What to see in Riga? What to see in Riga in three days - day two: creative quarters, Jurmala and the Victory Monument. What to do in Riga.

Since the times of the USSR, our grandparents remember how popular it was to go on vacation to the Baltic states. In the “amber land”, perhaps, the most popular has always been. And Jurmala, a coastal city in Latvia with wide sandy beaches, has always been shrouded in a separate romantic aura for me and my family.

The Commonwealth of the Baltic countries and the USSR led to a partial “Russification” of Latvians. Finding a common language with the townspeople will not be difficult - almost every one of them will understand Russian speech, 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 in the European Union.

Short video about Riga

How to get there

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

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

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

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

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

By train

Currently, the Riga railway station serves both domestic routes, for example, and international trains.

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

• A direct train departs from Moscow to Riga from Rizhsky Station once a day. The cost of a general carriage is from 4,500 rubles, a reserved seat - from 8,500 rubles, a compartment - 13,500 rubles. The duration of the trip is about 16.5 hours.
• A train departs from St. Petersburg to Riga from Vitebsk Station once a day. The cost of a reserved seat starts from 7,500 rubles, a coupe - from 11,086 rubles. The train will spend 16 hours on the way.
• In Minsk, one train goes to Riga every day. A reserved seat ticket - from 8,000 rubles, a compartment ticket - 14,600 rubles. Travel duration - 11.5 hours

The Riga Passenger railway station is located right in the center of the capital, where all types of public transport intersect: buses, minibuses and trams. You can also use taxi services - their cars are always parked in front of the station.

By bus

Near the railway station there is a bus station where regular buses from different cities arrive. In addition to them, luxury buses, equipped with WI-Fi, a toilet, a coffee machine and comfortable reclining seats, travel to Riga.

Buses from Moscow

• From Moscow, from the Tushinskaya bus station and from the Rizhsky station, buses depart daily to Riga on schedule. You will have to spend about the same amount of time on the road as on the train: about 14 hours. Such a trip will cost very little: about 3,500 rubles.
• For those who do not have too much fun on a regular bus, there are luxury buses such as LuxExpress and Ecolines. From the Tushinskaya station and the Riga bus station, a LuxExpress bus departs to Riga once a day, equipped with Wi-Fi, sockets, air conditioning and many other amenities. The cost is about 5,000 rubles, travel time is 14 hours.

Buses from St. Petersburg

• Every day you can go to Riga from St. Petersburg by regular bus according to the schedule. Buses depart from Bus Station No. 2, Obvodny Kanal station. The ticket price is about 2,500 rubles, travel time is 10 hours.
• Ecolines luxury bus takes tourists to Riga from Vitebsk railway station. The ticket price is around 2200 rubles.

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

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

By car

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

The driver must have a Green Card (motorist insurance) valid in 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 highway (through Russia) or M9 (through Belarus).

Along the M1 highway

Motorists often choose the route through Belarus because the queue at the Russian-Latvian border can be quite long.

Along the M9 highway

Cars with children are usually allowed to pass through the checkpoint without queuing.

By car from St. Petersburg to Riga

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

Road through Pskov

Road through Narva

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

By ferry

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

Clue:

Riga - the time is now

Hour difference:

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.

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

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

Riga in summer

In summer, the weather in Riga is pleasant and not hot; during this season, tourists tend to combine walking to the sights of Riga with relaxing on the beaches of nearby 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 22ºС. This time is the peak of the beach season; from mid-August the cool wind begins to blow and the beach chairs have to be folded up. The average air temperature in summer is 25ºС

Riga in autumn

I especially liked Riga in the fall. This is the perfect time to visit Latvia's many parks and protected areas. Although the weather is changeable, there are still sunny days and the daytime temperature stays around 18ºC.

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 considered to be from September to November.

Riga in spring

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

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

Riga in winter

Some are afraid to visit cities in winter - supposedly it’s cold, nothing works, there’s nothing to see. The same cannot be said about Riga. Spending the Christmas holidays in the capital is a real joy. The city begins to glow with lights, the temperature is close to zero, and it often snows. The season of New Year's fairs, fun and traditional Piparkukas cookies with grog begins.

Riga residents are no strangers to winter activities; in Mežaparks and the Ethnographic Museum you can go skiing and sledding.

The temperature drops to -10ºС only on February nights; in other months it usually stays around -2ºС.

Riga - weather by month

Clue:

Riga - weather by month

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 Zadvinya region, for example in Imanta. Close to nature, inexpensive housing, shops. This, of course, is not the center of Riga, but it is only 15 minutes away by train and the same to Jurmala. You can rent a hotel room there for a price starting from 30 €/night.

