A trip to Riga in February - tips for tourists. The first gastronomic market in the Baltic countries opens in Riga Introduction to Moscow suburb

…What can I say: Riga is a very cool city. We stayed here for three and a half days, and during this time the capital of Latvia gave us many unforgettable impressions. Finding yourself in the whirlwind of its narrow streets, you seem to fall into some other reality, where the air is filled with the amber light of forged lanterns, and the songs of street musicians seem to intertwine with the songs of the Baltic wind. I won’t hide: I liked our trip to Riga. Therefore, writing this article, replaying the memories of those days in my head, is somehow especially warm and pleasant.

I hope yours trip to Latvia you will like ours no less than we do. And in order to help you make your trip a little more interesting and brighter, we have prepared this short review for you, collecting in it all the interesting activities and entertainment that you definitely need to devote time to while traveling around the Latvian capital.

16 things to do during trips to Latvia

• Stay in an old mansion.

This option will allow you to feel like a real resident of this city for a short time, will help you better understand it and feel its atmosphere. By choosing an apartment instead of a standard hotel, you get a chance to “peek behind the scenes” and see the city as the locals see it. Moreover, you can live in one of the houses in old Riga for very little money. You can find a good option, as well as save a little, by using the AIRBNB website (which, by the way, offers a small bonus to all new users of the project. To receive it, just register using this link).

From the window of our apartment, for example, there was such a stunning view. It’s always a special pleasure to greet the morning looking at such beauty.

• Wander around the old town.

Well, there’s probably no need to explain anything here. The Old Town is the real heart of Riga, its soul and its main center of attraction. Therefore, you are unlikely to miss these places. In this place, the present and the past intertwine with each other in the most bizarre way. Replicas of ancient buildings stand side by side with original buildings dating back hundreds of years. And cute street cafes, original art installations and modern cars of wealthy Riga residents surprisingly harmoniously complement the image of old squares and alleys.

However, you will probably note all this without me. Therefore, I will not burden you with all this unnecessary information in vain. Instead, I’d better throw in a few photos here, which will probably convey the atmosphere of these places much more eloquently.

• Take photos on the narrow streets of Riga.

Do not know, what to do in Riga? Have a little photo shoot for yourself! The capital of Latvia is a surprisingly photogenic city. Therefore, anyone can find some interesting shots for themselves. In general, all fans of VKontakte and Instagram will definitely like it here.

Dedicated to the upcoming release of the film “Spectre”...

Lady with a handbag

• Feel like a movie character on Jauniela Street.

It just so happened that two cult films were filmed on this picturesque street during Soviet times. At one time, the famous Baker Street from the epic film about the famous detective Sherlock Holmes was located here. And also the Flower Street of “Swiss” Bern, which is familiar to us all from the TV series “17 Moments of Spring”.
Without visiting this place, trip to Riga will definitely be incomplete.

• Make a wish at the monument to the Bremen Town Musicians.

Like in many other cities, there is a place in Riga where flocks of tourists rub/twist something together, hoping that this non-trivial ritual will fulfill some of their deepest desires. To believe in such things or not is everyone’s business. But it’s definitely worth visiting the Riga monument to the Bremen Town Musicians. At least because it is one of the most popular and “photographed” monuments in Latvia.

The monument is located behind St. Peter's Church (in the Sk?r?u iela area). In the photo its location is marked by a group of tourists

His wish fulfillment system is quite simple - make a wish and rub the nose of one of the animals. Well, the higher you reach, the faster your wish will come true. By the way, reaching the rooster is quite difficult (even with my height of 195 cm). But it's definitely worth a try. Even if it takes some time. In general, it will be what to do in Riga.

• See the famous Riga spiers.

In general, there are only four main “high-rise buildings” in the capital of Latvia – St. Jacob’s Church, St. Peter’s Church, Dome Cathedral and Riga Castle. It was these buildings that were the main symbols of old Latvia in Soviet times. Their images were used almost everywhere. And over time, the panorama of the city topped with sharp roofs became so popular that other buildings were often counted among the Riga spiers.

Today, in addition to the four main buildings, the expanded list also includes the spiers of the Riga Academy of Sciences, the Church of St. Magdalene, the Anglican Church of the Holy Redeemer, as well as the thin needle of the Riga TV Tower. Which one should you pay attention to during trips to Latvia– decide for yourself.

