First acquaintance with Riga or ten main attractions of the city with a map and photographs. Guides in Riga Guide to Riga in Russian
Riga has a rich ancient history. Located on the shores of the Gulf of Riga and at the mouth of the Daugava River, the capital of Latvia has long been a commercial and multicultural city. This means that there is something to see here today. Of particular interest to travelers is the Old Town. Let's walk through it.
Since a trip around Riga for many begins at the stations (bus or train), it is worth noting one attraction close to them - the Central Market. This is the most famous and largest bazaar in the city. For us, as travelers, it is interesting not only for this. The fact is that the market is based in huge semicircular pavilions, which used to be hangars for airships. More precisely, in parts of them. From two giant hangars located in a small Latvian village, it was possible to assemble as many as 5 buildings for the capital's market.
Each pavilion is a large grocery department: dairy, vegetable, fish, meat and gastronomic. The four “hangars” are connected by passages, so it’s very easy to move between them without even going outside. The fifth pavilion - meat - is located a little further away.
St. Peter's Church
The old town is located on the opposite side of the market, so if you have already seen enough of red caviar and bought a couple of jars of Riga sprats, it’s time to head to the historical center. The first impressive attraction that you must see is the medieval church named after St. Peter.
The high spire of the cathedral rises above the houses, representing a kind of landmark and symbol of old Riga. Lost? Find the spire.
The building is unique, because it is the oldest in the Latvian capital. The construction of the church was completed in 1209. After that, it burned more than once, was restored and rebuilt. The time of progress has also left its mark: today there is an elevator inside that takes everyone to two observation decks. It is unforgivable to visit Riga and not climb the tower, because from the height there is an amazing view of the city. By the way, the total height of the tower of St. Peter's Church is 123.5 m, with the spire accounting for 64.5 m.
Town Hall and Town Hall Square
The most important square of the Old Town in Riga is the Town Hall. In the Middle Ages, this place was a trading platform with an extensive market. Unfortunately, to this day this place has not retained its original appearance, since the Second World War razed most of the city to the ground. And yet, thanks to the miracles of reconstruction, we can now see the Town Hall building, the House of the Blackheads and the statue of the knight Roland in their places. According to the architects, this is approximately what the center of Riga looked like in ancient medieval times.
House of the Blackheads
If there is nothing special to say about the Town Hall (well, except that today it is the seat of the Riga City Council), then the huge motley “mountain” of red brick is still worth dwelling on separately. This beautiful building, which is without a doubt the main decoration of Town Hall Square, was completely destroyed in 1941. In 1999, it was restored from scratch to the delight of townspeople and visitors.
Initially, the building had a different name - New House. It was built in the 30s of the 14th century for various societies in Riga. In the next century, the building was completely used by the Blackheads Society (brotherhood of merchants). But the name “House of the Blackheads” did not catch on immediately - it began to be used only in 1687. Blackheads became full owners even later - in 1713.
By the way, do you know why the merchant society had such a strange name? Before the Brotherhood of the Blackheads, merchants united into the Brotherhood of St. George. Only young and unmarried foreign merchants were accepted into it. So, there are two versions of the origin of the name. According to one of them, among the overseas representatives of society there were dark-skinned guys. According to another, the new name came with a change in the patron saint: when Saint Mauritius, whose symbol was a black head, became the patron of the merchants, a new “grimy” coat of arms appeared. Be that as it may, on the building you can easily see a character with the face of an Ethiopian tourist.
Jauniela street
What could be interesting about looking at the street? Let me give you a tip: have you seen the Soviet film about Sherlock Holmes? It seems to me that many people today know that London cityscapes were filmed in Riga and Tallinn. If you weren't aware, now you know too. In particular, in “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson,” Riga's Jauniela Street turned into the famous Baker Street. However, this is not the only moment when Soviet Riga, through the efforts of filmmakers, became abroad. In "Seventeen Moments of Spring" the same street was passed off as Flower Street in Bern.
The Dome Cathedral
The mentioned street leads to Dome Square, which is located in the very heart of the Old Town. The best cafes and bars are located here, peacefully coexisting with the Dome Cathedral. Since its construction (in 1211), the temple has been rebuilt many times, and now combines late Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque styles. The church is famous for its organ and for being the largest medieval church in the Baltic countries. Today, the Dome Cathedral houses a huge amount of historical and artistic treasures collected from all over Latvia. So it can also be called a symbol of the city.
Three brothers
Not far from the Dome Cathedral you can find a complex of buildings unique to Riga, consisting of three houses from different eras. The white building was built at the end of the 15th century, the yellow one in the mid-17th century, and the green building in the mid-18th century. People called them the “Three Brothers.”
In the old days, buildings in Riga were very dense, and usually representatives of the same professions lived on the same street. Since it is known that one of the houses was once a bakery, historians speculate that bakers once lived in the buildings squashed together. The interior of the houses is as unusual as the exterior: they are distinguished by very high ceilings, narrow corridors, steep staircases and brick floors. If you want to see all this, you can look into the Latvian Museum of Architecture. He is in a house painted yellow.