• Near the center - in Purvciems, where I settled. For those who come to the capital outside of the beach season and want to be closer to the beauty of the city, we can advise you to stay closer to the railway station. For example, in the Purvciems area. There you can choose 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 vacation mostly to the beaches of Latvia, it is better to settle in Jurmala. The districts of Jurmala are described in detail in this article.

I usually book hotels on Booking -, check if there is a more attractive price somewhere.

As an alternative to hotels, you can look at offers for renting private apartments and apartments.

What are the prices for holidays?

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 purchasing souvenirs.

• Price for a double room in a 3 star hotel, close to the city center - 37 €/night
• Lunch/dinner in an inexpensive restaurant - 9€
• The average price of a ticket to the museum is 4€
• The average price for a guide in the museum is 8€
• One trip on 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-tickets for a certain number of trips. The same is true with trains, where it is more profitable to buy a ticket there and back.

Clue:

Cost of food, accommodation, transportation and other things

Currency: Euro, € US Dollar, $ Russian Ruble, Rub

Main attractions. What to see

Riga is simply a city of attractions. 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 select the places that are most popular among tourists and which I liked the most.

Top 5

Riga Old Town

It is impossible to single out anything specific in the historical center of Riga. There is a symbiosis of “old” and “new” architecture, churches and picturesque streets. Many tourist routes such as bus and walking tours start here.

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

In Old Riga there is:

• Recognizable by its spire from postcards, the Church of St.
• Young Gendstil Museum
• Dome Cathedral, where you can listen to real organ music
• Powder Tower
• House of the Blackheads
• Monument to the Bremen Musicians
• Famous Lime clock

And many more interesting things that are worth seeing for yourself. In any case, Old Riga is definitely the first place a tourist should visit.

Where is it located and how much does it cost?

Located in the center of Riga, near the railway station. Minibuses, buses and trams of all directions meet at the railway station, from where it is a stone's throw to the Old Town.

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

Riga Mezaparks and its zoo

Mežapark translates as “Forest Park” - an excellent place for both relaxing walks and active recreation. In summer you can take a bike there and ride around the green park, and in winter tourists are happy to put on skis. Children's 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 lake where you can see huge hippos, pink flamingos and giant giraffes. A huge number of diverse people gathered in an enclosure with touching meerkats - 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 special place in the zoo is occupied by a terrarium with crocodiles, snakes and bright frogs, a room with insects, where you can see a cross-section of an ant’s nest, and a farmer’s “house”, where you can go inside to pet, touch and feed farm animals: sheep, goats and pigs. When I saw the fluffy lamb, I couldn’t resist myself and went 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 child ticket is 4 €, children under 4 years old are admitted free of charge, it is possible 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 17th-19th centuries. 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 clothes, selling fragrant fresh pies.

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

Where is it located and how much does it cost?

The cost of a ticket to the museum is 4€ in summer and 2€ in winter.

The museum is open from 10:00 to 17:00. You can get there by bus No. 1, 821-826, 19, 28 to the “Brīvdabas muzejs” stop.

Vermansky Park and Bastion Hill Park

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

A very beautiful place, which is located near the Old Town. There is a canal along which small boats sail. There are many restaurants, cafes, and small shops around.

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

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

Where is it located and how much does it cost?

Visiting the park is free.

Trams 3, 4, 6, 10, 11 and buses 3, 6, 9, 50 go past Vermansky Park. From trolleybus stops 15, 18, 20, 23 you will have to walk a bit to the park.

Recreation center "Lido"

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

In the basement of the building there is a real brewery where various types of beer are brewed and stored. Evenings at the Lido are decorated with live music and dancing.

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

The Lido Mill stands tall among the many attractions around. In winter, it becomes especially cozy - shining lights decorate the mill's frame, 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 directly opposite the LIDO center.

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

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

Eating at Lido will cost around 10€ per person.

Beaches. Which ones are better

There are no beaches in Riga itself, but there are some 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 being Bulduri, Dzintari and.

All the beaches of Jurmala are undoubtedly good; they are wide sandy mounds stretching along a pine forest. On the coast they sell fish, souvenirs and things. Bars, cafes and shops are open. You can have lunch in Jurmala for 12-15 €. Read more about the beaches of Jurmala in this article.

Those who love peace and quiet can recommend the Vidzeme seaside (includes the cities of Saulkrasti, Salacgriva, Ainaži, Limbazi), where the rocky shore is combined with the sandy one. Vzmorye is located on the other side of Riga and can also boast picturesque seaside meadows equipped with bird watching towers.