Riga Castle

The buildings with the four main spiers of Riga can be found at: Herdera laukums 6 (Dome Cathedral), Skarnu iela 19 (St. Peter's Church), Jakaba iela 9 (St. Jacob's Church), Pils laukums 3 (Riga Castle). The best view of all Riga's spiers opens from the left bank of the Daugava.

• View Riga from above.

By the way, many high-rise buildings in Riga today have observation decks. But most of them have an entrance fee. You can climb the tower of St. Peter’s Cathedral for 7 euros, the observation deck of the “Stalinist high-rise” Academy of Sciences (Academy Square, 1) for 4 euros, and the platform of the Riga TV Tower (Zakusala Island) for 3.70 euros. The last option may seem the most tempting (especially considering the fact that the Riga TV Tower, with a height of 368 meters, is officially considered the tallest building in the Baltics). However, I would strongly advise you not to choose it. If only because the windows in this building are constantly dirty.

Academy of Sciences of Latvia and Riga TV Tower

Instead, it’s better to go to the Panorama cafe, located on the roof of the Galleria Riga shopping center (Dzirnavu iela, 67) or to the pretentious Riga Sky Line bar in the Latvia Hotel (aka Radisson Blu Hotel). You can come here on weekdays completely free of charge. It’s better to spend the remaining money on coffee. All kinds of cocktails there are expensive (9-12 euros).

Hotel Latvia on Brivibas Ave. View from Cafe Panorama

• Listen to the melodies of street musicians.

I don’t know why, but trips to the Old World are always associated in my mind with the music of street musicians. A few months ago we listened to a cool street concert during a trip to Warsaw. This time we came across an equally interesting performance by street musicians in Riga. The guys were playing Pharell Williams' “because i'm happy” on the trumpet. And some little EU citizen was dancing in the background. In general, it was great.

• Wander through Riga's parks.

Autumn in Latvia is very picturesque. We especially liked the park next to the Freedom Monument (on Brivibas Avenue). Ponds, bridges with locks, ducks running underfoot and a huge amount of yellow, red and orange colors around - it looks very beautiful.

• See Riga through the eyes of a local resident. After all, someone like real Riga residents will be able to show you all the most hidden corners of this city, tell you about the legends of old Riga, show the city “from the inside”, the way it appears to ordinary residents of Latvia. In order to move away from the traditional format of excursions, some time ago, on the basis of the Tripster project, a whole series of unusual custom tours from “local residents” were created. Today they enjoy stable popularity in Riga. View the full list of such non-standard excursions. If finances allow, do not miss this opportunity.
• Visit Riga's Art Nouveau neighborhoods(located in the area of ​​Elizabetes, Alberta, Antonias streets and some others adjacent to them).

Latvian Art Nouveau has long been considered one of the symbols of Riga. Pay attention to these areas. There really is something to see there. And in general, trip to Riga– a great opportunity to understand a little the intricacies of architectural styles.

• Take a walk along the banks of the Daugava.

Just dress warmly first. Autumn weather in Riga is some kind of hellish swing! Now it’s rain, now it’s sunny, now it’s fog, now it’s wind... First you leave the house and think: “Why am I dressed like a cabbage.” But after an hour you realize that you did the right thing.

National Library of Latvia. Architecture in the late “anyhow” style. There is also some kind of crown on top.

• Take a photo of the ugliest library in the world .

Do you think we have one in Minsk? I hasten to assure you: not at all. In comparison with the unsightly and somewhat awkward building of the National Library of Latvia, our “Diamond of Knowledge” is simply an architectural masterpiece. In general, you don’t know what to do in Riga– go to the Daugava. There is always a lot of interesting things here.

• Compare Minsk and Riga Lido.

Another object for comparison is two Lido restaurants located in two capitals. As for me, our Lido is even a little better than the Latvian one. At least in Riga, Tanya constantly grumbled that there was some tension with desserts in this place.

But I liked the local dishes of national cuisine. But this should probably be written as a separate paragraph. Soooo....

• Try Latvian national cuisine.

