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| Riga | ||
| Country | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| The search for a province ends with the state | ||
| Residents | 627.487 (2020) | |
| height | 6 m | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Riga (Latvian Riga) is the capital of Latvia.
background
The old Hanseatic city, founded in the Middle Ages by German merchants, is located in the south of the Gulf of Riga, on the right bank of the Daugava River (lett .: Daugava).
In its eventful history, Riga, as the capital of the Livonia countryside, was part of the Polish-Lithuanian, then the Swedish and finally the Soviet domain.
From 1918 to 1941, Riga was the capital of the independent Republic of Latvia for the first time, from 1944 to 1991 the administrative seat of the Latvian SSR and finally from 1991 again the capital of the independent republic.
Today the capital Riga is the largest metropolitan area within the Baltic region. Particularly worth seeing are the well-preserved historic old town and the Art Nouveau district of the new town, which has been under the protection of the UNESCO World Heritage stand. In 2014, Riga was one of the European Capitals of Culture.
getting there
By plane
The most important airline for air traffic to the Baltic States is airBalticwhich offers direct flights to Riga from Hamburg, Frankfurt, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Munich, Zurich and Vienna. Lufthansa flies from Germany from Frankfurt am Main directly to Riga. The low-cost airline Ryanair heads for Riga from Cologne / Bonn, Frankfurt / Hahn, Düsseldorf / Weeze, Bremen and Berlin without stopping, Wizz Air does the same from Dortmund.
The cheapest way to get from the airport to the city center is by public transport. Bus number 22 runs from the airport to the city center. The tickets are sold by the driver in kiosks and directly on the bus and must then be stamped on the bus. Depending on where the ticket is purchased (buying from the bus driver is slightly more expensive than at the kiosk), the fare for a tour is € 1.15 or € 2 (as of May 2016). AirBaltic offers the minibus service (Airport Express) at. For € 14 per trip, the guest is usually brought directly to the hotel in the city center. The Airport Express Voucher can be added to an airBaltic booking. You can get to the city center by taxi for around € 15.
By train
The 2 Central Station offers local transport connections to the region and connections to long-distance trains from / to Russia (Moscow and St. Petersburg), Belarus (Minsk) and Lithuania (Kaunas and Vilnius). The station is open from 4.30 a.m. to midnight, but the counters are shorter. Lockers can be found somewhat hidden in the basement, as well as normal storage (9 a.m. to 9 p.m.).
On April 1, 2016, the nationwide tariff zone classification was changed (Route map).
By bus
Next to the central market near the train station (3-4 min. On foot, that's in between ForumCinema) is the head office 3 Bus stationwhich is served by the Ecolines and Eurolines buses throughout Europe. In 2016 there were around 15 connections a day to Vilnius and Tallin, around twelve to Klaipeda. Open from 5 a.m. to midnight, the counters shorter, mostly 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. At the bus station you will find small shops, an internet café and a restaurant. The toilets on the upper floor are a bit neat, there is also a shower (€ 4.50) and expensive sleeping accommodation.
By car
Almost the entire old town (Vecrīga) is a pedestrian zone and there are only a few free parking spaces in the other districts close to the center. A guarded parking lot costs from 10 euros per day.
By boat
The shipping company Ave Line offers a direct connection from Lübeck to 4 Riga ferry port at. The Latvian port cities about 200 km from Riga Ventspils and Liepāja be of Lübeck or. Travemünde out by the shipping companies Stena Line and Finnlines started.
mobility
Public transport
Riga has a well-developed network of buses, trolley buses and trams. The ticket prices are usually € 1.15 for adults (without transfer authorization) if the tickets are bought in ticket sales outlets and not from the driver. The tickets can also be bought directly from the driver (€ 2 - as of 2016), whereby a significantly higher amount is required. 24-hour ticket € 5, there are also tickets for three or five days (10 or 15 euros) on an electronic ticket called e-talons is loaded. Change is beneficial. Sometimes an extra ticket has to be bought for large luggage.
It is important to know that the three modes of transport each have their own numbering. There is bus line 1, tram line 1 and trolleybus line 1. On timetable media, trams are usually marked red, trolleybuses blue and buses yellow, stop signs also show a pictogram of the respective means of transport.
Timetables and prices can be found on the website of the municipal transport company Rīgas Satiksme.
