Riga (latv. Riga) is Latvian capital, often also called the Paris of Paris or Little Paris. Daugavaon both banks of the river (Väinäjoki), with the old town center remaining on its east bank. Riga is the most populous city in the Baltic States, with an interesting mix of Latvian, German and Russian influences.
Come
Remember that entry to Latvia requires a valid passport or identity card obtained after March 1, 1999. Driving license is not valid for proof of identity.
By plane
The easiest and fastest way to get to Riga from Finland is by plane. Finnair has two daily flights from Helsinki to Riga International Airport (DATE: RIX, [1]). Air Baltic [2] flies daily from several Finnish cities directly to Riga and the network is being expanded all the time.
Riga Airport (Lido) is located about 8 km from the city center. Most preferably you can get directly to the center of Riga using bus lines 22 and 22A.
By road
Travel by car From Tallinn It takes about 5 hours to Riga without border formalities. Speed limits should be followed, as raids are common, although Latvians tend to warn the police by flashing headlights. If you come to Riga by car, you should definitely get a good map in advance, as road signs are missing in places.
In Riga, it is advisable to park the car in a supervised parking lot and the car should be equipped with an immobilizer, alarm and steering wheel lock. Nothing to steal should be left in the car. Also check your insurance coverage in case of traffic accident or theft.
By train
About an hour from Riga you can reach the beach and spa town by train Jurmala.
There are train connections to Riga St. Petersburg, From Moscow and From Minsk. Trains from Riga After Lithuania has been abolished. Timetables and prices for international trains can be found on the Latvian Railways website [3].
It is possible to travel by train in the direction of Tartu by first going by Latvian train EstoniaValgaan and changing there to an Estonian train, which will continue the journey to Tartu and Tallinn. [4] There are also direct buses from Valga To Tallinn. [5]
By bus
In the Baltic countries, the primary and most convenient means of transport between major cities is the bus. By Eurolines buses [6] can get to Riga e.g. From Tallinn and From Vilnius as well as elsewhere in Latvia.
By boat
There are currently no ferry connections from Finland to Riga. At Christmas, Silja Line's M / S Baltic Princess organizes a cruise from Turku to Riga. There are daily ferry connections from Stockholm, Sweden to Riga.
Move
- The oldest town and downtown area is easiest to walk on. The local women are admirably adept at walking on cobbled streets even in 10 cm heels!
- By public transport [7] travel is affordable. On the bus, the ticket can be bought from the funder, tickets for trams must be obtained from ticket kiosks. Ticket inspectors are rarely seen in trams, but when traveling without a ticket, you may have to pay an inspection fee of 5 lats. The ticket costs 0.40 lats for both means of transport. The area around the city center has a comprehensive tram line.
- Bolt and Yandex Taxi are available. The most reliable taxis are green (Baltic Taxi) or red - their fares are visible on the sides of the cars.
- You should leave your car in the hotel’s secure car park. Although the traffic is somewhat smooth with a good map and reader, finding a parking space is quite tricky. However, if you park on the street in Riga, by no means leave valuables in the car especially visible!
See
- Old Town. Old Riga (Vecrīga) on the eastern bank of the Daugava and its historic, medieval quarters are the city's main attractions. The old town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.
- statue of Liberty. One of the most famous landmarks in Riga is the tall Statue of Liberty erected in memory of the Latvian War of Independence, with a female figure, Milda, at the top, supporting three stars. They symbolize Latvia's three historical provinces: Kurzeme, Vidzeme and Latgale. The pedestal of the statue depicts Latvians singing and fighting for their freedom. There are always flowers at the foot of the statue, unveiled in 1935 - even during the Soviet occupation, when flowering could earn a ticket to a Siberian labor camp. The statue is guarded by two soldiers during the day, and the changing of the guard takes place every hour from 9 am to 6 pm.
- Riga art nouveau blocks. Today, Riga can boast of Europe’s most spectacular concentration of art nouveau buildings. Alberta iela, Elizabetes iela and Strelnieku iela are the best streets for admiring the art nouveau buildings of Riga. On these streets you can see more wonderful animals, faces and masks in the walls of the houses. The most famous of Riga's art nouveau architects is Mikhail Eisenstein, the father of the famous film director Sergei Eisenstein.
