Is it your first time in Riga or are you just for one day? With our guide, you will know exactly where to go and what to see (especially if there is not much time).

The capital of Latvia has a rich ancient history... Located on the shores of the Gulf of Riga and at the mouth of the Daugava River, Riga has long been a commercial and multicultural city. This means that today there is something to see here. The Old Town is of particular interest for travelers. Let's walk through it.

1. Church of St. Peter

This is one of the most significant and impressive structures historic center cities. The spire of St. Peter's Church rises above the houses, representing a kind of landmark and a symbol of old Riga. The building is truly unique, as it is the oldest in the Latvian capital. The construction of the church was completed in 1209. After that, it burned more than once, restored and rebuilt. The time of progress has also left its mark: today an elevator operates in the church, which takes everyone to two viewing platforms. It is unforgivable to visit Riga and not climb the tower, because an amazing view of the city opens up from above. By the way, the total height of the tower of St. Peter's Church is 123.5 m, and the spire is 64.5 m.

Viewpoint of St. Peter's Church

View of Riga from the spire of St. Peter's Church

2. Town Hall Square

The main square of the Old Town in Riga - the Town Hall Square - is located directly opposite the Stone Bridge. Knowing this, it is very easy to find it. In the Middle Ages, this place was a trading platform that operated a vast market. In addition, the Town Hall Square was the administrative center of medieval Riga. Unfortunately, to this day it has not retained its original appearance, since the Second World War left no stone unturned from this place. And yet, thanks to the miracles of reconstruction, now we can see the Town Hall building, the House of the Blackheads, the statue of the knight Roland on the square and imagine how Riga looked in those distant times.

Town hall building in Riga

Roland Knight Statue

3. House of Blackheads

This beautiful building, which is undoubtedly the main decoration of the Town Hall Square, was completely destroyed in 1941 and rebuilt from scratch in 1999. Initially, the building had a different name - New House. It was built in the 30s of the XIV century for various societies. In the next century, the house was completely transferred to the use of the Society of Blackheads (brotherhood of merchants). But the name "House of the Blackheads" did not take root right away - it began to be used only in 1687. Blackheads became full-fledged owners of the house even later - in 1713.

4. Dome Cathedral

In the heart of the Old Town is the Dome Square, where the best cafes and bars in the city are located. All of them, oddly enough, very peacefully coexist with the Dome Cathedral, which is famous for its famous organ. Since its foundation (in 1211), the cathedral has been rebuilt many times, and now it is an architectural object that combines the late Romanesque style, Gothic and Baroque. Today, the Dome Cathedral houses a huge number of historical and artistic values collected from all over Latvia.

5. Three brothers

Not far from the Dome Cathedral you can find a complex of buildings unique for Riga, consisting of three houses from different eras. The white building was built at the end of the 15th century, the yellow one in the middle of the 17th century, and the green one in the middle of the 18th century. They were popularly called the “Three Brothers”. In the old days, buildings in Riga were very dense, and usually representatives of the same profession settled on the same street. Since it is known that a bakery once operated in one of the houses, historians suggest that bakers once lived in the brothers' buildings. The interior of the houses is as unusual as the exterior: they are distinguished by very high ceilings, narrow corridors, steep staircases and brick floors.

One of the most significant buildings in Latvia is located right here - in Riga, right on the banks of the Daugava (Western Dvina). After the country gained independence, the Riga Castle became the Presidential Palace, and before that it had been the seat of Soviet power for many years. Riga Castle is a classic architectural element of old Riga. It was built by the Livonian knights in 1330, when they were driven out of the then city.

7. Powder Tower

Riga, like many ancient cities, was once surrounded by a fortress wall. The only surviving tower reminds of this. Previously, it was called the Sand Tower and, according to historical data, was built in 1330. The current name - Powder - it received in the 17th century, when small gunpowder began to be stored in it. In 1919, the Military Museum was opened here, which works to this day.

8. Liv Square

This place is considered to be relatively new in the Old Town. Livy Square was formed only in the middle of the 20th century, but it harmoniously fits into the general style of old Riga, since houses from different eras have been preserved here. It is especially lively on the Livov square in the summer: tent cafes open here, a mobile trade works, street musicians perform. In a word, if you stayed in Riga for a few days, you know where to relax in the evening after walking around the city.

The spire of St. Peter's Church is also visible from the Livs Square

9. Cat's house

As familiar as the name of this building sounds, it has nothing to do with a fairy tale. But the story of the Cat's House is told no less interesting. It was built in 1910 by a wealthy merchant who was not accepted into the Guild of Merchants. In retaliation for this, the owner of the building placed two cats on its roof, with their backs facing the Guild. Everyone took the hint, and it came to a scandal. The merchant had to turn the cats in the other direction. But, as they say, the sediment remained. You can find the Cat's House on Livs Square, right in front of the Great Guild building.

10. Large and small guilds

Not far from Livy Square, you can find two more architectural monuments- Buildings of the Big and Small Guilds. The first was a merchant organization, and the second was an association of Riga artisans. Today, the Great Guild is considered one of the oldest public buildings in the entire Baltic region (it was built in the XIV century). After restoration, it turned into a philharmonic society. The Small Guild is much younger - it was built in 1866, and its octagonal donjon tower "hints" at the style of the English neo-Gothic. Today, the Small Guild houses the Center for Folk Art and Culture.

11. Monument to Freedom

One of the most significant sights of Riga is the Freedom Monument, which is a symbol of the independence of the Republic of Latvia. It is located on the main street of the city of Brivibas (or Freedom Street) and is visible from afar. Still, how can you not notice the nine-meter figure of a woman holding three golden stars above her head? And also not far from the monument there is a green zone, in which the Bastion Hill is located - an artificial embankment along the city canal. A nice place.

12. Riga Cathedral

This Orthodox church is considered the largest in the city. At the time of the opening, which took place on October 28, 1884, the majestic cathedral with dark blue domes was considered the most expensive building in Riga. Under the Soviets, a planetarium and a restaurant were located here. After the country gained independence Cathedral Nativity of Christ was restored and "gilded", and now its doors are again open to believers.

Route in Old Riga

The walk starts from St. Peter's Church, as it is located closest to the city's train station.

Ever since the times of the USSR, our grandparents remember how popular it was to go on vacation to the Baltics. In the "amber land", perhaps, has always been the most popular. And for me and my family, Jurmala, a coastal city of Latvia with wide sandy beaches.

The commonwealth of the Baltic countries and the USSR led to a partial "Russification" of Latvians. It will not be difficult to find a common language with the townspeople - almost every of them will understand Russian, and about 25% of Latvians are Russian speakers.