There are actually a lot of strange things here, but at the same time very interesting. Milk soup with fish, semolina porridge with beaten egg, pumpkin compote and many other strange oddities. Although in reality everything turns out to be very, very tasty. For example, I especially liked the gray peas with bacon. It looks unpretentious, but is actually delicious. You eat and immediately imagine yourself as some kind of Latvian farmer from the Middle Ages. In Lido this dish cost 1.65 euros. Oh, yes... This restaurant also brews very tasty beer (1.95 euros per mug). In short, you won't know what to do in Riga– go on a tour of local gastronomic establishments. This is quite an adventure.

• Treat yourself to Latvian pastries.

The people of Riga simply adore her. And Tanya (our main sweets specialist) really liked it too. At the same time, good pastries can be found both in cafes and in regular stores. For example, we liked the shop at the intersection of Tallinas and Krisjana Barona streets. And also cafe “Martina”. Both places made very cool buns (0.3-0.45 euros).

• Bonus. If you suddenly start to get bored in the Latvian capital itself, go on a tour of its nearest suburbs.

Turaida Castle in autumn

In summer, the numerous beach villages in Jurmala can be a good solution. In autumn (as in our case), a much better option would be Sigulda and the Gauja National Park located in its vicinity.

Filled with myriads of yellow, red and burgundy colors at this time of year, these places become especially beautiful and picturesque. However, see for yourself...

That's all. I hope our article is about what to do in Riga was useful to you. Write comments and share your impressions of your own trips. We will be glad to see you again. Bye!

Some useful information for organizing your trip:

• The average cost of hostels in Riga ranges from 6-12 dollars (for a bed in a shared room). You can view inexpensive housing options on this website. Our personal selection of the best hostels in the Latvian capital is presented.
• Renting a Riga apartment for a day (for two people) costs from 29 to 45 dollars. You can view current options and get a discount on your first booking on this website.
• Approximate cost of hotel rooms (2-3*): 25-50 dollars. You can check prices for several booking systems at once and save a little by using this site.

Riga is a beautiful old city. It has preserved ancient buildings, there are castles in the Baroque and Rococo styles, temples of various religions. At the end of winter it is still quite cold here and in order not to freeze, you need to approach planning your vacation wisely. Before your trip to Riga in February 2020, we advise you to read our article in order to know in advance how to dress for the weather, what to consider, what to do during your vacation.

Well, hello, winter Riga!

About the weather

The weather in Riga in February is cold, windy and dank. Due to high humidity and piercing winds, a slight minus feels like real frost. In a matter of minutes, your nose and cheeks turn red. The air temperature in early February remains at −1–−4⁰С, and at night it drops to −7–−9⁰С. Severe frosts down to −20⁰С are very rare.

In the second half of the month, the temperature is often above zero, but the wind increases even more. The air warms up to an average of +4⁰С.

At the end of February, the snow begins to melt in Riga, causing puddles and slush underfoot. Ice often appears on the roads. Most of the month the weather is cloudy, there are few sunny days - on average 3-4 for the whole of February.

Weather forecast in Riga in February 2020.

Tatyana, Moscow:

“When we arrived in Riga in February, we were constantly freezing. It rained often. Clothes and shoes were wet. But despite the cloudy weather, we liked the city. We don’t regret the trip.”

When going on a trip, be sure to take warm clothes: tights, pants, a jacket with a hood, a hat and gloves. Don't forget insulated boots and wool socks. It is advisable to treat shoes with water-repellent impregnation. If it snows and rains, then an umbrella is unlikely to save you; it is better to hide in a cafe during this time.

There is no need to think about swimming in the Baltic Sea. The February sea water temperature averages about 0⁰C. The lakes are completely covered with ice at this time.

The wind is raging on the Baltic Sea.

Guided tours

We recommend starting your acquaintance with the city with a simple sightseeing tour in the company of a guide. Here you will see all the most important and beautiful objects of the capital, get acquainted with its history. A ticket for a two-hour tour costs €15. Children under 12 years old participate for free.

We recommend as an alternative. By paying €5 for a tour, you will see the main attractions, learn how to navigate the city and learn how to make your vacation in the Latvian capital economical and memorable. The duration of the excursion is 3 hours.

1. . This two-hour walking tour will introduce you to urban legends and the history of the center's most striking attractions. You can go for a walk with your children. The cost of participation is €19 per person.
2. . The guide will take you to interesting, conceptual cafes and restaurants serving Latvian cuisine, and introduce you to the peculiarities of local village food. Even though the tour is gastronomic, you will learn a lot about the history and architecture of the city. The program is designed for a company of up to 5 people. The cost of the excursion is €50 if there are 1 or 2 of you, or €25 each if there are more of you. Duration - 2 hours 30 minutes.