On November 18th, Latvian Independence Day, all passengers in Riga can use public transport for free.
Important lines are:
- Bus 22 to the airport (direction of travel Lidosta), 30 min. Driving time, depending on the time of day every 10-30 min.
- Tram 11 to the local recreation area Mežaparks (Final stop) and to the zoo, four to five times an hour, depending on the time of day.
- Bus 1 to the open-air museum (direction of travel Berģuciems, Bus stop Brīvdabas muzejs), 35 min. Driving time
In addition, there is a large network of so-called minibuses, operated by Rīgas Satiksme as well as by other operators, some of which offer cheaper tickets, but which you should avoid with luggage if possible.
In the greater Riga area there are also suburban trains from Pasažieru Vilciens. On the route to Jūrmala (seaside resort on the Baltic Sea) and Tukums, the trains run about twice an hour, on the other routes about once an hour. The fares for a single journey are between 90 cents (one zone) and 3.10 euros (five zones).
bicycle
Riga has a clear focus on the development of bicycle traffic. There are more frequent cycle paths in the city, the use of which takes some getting used to, especially in the intersection area.
There are the following points of contact for cyclists:
- 1 Riga bikes. Workshop, spare parts and a larger range of used bicycles.
Tourist Attractions
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Riga's old town and the Art Nouveau district of the new town have been classified as UNESCO World Heritage since 1997.
City tours in German are carried out by numerous providers. The starting point is usually the Rathausplatz, in front of the tourist information office at the House of the Blackheads.
Offers free tours in English Riga Culture Free Tour at. The starting point is that Rainis memorial in the park Esplanade. Meeting point daily at 12 noon, duration 2½ to 3 hours. Registration is not required. Tips are gladly accepted.
Churches
- 1 St. Petrikirche (Svētā Pētera baznīca), Skārņu iela 19.
Open: paid visit 10 am-7pm, closed on Mondays.
- 2 Riga Cathedral (Rīgas Doms), Doma laukums 1.St. Mary's Cathedral, built in brick Gothic style in 1211, is the largest church building in the Baltic States and the cathedral church of the Evangelical Church in Latvia. In the socialist past it was only used as a concert hall at times, but is now again a church and a concert hall with a fantastic organ.
- 3 Nativity Cathedral (Kristus Piedzimšanas pareizticīgo katedrāle, also Nativity Cathedral), Brīvības bulvāris 23.The largest cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Baltic States is located on the grounds of the Esplanade Park. It was built in a neo-Byzantine style in 1876–84.
Castles, chateaux and palaces
- 4 Riga Castle (Rīgas pils), Pils laukums 3.Riga Castle, built in the 14th century as the castle of the Livonian Order, is now the residence of the President of Latvia.
Buildings
- The 5 House of the Blackheads (Melngalvju nams).on the town hall square is a magnificent guild hall with an ornate facade. Badly destroyed in World War II, the ruin was demolished in 1948. After Latvia gained independence, it was rebuilt in record time as a restored landmark for the city and its citizens. The building is used by the President of Latvia for official receptions and is not open to the public on these days. The municipal tourist information office is located in the House of the Blackheads.
- 6 High-rise of the Academy of Sciences.1951–61 in the Stalinist “confectioner style” (which at the time was also widespread in many other Soviet and Eastern Bloc cities) built. The viewing platform of the 108 m high “Panorama Riga” building offers one of the best viewpoints in Riga.Price: Entry 5 € (as of August 2019).
- The 7 Riga TV Tower (Riga TV Tower).Completed in 1986, it is 368.5 m taller than the Berlin TV tower. It is considered to be the highest television tower in the EU, and it is a steel structure. However, the viewing platform is only 100 m high. From May 2019 until probably 2024 closed for modifications.
- The 8 Jacob barracks. Former barracks from the Swedish times at the end of the 18th century are now home to cafes, bars, restaurants and souvenir shops.
- 1 Latvian National Library (Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka, Gaismas pils), Mūkusalas ielā 3, Rīgā, LV-1423, Latvia (Left bank of the Daugava). Tel.: 371 67806100.Latvian National Library, there is an exhibition or exhibits on each of the six freely accessible floors plus the ground floor. Free entry to the first to sixth floors for visitors too: they must first hand in bags and coats to the cloakroom or lockers on the right on the ground floor and then receive a visitor ID at the gate. On Saturday there is a guided tour to the viewing platform on the 11th floor. Summer opening times. The design of the building, which opened in 2014, refers to the national poet Rainis' fairy tale "The Golden Stallion", according to which a princess is waiting to be rescued in a glass castle (Gaismas pils).Features: free WiFi,
.