Currently, Riga still attracts tourists, and not only from modern Russia... With a Schengen visa, you can now travel from Latvia to any country of the European Union.

Short video about Riga

How to get there

Riga International Airport is located in the Marupe region - it is 13 kilometers from the capital. You can easily get from the airport to Riga by bus, minibus or taxi car.

Taxi cars are always present in the parking lot near the airport building. It is worth remembering that a taxi in Riga is quite an expensive pleasure, the cost of a trip from the airport to the capital is about 13 €.

Get there by public transport it will be more convenient from the airport to the city center - minibuses and buses run every 10-15 minutes, I noticed a sign of the route schedule at every stop.

The cost of a trip by bus or minibus is 1.15 € if you buy a special e-talons ticket, which can be bought at almost any kiosk or in a special machine. It will be slightly more expensive to pay for travel without a coupon - 2 € to the driver in the hands.

The trip from Marupe Airport to the center of Riga will take about 15 minutes.

By train

At present, the Riga railway station serves both domestic directions, for example, and international trains.

Direct trains to Riga follow from Minsk, Moscow and St. Petersburg.

• A direct train leaves from Moscow to Riga from the Rizhsky railway station once a day. Price common carriage from 4,500 rubles, reserved seat - from 8,500 rubles, compartment - 13,500 rubles. The duration of the trip is about 16.5 hours.
• From St. Petersburg, once a day, a train leaves for Riga from the Vitebsk railway station. The cost of a reserved seat is from 7,500 rubles, a compartment - from 11,086 rubles. The train will spend 16 hours on the way.
• There is one in Minsk the train is on to Riga every day. Platzkart ticket - from 8,000 rubles, compartment - 14,600 rubles. Duration of the way - 11.5 hours

Railroad station"Riga Pasazhieru" is located right in the center of the capital, where all types of public transport intersect: buses, fixed-route taxis and trams. You can also use taxi services - their cars are always parked in front of the station.

By bus

In the area of ​​the railway station there is bus station where regular buses arrive from different cities... In addition to them, buses of increased comfort, equipped with WI-Fi, a toilet, a coffee machine and comfortable folding seats, go to Riga.

Buses from Moscow

• From Moscow, from the bus station "Tushinskaya" and from the Rizhsky railway station, buses leave for Riga every day according to the schedule. You will have to spend about the same amount of time on the way as on the train: about 14 hours. Such a trip will cost quite inexpensively: somewhere around 3,500 rubles.
• For those who are in regular bus the season is not too sweet, there are luxury buses such as the LuxExpress and Ecolines. From the station "Tushinskaya" and the Riga bus station, once a day, a LuxExpress bus leaves for Riga, equipped with Wi-Fi, sockets, air conditioning and many other amenities. The cost is about 5000 rubles, the travel time is 14 hours.

Buses from St. Petersburg

• Every day on a regular bus you can go to Riga from St. Petersburg according to the schedule. Buses depart from Bus station No. 2, station bypass channel... The ticket price is about 2500 rubles, the travel time is 10 hours.
• A bus of increased comfort Ecolines takes tourists to Riga from the Vitebsk railway station. The ticket price is around 2200 rubles.

• LuxExpress offers to buy a ticket for 2000 rubles. The buses of this company leave from the Bus Station and the Baltic Station.

All buses come to the center of Riga, from where you can get anywhere in the city by such transport as a bus, minibus, tram or taxi.

By car

A car trip to Riga has some advantages: passengers do not depend on the transport schedule and luggage weight, the route can be planned in advance, and 4-5 passengers in the car significantly reduces the cost of the trip.

The driver must have a Green Card (motorist insurance) valid in the territory of Latvia.

By car from Moscow to Riga

The distance between Moscow and Riga is about 1000 kilometers, the trip will be long - about 14 hours, so it's good if there are a couple of replacement drivers in the car.

Usually they get to Riga from Moscow along the M1 (across Russia) or M9 (via Belarus) highway.

On the M1 highway

Motorists often choose the route through Belarus due to the fact that the queue at the Russian-Latvian border is quite long.

On the M9 highway

Cars with children are usually skipped at the checkpoint.

By car from St. Petersburg to Riga

From St. Petersburg, tourists travel to the capital of Latvia through or Narva. It is worth clarifying that it is better to refuel with gasoline at our prices, on "our side" - it will come out cheaper.

The road through Pskov

The road through Narva

The distance between St. Petersburg and Riga is about 600 km, which is about 9 hours of travel without stopping.

By ferry

You can get to Riga (and from Riga) by ferry from Stockholm and Sweden. Ferries leave from the Old Town in the center of Riga, leaving from the Western Dvina to the Baltic Sea. The cost of a cabin on the TALLINK ferry to Stockholm is about 120 € one way, the travel time is 18 hours.

Prompt:

Riga - time is now

Difference in hours:

Moscow 0

Kazan 0

Samara 1

Ekaterinburg 2

Novosibirsk 4

Vladivostok 7

When is the season. When is the best time to go

Riga welcomes guests at any time of the year - places for tourists to visit are open all year round, regardless of the season.

Most warm month in Riga - July with a temperature of + 34 degrees. The coldest is February with a night temperature of -10 degrees.

The weather is usually cloudy in Riga, it is a city with a cool climate, and sunny days no more than 60% is issued per year.

Riga in summer

Summer in Riga is pleasantly cool weather, in this season tourists strive to combine walking to the sights of Riga with relaxing on the beaches very close to Jurmala. Due to this, tourists arrive in the summer.

I described how to get to Jurmala in.

The Baltic Sea warms up in July-August, the water temperature fluctuates around 22 ° C. This time is the peak of the beach season, from mid-August a cool wind is already starting to blow and the beach loungers have to be rolled up. Average air temperature in summer - 25 ° С

Riga in autumn

I especially liked Riga in autumn. This is an impeccable time to visit the many parks and protected areas of Latvia. Although the weather is changeable, there are still sunny days and the daytime temperature is kept around 18 ° C.

At such a time, it is best to go to Sigulda, visit Mezaparks or the Ethnographic Museum. The ideal time for a tourist visit is the period from September to November.

Riga in spring

Spring in the Latvian capital comes late, in March there may still be snow, and April is not yet warm: you should not expect temperatures above + 5 ° C from it.

May is considered the ideal month to visit - there are not so many tourists yet, but on the contrary, there are more sunny days. In May, the air temperature rises to + 15 ° C.

Riga in winter

Some people are afraid to visit cities in winter - supposedly it's cold, nothing works, there is nothing to watch. You can't say that about Riga. It is a real joy to spend the Christmas holidays in the capital. The city begins to shine with lights, the temperature is close to zero, and it often snows. The season of New Year's markets, fun and the traditional Piparkukas with grog begins.