One of the most significant buildings in Riga (and Latvia as a whole) is located on the banks of the Daugava (Western Dvina). Once upon a time, Riga Castle was a stronghold of the Livonian knights, who were forced out of the then borders of the city. As the centuries changed, different peoples ruled here (Poles, Swedes, Russians), and they also rebuilt the citadel at whatever cost. In the 20th century, after Latvia gained independence, Riga Castle became the Presidential Palace. The fortress is a classic architectural element of Old Riga.
Swedish Gate
You might think: the simplest arch in the house, what’s unusual here? However, the Swedish Gate is a cultural and architectural monument. During Swedish rule, this part of the city was actively built up with houses. The buildings were so dense that we had to think about how to provide passage from the inner city to the barracks and houses outside its walls. The result was an arch with gates that opened at dawn and closed at sunset. Today, this is the only gate out of eight that has survived in Riga. Although there is no gate itself, only an arch.
Powder Tower
Riga, like many ancient cities, was once surrounded by a fortress wall. The only tower remaining from it reminds of this. Previously, it was called “Pesochnaya” and, according to historical data, was built in 1330. It received its current name, Porokhovaya, in the 17th century, when small arms powder began to be stored in it. In 1919, a Military Museum opened here, which is still open today.
cat house
No matter how familiar the name of this building may sound, it has nothing to do with a fairy tale. But the story about the House with Cats is no less interesting. It was built in 1910 by a wealthy merchant who was not accepted into the Merchants Guild. In retaliation for this, the owner of the building placed two cats on the roof, with their backs facing directly towards the Guild. Everyone understood the hint, and things escalated into a scandal. The merchant still had to turn the little animal in the other direction. But, as they say, a sediment remains. You can find the Cat's House on Livov Square, directly opposite the Great Guild building.
Great and small guilds
In the neighborhood of the Cat's House you can find two more architectural monuments - guild buildings. The Big Guild was a merchant organization, and the Small Guild was an association of Riga artisans. Today the first is considered one of the oldest public buildings in the entire Baltic region (it was erected in the 14th century). After the restoration, the guild turned into a philharmonic society. The second building is much younger - it was built in 1866, and its octagonal donjon tower “hints” at the English neo-Gothic style. Today the Small Guild houses the Center for Folk Art and Culture.
Livov Square was formed only in the middle of the 20th century, but it harmoniously fits into the general style of Old Riga, since houses from different eras have been preserved here. The square is especially lively in the summer: tent cafes open here, mobile sales operate, and street musicians perform. In short, if you stay in Riga for several days, you know where to relax in the evening after a walk around the city.
Bar "Black Magic"
Have you heard that the country's calling card is Riga Balsam? So, the establishment “Black Magic” (Riga Black Magic) decided to take this cult as a basis. The balm bar, where you can try not only the authentic drink, but also various cocktails based on it, is stylized as an old pharmacy. It is believed that it is located in the house where a Riga pharmacist, who allegedly invented the famous Riga Balsam, worked in the 18th century. The atmosphere is really very authentic, but the balm is expensive. It is better to buy it in regular grocery stores or supermarkets.
Bastion Hill Park
The boundaries of the old city are marked by the city canal, which runs through an ancient mound, now part of a cozy green park complex. It’s worth running here to take a break from the bustle of the central part of the city.
Freedom Monument
One of the significant attractions of Riga is the Freedom Monument, which is a symbol of the independence of the Republic of Latvia. It is located on the main Brivibas street (or Freedom street) and is visible from afar. Of course, is it possible not to notice the nine-meter figure of a woman holding three gold stars above her head?
We have already gone beyond Old Riga, but it is worth it. Don’t be lazy and go to the largest Orthodox church in the city. At the time of its opening, which took place on October 28, 1884, the majestic cathedral with dark blue domes was considered the most expensive building in Riga. Under the Soviets, it housed a planetarium and a restaurant. After the country gained independence, the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ was restored and “gilded.” Now its doors are again open to believers.
Route map in Old Riga
Riga souvenirs
I would like to give you a little orientation on the souvenirs that you can bring from Riga. I have already talked about “Riga sprats”, but a memorable gift from them is so-so. It’s better to buy a jar and eat it yourself, without sharing it with anyone.
◊ As a nice gift, you can bring the one already mentioned in this text. The classic drink is sold in a brown bottle with a black label; other varieties come with berry additives.
◊ Edible souvenirs have also proven themselves Laima chocolate and candies And spicy cookies Piparkukas. The Laima confectionery factory is the largest producer of sweets in the country. Chocolates with different flavors can be found in any supermarket. This company's marshmallows are also praised. As for cookies, they are produced by different factories. And they buy it mainly at Christmas, because it is somewhat reminiscent of gingerbread. However, I have seen these cookies in stores in the summer. Try it, it's delicious.
◊ It’s impossible not to remember about amber. “Ornamental” resin is not mined in Latvia, but raw materials brought from neighboring countries are processed and turned into beautiful jewelry. There are almost no souvenir shops selling amber beads, earrings and rings in Riga.
