TOP 20 places worth seeing in Riga

Cozy cafes and noisy bars, tiled roofs, narrow cobbled streets and spiers of ancient bell towers. Probably, it is precisely thanks to its subtle charm that the capital of Latvia enjoys constant popularity among tourists. For everyone who plans to visit Riga, we tell you about the most interesting places that make this city unforgettable.

Riga is a real find for tourists. A compact ancient city, many cozy bars, Art Nouveau architecture, proximity to the Baltic Sea - these are just a few of the reasons to go to Riga for the weekend.

1 /1

In magical Riga, everything is possible. For example, travel through time and find yourself in the past. How? You just need to get to Novaya Street, which is hidden between Dome and Town Hall Square.

2. New street (Jauniela)

This is truly a piece of history come to life! Colorful, like a patchwork quilt, the houses on both sides of the street will not let you lower your eyes - there are so many original and beautiful facades with stucco decorations, sculptures and even paintings (as on the house with number 1221 above the entrance). It was here, on Novaya Street, that the famous “Seventeen Moments of Spring” and “Sherlock Holmes” were filmed.

1 /1

Well, after a leisurely walk, you can stop by one of the local restaurants with a cozy flower terrace (there are a lot of flowers here) to taste local cuisine.

How to get there? You can get to Novaya Street from the Central Station by bus number 22 going in the direction of Lidosta. You will need to get off at the Grecinieku iela stop and walk a little.

3. Courtyard of the Convention

This ancient courtyard is famous for having served as a “model” for one of the paintings of Nicholas Roerich himself. But even if you are not interested in painting, we definitely recommend visiting here - this place is so picturesque and such an atmosphere of antiquity and revived history reigns here. The courtyard of the Convention is located next to the Church of St. Peter, under the shadow of its elegant bell tower. Here you can take a leisurely walk among the old houses, go to antique shops or visit the porcelain museum.

How to get there? From the Central Station you can get here by bus No. 15 in the direction of Latvijas Universitate. You need to get off at the Centrala stacija stop, get off at Latvijas Universitate, and after walking another 10 minutes, you will be there.

On a note: There are several entrances to the Convention Courtyard, but they are all closed at night, so it's best to get here before dark.

4. Jewelry Museum

Do you want to know what jewelry was in fashion among Riga residents several hundred years ago? Then be sure to visit the Jewelry Museum. Its owners - the family of jewelers Inita and Vytauts Straupe - have been studying the history of Baltic jewelry for 20 years, and also make copies of ancient jewelry.

In the museum you can see both original ancient jewelry and their copies made by masters, as well as modern products with national motifs and ornaments. Entrance to the museum is free.

Address: Grecinieku iela 11/2.

Working hours: Mon-Fri - 11:00–19:00, Sat - 10:00–18:00.

5. Museum of Decorative Arts

The Museum of Decorative Arts and Design is a showpiece in itself. The museum building is the former Church of St. George, the oldest surviving wooden building in Riga. But not only the facade is interesting, but also the “filling”. Here you will find collections of textile art, ceramics and porcelain, leather and wood products, as well as the largest collection of works by the founders of Latvian modernism.

Address: Skarnu iela 10/20.

Working hours: Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00 (on Tuesdays until 19:00).

Ticket price: for permanent exhibition - €2.13 (adult) and €0.71 (pupils, students, pensioners). Every last Sunday of the month and May 18th admission is free.

You can find out more about prices.

6. Art Nouveau Museum

Art Nouveau (aka Art Nouveau) was so popular in Riga that it is considered the European capital of this architectural movement. Almost every second building in the city is made in the Art Nouveau style, and there are more than 800 of them. Even a person far from architecture can easily recognize them by the abundance of decorations on the facade. Riga Art Nouveau even outdid itself in this sense: statues, masks, chimeras and dragons, floral patterns and bas-reliefs give each house a unique, unforgettable look.