Not alien to the people of Riga and winter views activities, in Mezaparks and the Ethnographic Museum you can go skiing and sledding.

The temperature drops to -10 ° C only on February nights, in other months it usually stays around -2 ° C.

Riga - monthly weather

Prompt:

Riga - monthly weather

Districts. Where is the best place to live

• Imante. Those who want to be closer to nature, who are torn on vacation between the beaches of Jurmala and the Old Town, can be advised to settle in the Zadvinja region, for example, in Imanta. Closeness to nature, inexpensive housing, shops. This, of course, is not the center of Riga, but it is only 15 minutes by train and the same distance to Jurmala. You can rent a hotel room there for a price of 30 € / night.

• Near the center - in Purvciems, where I settled. For those who came to the capital outside the beach season and want to be closer to the beauty of the city, we can advise you to settle closer to the railway station. For example, in the region of Purvciems. There you can choose from inexpensive options from 35 € / night.

• In the Old Town, prices can reach 60 € per night, but all objects for viewing will be within walking distance.
• For those who want to devote their rest mostly to the beaches of Latvia, it is better to settle in Jurmala. The regions of Jurmala are described in detail in this article.

I usually book hotels on Booking - check if there is a better price.

As an alternative to hotels - you can see offers for renting private apartments and apartments.

What are the prices for rest

It is worth calculating the cost of the trip, taking into account the price of hotel accommodation, food, visiting museums, exhibitions, excursions and other events, paying for transport and buying souvenirs.

• Price for a double room in a 3-star hotel, near the city center - 37 € / night
• Lunch / dinner at an inexpensive restaurant - 9 €
• Average ticket price to the museum - 4 €
• Average price of a guide service in the museum - 8 €
• One trip in city public transport - 1.95 €
• The price of a train ticket to Jurmala is 1.40 €
• A bottle of the famous Riga balsam 0.5 l. - 10 €

You can save on transport by taking e-talons for a certain number of trips. The same is with the electric trains, where it is more profitable to take a ticket immediately there and back.

Prompt:

The cost of food, accommodation, transport and other things

Currency: Euro, € US dollar, $ Russian ruble, rub

Major attractions. What to see

Riga is just a city of sights. There are many shopping centers and parks. Where to go first? This is, of course, a difficult question. In the Top 5, I tried to find the places that are most popular with tourists and which I liked the most.

Top 5

Riga Old Town

It is impossible to highlight something specific in the historical center of Riga. There is a symbiosis of "old" and "new" architecture, churches and picturesque streets. This is where a lot starts tourist routes such as bus and walking tours.

You can enjoy Old Riga without even going to museums, I got the impression just wandering along the cobbled streets, looking at buildings and people. There are many small shops, souvenir shops and lovely cafes scattered around the old Riga. On holidays, fairs are held in the Old Town, New Year a Christmas tree is put up, and a small festive locomotive begins to ride through the streets.

In Old Riga there are:

• Recognizable by the spire from the postcards Church of the Holy
• Jungenstiel Museum
• Dome Cathedral, where you can listen to real organ music
• Powder Tower
• House of Blackheads on
• Monument to the Bremen Town Musicians
• The famous Lyme watches

And many more interesting things to see for yourself. In any case, Old Riga is undoubtedly the first place a tourist should visit.

Where is it located and how much does it cost

Located in the center of Riga, not far from the railway station. Minibuses, buses and trams of all directions meet at the railway station, from where the Old Town is just a stone's throw away.

• Look at the architecture of the Old City, visit some museums (for example, the Powder Tower) - free of charge.
• The average price for a ticket to the museum (and there are incredibly many of them!) - 4 €
• Sign up for a guided walking tour - 10 €
• Bus excursions from - from 15 €

Riga Mezaparks and its zoo

Mezaparks translates as "Forest Park" - perfect place both for quiet walks and for active recreation. In summer, you can take a bike and ride in the green park, and in winter, tourists are happy to put on their skis. Playgrounds, cozy cafes near the surface of the lake, forest paths and endless alleys.

I especially recommend visiting the zoo in Riga Mezaparks. This is a large area on the shore of the lake, where you can see huge hippos, pink flamingos and giraffe giants. A huge number of motley people gathered an aviary with touching surricats - you can literally find them by the laughter of a crowd of tourists from different countries, these creatures turned out to be so funny!

A separate place in the zoo is occupied by a terrarium with crocodiles, snakes and brightly colored frogs, a room with insects where you can see an ant's nest in a section and a farmer's "house", inside which you can go to pet, touch and feed household animals: sheep, goats and pigs. When I saw a fluffy lamb, I myself could not resist and climbed to hug him.

Where is it located and how much does it cost

From the city center, you can get to Mezaparks by tram 11, bus 9 or 49.

The zoo is open from 10:00 to 17:00.

An adult ticket to the zoo is 6 €, a ticket for children is 4 €, children under 4 years old are admitted free of charge, there is an opportunity to purchase a one and a half hour excursion.

Riga Ethnographic Open Air Museum

The Ethnographic Museum tells about the life of the Latvian people of the 17-19th century. In fact, this is a huge exhibition located in a pine forest on the seashore. It includes many log houses, a mill, barns, sheds and a mini apiary.

It will be very interesting to just walk around the territory (and the museum occupies about 80 hectares of area), sit by the lake, have a snack in a tavern, or try yourself as a master of pottery or coinage. On the picturesque paths, I met a grandmother in national dress selling fragrant fresh pies.

Every first weekend in July, the Ethnographic Museum invites you to visit a craft fair - honey, amber, and magnificent knitwear from skilled craftsmen.

Where is it located and how much does it cost

A ticket to the museum costs 4 € in summer and 2 € in winter.

The museum is open from 10:00 to 17:00. You can get there by bus # 1, 821-826, 19, 28 to the stop “Brīvdabas muzejs”.

Vermanes Park and Bastion Hill Park

Vermanes Park (or as it is also called Vermanes Garden) was founded at the beginning of the 19th century with donations from the townspeople and is one of the oldest parks in Riga.

Highly a nice place, which is located near the Old Town. There is a canal along which there are small boats. There are many restaurants, cafes, small shops around.

There are many interesting sculptures in the park, I especially liked a huge snail shining in the sun and a monument with two closely intertwined figures of lovers.

Vermanes Park is adjacent to the Bastion Hill Park. The Bastion Hill is a small picturesque mound with streams running along it, which you can climb to look at the cities from high above.

Where is it located and how much does it cost

The visit to the park is free.

Tram 3, 4, 6, 10, 11 and bus 3, 6, 9, 50 go by the Vermanes Park. From the trolleybus stop 15, 18, 20, 23 you will have to walk a little to the park.