◊ In the same souvenir shops, the shelves are filled with ceramics. Although I’m not a big supporter of such gifts (because they take up a lot of space), I had a hard time tearing myself away from the glazed clay houses that replicate the buildings of Riga.
◊ Many people consider cats to be a symbol of the city; they sit on the roof of a house not far from the guilds, which is why they buy souvenirs with their silhouette. In fact, an animal symbol of the city - rooster. It is often found here in the form of modest elements of urban design. You just need to be a little more careful.
◊ In addition to traditional souvenirs that have not lost their relevance since Soviet times, such as sprats and balsam, it still remains popular cosmetics and perfumes from Dzintars. Such souvenirs are sold in specialized stores. One of them is located right in the Old Town (at Audēju iela 6).
The city of Riga is the capital of Latvia and the geographical center of the Baltics. The city is located on the Daugava River, near the Gulf of Riga.
In the 14th and 15th centuries, Riga was one of the most important trading centers of the Hanseatic League, and received special rights to transport goods to the East. Today Riga is a very attractive city for living, doing business and other activities. In addition, it is an important transport hub - with the Riga Commercial Port, an international airport and a developed road and railway network.
Riga is highly developed in the system of education and culture, which is one of the foundations of the Latvian economy, and in this direction it is the largest center in the Baltics. Riga is very culturally developed, and every year the numerous exhibitions, conferences and cultural events taking place in this city contribute to its international reputation (by the way, Riga received the title of European Capital of Culture 2014, so we can expect a huge number of events and guests in 2014 year).
For those who prefer visual information to text, we have prepared a short one (in English).
About Riga
Question: How big is Riga?
Answer: Riga is located on the Daugava River (Latin: “Daugava”, Western Dvina), originating from Lake Okhvat in Russia and covering an area of more than 307 square kilometers.
Question: What is the dialing code for Riga numbers?
Answer: The code of all telephones in Riga, as well as the country, is +371
Question: How many people live in Riga?
Answer: This city on the Baltic Sea coast is home to more than 641,007 people (2015). But on weekdays, it adds another good 100,000 due to those who live outside the city but come to work in the city.
Question: What language is spoken in Riga?
Answer: In Riga, people speak Latvian and Russian. English is also widely spoken, so you will have no problem continuing a conversation in a restaurant or cafe, or just on the street in mixed English-speaking company. By the way, the Russian-speaking population of Riga is very large (about 52%), so Russian speech can be heard on almost every corner of the city.
Question: Where to stay in Riga?
More than 100 hotels of different types and price categories have been opened in Riga, located in various quarters from the Old Town to peripheral areas. We would still advise you to choose something closer to the center or Old Riga. As a rule, hotel prices in the Old Town are 20% more expensive, but you will be located in the very heart of the city. Most hotels can be booked through Booking.com, Hotels.com and other booking sites (for example Hostelbookers.com for booking hostels), which, in our opinion, is cheaper, more convenient and safer, in case the reservation goes wrong.
What to see in Riga
Question: Tell me about one of the main attractions of Riga.
Answer: In terms of architects, the area called the Quiet Center (Klusais Centrs), which is famous for its unique architecture of buildings and structures “Jugendstiel” and “Art Noveau”, is especially interesting, as well as of course the old town (), with well-preserved architecture of those times, which attracts a huge number of tourists.
Question: What else should not be missed in Riga?
Answer: A lot! There are so many places and things to see and do in Riga. These include St. Peter's Church and the towers in. By taking a short elevator ride up to the observation deck of the tower, and taking a couple of steps forward in front of you, you will be able to see stunning views of the Old Town, the Central Market, the Daugava and much more. The church interior is impressive in itself.
Also make sure you visit the Latvian National Museum of Fine Arts in Kr. Valdemara. Founded in the early 20th century, this impressive museum-gallery was purpose-built as an art museum. Here you will see more than 52,000 paintings and sculptures from Latvia, the Baltics, as well as a large number of works by Russian artists.
If you're ready for a trip outside the city, then head ahead to the Latvian Open Air Ethnographic Museum, which is located near Lake Jugla. The journey takes only about 15 minutes by taxi, and once you get to the museum you will understand that it was worth the trip. You can see the houses of fishermen, potters and peasants, as well as housing for animals and various religious buildings of the Middle Ages. This open-air museum is home to 118 different buildings from all over Latvia. With an area of 80 hectares and stunning scenery, you can simply wander around and enjoy the natural beauty while learning about the life of Latvian residents in days gone by.
Question: On average, how much does it cost to get into Riga museums?
Answer: Most museums in Riga have a small entrance fee, although this price is sometimes downright ridiculous.
A complete list of museums and their locations on the map can be found.
Question: After an extensive cultural program, I want to go to the shops. Where should I go?
Answer: You can easily find large shopping centers in the city center. These include Origo, Galerija Centrs, Galerija Riga and the Stockmann store in the city center, but if you want to go outside the center, you can visit such large centers as Mols, Spice, Alfa and Riga Plaza Center. In all these multi-level shopping malls you will find a great mix of local and international brands and a wide range of products.