Gastronomic walk around the city.

1. .The excursion will allow you to try on the images of the famous detective’s contemporaries and even Sherlock himself, walk through the filming locations of the famous TV movie, play with the camera and get about 100 processed images. The cost of the walk is €160 for a group of 1–4 people. Duration - 1 hour 30 minutes.
2. . The cost of the excursion is €69 for a company of up to 6 people. In 3.5 hours you will see all the sights of the popular resort and hear funny stories associated with this place.

Trip to Jurmala.

The entire range of Russian-language excursions in Riga is on the websites and. Choose! And have a pleasant experience!

February leisure

If you are an active person, here are some options for leisure activities in Riga in February:

1. Spend time at the skating rink. There are many of them in Riga - both indoor and outdoor. The most popular place is the skating rink in the Lido park at Krasta iela, 76. The park has a lot of entertainment for adults and children - shooting galleries, a Ferris wheel, attractions, cafes and restaurants. The cost of the skating rink on weekdays is €3 for adults, €2 for children. Skate rental - €1.50 per hour.

In winter, city skating rinks are open every day.

1. To ski. Head to the very center of Riga - to Uzvaras Park. There is a free ski slope here. Equipment is available for rent (€4.5 per hour). The rental office is open from 10:00 to 21:00.

Ski walk in Uzvaras park.

1. Take a walk around the Riga Zoo(Meza prospekts, 1). You can feed and touch the animals, and if it gets cold, warm up in the Tropical House, where exotic animals live. The zoo is open every day. Ticket price for adults is €6, for children – €4.

Children will love the local zoo.

1. Try your hand at a high-speed descent from the mountains on a steerable sled. In Sigulda, a small town an hour's drive from Riga, there is a bobsleigh and luge track. It is available not only to athletes, but also to amateurs. The cost of descent is from 10 to 50 depending on the “vehicle”. You can get to the town by bus, train, or by ordering a taxi.

In Sigulda you can try your hand at luge.

1. Vacationing with children visit Livu water park in Jurmala(20 km from Riga). You can get from the city by public transport or taxi. The center is open all year round. Inside there are swimming pools with sea and fresh water, slides, saunas, and jacuzzi. In February, an adult ticket costs €18.5 for 2 hours. Discounts for children, families and pensioners.

It's always summer at Livu Water Park.

Olga, Moscow:

February holidays in the Lido amusement park.

If you want to eat deliciously, go to the Riga fish restaurant Le Dome at st. Miesnieku 4. Order any dish from the menu and don’t forget to try the signature dessert of rye bread with cheese cream and berry sauce.

Shopping

The end of winter in Riga is the sales season and a great time for shopping. Take this chance and please your loved ones with gifts from Latvia. From the capital you can bring not only the famous black balsam and Riga sprats, but also many other useful souvenirs:

• amber products, for example, a magnet with Baltic stone;

Amber jewelry to remember the trip.

• sweets from the local Laima factory;
• ceramics;
• linen products;
• cosmetics and perfumery Dzintars;
• LAUMA lingerie;
• Karums cheeses;

Enjoy Karums cheesecakes.

• pepper cookies;
• smoked fish in original packaging.

Alexey, Moscow:

“I bought a pendant with green amber as a gift for my girlfriend. The seller explained that this is a swamp stone, which is why the color is so unusual. I brought Riga balsam with black currant to my parents. It differs from the traditional Latvian drink in its milder taste.”

For groceries, go to the Central Riga Market.

Cosmetics, clothing and other goods - in stores:

• Galerija Centrs at Audeju iela, 16;
• Univers alveikals Stockmann at Janvara iela, 8;
• Olimpia, located at Azenes iela, 5.

Holidays and concerts - event poster

On February 10, 2020, one of the significant events of February will take place in Riga - Methenis (Maslenitsa). On this day, city residents will say goodbye to winter, bake traditional pancakes, ride down ice slides and dance in circles. To join the folk festivities, go to the Latvian Ethnographic Museum at Brīvības gatve 440. From 12:00 to 16:00 a folklore performance awaits you. Ticket price is €2.