Recreation center "Lido"

The recreation center "Lido" is also called "Lido Mill" by Latvians. This is a complex spread over an area of ​​about 5 hectares. The main building is a mill in the old traditions of a log house, inside which there are self-service restaurants with national food, there is a place with a buffet and tables served by waiters.

There is a real brewery in the basement of the building, where beer of various varieties is brewed and stored. Evenings in the Lido are enriched with live music and dancing.

Lido can please with its gastronomic delights, I liked the food there: there is a pastry shop, a bar of milkshakes, freshly squeezed juices. On the second floor of the mill there is a calm express restaurant with a buffet.

The Lido mill rises among the many attractions around. In winter, it becomes especially cozy in it - shining lights decorate the frame of the mill, a Christmas tree is installed, and live music caresses the ear.

Where is it located and how much does it cost

Located on the street. Krasta 76.

Buses 12 and 34 stop right in front of the LIDO center.

From tram stop 3, 7, 9 to the center - about 10 minutes on foot.

A glass of beer 0.5l in the Lido - 1.95 €.

Eating in the Lido will cost around € 10 per person.

Beaches. Which is better

There are no beaches in Riga itself, but they are in the nearby city of Jurmala. You can go there by train. Jurmala is located on the shores of the Baltic Sea and is divided into districts, the most popular and lively ones are Bulduri, Dzintari, etc.

All the beaches of Jurmala are undoubtedly good, these are wide sandy embankments stretching along the pine forest. Fish, souvenirs and things are sold on the coast. There are bars, cafes and shops. You can have lunch in Jurmala at 12-15 €. Read more about the beaches of Jurmala in this article.

Lovers of peace and quiet can be advised by the Vidzeme seaside (includes cities: Saulkrasti, Salacgriva, Ainaži, Limbaži), where the rocky coast is combined with the sandy one. The seaside is on the other side of Riga and boasts picturesque seaside meadows equipped with bird watching towers.

Churches and temples. Which are worth visiting

The most significant churches in Riga:

• Riga Dome Cathedral. In the premises of the cathedral there is an organ, which is recognized as one of the most historically valuable in the world. Organ music in the cathedral can be listened to at divine services and on certain days of the month, paying about 10 € for a concert, and this must be done! The Dome Cathedral is also famous for its cockerel weather vane, which is located on the spire of the tower. Another interesting thing related to the name of the building: tourists and even Latvians themselves call the building "Dome Cathedral", and this is not entirely correct, since "Doms" translates as "cathedral", therefore, "Dome Cathedral" turns out to be " Cathedral", and its original name is Rigas Doms. The cathedral is located in the Old Town of Riga.

You can also visit:

• The Cathedral of St. James in Old Riga is the cathedral of the Latvian Roman Catholic Church. Next to it is the building of the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, the building of the Roman hen and the monastery - together they are the most important center of Catholicism in the country. I myself have not been there, the entrance fee is not mentioned on the Internet.

• Riga Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ. Previously, there was a planetarium and a restaurant in the building of the cathedral, but after restoration it was decided to give it back to Orthodox believers. Outwardly it looks very colorful! The entrance to the temple is free, you can make a donation.

• Temple of Alexander Nevsky. An Orthodox church with interesting architecture, you can limit yourself to viewing from the outside, or you can go to the service.

Museums. Which are worth visiting

There are a lot of museums in Riga, just eyes run up: there are dedicated to navigation, art and design, natural science, medicine and even chocolate.

The most popular ones are:

Other museums worth visiting:

• Riga Motor Museum, which is one of the twenty best technical museums in the world. The collection includes both cars and motorcycles of the 20th century, as well as models of the 30s of the last century from the garages of Kremlin leaders - Khrushchev, Brezhnev and others. Until the summer of 2016, the museum is closed for reconstruction, the cost of the ticket can be found on their official website.

• Latvian National Museum of Art - the museum contains about 52,000 exhibits of Latvian and foreign art, including Russian artists. The museum is located in the Riga Castle, next to the residence of the President of Latvia. A good place to get acquainted with the art of the country, there are really many halls and admission is free.

• History museum railroad- the exposition includes uniforms and documents of employees of railway stations, real locomotives and armored cars. Really beautiful old models, you definitely need to come once, the children will definitely like it. You need to book a trip to this museum in advance by phone. Adult ticket: € 2.50.

A few more interesting museums I told Riga in.

Parks

In Riga and the area beyond the Dvina there are about a dozen large parks and the same number of small ones. The most visited of them, except Mezaparks and Vermandy Park, which were mentioned above:

• Kronwald Park is another tranquil park where you can go for a walk or feed the ducks. Free Wi-Fi is provided on the territory of the park, you can admire many sculptures, for example, I met a sculpture of A.S. Pushkin with fresh flowers in his hand. The park has roller-skating paths, a playground and a cafe. You can get to the park from the center by trolleybus # 1, bus # 2, 24, 24A.

Tourist streets

There are even streets in Riga that are especially worth visiting, because among them there are "celebrities":

• Jauniela Street - Flower Street or Baker Street. Doesn't it look like anything? After all, it was on this street that there was a safe house, the flower in the window of which Professor Pleischner from "17 Moments of Spring" was supposed to notice. On the same street there was the apartment of a detective of all times and peoples - Sherlock Holmes. This street is located in the Old Town.

What to see in the vicinity

In addition to Riga itself, it will be easy to get to other cities of Latvia by train, where there is also something to see:

Nearby islands

The Daugava River separates several islands from Riga, in the immediate vicinity there are:

• The elongated Kipsala island, which is located near the cable-stayed bridge. The island houses the campus and the building of the Riga Technical University.
• Zatyusala Island or "Hare Island" is the smallest and longest island. On the island there is the Riga TV tower, private houses and summer cottages. Two bridges pass through Zatyusala: Ostrovnoy and Zheleznodorozhny.

Food. What to try

Fans of gastronomic tourism will have something to pamper themselves in Riga. After all, Latvian cuisine is a symbiosis of Lithuanian, Estonian, German and even Belarusian cuisine. Another plus for me personally: I, obsessed with proper nutrition, did not even have to pick out anything from the plates served in the cafe!

Things to try in Riga:

• Rhubarb. Rhubarb dishes have become classics of Riga cuisine due to the ease of cultivation. Rhubarb grew in almost every country house, it decorated the site, which allowed the townspeople to give free rein in culinary experiments. They make rhubarb: jelly, candied fruits and delicious pies. The cost of a kilo of rhubarb in the Central Market is 1-1.50 €. For wine lovers, I recommend not to be afraid and buy an outlandish bottle with a pink liquid and a sweet and sour taste.
• A fish. Latvians truly know a lot about fish, it's not for nothing that the capital is so close to the sea! For fish, it is best to go to a fishing village near Jurmala (for example, to Ragaciems), where you can take dried, fresh and especially tasty smoked fish .. In Riga, it is sold in a shop and at the Central Market. Extraordinary smoked eel - 41.5 € / kg, lamprey - 20 € / kg.

