Cost of Transports

Tram, trolley and bus:

  • One ride EURO 1.15
  • Five rides EURO 5.75
  • Ten rides EURO 10.90
  • Twenty rides EURO 20.70
  • It is also possible to purchase a 24-hour ticket EURO 5.00
  • A three-day ticket EURO 10.00
  • A five-day ticket EURO 15.00

Rail transport:

  • EUR 0.70 per ride 

Basic Items & Cost

Name Price
Water Bottle EUR 0.00
Cup of Coffee EUR 2.00
Milk Carton Pack EUR 1.00
Rice/Kg EUR 1.00
White Bread EUR 1.00
Eggs (12) EUR 2.00
Combo Meal EUR 5.00
Fine Dining EUR 40.00
Bottle of Coke or Pepsi EUR 1.00
Domestic Beer EUR 1.00
Imported Beer EUR 1.00
Bottle of Wine EUR 6.00
Cigarettes (20 Pack) EUR 4.00
Taxi ( 1 km ) EUR 1.00
Ticket in local transport (Single way). EUR 1.00
Rent ( One Bed Room) EUR 377.00

Dos:

  • Try to connect with locals - many speak English and will try to help you. 
  • If visiting a local doctor, it is advisable to get a second opinion on the prescribed medicines. Better still, go for homeopathy or natural remedies.
  • Catch sales/offers on coupon/Groupon sites such as Gudriem.lv, Citysale.lv, Zizu.lv, Ecena.lv etc. You may get  40% or more off on products and services. This way you will also get a chance to visit out-of-the-way places.
  • Do always carry copies of all relevant documents, including the address and telephone number of your accommodation.
  • Do not use abusive language (many people speak or understand English in Latvia), and avoid confrontations.
  • Drink responsibly: Be aware of being scammed or of illegal substances being planted on you by locals. If this happens, do not pay bribe money, but insist on calling the police or your embassy.
  • Only use official taxis.
  • Leave your passport and all valuable documents (e.g. driver’s license, credit cards, traveler’s cheques, and flight tickets) in your hotel room, preferably in the safe. Do not take them out with you if you do not need them as you may lose them to pickpockets.
  • Try to learn pleasantries like ’hello’ (labdien) and ’thank you’ (paldies) in Latvian. The locals will appreciate your effort of learning their language.

Don’ts:

  • Don’t talk about LGBTs, politics, and national differences. Latvia is sensitive about such topics.
  • Don’t buy veggies and fruits in the supermarkets. Try to find local/seasonal ones at the bazaars or the Central Market. The latter may have lesser nitrates in them.
  • Do not leave drinks unattended as a safety precaution! There have been cases of drinks being spiked with illegal substances.
  • Be wary of strangers asking you to buy them a drink in some bars or nightclubs. You may get a higher-than-expected tab towards the end of the night. If in doubt, establish the price of a drink before you hand over your money and pay for each round as you order it.
  • Do not buy, carry, or use illegal drugs. The Latvian authorities are serious about combating illegal drugs and the penalties are high. There are no distinctions between the classes of different types of drugs, so the punishment for carrying any type of illegal substance is the same.
  • Do not litter.
  • Public displays of affection like kissing are frowned upon.

Night Life

Black Magic Bar - Located in the heart of the Old Town, it transports you back in time as you enter its doors. The decoration is both quirky and unique. It offers a selection of chocolates and desserts, as well as drinks from the usual cafe beverages to cocktails. Apparently, it’s the best place to try the black balsam. It’s a great place to relax and chill.

The Armoury Bar -This is a great bar with a good selection of whiskey beers. It houses a vast collection of guns and you are allowed to take a picture with any one of these weapons that take your fancy.

Riga Pub Crawl - This is a good way to discover the amazing nightlife of Riga. This tour offers the best beer gardens in summer or some small hidden spots in winter; you can also visit some traditional Latvian pubs and disco bars; and can end the night at one of the nightclubs in town.

Cynic Bar - It is in the heart of Riga with modern cocktails, a relaxed atmosphere, prompt service, and friendly staff. You can relax, drink, converse, and have some delicious food.

Must See

  • The Corner House: The lovely Art Nouveau building in the center of the Latvian capital of Riga is a must visit on any tourist's itinerary. It was actually a former KGB headquarter where political prisoners were subjected to torture and worse.
  • Art Nouveau or Jugendstil: A decorative style of architecture, first became popular in France during the early 20th Century and quickly spread throughout Europe, merging with local artistic tendencies. Famed examples of the style are the Paris metro stations, the Helsinki Railway Station, the secessionist buildings in Budapest and the works of Victor Horta in Brussels. Riga is famous for this and has many buildings in the Old Town representing this style.
  • The Three Brothers: The three adjacent buildings dubbed "The Three Brothers," according to local lore, were all built by descendants of the same family. The "brothers" standing tall and proud together are a striking timeline of architectural trends.
  • The legend of Lielais Kristaps (Big Christopher in English) is intrinsically bound to the history of the Latvian capital city of Riga. He is said to have carried baby Christ across deep waters and is supposed to have shouldered the world's sins.
  • First Ever Public Tree Marker: A stone marker and sculpture in the city of Riga stakes the claim for the very first community Christmas tree. 
  • Stone Head Of Salaspils: This mysterious artifact remained buried in a churchyard for years.
  • Hospitalis Restaurant: It is a Burlesque Hospital-themed restaurant that stands out in a myriad of bars and restaurants in the Old Town.