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

The most significant churches in Riga:

• Riga Dome Cathedral. The cathedral houses an organ that is recognized as one of the most historically valuable in the world. You can listen to organ music in the cathedral during services and on certain dates of the month, paying about 10 € for the concert and this is a must do! The Dome Cathedral is also famous for its cockerel weathervane, 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” is translated as “cathedral”, so “Dome Cathedral” turns out to be “Cathedral 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 curi and the monastery - together they are the most important center of Catholicism in the country. I haven’t been there myself; the entry price is not mentioned on the Internet.

• Riga Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ. Previously, the cathedral building housed a planetarium and a restaurant, but after restoration it was decided to give it back to Orthodox believers. It looks very colorful from the outside! Entrance to the temple is free, but you can make a donation.

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

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

There are a lot of museums in Riga, it’s simply amazing: there are ones dedicated to navigation, art and design, natural science, medicine and even chocolate.

The most popular of them:

What other museums are 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 figures - Khrushchev, Brezhnev and others. Until the summer of 2016, the museum is closed for reconstruction; ticket prices can be found on their official website.

• Latvian National Museum of Art - The museum contains approximately 52,000 exhibits of Latvian and foreign art, including Russian artists. The museum is located in 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.

• Museum of the History of the Railway - the exhibition includes uniforms and documents of railway station employees, 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€.

I talked about several more interesting museums in 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 for Mezaparks and Vermand Park, which were mentioned above:

• Kronvalda Park is another calm park where you can go for a walk or feed the ducks. The park provides free Wi-Fi, you can admire many sculptures; for example, I came across a sculpture of A.S. Pushkin with fresh flowers in his hand. The park has roller skating tracks, a children's playground and a cafe. You can get to the park from the center by trolleybus No. 1, bus No. 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 remind you of anything? After all, it was on this street that there was a safe house, the flower in the window of which should have been noticed by Professor Pleischner from “17 Moments of Spring”. On the same street was the apartment of the detective of all times - Sherlock Holmes. This street is located in the Old Town.

What to see in the area

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 are:

• Kipsala Island is an elongated island, which is located close to the Cable-stayed Bridge. The island houses the campus and building of the Riga Technical University.
• Zatyusala Island or "Hare Island" is the smallest and longest island. The island is home to the Riga TV Tower, private houses and dachas. There are two bridges across 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, didn’t even have to pick anything out of the plates served in the cafe!

What to try in Riga:

• Rhubarb. Rhubarb dishes have become a classic in Riga cuisine due to its ease of cultivation. Rhubarb grew in almost every dacha; it decorated the plot, which allowed the townspeople to give free rein to culinary experiments. Rhubarb is used to make jelly, candied fruits and delicious pies. The cost of a kilo of rhubarb at the Central Market is 1-1.50 €. I recommend that wine lovers not be afraid and buy an unusual bottle with pink liquid and a sweet and sour taste.
• 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, Ragaciems), where you can get dried, fresh and especially tasty smoked fish. In Riga, it is sold in stores and at the Central Market. Extraordinarily delicious smoked eel 41.5 €/kg, lamprey 20 €/kg.

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

Budget

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

Average bill: 10€.

Folkklubs Ala Pagrabs st. Peldu 19 - a restaurant with a wonderful ambiance, a large selection of beer, you need to book a table in advance.

Average bill: 8€.

Recreation center LIDO st. Krasta, 76 - a huge salad bar, drinks, its own brewery and national cuisine, packed into a log mill building.

Average bill: 10€.

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

Average bill: 10€.

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

Average bill: 6€.

Mid-level

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

Average bill: 17€.

Average bill: 14€.

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

Average bill: 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, and falafel.

Average bill: 12€.

Melnā Bite st. Audeyu 13 - mussels, desserts, wine list, beautiful presentation of dishes. At Black Bee, they especially recommend trying the beef tongue.

Average bill: 12€.

Expensive

Vincent's st. Elizabeth 19 is one of the best gourmet restaurants. Exquisite dishes of European and French cuisine.

Average bill: 40€.

1221 st. Jaunielu 16 - a restaurant on 3 floors next to the house of Sherlock Holmes. There is a real fireplace in the hall.

Average bill: 37€.

Rozengrals st. Rosena 1 - discreet medieval setting, waiters in appropriate costumes. Venison, shank, wings.

Average bill: 40€.

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

Average bill: 30€.

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

Average bill: 50€.

