| Riga | |
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| Arms | |
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| Information | |
| Country | Latvia |
| Region | Livonia |
| Surface | 307.17 km² |
| Population | 627 487 |
| Area code | 371 67 |
| Postal Code | LV-1000 |
| website | |
Riga (flight. Riga) - capital city Latvia, a city located on the Daugava River near its mouth to The Baltic Sea in the Gulf of Riga. It is the main economic and industrial, transport (seaport, air port and Riga Central railway junction), cultural and scientific center of the country. It has numerous monuments, including those from the Middle Ages. It is included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List. It is one of the largest clusters of Art Nouveau architecture in Europe.
Characteristic
Riga is famous for the World Heritage Listed Old Town (Vecrīga) and the city center (Centrs) where more than 800 buildings - a third of all buildings - are Art Nouveau (aka Jugendstil) architecture, making Riga one of the best places to see this architectural style. Mainly built in the first years of the 20th century, many Riga Art Nouveau buildings were created by ethnic Latvian architects, unlike earlier buildings in the city. The Art Nouveau style includes intricate building facades, with carvings of flowers and mythological creatures, and ornate doors and windows.
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Much of the old town was either destroyed by fire or destroyed by the Germans during WWII, but many old buildings were also spared. The old town attracted the city during the Soviet era and was given protected status in 1967. The damaged parts, especially the House of the Blackheads, were restored in the late 1990s, mainly to make Riga more attractive as a tourist destination. Another thing that attracts tourists, especially young adults, is the bustling nightlife and low cost airlines offering cheap flights to / from much of Europe.
Riga is crossed by the Daugava River. The old (medieval) town is located in the city center on the eastern side of the river. It is surrounded by a ring of 19th-century and early 20th-century architecture, including the Art Nouveau buildings described above, followed by a mix of private 2-story home districts (many also pre-WWII) and the Soviet era 5-18 residential districts. Especially in the vicinity of the railway lines, there are intertwined industrial plants from different eras, including the times of the Russian Empire.
History
Riga was founded in 1201 by Albert of Bremen as a port city and a base for the conquest and conversion of native Livonian people to Christianity. This goal was achieved in 1206 after the Battle of Turaida during the Northern Crusades. Riga developed as the main commercial center of the area during the Hanseatic League's summit in the 13th-15th centuries and was ruled by the Archbishop of Riga. The Reformation reached Riga in 1522, ending the power of the archbishops. In 1621, Riga became part of the Kingdom of Sweden, although it retained a great deal of autonomy. In 1710, the invasion of Peter the Great from Russia ended the Swedish government and strengthened Russian influence over the city.
Latvia declared independence on November 18, 1918. It was annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940. Riga served as the capital of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic.
The Germans have inhabited the city since its creation by Albert, and for most of its history, the Germans were the elite while the Latvians remained the lower class. The position of the Germans as an elite lasted through the imperial period of Riga, visible in some of the city's architectures. The Germans were forcibly evicted after the Nazi occupation in 1941–1944.
Tongue
The official language of Latvia is Latvian; however, in Riga, most of the population speaks Latvian and Russian. English is widely spoken by younger people and people in the travel industry. German is also widely spoken by tour guides.
Districts
The old town, completely declared a World Heritage Site, is the main attraction for visitors and many of the city's top attractions are found here. Car-free streets and alleys are full of restaurants, bars, shops and hotels.
Centrs, northeast of the old town, is Riga's commercial center, famous for its Art Nouveau architecture, parks and boulevards. It is also the place to go to nightclubs and hotels; The tall hotel Latvija (which is also a landmark) with the Skyline bar on the top floor offers both.
Further on the eastern shore, you have the opportunity to see more attractions in the countryside, including the Mezaparks with the city's zoo. It also includes the Maskavas neighborhood, with its Jewish heritage, and the impressive central square just outside the Old Town.
The West Bank of the Daugava offers nice parks and beaches, 18th and 19th century wooden architecture in Agenskalns, the tallest tower in the European Union and includes Riga International Airport.