Question: What can you see outside of Riga?
Answer: Absolutely. this is Sigulda, which will immerse you in the world of beauty of Switzerland or Canada, just an hour's drive from the city center. And located there, it is one of the most popular attractions.
Question: What is this track famous for?
Answer: Imagine that you were offered to slide down an ice track 1420 meters high at more than 100 km/h. Who would refuse such a pleasure? Groups of three rush down, accompanied by a bobsled expert. If the stopping heart and adrenaline are not enough for you, then try the “frog”, and sliding down on your stomach, you will whistle down the mountain on the ice at a decent speed.
Nightlife in Riga (Going Out)
Question: Where are most bars located?
Answer: There are many great bars and clubs scattered throughout the city. But the largest concentration of first-class bars and pubs is located in the main center of Riga - in the Old Town area.
Question: Do I need a brother ID or passport with me when going out into the city at night?
Answer: Like most countries, it is best to have either some kind of ID or a photocopy of your passport with you. However, you will most likely never be asked to produce it.
Question: Where would you recommend to have a cocktail?
Answer: On the 26th floor of the Radison Blu Latvija Hotel on Elizabetes Street, you will find a bar. Here, while enjoying a glass of cocktail, you can enjoy the stunning views of Riga. If possible, try to choose a seat by the window, when at dusk you can watch the lights of Riga at night right below you. By the way, the most stunning views of the Old Town are from the large windows of the bathroom, so don’t forget to look there too..
For those who are attracted by something different, we ask you to go for a drink to the Mad House club in Kalku iela. Just a stone's throw from the Freedom Monument, it boasts a great atmosphere. The interior is interesting - a mixture of kitsch and constructivism. The cabins on the left, at the entrance, resemble hotel rooms, and the huge windows, complete with draperies, create a unique atmosphere. On the other side of the club, the bar is a great place to relax and sit at a table with a drink. For those who want to dance to fiery tunes, the dance floor is at your disposal.
One of the Old Town favorites, this bar has a cool Cuban vibe and a great drinks menu. Popular among young people, this bar lives up to its name with plenty of Cuban influences around, as well as lively Cuban and Latin American music.
Question: What else do I need to know?
Answer: Before ordering a drink in Riga bars, ask what the price will be. This way, you can avoid places that try to charge visitors more. As a rule, this applies to guests of the capital from Britain, who are already quite fed up with the entire population of the city with their bachelor parties, so maybe the bar owners are “punishing” them in this way. Fortunately, although situations of this kind do occur, they are very rare, and we hope that they will soon stop completely.
Question: What about going to the movies in Riga?
Answer: Easily! There are some really good cinemas in Riga. The largest is the Forum Cinemas multiplex in Kino Citadele with 11 screens. Among the smaller ones are Cinamon in the Alfa shopping center and Multikino in. But probably the most beautiful is the Splendid Palace cinema (formerly Kino Riga), on Elizabetes Street. Before you go inside this truly impressive theater, be sure to check out the amazing and distinctive artwork outside - instead of the standard printed movie posters, you'll see hand-painted versions of them. And inside the cinema, stylish decor will be waiting for you - a match of art and indie films shown throughout the entire time. A real piece of architecture.
Riga Restaurants
Question: How expensive is it to eat in Riga?
Answer: It's very inexpensive. In fact, you will be surprised at how much you get here for the few Euros you spend. At reasonable prices, a place with three meals a day is not at all difficult to find.
Question: Where is the best selection of restaurants in town?
Answer: Throughout the Old Town area, as well as in the Quiet Center, or around Elizabetes Street, you will find a wide selection of restaurants.
Question: Is international cuisine well represented?
Answer: Oh yes! Finding places with Italian, Chinese, Russian, German cuisine, or just American-style burgers, you won't have any problems in Riga, almost all places serve international cuisine.
Question: What special places to eat in Riga would you recommend visiting?
Answer: A couple of minutes by tram you will find Krasta Street. Spread over three floors, Lido Recreation Center is an excellent choice if you want to try some traditional Latvian dishes without breaking the bank. The choice is truly huge - more than 500 different dishes presented in the form of a buffet. We especially recommend trying traditional dishes such as gray peas or cold soup. The Lido restaurant is open until 24.00 every day.
Another interesting option is the cafe-restaurant K|I|D* in the Old Town. The interior is stylish, with an open kitchen and well-stocked salad bar, as well as friendly staff. Truly a place that is definitely worth a visit. The menu includes pasta, salads, meat and fish dishes and much more.
Sources used when writing this article: tobook.com, wikipedia.org, inyourpocket.com, rigathisweek.com, meeting.lv
Riga is an amazing city for our tourist. Looks European, uses European currency and requires a Schengen visa. But he speaks Russian perfectly and preserves (albeit somewhat distantly and reluctantly) the traditions of a common past. Service industry workers are sincerely surprised when they find out that you are not from St. Petersburg. They are always friendly, despite the fact that the weather outside the window throughout the year is rather exceptional, and the standard of living in this European and Baltic country is far from desirable. It's great here. And you should definitely come here at least for the weekend, before hordes of German and Chinese tourists learn about the delights of the city. For them, it’s cheap and no less beautiful than in classic Eastern European cities like Prague or Krakow.