1 /1

Therefore, it would be a good idea to go to a museum dedicated to this direction of architecture. The Art Nouveau Museum is located on Albert Street (Albert iela 12) in the former apartment of the Riga architect Konstantin Pekshens. This is where you can feel like you are in Riga of the 20th century, walking through the rooms, looking at the interiors and decor, or trying on costumes of that era for a souvenir photo.

Working hours: from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00.

Ticket price: from May 1 to September 30 - €6 (full); €7.50 (family: 2 adults, 2 children); €4 (students). From October 1 to April 31 - €3.50, €7.50 and €2.50.

7. Town Hall Square

The ancient heart of Riga and the center of life - Town Hall Square - even today remains a lively place where both locals and tourists love to stroll. The Town Hall and the House of the Blackheads attract with their openwork facades and evening illumination, and the museums, of which there are several, will not let any traveler get bored.

How to get there? The fastest way to get here from Riga Central Station is by bus No. 22 going in the direction of Lidosta. Get off at the Centrala stacija stop and get off at Grecinieku iela, and in a couple of minutes you will reach the square.

1 /1

8. Slazds Gallery

To find out how contemporary creative Riga lives, you should pay attention to local art galleries. One of these is the Slazds gallery. Here you will find familiar landscapes and many original artistic experiments in painting, photography, graphics and sculpture.

Address: Aldaru iela 12/14.

Working hours: daily from 12:00 to 20:00.

9. Ethnographic Museum

There is a very interesting place in Riga, where the history of the country literally comes to life before our eyes. At the Latvian Ethnographic Museum you can get acquainted with the life and traditions of Latvians from the 17th to 20th centuries, and also observe how artisans worked centuries ago.

This open-air museum contains 118 historical buildings from all over the country, making it more like an ancient settlement: here you will find peasant farmsteads, fishermen’s houses, churches, and a real Latvian farm. You can go into each house and see how representatives of different classes lived. You can also connect with the past and try yourself as a craftsman, for example, weaving a basket or making something out of clay.

Working hours: The ethnographic museum is open October 1 - April 30 from 10:00 to 17:00 and May 1 - September 30 from 10:00 to 20:00.

Entrance ticket price: – €1,40-4

Museum address: Brivibas gatve 440, Riga. From the Central Station you can get here by bus number 1 (in the direction of Berguciems).

How to get there? To do this, take the bus at the Merkela iela stop and get off at Rozu iela. You will need to walk another 10 minutes to the museum. Buses No. 19, 28 and 29 also go here (to the Brivdabas muzejs stop).

On a note: Museum employees speak Russian, and there is free parking and wireless Internet on site.

10. Park "Arcadia"

Arcadia is one of the most beautiful landscape parks in Riga and a great place to relax after an eventful city day. Shady alleys, streams with graceful bridges and mini-waterfalls create an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.

How to get there? The park can be reached from Central Station (the journey takes just over 20 minutes). At stop 13.janvara iela, take bus no. 25 heading towards Marupe and go to Arkadijas parks. Entrance to the park is free.

Do you want to get to a real oasis in the very center of the city? Then be sure to go to the Botanical Garden in Riga. Not only the flora of Latvia is collected here, but also such exotic plants as ginkgo, witch hazel, cork trees and lilies, and in the greenhouses you can even find cacti and other desert inhabitants. The garden is good at any time of the year: from February to April azaleas bloom in the greenhouses, in the spring - magnolias, and in the summer - rhododendrons, peonies and roses, and the real tropics are green in the garden's greenhouses!

1 /1

Working hours: The garden is open from April to September from 09:00 to 19:00 and from October to March from 10:00 to 16:30.

Ticket price:€3 (adult), €2 (students and pensioners), €1 (schoolchildren and pensioners on Mondays). Free - for preschoolers and large families on Mondays. The full price list can be found.

Address: Kandavas iela 2.