Drive
By plane
1 Riga International Airport (Starptautiskā Lidosta Rīga RIX) (located 10 km southwest of Riga). The airport handles approximately 5 million passengers annually.
Many flights to / from Riga are operated by Air Baltic, Ryanair and Wizz Air.
There are designated areas at the airport where smoking is allowed.
To travel between the airport and the city:
- Bus 22 and minibus # 222 run between the airport and the Old Town, with a stop near the main bus and train stations, and minibus # 241 runs between the airport and Esplanāde, at the northern end of the old town. These buses work like any other public transport in Riga; see Riga # Communications for more information on bus driving. The journey to the Old Town takes 30-40 minutes. The last buses leave the airport at 00:05 or 23:40 on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. The bus stop is located in front of the terminal entrance. There is a ticket machine at the bus stop or tickets can be purchased from the Narvessen shop on the departures level at the airport. Day and multi-day tickets are not valid on minibuses.
- The taxi ride to the center takes 15 minutes. Taxis are free to charge as long as the rates are displayed on the car and the maximum rate to the city center is € 25. Some taxis will illegally try to charge you even more.
- The best way to hire a taxi is to use the mobile app Taxifywhich allows you to check fees, pick-up times, enter a destination and pay with the credit card associated with your account.
- Baltic Taxi runs a taxi from the airport to the center for a fixed price of € 15 if booked online or by using the meters if paid to the driver. The service to the old town takes 15 minutes.
- Red Cab Taxi offers taxi services from the airport. The journey to the city center costs around 12 euros and the journey takes 15 minutes, depending on traffic. Wheelchair accessible minivans are available but must be requested in advance.
- A personal minibus offers a shuttle service to the airport for groups. The price of € 8 per person (minimum 6 people) also includes a guide to meet the group with a welcome sign.
By train
Main railway station, 2 Rīga Pasažieru, is located south of Centrs and east of the old town, and has good transport links to all parts of Riga. AS Pasazieru vilciens serves many cities in Latvia, including the suburbs of Riga, as well as several cities in Russia, Belarus and Estonia. You can book tickets online via the Latvian Railways website 45 days in advance, but tickets must be collected from stations in Latvia, except for tickets to Moscow and St. Petersburg, which can be issued as electronic tickets in both directions.
Trains depart for the 16-hour overnight trip to Moscow every day (except New Year's Eve) at 4:45 PM with an additional train leaving at 6:10 PM from May to September. The overnight journey costs € 36-205 depending on service level. Additionally Ukrzaliznytsia runs the night train from Kiev (19 hours) by Minsk (9 hours) once a week.
Trains depart for the 15-hour overnight journey to Saint Petersburg every day (except New Year's Eve) at 6:35 PM. The overnight journey costs € 30-175 depending on service level.
Several trains run between Riga and Valga, Estonia. From Valga you can make connections to other cities in Estonia, including Tallinn. However, it is much easier to travel to Estonia by bus.
Vilnius is much easier to reach by bus than by train. However, on weekends there are connections from Vilnius to Riga with a change of trains in Daugavpils. Trains depart Vilnius at 05:52 and 11:45, arriving in Riga at 16:35 and 21:11 respectively. The stop in Daugavpils takes 3-4 hours. Another train departs Vilnius early in the morning, which takes only 4.5 hours but runs only once a week. The schedule can be found here.
By car
Riga has good road connections with Estonia, Lithuania, Russia and Belarus. Riga is located on Via Baltica and about 300 km from Tallinn and Vilnius. In the city center, you have to pay for public parking, which varies depending on the distance to the center.
By bus
There are international bus connections to anywhere in Europe, including frequent connections to Tallinn and Tartu in Estonia and Vilnius and Kaunas on Lithuania. 3 Riga Main Bus Station it is located on the outskirts of the old town.
- Ecolines - supports connections between Riga and most major cities in Europe. From Warsaw 119 PLN, travel time 11 hours. 35 min.