• Bread. boasts more than 40 types of delicious bread: there are both black and rye bread, bread with seeds and dried fruits, and even carrot bread. Price: 0.5-1 €.
• Cheese Karums. You should definitely try the most delicate Karums cheese curds, which can be bought, for example, at Maxima for € 0.31.

Budget

Milda st. Jirnavu 113a-103 - Latvian cuisine: soups, fresh fish, delicious zeppelins served.

Average check: 10 €.

Folkklubs Ala Pagrabs st. Peldu 19 is a restaurant with a wonderful ambiance, a large selection of beers, a table must be booked in advance.

Average check: 8 €.

Recreation center LIDO st. Krasta, 76 - a huge salad bar, drinks, own brewery and National cuisine packed into the mill building from a log house.

Average check: 10 €.

La Kanna st. Terbatas 5 - a small cafe in the city center, delicious desserts, not a very large menu.

Average check: 10 €.

Pelmeni XL st. Kalku 7 is an establishment of Russian and Latvian cuisine. Self-service, dumplings, salads, hodgepodge.

Average check: 6 €.

Middle level

Neiburgs Restaurant 25/27 Jauniela street - a restaurant in the city center, with a summer terrace, serving foie gras, pasta, mushroom soups.

Average check: 17 €.

Average check: 14 €.

Bar & Restaurant Petergailis st. Skarnu 25 - seafood dishes, homemade drinks, pancakes with red fish.

Average check: 15 €.

Fat Pumpkin st. Grecinieku 30/25 is an excellent vegetarian and vegan restaurant. In addition to the main dish - pumpkin soup, the restaurant serves burgers, pasta, falafel.

Average check: 12 €.

Melnā Bite st. Audieu 13 - mussels, desserts, wine list, beautiful presentation of dishes. In the Black Bee, it is especially advised to try the beef tongue.

Average check: 12 €.

Expensive

Vincents st. Elizabeth 19 is one of the finest gourmet restaurants. Gourmet European and French cuisine.

Average check: 40 €.

1221 st. Jaunielu 16 is a restaurant on 3 floors adjacent to Sherlock Holmes' house. The hall has a real fireplace.

Average check: 37 €.

Rozengrals st. Rosen 1 - Medieval restrained setting, waiters in matching costumes. Venison, shank, wings.

Average check: 40 €.

Fish Restaurant Le Dome st. Miesneku 4 - As the name suggests, the main dishes in a seafood restaurant.

Average check: 30 €.

Ristorante Felicita st. Skarnu 22 is a restaurant of exclusively Italian cuisine: pasta, schnitzel, wine.

Average check: 50 €.

Holidays

New Year

In which country is the New Year not celebrated? Every year, residents of Riga and tourists are delighted with a cultural and entertainment program, artists perform and fireworks are thundering. Fairs, bonfires and traditional drinks are held in Old Riga. Transport from December 31 to January 1 in Riga is free. Additional flights will be organized on the night from 31st to 1st until 4:00 am.

Where to go:

• View the main Christmas tree and the fair on
• Visit the festivities on the Livov square
• Go to Brivibas Square to watch the performances of the artists
• Visit the square in front of the Dome Cathedral
• Visit the Explanade Park

January 4 - Sherlock Holmes Day!

Where to go:

The entire main program usually runs on

Pancake week

Latvians traditionally celebrate this holiday with pancakes, round dances and sleigh rides.

Where to go:

• The festival usually takes place in large city parks.
• It will be interesting to visit the Riga Ethnographic Museum on this day, where folklore performances will be organized.

Easter

The celebration runs from Good Friday until Easter. An interesting feature these days is the swing of Latvians. It is believed that the higher the swing soars, the more fertile the land will be, the higher the crops and the richer the house.

Where to go:

• Services will be held in churches and cathedrals from Good Friday
• In the Dome Cathedral you can listen to classical and church music
• Swings will be installed on the Bastion Hill, contests and quizzes will be held

Victory Day

Where to go:

To the parade of veterans in Daugavpils, which will start at 11 o'clock in the Glory Square.

Ligo and Janov day

On June 23 and 24, Ligo and Jan's Day is celebrated, the roots of which go far back to paganism. The Ligo holiday is seeing off the shortest day of the year, which in Russia is called Ivan Kupala's day.

Where to go:

• To the parks, squares and museums of Riga, where thematic exhibitions, festivities and performances will take place.
• To a concert on Dome Square
• Plunge into pagan traditions and visit the house of crafts in Venspils, where they will teach you a special ritual, help to weave a wreath and learn about magic herbs. You can also visit a traditional fair there.
• Various events will take place in Dzirnau Square and Renka Park
• In the city of Kuldiga across the Vienna Bridge, several dozen people will gather for a "naked race"

City birthday

Of course, the biggest holiday of the year is the birthday of the beloved capital. Celebrated on the third Friday, Saturday and Sunday in August.

Where to go:

• In the Vermanes Park, where costumed performances will be presented, describing the historically significant events of the city.
• Embankment 11 will gather people to watch the fireworks and the festive program; on the second day of the holiday, huge tables are laid there.
• Bells will ring in Old Riga, and the OKarte night race will take place from the Congress House.
• Events will take place not only in the center of Riga, but also in large parks in the outskirts, Mezaparks, Ethnographic Museum and Pardaugava.

Mikel's Day

The harvest day is celebrated in Riga on September 29, the day when the field work comes to an end. On this holiday, large fairs open, the tables of which are bursting with farm products, traditional utensils and souvenirs.

Where to go:

To the central market to stock up on honey, smoked meats, traditional ceramics, amber and sweets.

Security. What to watch out for

Riga is considered one of the safest cities in Latvia. You can safely walk around the Old Town even at night, but it is better to bypass railway stations and ports.

For the sake of your own peace of mind and to minimize theft, you should still not leave your personal belongings unattended. In the event of an emergency, you need to call the toll-free number 112.