Holidays

New Year

Which country doesn't celebrate New Year? Every year, Riga residents and tourists are delighted with a cultural and entertainment program, artists perform and fireworks roar. In Old Riga, fairs are held, bonfires are lit and traditional drinks are served. Transport from December 31 and January 1 in Riga is free. Additional flights will be organized on the night from 1st 31st to 4:00am.

Where to go:

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

January 4 is Sherlock Holmes Day!

Where to go:

The entire main program usually takes place on

Maslenitsa

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 Day. An interesting feature these days is that Latvians ride on swings. It is believed that the higher the swing flies, 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, competitions and quizzes will be held

Victory Day

Where to go:

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

Ligo and Jan's Day

On June 23 and 24, the holiday of Ligo and Jan's Day is celebrated, the roots of which go deep into paganism. The Ligo holiday is a farewell to the shortest day of the year, which in Russia is called Ivan Kupala 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 you weave a wreath and learn about magic herbs. You can also visit a traditional fair there.
• Various events will be held at Dzirnau Square and Renka Park
• In the city of Kuldiga, several dozen people will gather across the Vienna Bridge for a “naked run”

City birthday

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

Where to go:

• To Vermansky Park, where costume performances will be presented describing 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 set there.
• Bells will ring in Old Riga, and the OKarte night race will take place from the Congress House.
• The events will take place not only in the center of Riga, but also in large parks in the outskirts, Mežaparks, the Ethnographic Museum and Pardaugava.

Miquel's Day

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

Where to go:

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

Safety. 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’s better to bypass the train stations and ports.

For the sake of your own peace of mind and to keep theft to a minimum, you should still not leave 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 a few interesting ones:

Clubs and nightlife

Clubs and nightlife are not a very developed area in Riga. The capital of Latvia is a quiet city, more suitable for family holidays. I haven’t visited nightlife establishments myself, but the following places are recommended on the Internet:

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

In order for the souvenir not to get lost among the trinkets on the shelf, it is necessary that when you look at it you can clearly remember the place from where it was brought. In addition to refrigerator magnets with panoramas of places visited, you should definitely bring as a gift from Riga:

• Amber - famous for its amber. You can buy products made from it in any souvenir shop, in stalls at fairs and on the coast of Jurmala, but there is a high percentage of you running into fakes. Therefore, I recommend buying amber in branded stores in 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 merchant stalls and in souvenir shops. For example, every time I renew my wallet and leather passport cover in Riga with an imprint of the city’s panorama.
• Riga balsam - a famous balm made from healthy flowers and roots is sold in Riga for 8 €. You can take several 100ml souvenir bottles as a gift - it will be nice for your friends and won’t hurt your wallet.

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

How to get around the city

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

All transport intersects at the central point of the capital - the Riga railway station. It's easy to change routes there.

In the Old Town of Riga, tourist sightseeing buses depart from Town Hall Square; tickets can be purchased locally.

Taxi. What features exist

Getting around in Riga by taxi is an expensive pleasure. Bright taxi cars are often equipped with a Wi-Fi system, child seats and are easily recognized in the parking lot. A ride from the airport to Riga will cost about 13€. You can pay for your transport trip by credit card or cash. By the way, there are practically no traffic jams in the city.

One of the largest companies involved in transportation is. You can call from 8500. They arrive quickly.

Average fares for passenger taxis:

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

The main parking lots are near the railway station and the airport. You can hail a passing taxi, but the price may be higher than calling by phone.

Trams

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

Metro

There is no metro in Riga.

Buses

City buses are also paid by e-talons or driver. The coupon is cheaper by almost 1 €. Using transport is convenient; buses have air conditioning in summer. What pleasantly pleased me: each bus has a platform for boarding disabled people in wheelchairs; the driver gets out and helps the passenger take a special seat in the transport.

For the convenience of citizens and tourists, a night bus runs every hour at night, costing 2 € with payment to the driver.

There are also minibuses that are paid for as well.

Transport rental

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

In order to rent a car you will need:

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

Typically, a rental car is given with a fully filled tank and must be returned in the same condition, otherwise a fine will be imposed.

Gasoline prices in Riga from Statoil for February 2016:

• 95 petrol - 0.974€
• 98 petrol - 1,029€
• Diesel fuel - 0,864€
• Diesel 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 regular rate.

Riga - holidays with children

The capital of Latvia is also a good place to relax 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 to pick berries, go to a museum or zoo.

In almost all museums, a child's ticket is cheaper, and some children under 5 years old are admitted free of charge.

You can keep your children busy by taking them to places such as:

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

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

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

We select popular tourist cities and create our own walking route along them, which allows you to get to know the city, see the main attractions and feel the spirit. Based on personal experience, proven museums, institutions and recommendations. Where to go, what to see, how to get there. So, the first route plan was. This time we decided to go to the close and beloved capital of Latvia - Riga.