- Eurolines Lux Express - Convenient and free coffee. Buses to Tallinn or Vilnius take around 4 hours and cost € 15-28, but with a discount of up to € 7-9 if you book in advance. Buses to Saint Petersburg they cost € 35.
- Flybus - Service between Riga and Kaunas and Vilnius airports.
- Traveler Tours - Minibus sightseeing from Tallinn to Riga, stopping at various sights along the way. € 55
By ship
Tallink Silja Line operates ferry connections every two days in between Stockholm and Riga, landing on 4 Rīgas Pasažieru termināls near the old town. The trip with M / S Isabelle takes 17 hours. Tickets for one day cruise in Riga for one person (6.5 hours on the shore in Riga) start from 37 €. Regular sightseeing tours start at € 117. M / S Romantika provides daily ferry connections between Stockholm and Riga.
Getting around
On foot
Vecrīga mainly consists of rounded cobblestone streets which can be difficult to walk if you don't wear proper shoes. Outside of Vecrīga, most streets are paved with asphalt, although some smaller streets may be unpaved. The sidewalks are mostly concrete everywhere. Vecrīga is best explored on foot. Due to the neglected drainage system, streets can become flooded during heavy downpours.
Public transport
Municipal company Rigas Satiksme operates trams, buses, minibuses and trolleybuses. They all use the same e-ticket system called e-vouchers. A one-off fee covers travel on any route, regardless of distance - i.e. the transfer requires the payment of two tariffs. However, if you enter a vehicle with the same route and in the same direction within one hour, your ticket will still be valid and will not be charged again. The Rigas Satiksme website provides an excellent interface for planning your Riga trip. Also for routes, timetables and live traffic (bus and tram) see this mobile friendly website.
One-off fares are € 2 at any time if paid on board the driver (cash only, exact change preferred) or € 1.15 for bus / tram / trolleybus / minibus travel if e-voucher is purchased in advance at the ticket office ticket machine, vending machine, newsstand, shop Narvesen or any other site listed on the Rigas Satiksme website. These e-tickets are charged once, no deposit required. You pay the number of rides for them (even if it's just one ride) and discard them when all rides are used up. A 5-trip ticket costs € 5.75, 10 rides € 10.90 and 20 rides € 20.70. There are also tickets for 2 trips for 2 people costing € 4.60 and 2 trips for 3 people costing € 6.90. Unlimited driving. 24-hour cards cost € 5.00, 3-day cards cost € 10 and 5-day cards cost € 15. All cards are activated with the yellow device in vehicles. You must activate all cards each time you enter the vehicle. Riga Card allows the holder to travel for free on public transport.
Tram lines are numbered 1-11; bus lines are numbered 1-55; trolleybus lines are numbered 1-27. The lines of the minibuses are 200-280. Night buses are numbered N1-N10. While the numbers are similar, the routes are completely different - ie Bus # 2 is completely different from Trolleybus # 2. Tram numbers at stops are marked with "Tr", buses (not trolleybuses) with "A". Stops are marked with a blue rectangular sign with a stylized white image of the vehicle and display the numbers that stop there. Timetables and stops along the route are also usually posted at the stops and are fairly accurate. Bus routes are marked "A", but tram and trolleybus routes are marked "T" on timetables, except for tram timetables, which should have a red background for the letters "T" and trolleybuses - yellow. Vehicles except minibuses have an LCD screen with the next stop information.
Trams are generally the fastest public transport besides trains. Although they are at street level and the rails are not physically separated from the rest of the traffic, they take precedence at all times outside of the busiest rush hours. Minibuses are smaller and therefore more maneuverable than buses and trolleybuses, making them the second fastest mode of transport.
By bike
SIXT Latvia runs self-service bike rentals on bike racks throughout the city. The service is available to both Riga residents and visitors. You must have a mobile phone to register, but registration is free. The bikes have 3 speeds and lights, but no helmets. The advertised price on the website is € 0.90 for 30 minutes with a maximum of € 9 per day. However, the effective amount spent seems to be € 0.99 (October 2017) for half an hour (the first minute of the next half hour counts as a full 30 minutes).