.Monuments
- 9 Freedom Monument on the northeastern edge of the old town. The monument is a monument of national importance and symbolizes the independence of Latvia. During the day, between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., the Freedom Monument is guarded by an honor guard.
- 10 Rainis memorial on the esplanade, a monument in memory of the poet Jānis Pliekšāns.
Museums
- 12 Latvian Occupation Museum (Latvijas Okupācijas muzejs), Strēlnieku laukums 1. Open: May to September: Mon. – Sun. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. October to April: Mon. – Sun. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on Mondays.Price: free entry.
- The 13 Angular house (Stūra māja), Brīvības iela 61, Rīga, LV – 1010, Latvia. Tel.: 371 27 875 692. The former headquarters of the Soviet secret service KGB, is now a museum and memorial.Open: Mon .: 10 a.m. - 5.30 p.m., Tue: 10 a.m. - 5.30 p.m., Wed: 12 a.m. - 7 p.m., Thu: 10 a.m. - 5.30 p.m., Fri: 10 a.m. - 5.30 p.m., Sat: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sun: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.Price: Free donation, guided tours: € 5 / € 2.
- 14 Latvian Railway Museum (Latvijas dzelzceļa vēstures muzejs), Uzvaras bulvāris 2A, Rīga, LV-1048. Tel.: 371 20 032 331, Email: [email protected].The museum gives an insight into the history of the railway in Latvia and boasts the largest collection of broad gauge railways in the Baltic States. It was established on August 30, 1994 and contains more than a thousand exhibits. Examples of uniforms, tickets, train timetables and other things related to the Latvian Railways can be seen in the exhibitions. Outside the museum grounds, rolling stock can be seen - locomotives, wagons, and other railway equipment operated in Latvia.Feature: free WiFi.Open: Tue, Wed, Fri: 10: 00-19: 00; Thu: 10: 00-20: 00; Sa: 10: 00-18: 00.Price: adults: 7, - €; Children: € 1.
Streets and squares
15 In the Alberta iela there are six Art Nouveau houses built by Michail Eisenstein, the father of film director Sergej Eisenstein. Here and in this quarter there are other art nouveau houses worth seeing.
Parks
The historic old town of Riga is semicircular by parks along the moat of the former city fortifications (Pilsētas kanāls) enclosed. Parts of these systems are the "Bastejkalns" (German: Basteiberg) and the "Kronvalda parks" (German: Kronwald Park). The Freedom Monument, the Latvian National Opera House and the Congress Building are also located within this green belt.
- 16 Basteiberg (lett .: Bastejkalns). - The Basteiberg is formed from redesigned earth walls of the former fortifications. The flowing waters formed into cataracts are worth seeing.
- 17 Esplanade. - The Esplanade is a park east of the historic old town. The spacious area houses the Nativity Cathedral, the National Art Museum, the Latvian Art Academy and the Rainis Monument, a monument in memory of the poet Jānis Pliekšāns.
- 18 Kronwald Park (lett .: Kronvalda parks). - The Kronwald-Park is a park with large flower beds, rosaries, water features and children's playgrounds.
activities
- 1 Arena Riga (lett .: Arēna Rīga). - Arena Riga is a multi-purpose hall mainly used for concerts, ice hockey and basketball events. The hall is the venue for the ice hockey team Dinamo Rigawho play their games in the Russian Continental Hockey League (KHL). Ice hockey is the number 1 national sport in Latvia and attending a game is a unique experience.
- 2 Latvian National Opera (lett .: Latvijas Nacionālā opera, LNO), Aspazijas bulvāris 3. Tel.: 371 67 073 777, Fax: 371 67 228 930, Email: [email protected]. - The Latvian National Opera (LNO) is one of the most important repertory theaters in Northeast Europe with around 200 opera and ballet performances annually.
shop
In the city center there are many shops and several shopping centers on several floors. The prices are by no means cheaper than in Germany.