1. Until February 24, you can visit the exhibition “Portrait in Latvia” at the Latvian National Museum of Art at Jaņa Rozentāla laukums 1. It presents outstanding works from museum and private collections. You can attend the event on any day of the week except Monday. Opening hours: 10:00–17:00. Entrance price - from €2 to €3.5.
2. On February 16, 2020, the play “Plastic Fantasy” will be shown in the city. This unique show combines pantomime and improvisation. If you are going on vacation with a child, don't miss it. The performance starts at 12:00. Duration - 1 hour 30 minutes. Ticket price is from €12 to €20. Venue - Rīgas Kongresu nams.

Travel budget

When calculating your travel budget, take into account in advance the costs that you are likely to incur:

• air tickets from Moscow to Riga and back ≈ 16,720 rubles;
• round-trip train ticket from Moscow ≈ 10,900 in a reserved seat carriage and 15,500 in a compartment;
• daily accommodation in a 4-star hotel in a double room ≈ 4,000 rubles;
• a week's tour to Riga for two in a 4* hotel ≈ 42,400 rubles;
• travel by public transport - €2;
• lunch in an inexpensive cafe (for example, in LIDO) - €7;
• dinner for two with alcohol - €35.

A delicious dinner at the end of an adventurous day.

Conclusion

A holiday in Riga is usually not complete without visiting excursion programs. Dress properly, plan your routes, and then exploring the city will be a pleasure. If possible, visit a theater or museum. There are also facilities for real winter entertainment in Riga: skating rinks and ski slopes, and they are open here from morning until evening.

Riga from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Riga.

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Riga is a very beautiful city. Its Central district has preserved a whole complex of old, very old and very ancient buildings that do not leave anyone indifferent. At the same time, Riga has always been the “big brother” in its small Baltic family. Compared to Tallinn or Vilnius, this city really gives the impression of a metropolis. It is seething, having fun, attracting thousands of tourists, imperceptibly making them fall in love with it, forcing them, if not to stay for a day or two, then at least to come here again.

Divided by the wide 500-meter Daugava River, Riga will forever remain in the heart with its Art Nouveau facades, large green parks and cozy small bars, where minutes pass unnoticed under the crackling and flickering of candles.

In an amazing way, this city combines its toy-like historical center, which looks like it came out of medieval engravings, with a vibrant nightlife and a thriving restaurant business. Lavish beauty, endless elegance and restless fusion of old and new in Riga have such a powerful charm that it can only be perceived with the accompaniment of the famous black Riga balsam.

How to get to Riga

When planning a vacation in Riga, the first thing you need to do is decide on transport. There are several options, and the choice depends on the total duration of the trip. If this is a weekend tour, it is better to go by plane. Direct flights connect Riga with Moscow and St. Petersburg. Residents of other regions will have to plan their route with a transfer.

In addition, there are bus and train connections. Trains from Moscow and St. Petersburg run once a day, there are slightly more bus routes. The latter are preferable in all respects - tickets are almost half the price, and time costs are reduced by 3-6 hours.

Search for flights to Riga

Districts of Riga

As you might guess, the most popular among tourists is the Central district of Riga. Here, on a tiny square, most of the attractions of this Baltic city are concentrated, the main of which is rightfully considered Old Riga. Since the area itself occupies only 3 square meters. km, we can say with confidence - per 1 sq. There are 3-4 museums here. In addition to the cobbled streets of the Old Town, the Dome Cathedral and the museum dedicated to the history of the Latvian capital are also of interest.

You should not ignore one of the most significant buildings historically and culturally - Riga Castle, as well as the museums of the History of Latvia and Foreign Art. As for accommodation, rooms in most hotels in the city center are not cheap, but if you are only visiting for a couple of days, it is still worth staying here.

Budget accommodation options can be found near Central Station.

Of the remaining 5 administrative districts of Riga, Vidzeme Suburb and Ziemel District deserve special attention. The first of them houses the Latvian Ethnographic Museum. In addition to the extensive exhibition, it is also interesting for its unusual excursions conducted by guides in national costumes. It’s also worth a look at the Riga Motor Museum, where you can admire vintage cars and motorcycles. The Ziemelsky district is great for outdoor recreation. It contains Lake Kišezers, Mežaparks with numerous recreation areas and the Riga Zoo.