- Occupation Museum. The Latvian Occupation Museum is located on the banks of the Daugava River, next to the Town Hall Square in the Old Town. The museum's large-scale and meticulous exhibition tells of the country's occupation periods from 1940-1991. Numerous documents, photographs and objects are on display in the exhibition. The amount of information is huge, even so huge that in a single visit, you don't have time to internalize everything. Admission to the museum is free, but the future of the museum depends on voluntary donations from visitors - even a budget traveler should donate even a small amount. The museum is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., except from 1 October to 1 May, when it is closed on Mondays.
- Riga Zoo, Meza Prospectus 1, ☎ 371 7518409. From mid-April to mid-October from 10 am to 6 pm and from mid-October to mid-April from 10 am to 4 pm. The Riga Zoo has about 3,000 animals and 450 different animal species. The zoo is typical of Eastern Europe, meaning the animals are very ascetic, which can startle the unfamiliar. It must be remembered that a visit to the zoo generates income for the zoo, which will hopefully improve the conditions and conditions of the animals. Tickets: Adults 4 LVL. Students, seniors and children (4-18 years old) 3 LVL.
- Riga TV tower. About 36 kilometers south of the center on the island of Zakusala, the 368-meter TV tower is the tallest building in the European Union. Tourists have access to a 97-meter-high observation deck with views of the entire city.
- St. Peter's Church. The tower of St. Peter's Church, about 72 m high, also offers magnificent views over the rooftops of the old town. Did you know that the construction of buildings higher than the tower of St. Peter's (about 200 m) in Riga is forbidden?
- Riga Cathedral, Dome Square 1. The symbol of the city, located in the old town. The church has the largest organ in Europe (6768 whistles) as well as a glorious pulpit and magnificent stained glass windows.
- Walking tour of the Old Town, Kaleju 59, ☎ 371 22126845. 10:00-17:00. The audio tour «RigaQuest» is a nice and affordable way to explore almost all the sights of the old town. 9.99 EUR.
- Natural History Museum, 4 K. Barona street. The Latvian Museum of Natural History is located close to the city center and offers a comprehensive collection of stuffed animals and birds on six floors.
Tea
- Forum Cinemas. Time can be spent watching novelties at Forum Cinemas, the second largest cinema complex in Northern Europe, located next to the old town at Coca-Cola Plaza. In a theater with 14 halls and 3,200 seats, ticket prices are roughly about half of Finnish prices. Movies will be shown on their original soundtrack, unless specifically mentioned in dubbing.
- Lido skating rink. The Lido Recreation Center offers visitors a large ice rink, a huge restaurant building and several playgrounds for the little ones. The restaurant has a great choice for everyone’s dining preferences, and beer brewed in the brewery downstairs is not to be missed. An hour of ice skating on the rink costs one lat, hockey rents the same. The Lido can be reached directly by bus 17a in front of the post office or alternatively by trams 7 and 9, getting off at the Lido stop.
Buy
Amber jewelry and a variety of quality ceramic, wood, leather, wool and linen products are sold throughout the old town. There are many original small boutiques in Riga and, on the other hand, high fashion and designer clothing chains that have not yet landed in Finland.
Latvia is known for its tasty cheeses (siers) and various types of honey (medus). Local beer (ship) and vodka (degvīns) are inexpensive and the ‘miracle elixir’ of Riga Black Balsam (Rīgas Melnais Balzams) is definitely worth tasting. Latvia is also known for its excellent Laima chocolate and Emihls Gustafs Chocolate chocolate. You should also buy natural products and preparations as gifts, or even Stenders handmade soaps and bath products in beautiful gift boxes.
- Riga Central Market (Riga Central Market), Nēģu Street 7. the old Zeppelin halls from the 1930s now serve as market halls and are definitely a place worth experiencing. In addition to the huge halls, the number of sales stalls and tables continues well beyond the halls.
- Gallery Center, Audeju street 16, e-mail: [email protected]. Riga’s oldest department store (Universal Veikals) has been renovated into an elegant Old Town shopping gallery.
- Alpha Center, Brīvības gatve 372, e-mail: [email protected].
- Barona Center, Krišjāņa Barona Street 46.
- Berga Bazaar, Elizabetes Street 83/85 and Marijas Street 13. A charming shopping bazaar in the courtyard of a small luxury Bergs hotel, e.g. Emihls Gustafs chocolate shop and Stenders soap shop.
- Origo, Station area 2. Located next to the train station next to the Stockmann department store.