Things to do

Bars. Where to go

There are not too many bars in Riga, but there are some interesting ones:

Clubs and nightlife

Clubs and nightlife are not very developed areas in Riga. The capital of Latvia is a quiet city, more suitable for families. I myself have not visited nightlife, but the following places are advised on the Internet:

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

So that the souvenir does not get lost among the trinkets on the shelf, it is necessary that when looking at it one could clearly remember the place where it was brought from. In addition to fridge magnets with visited panoramas of places, you must bring from Riga as a gift:

• Amber - famous for its amber. You can buy products from it in any souvenir shop, in stalls at fairs and on the coast of Jurmala, but the percentage of counterfeits is also high. Therefore, I recommend buying amber in the brand stores of the Old Town, although it costs much more there - prices start at 20 €.

• Leather and knitted products, ceramics and wood products can also be found on the stalls of merchants and in souvenir shops. For example, I renew everyone in Riga a wallet and a leather cover for a passport with an imprint of a panorama of the city.
• Riga Balsam - the famous balm of healthy flowers and roots is sold in Riga for 8 €. You can take as a gift a few souvenir bottles in 100ml - and it will be nice to your friends and will not hit your wallet.

• Products: hot and cold smoked fish, honey, bread.
• Dzintars cosmetics - there is a Dzintars shop in Old Riga, where you can buy famous perfumes for about 7 €.
• Laima sweets - marzipan bars, delicious Serenade sweets, traditional Piparcucas and the famous Piena Lase for € 3.

How to get around the city

Trams, trolleybuses, buses and minibuses run in Riga. All transport moves according to a schedule, which can be viewed directly at the bus stop or on the website.

All transport intersects in center point capital - Riga railway station. There it is easy to change to another route.

In the Old Town of Riga, tourist sightseeing buses leave from the Town Hall Square, tickets are purchased locally.

Taxi. What features exist

Traveling in Riga by taxi is an expensive pleasure. The colorful taxi cars are often equipped with Wi-Fi, child seats and are easily recognizable in the parking lot. A ride from the airport to Riga will cost about 13 €. You can pay for the ride by credit card or cash. By the way, there are practically no traffic jams in the city.

One of the largest taxi companies -. You can call from 8500. They arrive quickly.

Average fares for a passenger taxi:

• Boarding - 2 €
• Fee per kilometer - 0.63 €
• Fee per minute - 0.13 €

The main parking lots are near the railway station and the airport. It is possible to stop passing taxi transport, but the price may be higher than a phone call.

Trams

Trams are a convenient way to get around the city. They move quickly and look modern, and they are also equipped with air conditioning. As with any other public transport, e-talons are accepted for payment on the tram. The cost of one trip with the coupon is 1.15 €.

Underground

There is no metro in Riga.

Buses

City buses are also paid by e-talons or the driver. The ticket comes out almost 1 € cheaper. It is convenient to use transport, buses are air-conditioned in summer. What pleased me pleasantly: each bus has a platform for boarding disabled people in a wheelchair, the driver himself gets out and helps the passenger to take a special seat in the transport.

For the convenience of townspeople and tourists, every hour at night walks night bus, worth 2 € with payment to the driver.

There are also minibuses that are paid for as well.

Transport rental

For the convenience of getting around the city or traveling to neighboring cities and the country in Riga you can rent a car, minibus or even a camper (mobile home). Moreover, in some companies, for an additional fee, you can leave a car in another city, for example, in Estonia or Lithuania.

In order to rent a car you will need:

• Have an international driving license
• Have experience of 1-2 years
• The minimum age to rent a car is usually 19-25 years old
• Have credit card to collect funds from her

Usually a car is rented out with a fully filled tank and it should be given in the same condition, otherwise a fine will be imposed.

Gasoline prices in Riga from Statoil for February 2016:

• 95 gasoline - 0.974 €
• 98 gasoline - 1,029 €
• Diesel fuel - 0, 864 €
• Diesel fuel plus - 0.913 €

Car rental prices vary between 30-70 € per day. Weekend packages are the cheapest: if you take the car on Friday and return it on Monday morning, the price will be 10-25% lower than the usual rate.

Riga - holidays with children

Capital of Latvia - a good place and for families with children. This is a fairly calm city, many tourists walk with children, with a child you can go to the beach, go to the forest for berries, go to a museum or a zoo.

In almost all museums, a child ticket is cheaper, and in some children under 5 years old are generally free.

Children can be occupied by going with them to places such as:

• Riga Zoo in Mezaparks.
• Go to the beach in Jurmala, take a walk in the forest or visit the family recreation park in Dzintari.

• Visit the LIDO center and amusement park on Krasta street.
• Go to the Riga circus at 4 Merkela street.

• Will go to the children's educational center "Miracles" on Jirnava 67.

The capital of Latvia attracts a lot of tourists at all times. The point is in the truly magical charm of this city, stretched out on the banks of the Daugava River. The charm that permeates every building and every street. Therefore, you should not worry too much about what to see in Riga, and whether it will disappoint the visitor. A trip to Riga in winter or summer, for a day or two or for a whole week is always a real pleasure. Anyone who at least once walks along the local paving stones will fall in love with this city forever. It cannot be otherwise.

Originally from Europe

Riga - easy, extremely cozy city where the imprint of Europe is felt in every stone. Natural and cultural beauties are intertwined here so tightly that it delights at first sight. It is not for nothing that Riga is included by experts on the list of the World cultural heritage Unesco is on a limited list of architectural monuments that humanity needs to be protected like the apple of an eye. When you step into the streets of Riga, it is as if you are instantly transported to the Middle Ages, and literally a kilometer later - to the 18-19 centuries. And this journey is worth a lot in terms of memories.

Where to start your acquaintance with the capital of Latvia? Of course, from the so-called Old town... Riga not so long ago turned 800 years old, therefore it is not surprising that initially it was built in the form of a fortress, and later the city center was overgrown with the Boulevard Ring, where every decade more and more elegant houses of the nobility, magnificent trading establishments, and various institutions appeared.

In the very "heart" of Riga, there are still absolutely authentic buildings that are worth seeing.

Visitors sooner or later find themselves on the Town Hall Square, where there is traditionally a scattering of stalls with unique Riga souvenirs. Impossible not to notice the majestic Cathedral Dome- the same age as the Old City itself, huge and at the same time beautiful. The Church of St. Peter does not lose one iota to him, and the monument to the Bremen Town Musicians located next to it evokes a constant smile.

Lovers of antiquity should definitely look at the thick ivy Powder tower and listen to a saxophonist on a wonderful square in front of another hallmark of Riga - House of Blackheads... Near Albert Street, you will forever fall in love with Riga Art Nouveau - magnificent buildings with an unforgettable flavor and streets where films such as "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson" with the genius Livanov and Solomin in the lead roles, or "17 Moments of Spring ". There is even the Eustace Hotel opposite the Alex restaurant.

Having seen enough of the wonderful Riga architecture, it is worth looking into the local parks. If we start with central park Kronwald, you can walk along the City Canal, and then, in the late afternoon, look into the renowned Riga opera of a fairly high level.