Transport

Public transport in Riga is well developed: there are many bus, trolleybus and tram routes. The former cover all districts and suburbs of the city, and the latter converge in its center. Tickets can be purchased from drivers, the fare is 1.15 EUR. In addition, there are uniform travel tickets in Riga - e-tickets. An hour of transport travel will cost 2.30 EUR. If you plan to move around the city a lot, you can load the required number of trips onto the card (up to 50). Travel passes are sold at customer service centers, ticket machines and online. Prices on the page are as of November 2018.

There are temporary tickets in the city that allow you to make an unlimited number of trips on all city routes for 24 hours (5 EUR), 3 (10 EUR) or 5 (15 EUR) days. This option of paying for travel will allow you to save money if your plans include visiting all the sights of the Latvian capital.

In addition to the main city transport, minibuses also operate in Riga, and on weekends there are also night buses. Since transportation is carried out by another company, general passes do not work there; tickets must be purchased separately. However, the fares are the same, and you can pay for the fare from the driver.

There are many taxis in the city, all of them official and equipped with meters. They are distinguished from ordinary cars by yellow license plates and roof lights. Despite the fact that there are no private taxi drivers in Riga, finding a taxi at special parking lots is not difficult. In addition, you can order a car by phone, the call is free.

In most cases, credit cards are accepted for payment. However, it is better to check with the driver about the availability of a terminal before boarding.

Depending on the time of day, different rates apply. An overnight trip will cost 20% more. Transportation prices for different companies are approximately the same. You will have to pay about 1 EUR for landing, the cost of 1 km is from 0.35-0.80 EUR.

When traveling around Latvia in your own car, you must have driver liability insurance. “Radar detector” is prohibited in the country: you will have to remove it before entering. A pedestrian in Latvia is always right - he must certainly give way.

Maps of Riga

Rent a Car

Guides in Riga

Cafes and restaurants in Riga

The Latvian capital has many cafes, restaurants and bars; the general price level is quite high, especially in the central part, but you can also find inexpensive establishments.

Many of them have promotions - business lunches, daily specials, etc. It's worth taking a closer look at them - the savings can be quite significant.

For those who want to try Latvian cuisine, there are authentic restaurants in the Old Town. The cost of lunch or dinner varies from 20 to 40 EUR. The menu includes milk and bread soups, a wide variety of herring dishes, boiled potatoes, gray peas, blood sausage and much more. As for drinks, you should pay attention to local beer. However, it is better for beer lovers to go to a beer garden; there are also a lot of them in the city - English, Irish pubs and German bars, where you can try famous foreign and local varieties.

The Lido entertainment complex located in the city center is especially popular among tourists. Decorated in ethnic style, it attracts attention with its own mill and brewery, as well as entertainment for children and adults. There is a bistro, cafe and restaurant, which have a varied menu and quite affordable prices (average bill from 5 EUR).

For a delicious breakfast and excellent coffee, head to one of the many coffee shops. A light snack will cost 4-5 EUR, a fairly hearty lunch - 10 EUR. In addition, in Riga there are restaurants offering guests dishes of Italian, Caucasian, Chinese and other cuisines of the world, as well as inexpensive pizzerias and kebab shops (lunch from 5-6 EUR).

Entertainment and attractions of Riga

Riga is a relatively small, cozy European city. Despite this, visiting all the sights and museum exhibitions may take several days, or even a week. Of course, most of them are located in the historical center of the city, but there is also something to see on the opposite bank of the Daugava and the outskirts of the city.

Old Riga has a unique medieval atmosphere with its cobbled streets and squares, ancient churches and architectural diversity.

Once in the Old Town, first of all go to Town Hall Square. In addition to the Town Hall building itself, it is worth paying attention to the famous House of the Blackheads - one of the most interesting buildings in Riga from an architectural point of view. In the center of the square, the statue of Rolond stands proudly - a symbol of economic and political independence. A little further away stands one of the oldest buildings in the city - St. Peter's Church with a high spire, visible from almost anywhere in Old Riga.

If time permits, be sure to go up to the observation deck of the church. From a height of 72 m there is a beautiful view of the historical center of the Latvian capital.

Nearby is Dome Square, which is considered to be the heart of Old Riga. Its main attraction is the famous Dome Cathedral - a real symbol of the city, incorporating features of a variety of architectural styles. Inside there is a huge 25-meter organ, its sound is considered one of the best in the world.

If you're lucky, you can get to an organ music concert, which is often held in the temple.