- 2 Central market (lett .: Rīgas Centrāltirgus). In the halls of the “Central Market” near the main train station, you will find a huge selection of food, local specialties as well as clothing, jewelry, souvenirs and a lot of junk. The area in front of the market halls is like a bazaar.
- It is better not to take photos in the market halls, at least this is forbidden by signs on the entrance doors.
- 3 Galleria Riga, Dzirnavu iela 67. modern shopping gallery east of the old town. The rooftop lounge offers an excellent vantage point over the rooftops of the city.
kitchen
The restaurants in the old town seem primarily geared towards tourists and are relatively expensive even by German standards. It is cheaper to eat where many locals go, mostly outside the old town, but also in the vicinity of the train station and the market halls. There are also quick service restaurants such as McDonalds, in the city center across from the Basteiberg park and another across from the main train station. The prices there are slightly cheaper than in Germany. At lunchtime it is also advisable to ask the staff for a "business lunch", which means that you can eat cheaply in the city center.
- 1 Krog's "Funny Fox" (Funny fox), Grēcinieku iela 1, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1047, Latvia (in the middle of the old town). Tel.: 371 28 482 426. Inexpensive, fast but very good cuisine, especially popular with young people.Open: daily 10 a.m. - 6 a.m.
Cheap
- Lido. A chain of self-service restaurants where you can get a huge selection of local and regional specialties relatively cheaply.
- Čili Pica. Spoken chilli pizza, a popular chain whose branches don't just sell pizza.
- Charlie Pizza, at the cathedral square. Charlie Pizza Central offers extremely affordable prices in a cozy atmosphere.
medium
Upscale
nightlife
There is a risk that unsuspecting tourists will be led to enormously overpriced establishments by smugglers who are not always recognizable as such. (See also: security)
Bars
- 1 La Belle Epoque, Mazā Jaunavu iela 8 (Entrance in Mazā Monētu iela). The small cellar bar is popular with locals and backpackers; one is not alone even during the week. The address generally only known as “French Bar” is definitely one of the cheapest addresses in the old town. The toilet takes some getting used to. There is only one toilet, the door of which has not been locked for years. The interior is simple - there is a long bar, a couple of tables and chairs in the vaulted cellar. The “French Bar” is definitely worth a visit.
- 2 Skyline Bar, Elizabetes iela 55. Tel.: 371 (0)6 777 2222. The Skyline Bar is located on the 26th floor of the Radison Blu Hotel Latvija. The panoramic windows offer an excellent view of Riga's old town. The bar has a smaller dance floor. The audience is of mixed ages.Open: Mon.-Thu .: 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.; Fri & Sat: 12:00 pm to 3:00 am; Sun .: 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.Price: Free entry, except: Thursday (9:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.): € 3; Fri & Sat (18: 00-02: 00): 5, - €; Sun. (9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.): € 3.
Discos / clubs
- Pulkvedim neviens neraksta, Peldu iela 26/28. Also known as “Pulkvedis” for short by the locals, it is one of the oldest clubs in Riga. The club is named after the novel of the same name by Márquez (German: The colonel has no one to write to him). Main floor on the ground floor, Bacardi Bar in the basement. The music is diverse (indie, alternative, techno, pop, ...); the DJs are often local stars. A beer is the equivalent of around € 2. The admission price depends on the day of the week and the program.
- 3 Studio 69, Terbatas Iela 73. A large disco with several dance floors on which different styles of music are played. The complex also includes a casino and the strip club Tutti Frutti. Shortly behind the entrance there is usually a stylish employee who tries to sell the ignorant visitor an expensive ticket for the disco, the casino and the strip club. However, if you only want to visit the disco, walk past the lady down the hall to the end and buy your ticket in front of the disco entrance.
accommodation
Cheap
- School of Business Administration "Turiba". Tel.: 371 7617543, Fax: 371 761 9152, Email: [email protected]. The School of Business Administration "Turiba" also offers guests inexpensive rooms in their student residence. The hostel has single to 8-bed rooms.Price: Around € 10 / person in a double room, € 8 / person in a three- to eight-bed room.
- As a result of the hotel prices being at the Central European level, a gray market for private housing brokerage has developed. Here, the tenants leave their homes for a short time and make them available to price-conscious tourists.