Alternatively, ask your hotel if it offers a bike rental service.
Riga's downtown has many cobbled streets, so get ready for a bumpy ride. There are bike paths and paths, but they are not always clearly marked. On major roads, you can sometimes find yourself on the wrong side of the road.
Taxi
The best way to hire a taxi is to use the mobile app Taxifywhich allows you to check fees, pick-up times, enter a destination and pay with the credit card associated with your account.
If an accidental taxi arrives on the street, be aware that the taxi may not follow the most direct route and may use a meter fare that will charge you a lot.
By car
It is not recommended to move around Riga by car unless you need to move around. The street infrastructure has the same capacity as originally planned a hundred years ago or more, and traffic jams are the norm during working hours, which is most of the day. Traffic can be very slow, especially on bridges.
During working hours, it can be difficult to find a parking space in Riga. In the very center and in the old town of Riga and on the island of psīpsala, parking services have to be paid on some streets. In the old town, it can be as much as € 8 / hour.
There are several car rental offices in Riga Airport and in other parts of the city. You can even rent a cheap Soviet-style car.
Driving after alcohol
Driving while under the influence of alcohol is considered a serious violation of the law. In addition to heavy fines and a seized driving license, you can easily end up in administrative detention for 10-15 days. The maximum blood alcohol content must not exceed 0.05 g / dL. There are many police patrols and it is very common to stop for an alcohol test.
By boat
Boat service is available from May to September from Jurmala. Ships make a stop in Riga, stopping near the Stone Bridge (Akmens Tilts) which is right next to the Riga Tourist Information House / House of the Blackheads in the Old Town. The journey costs € 15-20 and takes 2½ hours - much slower and more expensive than by train.
Worth seeing
The most interesting districts for tourists are Vecrīga (the Old Town inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List) and the vicinity of the nearby Freedom Monumentwhich have a double function as home to Riga's most important monuments and the center of a thriving nightlife. In Vecrīga, the two main clusters of monuments lie just a few blocks apart: Town Hall Squarewhich houses an impressive 13th-century building House of the Blackheads, Town hall (built in 2003 as the last one) - a detail copy of the 17th century original) and cathedral in Riga and the square surrounding it. You will also find important museums such as National History Museum of Latvia (located in Riga Castle) and Museum of the Occupation of Latvia (closed for renovation until the end of 2018, with the exhibition moved to temporary rooms), as well as the remains of medieval city fortifications appeared here and there.
Further from Vecrīga is the modern center of Riga (Centrs). In addition to the previously mentioned Freedom Monument, architecture lovers flock here to admire the beautifully preserved Art Nouveau row houses on Albert iela and other nearby streets - one of the densest agglomerations of this style in the world - as well as even more museums such as Latvian National Museum of Art.
However, there are also places worth visiting outside the city center. Other old and well-preserved urban neighborhoods that are relatively little visited by tourists include Agenskalns and Tornakalns, right above the Stone Bridge. Further, the housing estates on the outskirts of the city are mostly gray apartment blocks built in a typical Soviet style. These areas are almost identical to those throughout Eastern Europe. However, they give an idea of how the vast majority of Riga's people live and the history of the area.
Riga Card, which costs € 16-26, offers discounts on museums and some tourist attractions.
Organized trips
The tourist office, located inside the House of the Blackheads, offers guided tours and free brochures, along with detailed descriptions of many buildings, for independent walks. The walks include the Old Town, the nearby sights of the city center and the Art Nouveau quarter. It's easy to get each one done in about an hour or wait and read every detail in the brochure. In the absence of any signs or boards in the city, the brochure gives you an insight into what you see.
Many private companies offer organized tours of Riga. Options include bike tours, segway tours, pub trips, hop-on-hop-off bus tours, walking tours, free tours, and tours focused on a certain aspect of Riga - away from the touristic old town.