Museums

Although most of Riga's museums are located in the central part of the city, even the longest vacation is not enough to see them all. Therefore, we advise you to carefully study and choose the most interesting exhibitions for yourself.

The famous Riga Castle houses two museums at once - the National Museum of the History of Latvia and the Museum of Foreign Art. The latter is one of the largest art collections in the country, containing examples of ancient painting and sculpture. The Historical Museum displays exhibits dedicated to the life of Latvians from ancient times to the present day.

Due to the large-scale reconstruction of the ancient building, the Museum of Foreign Art has already moved to the premises of the Riga Stock Exchange, and the historical exhibition will soon be moved.

Within the walls of the ensemble of famous ancient buildings “Three Brothers” is the Latvian Museum of Architecture. Although its collection contains more than a thousand items, there is no permanent exhibition; the halls host exhibitions that regularly replace each other. Also of interest is the Latvian National Museum of Art, which presents paintings, graphics and sculpture from Latvia, Russia and the Baltic peoples.

If you have enough time, it is worth visiting the Motor Museum - one of the best exhibitions of old cars in the world. It is located quite far from the city center, so not all tourists get to it, but at the same time, the local collection of vintage cars is truly impressive.

Riga for children

For most tourists, Riga is the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, ancient architecture and other medieval surroundings. However, a completely different picture opens up before the city’s young guests. The Latvian capital has everything for children to leave with a whole bunch of bright emotions and new impressions.

The city has many entertainment centers and amusement parks, the most popular of which is rightfully considered Lido. It gained the love of Riga residents and city guests thanks to the variety of entertainment for children and adults, as well as quite affordable prices. Another interesting place is Peak Nick Park, which has many attractions for guests of all ages.

Riga has everything necessary for children to leave here with a whole bunch of new impressions.

The Riga Zoo is especially popular. The well-groomed green area contains more than 3 thousand animals, including exotic ones - lions, giraffes, pandas and many others.

Be sure to check out the Riga Circus, located near the Central Station in one of the oldest circus buildings in Europe. You can attend both performances by local artists and touring performances of famous bands. An equally interesting program is offered by the Latvian Puppet Theater. The repertoire is dominated by productions of favorite children's fairy tales - “The Three Little Pigs”, “Alice in Wonderland”, “Doctor Aibolit” and many others. Performances are performed in Latvian and Russian.ar

The end of spring or the beginning of autumn is more suitable for excursion holidays. At this time, the weather in Riga is warm, there is little precipitation, however, at the end of May the city is especially charming, and there are not many tourists yet. At the same time, winter Riga is also popular among vacationers. It’s not particularly cold here, and the bright lights and Christmas markets charge you with positivity and create a New Year’s mood.

More than 20 different concept establishments and two bars will open in the gastro market, which will offer visitors dishes of international and Latvian cuisine. The gastro market is located in the gastronomic pavilion of the Riga Central Market.

“Centrālais Gastro Tirgus is the most complex project I have ever undertaken, and no one in Latvia has experience in implementing such projects. However, we succeeded, and the whole team is glad that residents and guests of Riga will have new opportunities for relaxation, entertainment and enjoying delicious food,” says the author of the idea, Viktor Ravdive.

According to the concept of Centrālais Gastro Tirgus, all dishes are prepared on site, in front of visitors, and each place will offer its own menu. The offer includes: grilled dishes, burgers, pizzas, soups, dumplings, hot dogs, sushi, Asian street food, tempura dishes, chicken dishes, dishes based on your favorite home recipes and many others. Centrālais Gastro Tirgus is modeled after a food court. This is a very common model of catering in Europe, a popular place for relaxation, pastime, meetings with friends, family dinners or breakfasts, as well as a convenient opportunity to have a snack during working hours.

The Chairman of the Board of the Riga Central Market, Artis Druvinieks, positively assesses the creation of the gastro market: “In 1930, the Riga Central Market was recognized as the largest in Europe, and in 1931 - the most modern market in that period. The creation of Centrālais Gastro Tirgus is a current solution. We are confident that we have chosen the right path of development, creating a modern environment and meeting place for Riga’s gourmets.”

Centrālais Gastro Tirgus will give residents the opportunity to test their abilities and implement ideas using the concept Pop Up. A fully equipped kiosk will be offered for short-term rental, where an entrepreneur can open any restaurant, and a chef can realize his bold ideas.