- 1 Dodo Hotel, Jersikas iela 1, LV-1003 Riga, Latvia. Tel.: 371 6 724 02 20, Fax: 371 6 724 02 18, Email: [email protected]. The hotel is particularly suitable for those on a tight budget, new and clean. Walk to the city about 25 minutes. Tram stops in front of the door. Free WiFi.Price: From approx. € 29 / double room (as of 2014).
- Riverside Hotel. Also cheap accommodation outside the center. 20 minutes' walk from the center with tram and bus connections. It is very simple but newly furnished and available for around € 25. Free internet (as of 2011).
- 2 Avalon hotel, 13. janvāra iela 19, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia (across from the central market). Tel.: 371 67 169 999. Well-equipped, inexpensive hotel, cozy bar (watch out for happy hour).
medium
- 3 Radisson Blu Latvija Conference & Spa Hotel, Riga, Elizabetes iela 55, LV-1010 Riga, Latvia (10 minutes walk from the old town). Tel.: 371 777 2222, Fax: 371 777 2221. Modern four-star hotel with 27 floors. Simple but clean facility. Great view. Very good breakfast. Cash machine, fitness, sauna, free WiFi, lounge and Skyline Bar on the 26th floor (very chic and well attended, so arriving early ensures good seats), Voodoo night bar right in the hotel, and the largest casino in the Baltic States.Open: 24 hours.Check-in: from 2 p.m.Check-out: by 12:00.Price: From € 80 / double room.
Upscale
- 4 Grand Palace, Pils iela 12. Tel.: 371 67 044 000, Fax: 371 67 044 001. A five-star hotel in Riga's old town.
Learn
Work
At around 600 euros per month, the average income in Latvia is comparatively low. The price level in Riga is nevertheless comparable to that in Germany.
security
In the old town (Vecrīga) there is no need to be afraid. The police patrol there regularly. In the further center (Centra rajons) you can walk back to the hotel at night without any problems. Neighborhoods like Maskavas forštate (Moscow suburbs) should, however, be avoided in the dark.
The municipal tourist information office especially warns of thieves in the area of the halls of the central market, the main train station and the central bus station. It is recommended not to step away from luggage there and to carry bags with valuables close to your body.
It goes without saying, however, that you always protect yourself against pickpocketing.
A Blacklist with restaurants in the city of Riga, which are warned against visiting, publish the tourism magazine Riga in your pocket (English) and the website of US embassy in Riga (English).
health
Practical advice
language
The official language is Latvian. The majority of Riga residents also understand Russian. A minority of the population of Russian origin understands only Russian, even more than two decades after Latvian was established as the only official language. Most of the younger Riga residents also speak English. The German language (for centuries the official language in Riga) is less widespread today, but is increasingly being learned again as a second foreign language. In some cases, the friendliness in the service sector can still be improved (in sync with the wages paid there). Younger Riga residents in particular are helpful to visitors.
Tourist Information
- 2 Town Hall Square (Tourist Information)
- in the arrivals area of the airport.
miscellaneous
In Latvia and Riga, there are several mobile phone providers that offer a very well developed GSM network. Post offices are relatively rare in the city. The train station or some tourist centers have a post office. Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, mostly free of charge. Free wireless internet is also offered to guests in many pubs and other restaurants. Here you are 10 years ahead of Germany. A surf stick is not necessary in the city center.
trips
From here you can continue to Tartu and Tallinn in Estonia or south to Vilnius and Klaipeda travel on. You can also go to the national park 40 km away in Sigulda drive or even take the ferry to Sweden translate.
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- 3 Jurmala - If you are only staying in Riga for a few days, we recommend taking the regional train from the main train station to Jurmala, a famous seaside resort. The train only takes 25 minutes. You leave the train at the stops 5 Dzintari or 6 Majori and goes from there to 19 concert hall. A drive to the coastal town is also worthwhile on the well-developed bike path along the railway embankment.
- Jurmala was once a popular vacation spot for people from all over the USSR. Large crowds filled the streets in the summer. Today the situation has changed as Russians and other nationals of the former Soviet Union need a visa for Latvia and therefore prefer easier travel destinations. International song competitions take place in the concert hall every year. From here you can walk down to the beach and look for amber that the waves of the Baltic Sea have washed ashore, hence the name Dzintari (German: Amber).
literature
Web links
- http://www.riga.lv/ - Riga Official Website
- The city of Riga on the UNESCO World Heritage List