How to get there? From the center of Riga (to the stop Dzirciema iela or Botaniskais darzs) buses No. 4, 21, 37, 38, 39, 41, 46 and 54 go here. You can also get there by tram (No. 4, 5), trolleybus (No. 9 and 25) or by minibus (No. 237, 238, 241, 244, 263, 270).

12. Livov Square

This small, but surprisingly beautiful and cozy square is hidden between Zirgu, Meistaru and Kalkyu streets. Surrounded by colorful houses with red tiled roofs, spiers and turrets, it looks like an illustration of a fairy tale come to life. Here you can sit in a summer cafe, enjoying the leisurely passage of time, and those who want to feel like noble Riga residents of the past can take a ride in an open horse-drawn carriage.

How to get there? From the Central Station you can walk to Livov Square in 15 minutes, or take bus No. 2, 3, 11, 19, 24, 57 from the Centrala stacija stop to Inzenieru iela (you will need to walk another 5-7 minutes to the square).

1 /1

13. Riga Old Town

Old Riga is the oldest part of the city and one of the favorite places among both residents and tourists. Riga Old Town covers the area surrounded by the streets Zigfrida Annas Meierovica bulvaris, Aspazijas bulvaris, 13.janvara iela and Krasta iela.

It is here that the Riga Castle, the Dome Cathedral and the square of the same name, the Church of St. Peter, the Cathedral of St. James and many other popular attractions are located. Old Riga is an ideal place for those who like to explore the city on foot, “sensibly, with feeling, with arrangement,” slowly discovering its most hidden corners.

14. Monument to the Bremen Town Musicians

The Riga Monument to the Bremen Town Musicians depicts the well-known cat, donkey, dog and rooster from the Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Created by Bremen sculptor Christa Baumgartel in 1990, the monument turns out to have deep implications: it symbolizes the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Iron Curtain (this is hinted at by the “window” through which the heroes look out). Important information for all lovers of urban superstitions: they say that if you rub the noses of four-legged musicians, any wish you make will come true.

Address: The monument is located next to Scarnu Street, between the Church of St. Peter and the Konventa seta complex.

15. Cat's house

We hasten to warn you that this is not at all the house from the fairy tale of the same name, although cats are indeed present there in the form of decorative figures on the spiers of the towers. In fact, the story is quite funny: the former owner of this house - a wealthy merchant - decided to take revenge on the Merchant Guild, where they refused to accept him, and decorated his house with black cats, turning their backs to the ill-fated building where the Riga merchants met. The joker was reprimanded, and the cats were turned in the other direction, where they show off to this day.

Address of the “cat” house: Meistaru iela 10.

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 correctly, 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.

TOURISTS' ANSWERS:

Riga is called the capital of the Baltic states. And why they call it that is clear to everyone. Local residents patiently go through the working days of the week, waiting for Thursday night, when the bar and club spree begins, which continues until Sunday morning. The clubs stay open until late, and some even until the morning, and even after all this you can always find a place for an after-party. Well, or in order to put an end to the fun. Riga has everything from small bars teeming with young hipsters to large dance floors with poppier music and big parties.

In general, Riga's nightlife is deservedly considered one of the best in Eastern Europe. The highest concentration of pubs, cafes and bars is in the Old Town (many also put tables outdoors in the summer, so it becomes even more fun). British pub-style beer gardens rub shoulders with chic and trendy cocktail bars and clubs, so you're sure to find somewhere to party. Worth a visit to the bar "Orange Bar"(Jāņa sēta 5), ​​well "PuPu"(Vecriga Marstalu 14) will make you dance until the morning. This is a chic lounge bar in the center of Riga. “Pupi” actually translates from Latvian as “breasts”, and this theme is well developed inside the club, where there are pictures on the walls that fit the theme, and the waitresses’ outfits are sparkling accordingly. The menu is held together with a bra strap that can be unfastened—that’s what everyone here does after a couple of beers.