What you need to know about Riga and Latvia
Riga is the capital of Latvia, a Baltic state. For those who confuse them all the time, a map. Latvia is sandwiched between the much more “Soviet” and less developed Lithuania and quite progressive Estonia, where the average monthly salary has already crossed the 900 euro mark (still pennies by European standards).
From Riga to the Baltic Sea, it is a 20-30 minute drive to the resort of Jurmala, famous since Soviet times. It’s mostly cold here, in winter it can easily be -20 degrees, rain comes suddenly, and you shouldn’t trust weather forecasts. In summer it can be +25 or +30, but locals say that with such humidity it is difficult to bear.
Traditional Latvian cuisine includes fish of all kinds (the famous “Riga gold”, sprats, that is, is far from its best part), and for the last few centuries, also potatoes and meat. Latvians willingly collect and preserve everything that grows (apparently, local laws do not yet prohibit this). They make excellent cheese in the Adyghe style and sell it all in the markets. In general, the food market in Riga is decent; it makes sense to come here for groceries, for a snack (cheese, fish, fruits and vegetables) or for an excursion. Next to the grocery store there is a clothing store - this place is more brutal, there is nothing to do there, the same color can be found at home.
Here you can easily cross the road in places where there are no pedestrian crossings. Drivers will most likely let you through. In general, everyone here is very polite. Only Russian tourists sometimes smoke poorly. And there are a lot of drunks on the streets. Probably because there are a lot of tourists, students and Russians who have stayed here since Soviet times. At least Riga has a beer culture. There are a lot of varieties, there is a fashion for craft beer, just like all over the world. But from what we tried (several varieties, to be honest), everything is quite simple. If you want to enjoy some fabulous beer, go for German or Belgian beer, there is, on average, more of it here than here.
The traditional alcoholic drink of Latvia is Riga balsam. This is a herbal tincture. It comes in classic and flavored varieties (the most popular in stores is currant). The original recipe for Riga balsam contains 24 types of herbs and 45% strength. There is also 17% liqueur. All tastes are for everyone. But in traditional Baltic weather it’s just right. Drink and sadly look out the window at the April snow. Although it is better to get to the bar and empty the stock of something less authentic. In general, you already understand that the local alcohol here did not impress the editors incidentally.
The Old Town of Riga is all paving stones. In some places, the gaps between the stones are ready to accommodate a wide heel. Where there are not paving stones, there are tiles or asphalt, which has been lying around here, it seems, also since Soviet times. So the shoes must be ready for such tests. Take care of your feet, there will be a lot of walking if you love architecture and want to enjoy the city in a short time. It will be painful in sneakers, dangerous in heels, you need something in between.
The Old Town of Riga has narrow streets and tall beautiful buildings. If you like to shoot, prepare an appropriate lens. It’s unlikely to work on a regular smartphone (unless the super-wide-angle optics in the LG G5 camera have a chance).
At Riga Airport you can pick up a free paper tourist map of the city. But in fact, everything is very cool in Riga with the city's free Wi-Fi network. The paper may not be useful. It’s absolutely incredible (especially for Europe, where the Internet is much worse than in Ukraine or Russia) that free Internet works so well on the streets, Riga surprised. Latvia is not only Riga. If you ask a local where else is worth going, he will without hesitation name a couple of other places that can be reached by train in no more than an hour.
What to see in Riga?
The Old Town of Riga is a medium-sized (by the standards of historical centers) part of the city. Side by side with it stands the “Quiet Center” area - this is no less beautiful, but a more modern part. The Internet has long listed all the houses and monuments that you need to see with your own eyes. But this is only a small part - you need to see everything there, examine every trinket on the house and look into each gateway several times. A nice feature of the Old Town in Riga is that almost every interesting building has a restaurant or tavern. That is, almost everywhere you can still visit inside. The places we looked into, on the inside of the doors, were replete with loft elements. Hello - pieces of unplastered walls, old furniture, wonderful lamps. Either it was fashion, or people in Riga really decided not to bother with decoration.
Must-sees in the Old Town of Riga include several cathedrals, several famous houses, a monument to the Bremen Town Musicians and dozens of small streets.
Cathedrals of Riga
Riga Dome Cathedral(Tallinn also has its own Dome Cathedral, this requires clarification) - this is one of the main attractions and symbols of Riga. The largest medieval temple in the Baltic countries and the main church building of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia, according to Wikipedia. The cathedral was founded approximately 800 years ago and took so long to build that it managed to incorporate several architectural styles. Now its main attraction is the organ hall, where concerts are held (the schedule is here). Important - if you are planning to visit it at the last minute, check in advance that the Dome Cathedral is open; in Riga everything is strange with the opening hours of attractions. A little life hack - if the cathedral ticket office is already closed, but the building is still open, you can go in and view the attraction from the inside through the transparent glass door.