- Lime, Audēju iela 15, factory outlet Miera iela 22. Local quality chocolate that compares even to Belgian chocolate.
Eat
In the area of the Old Town, the prices of restaurants are considerably higher than elsewhere in the city, but many are reasonable in relation to the price level in Finland. A budget traveler should head further away from the tourist center to the city center, where you will find cheap bars and canteens offering authentic Latvian food, e.g. stuffed pancakes. Snacks are preferably obtained from local patisseries (kafeinica).
Cheap
- Lido. The easiest way to get acquainted with Latvian food is the Lido-themed restaurant chain. The restaurants are self-service, meaning the customer can choose and combine dishes from the buffet and pay for their purchases at checkout. The restaurants are decorated in an old-fashioned traditional Latvian style and are already places worth seeing.
- Malibu Pizza. An affordable pizzeria in the heart of the old town, with a delightfully wide selection - in addition to pizzas, the restaurant offers a wide range of pastas and salads. The pizzas are a bit small for Finnish tastes, but Malibu is a sure choice for those looking for easy food.
- Small White Shirts, Kaleku 54.
- The Garlic Pub, Jekaba 3, entrance from Maza Pils street. A small atmospheric restaurant in the old town. Wonderful garlic food at an affordable price, friendly service.
Mid-priced
- Fellini, Berga Bazar, Mary 13. An excellent Italian restaurant hosted by a Neapolitan chef in the cinematic setting of Fellini. First-class homemade pasta.
- Kabuki, Krisjana Barona 14. Sushi and Japanese beer - a great alternative to heavy local food.
- Steak House Dome, Sand 2. The best (and biggest!) Steaks in town. And this promise holds.
- 4 Rooms. A tourist-priced restaurant in the old town with a very pleasant interior but no portion size. Due to the small doses and high prices, the stomach just doesn’t fill up here, unless you order multiple doses.
Price methods
- Bergs, Elizabetes 83/85, Hotel Bergs. The best that Latvia has to offer. The restaurant would not be ashamed of its counterparts in London or New York either.
- Vincents, Elizabeth 19. The restaurant is hosted by one of Latvia’s most famous experiments, Martins Ritins. A favorite place for local businessmen, politicians and visiting celebrities.
- Fish Restaurant, Vagnera 4, old town. The best fish restaurant in the city, the list of which includes e.g. trout, eel and lobster fresh straight from the pool.
Juo
Riga is a major bailout destination and bars are often open longer than elsewhere in Europe. Usually a pint costs 2 lats in the old town and one lat outside. Local specialty Riga Balsam not to forget to try!
Young men traveling alone, especially in Latvia and elsewhere in Eastern Europe, should be wary of bars and nightclubs run by local criminals. Many times a young woman entices into a bar and asks to buy a drink. Then when there is payment time ahead comes a billion of several hundred lats! The porters collect the payment either in cash or by credit card, or come with you to the ATM to withdraw the money. The US Embassy in Riga has compiled the list [8] places where such is practiced and therefore should not be visited.
Cafes
- Local cafes are inexpensive and personal cafes serving sweet pastries and light savory baked on site.
- Double Coffee. A local Starbucks-type cafe chain can be found everywhere. Suitable for lunch or dinner, good food and dishes are delicious looking, specialty teas and coffees, non-alcoholic fresh juice drinks, drinks, pasta, pizza, sushi, salads, pastries ...
Bars & pubs
- Skyline Bar. Exploring Riga is worth starting at the trendy bar on the 26th floor of Hotel Latvija, where even the budget traveler can enjoy affordable drinks and stunning views. The entrance to the lift is a little hard to find in the hotel lobby - perseverance is rewarded! Getting a window seat can also be tricky, but it’s worth the wait if you succeed. The service is sometimes slow, but there is no rush anywhere staring at the sea of light that is spreading below.
- Leningrad. The Soviet-themed bar and owner also looks like Lenin.