Nearest neighborhood
Activities
If you're interested in classical culture, head to the National Opera in the Old Town to enjoy opera or ballet, or to Koncertzāle Ave Sol a little further north. The city has some nice parks, especially around the city canal and further north to Centrs. Another interesting park is Mežaparks in the northern part of the city with beautiful old villas and the Riga Zoo.
You can also take a canal boat ride exploring the old town on the Daugava River. The starting point is near the Freedom Monument.
Also check out the nearby sights of the Riga region, some of which allow for a good day trip from Riga due to the frequent and versatile travel opportunities in the region.
Adrenaline sports
Riga and its surroundings are popular adrenaline sports destinations that can be booked online at most hostels and hotels or at any local travel agency. Activities typically include transfers to / from your accommodation and all necessary supplies. Popular activities include bobsleigh, AK-47 shooting (40 EUR), bungee jumping from the cable car, sightseeing flights, mountain kayaking, canoeing, go-karting, golf, paintball, drift riding, husky dog sledding (40 EUR), jumping skydiving (€ 60) and 4x4 off-road driving.
Jewish heritage
Riga had a significant Jewish population during the Russian Empire and therefore has a considerable Jewish heritage.
- Ruins of the Great Choral Synagogue
- Museum of the Jews of Latvia
- Riga ghetto and Latvian Holocaust museum
work
Science
Shopping
Shop items such as amber and wool gloves and socks in the Central Market or throughout the Vecriga at small stands. You can bargain and get good prices for souvenirs.
During the Christmas period, there is a small Christmas market in the main square of the old town which offers plenty of Christmas meals and warm wine.
As in other cities around the world, you can find shopping malls in the suburbs along the main thoroughfares. While they aren't attractions in themselves, they can come in handy, especially if you're traveling by car; you can buy things you need when traveling, bring home some Latvian specialties or have a quick meal.
Food
As the most lively and cosmopolitan city on the Baltic Sea, Riga offers countless opportunities to try both local cuisine and international specialties. Latvian food can be hearty, with lots of potatoes, cabbage, beef, pork and fish. There is also a variety of foreign cuisines - sushi restaurants in particular are fashionable.
The most central districts of Vecriga and Centrs are where you can choose from the widest choice of restaurants, although there are certainly places to eat elsewhere in the city. There are several local restaurant chains that have restaurants in many different parts of Riga:
- Cili Pica, Several places (One near the Freedom Monument, the other on the ground floor of the Stockmann shopping center near the central station). Cheap but good pizza.
- 'Fontaine Delisnack, 3 locations including Teātra iela in Vecrīga, ☎ 371 67 250 250, email: [email protected]. 24-hour dinner with an extensive menu, this restaurant chain is popular at any time of the day or night. Try a big CB Burger for € 5! Free shipping on orders over 25 €, otherwise there is a 3 € delivery fee.
- Lido Chain of 8 restaurants offering decent hearty Latvian cuisine, including desserts, at good prices. Restaurants are café-style or English-language menus.
Drinking
Cafes
Black coffee in Latvia is traditionally served unfiltered and quite strong in small cups. If you are used to filtered coffee, you may want "white coffee" (with milk, whipped milk or cream) or you want a glass of water on the side. Take-away coffee is becoming more and more popular, and many coffee shops offer coffee served in paper cups with lids.
In addition to the independent coffee shops listed in neighborhood articles, several international coffee chains such as Double Coffee, phttp: //caffeine-roasters.com/ Coffee Inn] i Costa Coffee, has locations in Riga.
Bars
Riga is the main tourist nightlife spot, and bars are often open later than in other European cities. Bars in Vecrīga charge an average of € 2-3 for a beer, while bars outside Vecrīga charge € 1.50-2 for a beer. It is a special alcohol Riga balmwhich is an acquired flavor.
Clubs
Riga is known for its bustling nightlife. There is a style difference between "Russian" clubs and "Latvian" clubs.
Parties
- Easter (Lieldienas). Egg fights!
- Earl of May (Maija Grāfs), Spīķeru laukums. Medieval festival. It takes place every year in mid-May.