The Dome Cathedral has an organ, so concerts are held here. The area on which it stands deserves no less attention. In general, all the squares in Old Riga are good. Dome Cathedral (Riga): official website.
Church of St. Petra appeared in Riga approximately as long ago as the Dome Cathedral, and is one of the oldest buildings in the city. The observation deck also adds to its popularity (to look at Riga from a height in this place will cost 9 euros). This is one of the tallest buildings in the city and can be seen in almost all advertising photographs of Riga. In the old days, one of the oldest schools in the city operated in the church building. Historically, the building was made of wood, so it often burned, collapsed and was rebuilt. For the last time the Church of St. Petra was rebuilt about 40 years ago, so in its current form it is not that old. Access to the church and observation deck is carried out during the day, the schedule is on the Latvian tourism website. When you are near the cathedral, go around on all sides and look into the nooks and crannies - it’s also cool there.
Cathedral of St. James– almost the same age as the previous two cathedrals. It was originally built in the 13th century. But it acquired its current appearance 500 years later, when another Baroque element was added to the bottom of the building. Cathedral of St. Ijakova is notable for being a brick Gothic monument.
Author: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22660788
Cathedral of St. James (Riga): opening hours.
Nativity of Christ Cathedral– a very cheerful (in my opinion) Orthodox cathedral. It is also called the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ. But reversing the words in the name of an object does not change the degree of its cuteness in any way. In Chernivtsi, by the way, there is a very similar building.
Beautiful buildings in Riga that are important not to miss
In addition to cathedrals and squares, Old Riga has a lot of beautiful and interesting things. Particularly popular are buildings such as the Chernologov House, the House with Cats, the Small and Large Guilds, the Riga Castle, and a composition of three buildings called “Three Brothers.”
And other historical center of Riga
When walking around Old Riga, pay attention to the details. Lanterns, stucco on the walls, other decor. It can be seen that the city has been greatly restored and spruced up for the arrival of tourists. But there was something to put in order. The old town is rich in details, but if you see in the photographs something completely twisted in a romantic way, this is Art Nouveau. According to the official tourism portal of Latvia, historically it so happened that the heyday of the style and the heyday of Riga fell at the same time. There are many houses in this style in the “Quiet Center”. And there is even a separate website dedicated to it.
Suddenly in Riga there is a monument to the Bremen Town Musicians. He ended up here because Bremen is a sister city. And he presented Riga with such a gift. The animals on the monument are supposed to be grabbed by whatever you can reach and make a wish. They also say that the higher you reach, the happier your life will be. So don’t forget to wear something with heels when you get ready to watch the musicians in the center of Old Riga. The monument is located near the Cathedral of St. Petra.
There is an enchanting number of establishments in the city center. Most are cute to the point of indecency. Near one of the establishments there is an exhibition of stones in the shape of animals. Everything is for sale. Not for everybody. But I liked it. There is no need to search specifically, you will come across everything while walking, the address is Livu Square.
Another thing that guidebooks advise not to miss is the Swedish Gate. According to history, they were cut in his building by a merchant who still did not want to pay the duty. Since they are located on one of the nicest streets in the city, you will definitely not miss them. Just remember, this is what they look like.
The sea port is a 10-minute walk from the Old Town. It was highly recommended for us to visit. But to be honest, I didn’t see anything so enchanting in him. Except that the architecture around is good. And almost the newest trams of Riga approach the port, which look interesting among this antiquity. But if you have extra free time and a love of water, you can go to the seaport.
Outside the Old Town and the Quiet Center
If you have the time and desire to get out of the Old Town, then a great way to spend your time usefully is to take a free tour. It starts at 12.00 from St. Peter's Cathedral. Look for a guide by following the sign - a yellow suitcase (it’s also praised on Tripadvisor). At the end of the excursion, the guide should pay a certain amount according to the required amount. There may be more than one guide; the guides themselves say that they tell different stories and take us to different places; we had a rather interesting route, more on which later.
Outside the Old Town there is a market worth visiting, which I mentioned above. Every guidebook writes about it. The most remarkable part of the market is that it was built from hangars for airships that Latvia got after another war. Since the city authorities decided to expand the city, it needed a market, but there was no money for construction. So they decided to bring these hangars from somewhere in the outback. The second thing that will surprise our tourist is that here you can eat fish and buy some goodies as souvenirs. It's also clean and cozy here. The area where the market is located is popularly called Moskvyachka (if I remember correctly).
The current art zone begins behind the market. With a concert hall, galleries, and a children's playground. Sometimes fairs are held here. Previously, this was a place where merchants arriving along the river moored and delivered their goods. Then it was empty, and homeless people and other marginalized people moved in here. Modernity has brought livability to the area. But apparently, the rental price is too expensive for artists, the premises are partially empty. The Riga flea market is bustling near the art zone.
Behind the art zone there is another important place for Latvians. Holocaust Victims Museum. About 100 thousand names of victims are included in these lists.