Most likely, sooner or later, each tourist will be offered to taste the city souvenir - Riga Balsam. In all honesty, we have to admit that drinking it in its pure form is very problematic - it is bitter and very strong. For those who do not risk trying it in its original form, local bars can easily make a 30-degree mixture of balsam with cranberry juice - the so-called shot.

But Riga is not only rich in Old Town. Modernity has also left an imprint on the Latvian capital - tourists should visit the highest in the European Union Riga TV tower, the height of which exceeds 300 meters. The observation deck, located on it, will allow you to see the beauty of Riga from a bird's eye view. Plus, you should take a look at the tall Freedom Monument, which emphasizes independence, and do not forget to go to the curious Museum of Old Cars, where any man turns into a boy with burning eyes. The city's highlights are the well-equipped zoo, the Covered Market located near the central station, and much, much more, which we will discuss a little below - so as not to repeat ourselves.

What to see in Riga in winter?

Since Riga is located near the Gulf of Riga, the weather here is quite extreme during the cold season. Therefore, the question of what to see in Riga in winter often revolves around weather conditions... There are a lot of wonderful places in this city where the tourist will be happy to visit, but the winters here, though not too cold, are high humidity and the wind blows to the bone.

On television tower in such conditions, of course, it is not worth climbing. However, it is worth seeing the architectural monuments of the Old City - even if only briefly, they should remain in your memory. Further, if we are talking about a trip to the capital of Latvia before, you can visit the stunning Christmas markets, deployed in all the central squares and streets. And if the guests of the city get cold, they are always welcome in cozy cafes and restaurants scattered in all corners of the city like pearls.

Trip to Riga for 1 day

Anyone who is concerned about the catastrophic lack of time during a short trip to the Latvian capital is probably thinking about what to see in Riga in 1 day. In fact, even this time is enough to see the historical center of Riga. This is not a huge Moscow. Judging by the reviews and notes of travelers, the most interesting sights for a short trip to Riga are:

• The Dome Cathedral, founded in the summer of 1211, where there is a huge organ 25 meters high - the sound of an instrument of this size is truly fantastic.
• In 300 meters from it there is the Riga Castle - the very "heart" of the city.
• After walking a couple of minutes (after 80 meters from the castle), you can wander along the picturesque streets of Old Riga, adjacent to the city canal and the Daugava River. It is full of clubs, cafes, exhibition and concert halls.
• If you are lucky with the weather, it is worth going up to the observation deck of the Peter's Church - it is located just 300 meters from the previous tourist point. The height is 72 meters, the view is amazing, the guests of the city are taken to the top with the help of an elevator.
• The alchemy laboratory, where Riga balsam is produced, tricks and smiles await visitors in the colorful Black Magic bar - another visiting card of the city, which you will find within a 5-minute walk from the Peter's Church.
• 3 minutes from the bar - Small Guild. it beautiful building formerly it was the seat of the craftsmen's guild, but now it is occupied by the Center for Culture and Folk Art. Many interesting souvenirs can be found on the square next to it.
• The Big Guild is located very close to the Small Guild - the location of the modern Philharmonic. The building with an elegant finish has a rich history, because after the guild there was a place for prayers and a shelter, and at one time it served as an ordinary dusty warehouse for grain.
• And one and a half kilometers from the guilds there is an area where tourists risk leaving their hearts forever (in a good sense of the word). The so-called "embassy district" or Albert Street is the focus of modernism. Whatever you call this style of art - art nouveau, ugenstil, the only thing that I want to say looking at such a preserved architecture: bravo, amazing Riga!

What to see in Riga in 2 days

With a little more time left than with a day trip, you can see a lot more of Riga's inimitable delights. And that is great. When seasoned travelers create their own routes for two day trip to Riga, many of them also cover Jurmala. After all, to visit the capital of Latvia and not go to the sea is, in their opinion, a little wrong. Jurmala is located only 25 kilometers from Riga, electric trains run there, therefore it will not be difficult to get to the coast.

Besides, what to see in Riga in 2 days? There is a great choice, and you will never get bored here. The main thing that everyone who has been there advises is that you should take care of the choice of extremely comfortable shoes in advance, since the entire Old Town is lined with paving stones. So what else is worth seeing?

House with black cats, or as it is sometimes called, "Cat house"... This is not a reminder of a fairy tale from childhood, but legendary house, on the roof of which there are several figurines of black cats. There is a legend that initially these cats were turned back to the guild building, where they did not want to accept its owner, a merchant by profession. A sort of "revenge" on the stubborn guild managers. And even the court could not help them - the cats were turned in front only after the eccentric master of the house was accepted into the guild. The building is in the late art noir style and is worth seeing.

The second point to visit should be Dome Square- a magical trading place where fairs, festivals take place, and where you can buy something that you can't buy anywhere else except Riga.

Hospitalis Restaurant... Having stopped in Riga for a couple of days, be sure to visit the Hospitalis restaurant. it incredible place with no less incredible surroundings, the only one of its kind in the world. The attributes of a Soviet psychiatric hospital have been completely restored here, so a trip to such a restaurant turns into an interesting quest. Guests of the city and its residents drink cocktails from test tubes in their mood, visitors can quite unexpectedly be dressed in a straitjacket of those times and escorted into a blind, windowless room with soft walls. In this restaurant, you can dine in the dentist's office, and instead of cutlery, surgical instruments will be served at your table.

Automobile Museum. If you have enough time while visiting Riga, you should still visit the Riga Automobile Museum - the largest collection of rare cars in Europe. The exposition of the museum includes armored cars, which were ridden by Brezhnev and Stalin, exclusive models of Mercedes and Rolls Royce, curious motorcycles, buses, fire engines, sports cars of the past.

House of Blackheads- very unusual name for the building. This architectural monument of the 14th century, 300 years after its construction, became a meeting place for foreign merchants, and they decorated the facade with their own coat of arms - it depicted Saint Mauritius (who was a Moor). It is also worth taking a look at this Riga building - its decoration is amazing.

Latvian Museum of Architecture located in the middle building of the complex, which locals named "Three Brothers". These multi-colored "brothers" are three interesting buildings built in different centuries. The very first was built white, then - yellow, where the museum is located, and the green pulled up to "relatives" already closer to the 19th century.

Fish pavilion on the territory of the Central Riga market- a truly legendary place where all visiting celebrities visiting the city must appear. It works daily from 8 am to 5 pm, on Sunday and Monday it closes a little earlier - at 4 pm. The place is really grand: here you can find absolutely everything that the Baltic is rich in.