Nightclubs
- Burlesque. (formerly Roxy, see warning at the end) A youth-favored nightclub in the heart of the Old Town with five different ballrooms and seating sofas upstairs and downstairs. The drinks are pretty cool compared to the general price level, but on weekends the place is full and the mood on the dance floor is dizzying thanks to the big strobe lights and backdancers. However, it’s worth looking at whose side you are sticking to - some of the women spinning on the dance floor are on the move in very professional ways (and by taxi!). The selection of music varies from radio hits to houseen. Free tickets to the bar are available at the nearby Profitcamp Hostel, so free admission is possible with 'gaming shops'. (NOTE: this location will be on the U.S. Embassy alert list at least as of March 19, 2012)
- Jockey Club, Elizabeth 49. Possibly the only safe adult entertainment club for gentlemen in Riga. The (expensive!) Club next to Radisson emphasizes that it is "run by the Nordics", suggesting that they do not cheat or rob customers. You can get rid of your money as quickly as you can in questionable places, but at least it is done honestly and transparently. Admission: 10 LVL.
Sleep
Cheap
- Hostel Victory, 55 A. Chaka st., ☎ 371 28265497, e-mail: [email protected]. Double room 40e.
- Hostel Profitcamp (In the center of the old town). An affordable hostel with many rooms of different sizes. Prices vary according to season and group size. You do not have to provide your credit card information at the time of booking - please refuse and provide your phone number instead of your credit card number. Despite the slightly bumpy interiors, the rooms and sanitary facilities are in good condition and clean. For those who enjoy a backpacker culture, Profitcamp is not the best option, as there are no proper common living areas and due to the large size of the hostel, residents remain largely in their own conditions. Rooms are cleaned once a day and linen can be changed every three days. The hostel has free internet access, a good breakfast (hostel level) and you can buy beer and chips from the respha for a night of salty hunger. The hostel also offers free tickets to the nearby Roxy nightclub.
- BaltHostel, Markela Street 1 (opposite the central train station), ☎( 371) 67224258. Friendly and multilingual staff dorm: € 18- € 23.
- Funky Hostel, 25 Kr Barona Street. Australian-Latvian owned hostel. Reception open around the clock. Free Wi-Fi in the rooms. dormi: from 6.90 LVL.
Mid-priced
- Reval Hotel Latvia, Elizabeth 55, ☎ 371 6777 2222, e-mail: [email protected]. Rooms and versatile restaurant and other services correspond to the level of Finnish hotels. All rooms have air conditioning and free Wi-Fi, as well as multi-channel TV (including pay-per-view channels), work desk, minibar and hairdryer. Room service 24h. Rooms for both smokers and non-smokers, as well as rooms for allergy sufferers with parquet floors. Some rooms are specially designed for disabled guests. The hotel has the largest casino in the Baltic region, which also offers cocktails and sushi 24 hours a day. Other restaurants include the Skyline Bar on the 26th floor, Amber Night and the new D’Vine, wine and tapas bar.
- Krisjanis and Gertrude Bed & Breakfast, K. Barona Street 39 (Opposite Barona shopping center in a wooden house, entrance from Gertrudes Street.), ☎( 371) 67506604. Low season prices, breakfast included in the prices Single room: € 30 Double room: € 40 Double room: € 50.
- Metropole Hotel, 36 Aspazija Boulevard, ☎ 371 67225411, e-mail: [email protected]. Not as centrally located as other hotels, however, relatively close to the old town. All rooms have satellite channels, a minibar and Wi-Fi access. € 93 and up.
- Dodo Hotel (10 min by tram from the old town.). Modern rooms with toilet, shower and TV. Free wireless internet. In French ownership. Double room: € 29.
Price methods
- Hotel Bergs, 83 Elizabetes Street, ☎( 371) 67770900. Internationally renowned downtown hotel opened in 2003. from € 180.
- Hotel Centra Riga, 1 Adeju Street, ☎866-538-0187. Remarkably good service, and it is not uncommon to get booked in a higher standard room at no extra charge. Widescreen TVs, minibars and free Wi-Fi in rooms. Sijiatsee in a historic building. from € 80.
- Hotel de Rome, 28 Kalku Street, ☎ 371 67087600, e-mail: [email protected]. Check-in: 2 PM, check-out: 12 AM. Mainly for business people in the hotel, but also for wealthy travelers. Rooms come with free Wi-Fi, a safe, minibar and satellite TV. Paid guarded parking for an extra charge. Nice hotel on the top floor. Smaller pets are allowed in the hotel. from € 142.
- Hotel Garden Palace, 28 Grecinieku Street (In the center of Old Riga.), ☎ 371 67224650, e-mail: [email protected]. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 12:00. Elegant 4-star "boutique" hotel in the center of Old Riga with 65 rooms. from 55 €.