A little further, if you move in a circle around the center, you will begin an area with a large number of wooden buildings. Once upon a time this was also the outskirts of Riga. The city government prohibited locals from using any other material other than wood to build houses. Because this outskirts were burned every time the enemy attacked. The legend told by a local guide says that at the moment when Napoleon was advancing on Europe, the residents of Riga fully expected that they, too, would suffer grief from the French ruler. Therefore, day and night they made sure that they had time to traditionally set fire to the wooden outskirts before the advance of Napoleon’s troops. In the end they were burned. Because, with drunken eyes, someone confused the army with a herd of animals, which raised a huge cloud of dust. Napoleon never came. And just a few years later, residents of this area were allowed to use stone in construction. And they even offered to rebuild the houses. But having already once been left homeless due to the stupidity of one person, many abandoned the stone dwelling. To this day there are wooden houses here. The largest wooden church in Europe is the Lutheran Church of Jesus - right there.
Stalin's skyscraper (aka the Academy of Sciences of Latvia), which for some reason everyone also wants to see, is literally a couple of steps from this place. You can climb it for 4 euros and look at the city. It is better to do this on a sunny day, because in rainy weather it will be difficult to see and uncomfortable. The high-rise building is interesting not only for its appearance, but also for its contents. Everything here seems to smell of this era. There is no special decor. But on the floors there is amateur activity typical of Soviet times: photographs, poems, wall newspapers. At the entrance there was the usual rudeness of the watchman at that time.
Knowledge is visible from a Stalinist skyscraper National Library of Riga. It is recommended to visit it if you have time and desire to sit, take a break, and look at the river. We didn’t have such a desire, so I don’t even know whether to advise you or not.
Somewhere between the high-rise, the “wooden” quarter and the Old Town is Verman Park- also a landmark. Our guide constantly mentioned that the whole world regularly chipped in for this and that, because the authorities had good intentions and empty treasuries. At some point, after the burning of the wooden outskirts, the city authorities invited the townspeople to chip in a ruble and plant a tree. And one rich widow, Anna Gertrude Wehrman, left behind an entire park. Her decision was revolutionary for its time because representatives of all nationalities were allowed to enter the park. Now you can look at the first rose garden in Riga, sculptures and just walk/sit in the green area. Riga is not as green as Kyiv, for example.
Once the Old Town and the list of surrounding attractions have been explored, you can walk along the canal. And come across another park. Standing next to him is “the most popular girl in Riga,” as the locals say. This is the Freedom Monument, erected between the wars in 1935. The cunning architect, realizing that Latvia was sandwiched between the growing power of Russia and Germany, correctly signed the monument. The inscription says that it is dedicated to “Fatherland and Freedom.” It was thanks to this that neither the Germans nor the Soviet authorities demolished it. Who will raise his hand to his homeland! Svoboda Avenue departs from the monument, which has changed its name an incredible number of times over the last century - as many times as the country’s leadership has changed.
Around the Old Town and the “Quiet Center” there are a huge number of beautiful, but mostly not yet restored buildings. They look more modern than the very heart of Riga. If you live somewhere there, be sure to take a walk. The only annoying thing here is the uneven asphalt underfoot. But in Kyiv it’s even worse, for example. The outskirts, according to locals, are densely lined with Khrushchev-era buildings. It's great that this is not visible in the center.
Where to eat in Riga?
Our list of tips for great places to eat in Riga is divided into two parts. Our experience and advice from our charming guide from the free tour. The guide recommended places where you can first of all eat inexpensively in Riga.
- - a local eatery, apparently, like the Ukrainian “Puzata Khata” or “Home Kitchen”. There's a lot of stuff here and it's inexpensive. , - they say that one of the best chefs in Latvia works here. Everything is delicious, of course. But what kind of cancer soup is there! I really don’t know what epithet to choose to describe its charms. Come here for soup - a must. Although this is not the most accessible establishment in Riga.
- Market – here you can eat fish prepared in any way. There are all sorts of bistros among the rows. By the way, Latvians have a real weakness for beets. It is often combined with fish.
Tatiana Markova
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Alexandra Dementieva
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Armands Muiznieks
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Ludmila Oginskaja
I work in the cities: Riga, Jurmala, Sigulda, Rundale, Bauska, Cesis, Castles of Latvia
I confess honestly, I have wanted to do this for a very long time trip to Riga. Firstly, because there really is something to see here. And secondly, because trip to Latvia– for a long time remained the only piece of the puzzle that I was missing. It just so happened that among all the countries with which Belarus borders, I have never been only to Latvia. This year alone we have traveled, visited and visited. But, not surprisingly, it is Latvia, such a close country in every sense, that has always remained outside our tourist routes.
The appearance of Superbus buses in Lithuania, which sells tickets from Vilnius to Riga for only three euros, allowed us to fulfill our long-standing dream and finally visit the last of our neighboring countries. This opportunity could not be missed. Therefore, very soon, having taken a couple of days off from work, we took tickets for the Grodno-Vilnius flight and, accompanied by the heart-warming songs of Katya Ogonyok (which the driver of the Grodno minibus apparently loved very much), we went to the capital of Lithuania, where double-decker Superbus buses were already waiting for us. Eventually, trip to Riga lasted for a full nine hours. But even taking into account the two-hour stop in Vilnius, we only gained in terms of money, comfort and time. However, I will not dwell on this issue in more detail. If you want, read our article. All the ways to get to the Latvian capital are described in detail there.