Construction work on Centrālais Gastro Tirgus began in June last year and was fully completed in January this year, after which landscaping work began. The total area of ​​the Central Gastro Market is 1,079.6 m2, the number of seats reaches 380. The Gastro Market is located in the renovated gastronomic pavilion of the Riga Central Market, on weekdays it will be open from 10.00 to 22.00, on Fridays and Saturdays - until 2.00 am. It is planned to organize performances by musicians, DJs, and many other events.

The official opening of the gastronomic pavilion and Centrālais Gastro Tirgus will take place on February 9 at 15:00. The program will feature entertainment, performances by DJs and musicians, a children's creative workshop and a special guest for the evening.

Fabulous Riga is located on the shores of the Baltic Sea and is divided into two parts by the Dugava River. Riga is one of the best places to spend a romantic weekend and family holiday. To understand and feel the atmosphere of this city, it is enough to visit its main square. Ancient “gingerbread” houses, St. Peter’s Cathedral, the statue of Rolonda, the symbol of Latvian independence, the Dome Cathedral – all this is something every traveler should see.

The capital of Latvia seems to be specially created for leisurely walks along the medieval streets and conversations over a cup of coffee. But the main uniqueness of Riga is that it is easy to combine sightseeing and beach holidays here. The city's beaches are wide and clean, some of them are even marked with the Blue Flag. In summer, the coast is dotted with tourists, but in autumn and spring you can stroll along the deserted beach, breathing in the cool sea air.

If you want to enrich your visit with a visit to a museum, then pay attention to the National Museum of the History of Latvia and the National Museum of Art.

When is the best time to go?

To fully enjoy your visit to Riga, including sunbathing on the beach and splashing in the Baltic Sea, it is better to choose the summer months for your trip, when the thermometer rises to an average of +25°C. If you do not intend to sunbathe, but are going to devote time to exploring the culture and historical sights of Riga, then the spring months and the beginning of autumn will be the most comfortable.

In winter the city is quite cold and damp. The temperature drops due to cold air masses from the sea. But if the cold doesn't bother you, then visit Riga during the Christmas holidays.

What to buy?

Shopping in Riga comes from the Soviet Union. In that era, everyone dreamed of Latvian cosmetics, bought Riga sprats for the New Year's table and decorated the sideboard with a bottle of Riga balsam. These legendary products have not lost their relevance today.

Real Riga sprats of a rich golden color, made from fresh Baltic fish, placed in jars in even rows, are sold in the Latvian capital everywhere - from small grocery stores and markets to large supermarkets.

The list of mandatory purchases includes cosmetics from the Dzintars company. Many specialize in selling cosmetic products from this brand. The permanent symbol of the city and Latvia as a whole is the Riga Balsam. This alcoholic drink is credited with medicinal properties, because the drink is a tincture of all kinds of local herbs. Look for antiques at the flea market in the Latgalite area, and traditional souvenirs are sold in shops and stores near the main attractions.

What to try?

The culinary capital of Latvia does not end with sprats alone. The range of fish dishes on the menu is amazing. Herring dishes are popular here. It is fried with vegetables, pickled, and made into sandwiches and salads. All kinds of smoked fish are popular among tourists: salmon, eel, flounder, cod. Thanks to the peculiarities of preparation, you can not only try smoked delicacies during your trip, but also take them home with you.

Latvian rye bread deserves special attention. It is prepared in the classic form, as well as with all kinds of additives: dried fruits, nuts, seeds. Soups, appetizers and even desserts are made from rye bread.

In authentic Latvian cuisine restaurants you will definitely be offered dishes with wild mushrooms and berries, blood sausage, meat steaks and charcoal fish. For dessert, go to the nearest supermarket - there you will definitely find the legendary Karums sweet cheeses.

Where to stay?

The Latvian capital has a sufficient number of hotels and hostels for all tourists. The city is one of the most popular destinations in Europe, and there are always plenty of people willing to get the best hotel room. That is why, when going here, it is worthwhile in advance.

For the most discerning travelers in the center of Riga there are many 4 and 5 star hotels. Luxury hotels will cost an average of 150-200 euros per day. A budget accommodation option is hostels, which you can easily find both in the Old Town and in other areas. The golden mean is represented by hotels of 2 and 3 star categories.