Stay safe
Risks in Riga
|
Riga is as safe a city as any big city, but its problem has become obscure bars and clubs that charge exorbitant sums for a drink and a women’s club. Throwers promise tourists on the street free beer - don’t believe them! After a few pints, the bill can rise to several tens of euros and when paying with a credit card, the account may be emptied up to the credit limit. You shouldn't pay attention to the throwers, and if the 'demon' doesn't do everything after a long journey together, you should throw yourself in to speak Finnish - it usually discourages the throwers quickly. See also section #Drink.
It is recommended to avoid moving alone at night, especially when intoxicated. It is also worth taking care of your property during crowds during the day, for example in the central market. Cash payment is preferred and extra money and a passport are left in the hotel safe.
Racist attacks by Russian-speaking skinheads against both men and women are on the rise - vigilance and caution are needed. Sexual minorities are also not favored in Latvia.
In Riga and elsewhere in Eastern Europe, pedestrians are certainly not the “king” of traffic. So watch twice as you cross the street.
In case of problems, you can call the tourist information line, number (371) 22 03 30 00.
Stay healthy
According to a Foreign Ministry passenger bulletin, tap water meets European standards, but due to old pipelines, it is not recommended to drink larger amounts without boiling.
Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for longer stays in the area. Tuberculosis also occurs.
When moving in nature in summer, long-legged trousers should be worn due to the risk of ticks.
Respect and understand
- Latvians are still a minority in their own capital, and as a legacy of years of persecution by the Soviet Union, the situation in Riga is still volatile. So you should avoid all topics of discussion related to ethnic origin and politics unless you know your interlocutor well. The use of all Soviet symbols and Soviet-themed shirts should also be avoided.
- Latvians are a very superstitious people and their customs are associated with many beliefs and interesting stories.
- Latvians love flowers, which are often taken to a workplace for no particular reason, for example, as a birthday or name-day gift, in honor of graduation, or even when you go to visit a friend.
Take contact
Most subscriptions to Finnish mobile phone operators also operate in Riga - you should check the prices and coverage of your own subscription on the operator's website.
Especially in the old town area, there are inexpensive internet cafes. Hostels also usually have a free internet connection. There may also be a charge for cafes and restaurants wireless networks.
Continue your journey
- When visiting Riga, it is definitely worth visiting a nearby one Jurmalan in the spa town, On the Baltic Riviera, admiring the eye - catching continuous fine sandy beach as well as beautiful lace villas. The most convenient way to get to Jurmala is in about an hour by train.
- Farther west are the history of the Finnish jazz movement Liepaja as well as interesting Kolkan horn, a narrow peninsula in Livonia on the southern shore of the Gulf of Riga. There are now about 20 extremely endangered Livonian-speaking Livonians who speak Finnish as their mother tongue.
- North of Riga The nearest major cities are Estonia Pärnu and Tallinn. On the Latvian side along the way you can deviate Gauja located in a national park area Siguldan to the city Latvia to Switzerland, where e.g. one of the few skeleton, guide and sleigh races in the world. In Sigulda will be held in the summer Opera Festival rebuilt Turaida Castle on the outdoor stage formed by the ruins. In the extensive museum area of Turaida, there are also e.g. the man-tall cave of Gutman, whose underground source has dug into the sandstone, and the Tomb of the Rose of Turaida with its romantic stories.
- Those traveling south should be directed LithuaniaTo Kaunas or its capital To Vilnius and deviate on the way to the Latvian side a little to the west Bauskaan. Rundāle Castle is a Baroque castle near the town of Bauska, and for its magnificence is often called the Versailles of the Baltic Sea. The castle was designed by the court architect of the Russian ruler Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, which is also written by St. Petersburg Hermitage. Rundale Castle is now partly a museum, partly a representation space. The castle baroque park is also open to visitors.
- You can get east from Vilnius To MinskTo Belarus. There are several buses from Riga to Belarus and you can also get to Minsk by plane on Air Baltic.
- Latvia's second largest city Daugavpils (Väinänlinna) Riga is easily accessible by train or bus.
- The city's only passenger ferry connection runs from Riga To Stockholm.
- Aizkraukle is located 90 kilometers southeast of Riga.
| this is useful article. It could be used, but it doesn’t compare to a travel guide. Dive in and help make it recommended! |