Bus Superbus (daughter of Polish Bus). The cabin has Wi-Fi, a toilet, climate control, soft chairs and other attributes of a decaying Europe. Ticket price: 3 euros. Well, where is the justice?
...At the Riga station we were met by a girl named Veronica, the owner of the apartment we rented through AIRBNB. After this there was a short night, stories about architecture in the art nouveau style and detailed instructions regarding the most interesting places and establishments of the city, which mixed in my head into such a mess that I did not remember absolutely anything from it. We reached Riga late in the evening, and therefore by this time I was already pretty tired. All I had enough strength for on the first day was a walk to the local Lido. The present travel around Riga started a day later...
Deniss Maidanovs and Semyons Slepakovs... It’s not visible in the photo, but the only singer whose last name has remained unchanged is our Max Korzh. He has a concert there soon. More precisely, probably, concertas.
Riga in the evening
Walk around Riga: a journey of a million photos
For $34 a day we rented a very nice apartment almost in the very center of the city. The spire of the new Church of St. Gertrude was visible right from the windows of our house. That’s why it was from there that we began our acquaintance with the city.
I took pictures of her ten times. And if it weren’t for the “Belarusian Shopping Center”, whose sign unexpectedly caught my eye, I would have taken as many more photos.
Belarusian shopping center. A portal to another reality. You should see what kind of saleswomen there are... Fatal.
Riga itself turned out to be a surprisingly photogenic city. As before, here I wanted to photograph literally everything - ancient houses along Brivibas Avenue, ancient churches, funny faces on the facades of buildings...
Some time later, VKONTAKT worship, which became my Tanya’s new religion, forced me to arrange a small photo shoot for her in a local park...
And then in another...
Along the way, the Riga Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ slipped into the frame.
And the glass skyscraper of the Latvia Hotel (also known as the Radisson Blue Hotel).
On one of its top floors there is the Sky Line bar, which offers a cool view of the city. On weekdays you can get there for free. But the prices there are steep... Even very... Seriously! Just "Piranha 3D".
By the way, before I forget. If you are not on Brivibas Avenue, pay attention to this dark building with the inscription “Pasta”. Yes, yes, you would think that this is an Italian restaurant. But in fact, this is one of the central post offices. In this place you can buy cool magnets for just one and a half euros. In the city center, exactly the same souvenirs cost 2-2.5 times more. In general, save your money. Travel to Riga– will also give you the opportunity to part with them.
Riga Statue of Liberty. Almost New York... Well, or not quite...
Although in general, I would not say that Riga is a super-mega-expensive city. Prices here are higher than in Las Palmas, but lower than in Charleroi. In “Belgian Chelyabinsk” a regular package costs 0.9 euros in a store. In Latvia, you can buy a bottle of beer for this money (0.5-0.7 euros in a store). And there will be some left over for some chips.
You can estimate your expenses and imagine what awaits you during your trip to Riga on the Numbeo website. This project allows you to compare prices in different cities around the world. Overall, it's a good thing.
Travel insurance to Riga
In one of my previous articles, I already wrote that during this trip to Latvia I caught a serious cold. Riga is a city located by the sea. Therefore, the weather here changes ten times a day. A second ago the sun was shining. And then - bam - and suddenly wild cold. At least, during this autumn trip I still couldn’t guess with clothes.
One more thing... I don’t know whether you are aware or not, but all medicines in Riga pharmacies are sold only by prescription. That’s why I personally didn’t even manage to buy myself the banal “Antigrippin” when I really needed it. As a result, I saved myself with warm tea (and walked around in three sweaters and two pants). Why am I writing all this? So that you don't repeat my mistake. Therefore, before traveling to Latvia, be sure to get yourself insurance. Even if it’s the simplest and cheapest one (at least some Belgosstrakh). Although personally I would advise you to buy a policy. Here are the insurance policies of all the leading companies on the planet (including such well-known companies as Liberty and ERV). And the policies themselves, sometimes, are even cheaper than on the official websites of certain companies.
Housing in Riga
During this trip, we rented this nice studio a couple of kilometers from the Old Town. It is well furnished, conveniently located, and there are several inexpensive cafes and good supermarkets nearby. Therefore, you can safely choose this option for your trip. The asking price is $34 per day (well, of course, if nothing has changed since then). Although we personally rented it even cheaper (since before this trip I had several discount bonuses on the AIRBNB website). You can also get a small discount on your booking. To do this, you just need to register in the system using this link.
As for hotels, there are a lot of them here too. At the same time (unsurprisingly) in this city they cost almost the same as private apartments. I have collected my personal selection of the best hotels, hostels and apartments in the Latvian capital. Read it. I think you will find it interesting.