- Latviabeerfest, Vērmanes garden, 371 27 726 200, e-mail: [email protected]. It is held annually at the end of May. The largest international beer festival in the Baltics.
- Jāii. On June 24, Latvians celebrate the summer solstice, the summer solstice festival called Jāņi. Before the holiday, flea markets are held in many places.
- Latvian Song and Dance Festival (Vispārējie latviešu Dziesmu un Deju svētki), Vērmanes garden, ☎ 371 28611731, e-mail: presescentrs@śmiemusvetki.lv. Annual song and dance festival in July, with an even bigger festival every 5 years. One of the most important cultural events in Latvia that started in 1873 as a singing festival.
- Riga city day (Rīgas svētki). It takes place in mid-August (2017: August 18-20). Traditional weekend of celebrating the city. There are many cultural events throughout the city, including the Street Music Day.
Accommodation
Hotels and hostels offer free WiFi in general, and many have computer terminals. Almost all accept credit cards.
No wonder that the largest concentrations of hotels are in and around Vecrīga. For affordable accommodation, head to the eastern side of the old town and around the train station area. Upscale hotels are located in the center of Vecrīga and around the Esplanade Park in Centrs.
contact
Security
Like neighboring Vilnius and Tallinn, Riga is generally safe if you know how to take basic precautions. Riga's Old Town is extremely safe, as are the main thoroughfares of the city. On the other hand, some areas of the western part of the city have been involved in crimes since the collapse of the USSR.
Many Latvians will tell you that every Russian-speaking neighborhood is fraught with crime and violence. While this may be disproportionate due to historical tensions, many parts of Riga with a significant Russian population should be avoided after dark.
Alcohol consumption in Riga is high and bar fights are relatively common. It's good to be balanced and not to escalate the situation.
Tourist information
Where next
The Baltic states are compact and practically the entire region is 300 km from Riga, at least as the crow flies. All of Latvia and a lot of what it has to offer Estonia and Lithuaniais possible if you have a car. However, the larger cities listed below have several days of activities.
Latvia
- Sigulda - a city in central Latvia with many interesting castles and monuments. Probably the most popular destination outside Riga for foreign tourists, also because of its proximity.
- Jurmala - a popular holiday and holiday destination with wooden houses west of Riga, which claims to have the longest beach in northern Europe.
- Salaspils - former German concentration camp 15 km southeast of Riga.
- Ligatne - a village quite well known for its nature paths, with a wonderful nature park with wild animals and "fairy tale" forests with characters from famous Latvian fairy tales. Nearby, you can also visit the old Soviet bunker complex, which was built in the event of a nuclear war.
- Cousin - one of the oldest cities in the country. It has an impressive castle complex of the Livonian Order, a charming city center with cobblestone streets and historic wooden buildings.
- Liepaja - Named "city of the wind" and the southwestern city of Latvia. It is famous for its sandy beach, numerous music events and the largest organ in the world. It has modern architecture and a long history along with the former secret Soviet military district of Karosta (literally: Port of War).
- Valka - a unique city on the Estonian border that runs through the city center to form Valga on the other side. It is close to regaining the status of an important cultural center
Estonia
- Tartu - a museum-rich and Hanseatic city on the banks of the Emajõgi River. Also the second largest and oldest city in Estonia, an intellectual center famous for its universities and a lively student city. Accessible from Riga by direct bus.
- Tallinn - the capital and financial and cosmopolitan center of Estonia with a medieval old town. Beautiful and expensive. 5-hour bus journey from Riga.
- Parnu - the fourth largest city in Estonia and the summer capital of Estonia, popular with balneotherapy complexes and spa centers, surrounded by numerous beaches, just over half the way to Tallinn.
Lithuania
- Vilnius - the capital of Lithuania; 5-hour bus journey from Riga.
- Kaunas - the second largest city in Lithuania.
- Klaipeda - a beach town near Nida and the Curonian Spit.
- Siauliai - known for the hill of crosses.
Sweden
- Stockholm - available by direct ferry from Riga; 17-hour journey
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