Experiences

  • Get a guide to visit places and learn about Latvian history and culture.
  • Stroll through Riga’s scenic streets. There are many cycle tours available, which is a good way to see the city and many have locals actings as guides, giving a glimpse into the out-of-the-way places.
  • Taste traditional Latvian food.
  • Try to go on a cruise along River Daugava and the Riga Canal on a traditional canal boat.
  • Visit Rundale Palace and Bauska Castle.
  • Enjoy Latvian Beer Tour & Tastings.
  • Go for the Riga Ghost Tour. 
  • Enjoy Harry Potter and the Locked Chamber Game in Riga. Work as a team to solve puzzles and hunt for clues.

Activities

Shopping

Galerija Centrs
Shopping Malls
Audēju iela 16, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia
Distance From City Center
2.6 km
Domina Shopping
Shopping Malls
Ieriķu iela 3, Vidzemes priekšpilsēta, Rīga, LV-1084, Latvia
Distance From City Center
1.6 km
Market Latgale
Flea Markets and Bazaars
Firsa Sadovņikova iela 9A, Latgales priekšpilsēta, Rīga, LV-1003, Latvia
Distance From City Center
3.9 km
Doma Antikvariats
Antique Markets
Smilšu iela 8, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia
Distance From City Center
3.3 km
Antik&Dekors
Antique Markets
Brīvības gatve 452, Vidzemes priekšpilsēta, Rīga, LV-1024, Latvia
Distance From City Center
8.6 km
Kalnciema Street Market
Flea Markets and Bazaars
Kalnciema iela 35, Zemgales priekšpilsēta, Rīga, LV-1046, Latvia
Distance From City Center
5.9 km
Vintage District
Antique Markets
Dagdas iela 2, Latgales priekšpilsēta, Rīga, LV-1003, Latvia
Distance From City Center
3.6 km
Riga Central Market
Flea Markets and Bazaars
Nēģu iela 7, Latgales priekšpilsēta, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia
Distance From City Center
5.0 km
Linen and Souvenirs
Handicrafts and Souviners
Mazā Pils iela 4, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia
Distance From City Center
4.4 km
Tautas terpu centrs Sena klets , SIA
Handicrafts and Souviners
Rātslaukums 1, Rīga, Latvia
Distance From City Center
3.7 km
Black Cat souvenirs
Handicrafts and Souviners
Mazā Jaunavu iela 8, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia
Distance From City Center
3.9 km
Look At Riga
Handicrafts and Souviners
Rātslaukums 7 (entrance from, Svaru iela, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia
Distance From City Center
3.7 km
Love Riga, SIA
Handicrafts and Souviners
Audēju iela 5, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia
Distance From City Center
4.2 km
  • Amber also called as "The Solar Stone" or "Baltic Gold"
  • Jewelry
  • Latvian Handicrafts
  • Pampalu Pots
  • Riga Black Balsam
  • Traditional Latvian Wool Mittens
  • Sun Gifts
  • Latvian Sweets
  • Latvian Honey
  • Beer
  • Linen made of flax, the traditional fabric of Latvia
  • Lielvārde Belt - A unique element of the Latvian folk costume
  • Traditional Latvian Music
  • Lats Coins
  • Stenders Cosmetics

Official Language

Latvian

Other Language

English, Russian

Spoken Language

Russian, Latgalian, Ukrainian,... Read more

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Population

(Millions)

Weather Icon

Weather

Overcast Clouds 8.79°C

Clock Icon

TimeZone

11:54 AM (GMT +02:00)

 

Ambulance Icon

Ambulance

 

Police Icon

Police

110

 

Electric socket

Type C
Type C ( 220 V 50 Hz)
Type F
Type F ( 220 V 50 Hz)
Airplane Icon

Airport Name / IATA Code

Riga International Airport - RIX

Airport Name / IATA Code

- - Spilve Airport

Best time to visit

July, August, and September are the best months to visit Riga. The climate is moderate with warm sunny days and pleasant nights. It is comparatively less crowded than the summer tourist months and one can savour the sites at leisure..

Moderate time to visit

November, December, January, February, March, and April. You can expect some snowfall during the winter months.

Worst time to visit

May and June are the hottest months in the city. It gets crowded with tourists and hotels are also expensive.

Taxi

Start Tariff: EUR 2.00

1 Km. Tariff: EUR 0.60

1 Hour Waiting Tariff: EUR 7.90

Available service

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Monthly Average Temperature & Rainfall

Local Services in Riga (Contact directly)

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