"Skyline Bar"(Elizabetes iela 55) – another quite cool bar in the center.

Locals and foreign tourists alike love this lively cocktail bar on the 26th floor of the Reval Hotel Latvija, which offers stunning views of Riga. Of course, the tables near the window are the most favorite, and they are occupied very quickly. On Friday and Saturday there are DJs and great parties.

Meanwhile, the bar-club "Martini"(12/14 Kalku iela) boasts excellent go-go dancers.

This is where some of the best parties in the city happen. If you come to Riga for a bachelor party, be sure to check out this bar. It is ideally located in the central part of the city and is easy to find. The bar occupies two floors, the menu offers international cuisine, about seventy-five cocktails - in general, you won’t be bored here. Beautiful girls and great atmosphere.

Of course, no clubber will want to leave Riga without first visiting a couple of local clubs. There are plenty of clubs in Riga, and even the most discerning partygoers will find something to suit their taste. If you have extensive experience in going to clubs, feel free to step into "Nautilus"(Kungu iela 8) is probably the best choice for you.
There's a young, beautiful crowd hanging out here who know the difference between house and techno music. There are always some events going on in this club and some of the coolest DJs in the country perform here. The decor is stylish retro 90s.

well and "Essential Club"(Skolas 2) is a little larger and simpler, and is worth a visit if famous European DJs perform here.
The club can rightfully claim to be one of the best in Riga. Such stars as Tiesto, Deep Dish and Lee Coombs performed here. The club's decor is stuck somewhere in the last millennium, but the club boasts a large open dance floor.

The club is even bigger - "La Rocca"(Brīvības iela 96) is a favorite club of the Riga Russian community.

Some of the best techno parties in the city take place here. Lasers, loud music, beautiful guests, dance floors, a couple of poles for go-go dancers - what else is needed for happiness! There is also a casino, restaurant and sauna. Any whim and complete revelry!

Well what about "Pulkvedim Neviens Neraksta"(Peldu iela 26/28). Great club with two dance floors and music ranging from the latest pop hits to retro, funk, hip-hop and drum and bass.

There are also several alternative music venues in Riga. Relax and unwind at the bar "I love you"(Aldaru iela 9) - a very cool bohemian bar, spread over two floors, with simple furniture, thick wooden chairs, sofas and dim lighting - a great casual environment to drink beer and cheap snacks while discussing the merits and demerits of the musicians performing nearby.
You can often meet drunk British people in the bar. Check out the cute John Lemon bar before heading to the legendary club "Depo"(32 Valnu iela). A favorite of Latvia's alternative crowd, this club has all the key ingredients needed to create a classic underground club: decor consisting entirely of broken old shabby furniture, dark colors, toilets covered in swear words in multiple languages ​​and a top-notch music program.
Every night there are local heavy metal bands, Scandinavian punk rockers or Canadian experimental DJs performing here. Meanwhile, upstairs in the lounge you can take a break and watch classic video clips.

Are there any downsides to Riga's nightlife? Of course there is. With the increase in the number of cheap flights to Riga from all European cities, more and more tourists are heading to this beautiful northern city. A large number of tourists take to the streets of the city in search of places with cheap beer and beautiful women. So unless you want to spend your evening in the company of thirty drunken Brits, go to parties during the week, or at least visit bars that are out of sight, a little further from the center.

Is the answer helpful?

During the pre-New Year holidays, the question of what entertainment is available in winter Riga is especially relevant. In addition to a wide range of clubs and other entertainment venues, the Latvian capital really has a lot to offer its guests visiting these days.