• Smoked fish of all kinds,
• black caviar,
• Riga sprats - trading tables are bursting with delicious delicacies,

And every buyer takes home a piece of Riga in these seafood.

And you can finish your city tour in the unique Skyline bar - its location will surely be suggested by the locals, as it is known, revered and loved. First of all, because it is located on the 26th floor of a large hotel, and from there a unique panoramic view of Riga opens up.

By the way, the Old Town is just a 10-minute walk from railway station and the bus station. But if you have to use public transport, it is better to buy tickets at stops (there are special kiosks there). This way, the trips are a little cheaper than paying the driver's fare directly.

You should definitely visit Riga at least once in your life. To see all this splendor with my own eyes. And 1-2 days is quite enough for this, because all more or less significant sights here are located within a radius of 3 kilometers. The one who saw everything here, as if he really visited the past centuries, having touched the majestic, almost thousand-year history of Riga. This is a truly happy person.

The beauty of Riga is rich in historical sights; its appearance was influenced by a mixture of cultures from neighboring countries - Sweden, Germany, Poland and Russia. Thanks to the unique combination of medieval and Art Nouveau buildings, Riga is a popular city for excursions. At the same time, Riga successfully competes with many European capitals, as it is a city of theaters, gourmet restaurants and expensive boutiques.

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 thanks to its subtle charm that the capital of Latvia is always popular among tourists. For everyone who plans to visit Riga, we are talking about the most interesting places that make this city unforgettable.

Riga is a real find for tourists. Compact old City, many cozy bars, Art Nouveau architecture, proximity to Baltic Sea- this is just a small part of the reasons to go to Riga for the weekend.

1 /1

Everything is possible in magical Riga. For example, take a trip in time and find yourself in the past. How? You just need to get to Novaya Street, which is hidden between the Dome and the Town Hall Square.

2. New street (Jauniela)

This is really a piece of history that has come to life! The houses on both sides of the street, colorful as a patchwork quilt, will not let you look down - there are so many original and beautiful facades with stucco decorations, sculptures and even paintings (like on the house with number 1221 above the entrance). It was here, on New Street, that the famous "Seventeen Moments of Spring" and "Sherlock Holmes" were filmed.

1 /1

Well, after a leisurely walk, you can look into one of the local restaurants with a cozy flower terrace (there are many flowers here in general) to taste the local cuisine.

How to get there? Get to New street from the Central Station you can take bus number 22 towards Lidosta. You will need to get off at the Grecinieku iela stop and walk a little.

3. Courtyard of the Convention

This old courtyard is famous for the fact that it served as a "model" for one of the paintings of Nicholas Roerich himself. But even if you are not interested in painting, then we certainly advise you to visit 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 canopy of its graceful 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 # 15 in the direction of Latvijas Universitate. You need to get off at the Centrala stacija stop, get off at Latvijas Universitate, and after another 10 minutes, you will be on the spot.

On a note: There are several entrances to the Convention Courtyard, but they all close at night, so you better come here before dark.

4. Museum of jewelry

Do you want to know what kind of jewelry was in fashion among the people of Riga several hundred years ago? Then be sure to check out 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 they also make copies of ancient jewelry.

In the museum you can see both original antique jewelry and their copies made by masters, as well as modern products with national motives and ornaments. The 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 an exhibit in itself. The museum building is the former church of St. George, the oldest preserved 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 a permanent exhibition - € 2.13 (adult) and € 0.71 (pupils, students, retirees). Free admission every last Sunday of the month and 18 May.

You can learn more about the prices.

6. Art Nouveau Museum

Art Nouveau (aka modern) was so popular in Riga that it is considered European capital this architectural direction. 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 has even surpassed itself in this sense: statues, masks, chimeras and dragons, floral ornaments and bas-reliefs give each house a unique unforgettable look.

1 /1

Therefore, it will be useful to go to a museum dedicated to this direction of architecture. The Art Nouveau Museum is located on Albert street (12) in the former apartment of the Riga architect Konstantin Pekshens. This is where you can feel yourself in the Riga of the 20th century, walking through the rooms, examining 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 old heart of Riga and the center of life - the Town Hall Square - and today remains a lively place where both locals and tourists love to walk. The Town Hall and the House of Blackheads attract with their delicate 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 # 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 go to the square.

1 /1

8. Slazds Gallery

To find out how modern creative Riga lives, you should pay attention to the local art galleries... One of these is the Slazds gallery. Here you will find landscapes familiar to everyone, 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. In the Latvian Ethnographic Museum you can get acquainted with the life and traditions of Latvians in the 17th - 20th centuries, and also watch how artisans worked centuries ago.

In this museum under open air collected 118 historical buildings from all over the country, which makes it more like an old settlement: here you can 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 get back to the past and try yourself in the role of an artisan, 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. There are also buses no. 19, 28 and 29 (to the Brivdabas muzejs stop).

On a note: Museum staff speak Russian, and free parking and wireless Internet are available 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 the Central Station (the road will take just over 20 minutes). From the 13.janvara iela stop, take bus 25 towards Marupe and continue to Arkadijas parks. The entrance to the park is free.

Do you want to get into a real oasis in the very center of the city? Then be sure to go to Riga in Botanical Garden... Here not only the flora of Latvia is collected, but also such exotic plants as ginkgo, witch hazel, cork trees and lilies, and even cacti and other desert inhabitants can be found in greenhouses. 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 in the greenhouses of the garden real tropics turn green!

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 senior citizens), € 1 (students and senior citizens on Mondays). Free - for preschoolers and large families on Mondays. The full price list is available.

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 take a tram (No. 4, 5), trolleybus (No. 9 and 25) or by minibus (No. 237, 238, 241, 244, 263, 270).

12. Liv Square

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

How to get there? You can walk from the Central Station to Livy 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 for both residents and tourists. Riga Old city covers the area surrounded by Zigfrida Annas Meierovica bulvaris, Aspazijas bulvaris, 13.janvara iela and Krasta iela streets.

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 sights are located. Old Riga - perfect place for those who like to explore the city on foot, "with a sense, with feeling, with an 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 fairy tale of the Brothers Grimm. Created by the Bremen sculptor Christa Baumgartel in 1990, the monument turns out to have a deep connotation: 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 beliefs: they say that if you rub the noses of four-legged musicians, then any wish you make will come true.

Address: the monument is located next to Skarnu Street, between St. Peter's Church and the Konventa seta complex.

15. Cat's house

We hasten to warn you that this is not at all a 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 admit him, and decorated his house with black cats, turning them back to the ill-fated building where the Riga merchants sat. The joker was reprimanded, and the cats were turned in the other direction, where they flaunt to this day.

The address of the "cat's" house: Meistaru iela 10.