I’ll probably start with the simplest and most accessible, but very pleasant and cute options for spending time. If we talk about December, then first of all you should pay attention to the magnificent Christmas markets, unfolding in different parts of Old Riga. Here you can not only buy nice little things or souvenirs, but also drink something hot, eat traditional Christmas sweets, listen to music or simply plunge into the atmosphere of the New Year's holiday. The main fair is located right in the heart of the Old Town, on Dome Square, near the cathedral of the same name.
This is where the country's main Christmas tree is installed. And around it you can see cozy wooden houses, from which the products of Latvian artisans coquettishly peek out, and the enchanting aroma of mulled wine or the sweet smells of local baked goods can be heard. Needless to say, this is without a doubt the most attractive place for a walk at this time of year. This is where you can experience the fabulous atmosphere of Riga.

But the market on Dome Square in Riga is not the only one. And if you wish, you can also stop by the New Year’s fair, located near the Orthodox Cathedral, in Esplanade Park. Its main difference from other “products” is the presence of a real rabbit town with charming furry animals that delight children indescribably and for whom it is difficult to imagine better entertainment these days.

If you happen to find yourself close to Egle Park, don’t be lazy and stop by the small Christmas market nestled there. And although there is no such scale as in the places described above, you are guaranteed a pleasant experience, as well as the opportunity to find original and relatively inexpensive souvenirs.

It is difficult to imagine the New Year holidays and winter in general without winter sports entertainment. A snow park located within the city limits may well be an excellent place for these purposes in Riga. Mezaparks. This is a place where you can not only go cross-country skiing, downhill skiing or snowboarding, but also enjoy a free ice skating rink.
For those who do not have the appropriate equipment, a rental point offers its services. In addition, this place is also interesting for the concerts and festivals regularly held here in winter, which, you see, adds to its attractiveness in the eyes of residents and guests of the city.

Almost next to Mezaparks, there is the famous Riga Zoo, which will also be interesting to visit on winter days. After all, it is during this period (somewhere from mid-December to the end of January) that the zoo organizes a special “Winter Evenings” promotion, during which the zoo’s opening hours are not only extended - on these days it is open until 21.00, but the entrance fee is also slightly reduced ticket I think this is a great time for the whole family to take a fun walk along the wobblers with animals, and maybe even watch them feed. In general, a good idea for entertaining both small and large travelers.

Well, if you don’t want to move away from the embankment and the central part of the city, then you can go to ice rink, located directly in the open air on the territory of the popular Riga entertainment complex "Lido". The complex is located at Krasta iela 76 and can be reached without any problems by public transport. And although the skating rink is paid, the cost of skating is affordable for absolutely everyone. For children, an hour of skiing will cost 1.45 EUR, for adults - from 2.15 EUR. And for those who do not have their own skates, there is also a special rental point. This place is open quite late - from 11.00 to 22.00, and on weekends even until 23.00. And by the way, here is also one of the most popular self-service restaurants among city guests, “Lido,” which provides an opportunity to have an inexpensive and satisfying meal, which, you see, will be very useful after active skiing in the cold.

Another original, from my point of view, way to spend time in Riga before the New Year could be a trip to Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum. In addition to the fact that wooden houses brought from all over Latvia look very nice and even mysterious under a layer of snow, you can get acquainted with the life of a traditional Latvian village in them. And if you are lucky, you will become a participant in some winter ritual or holiday, which are often held during the pre-New Year holidays on the territory of the complex.

When walking around the city, be sure to look around carefully - there is a chance to see an original Christmas tree, unlike other New Year trees. And this is no coincidence. The fact is that in Riga every year in December Festival "Way of Christmas Trees", during which local designers exhibit their signature “green beauties” on city streets. True, I got excited about the green ones. After all, they are often made from the most unexpected materials, such as glass or plastic, and in the most unexpected forms. But each of them really serves as a real decoration of the city, and, moreover, a bright and memorable decoration.

Well, in conclusion, I would like to note that Riga is one of the most attractive cities for celebrating the New Year or Christmas. Here they honor winter holidays, treat them with special reverence and strive to make every New Year's day look like a beautiful fairy tale.

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

• Tours for the New Year Worldwide
• Last minute tours Worldwide

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.

One should not bypass 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.

…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. Sooooo….

• 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.