Firstly, getting to Riga has become convenient - there are LuxExpress night buses, which often offer discounts and promotions, organizing big sales. And it’s nice to travel on a comfortable bus at night. Secondly, Riga can become an ideal “transshipment” point for planning a further trip. Don’t forget that from here you can fly cheaply with airBaltic to Milan, Munich, Vienna, Paris or Prague, or even to beach resorts. Therefore, spending a day or two in Riga, armed with useful information, is a very pleasant experience.

So, for those arriving by bus, getting to know the city begins at the bus station, located a 10-minute walk from the Old Town. The platforms offer views of the unique hangars of the Riga Central Market. By the way, add it to your plan, because you can really feel the atmosphere of the city there - fish rows, cheese counters, meat delicacies - and you can eat delicious and natural products and save on dinners in restaurants.

If you need to meet someone or are lost, look for the Laima clock (LAIMA), which is located at the entrance to the Old Town. Next to them is the Freedom Monument and from them begins the wide Brivibas Avenue (Freedom Avenue). To the left of the Freedom Monument you can take a break in the park and watch the life of the local residents. And if you are in Riga in the summer, then it’s time to go to .

And if you want something sweet, then you should go straight to Chocolate museum at the Laima factory, which is located a 20-minute walk from the Laima clock along Brivibas Avenue (address: Miera street, 22). Here, in an interactive form, people young and old will find it interesting and fun to learn facts, mix virtual ingredients and make marshmallows or Pineapple candies. Take all the photographs there as a souvenir - at the end of the excursion they will be available to you using the barcode of the entrance ticket on the museum website. And they give you a chocolate bar as a souvenir, on which you can write your own wish or indicate the name of who you will give it to.

At all, walk around Riga It’s very pleasant because the city is filled with everything you need for any type of vacation. For young people- and vibrant nightlife, concerts and festivals, unusual events and competitions. For adults- from spa hotels and relaxation to fashionable restaurants, discos, concert halls, the Opera or a boat trip along the Daugava. For children- an abundance of children's entertainment, recreational parks, exercise equipment, entertainment events and performances. Therefore, it is better to plan a visit to Riga for at least two days, and then after spending a couple of hours there, you will understand that this city secretly makes you fall in love with itself and scatters networks of affection for cafes, shops, deserted or noisy streets, and amber rooms. or Riga balsam, with sweets or red fish from the shelves of the Riga market.

TOURISTS' ANSWERS:

You can visit a lot of beautiful places with a rich history in Riga on your own; you don’t have to buy excursions to do this. A city map or tablet (smartphone, laptop) with maps and the Internet will be enough. Create an individual route for yourself, look at the prices and availability of theater or cinema tickets, the location of museums, cathedrals, and various memorable places.

Where to go and what to see? For example, in Riga there is one of the most unusual cinemas that I have ever seen in my life. Go to the cinema; the building, outstanding for its history and beauty, and its repertoire will not leave you indifferent. It's called Splendid Palace, was built in 1923 and is located in the very center of Old Riga. You will not confuse the façade of the building with anything else; it is a wonderful example of neo-baroque, with an exquisite neo-rococo touch added later during restoration; the variety of forms is truly amazing. The luxurious decoration of this cinema reminded me of the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow I visited at one time; there are stucco moldings, gilding, marble, and carved furniture with velvet...

In a movie theater with such decorations, you will feel awkward in jeans, so dress appropriately for the place. As usual in ordinary cinemas, there are two halls, Big and Small, but you won’t find any of the usual “popcorns” here. This place is a temple of art and eating is not accepted here, but you can happily sit on a double sofa in the last row and enjoy watching a movie. The ticket price is four and a half euros (students and pensioners have a discount of one euro), it is better to take care of purchasing tickets in advance, as they may simply not be available on the day of your visit. Art-house cinema, masterpieces of the Berlinale are shown here, and sometimes performances are held; in particular, La Scala presented its repertoire here during its tour. A small clarification, just in case: with a 90% probability, the films will not be in Russian.

Another interesting point on your individual route could be a visit to the observation decks. I know of four in Riga, and in order to visit them you will have to see a lot of interesting things “in addition”. One of the observation areas to is located in St. Peter's Church, in the very center of Old Riga (I planned my route so as not to put too much strain on my legs). The entrance ticket will cost you three euros, and then everything is simple - the elevator takes you to the second level of the church and you find yourself on a luxurious observation deck, from which magnificent “postcard” views open up. After spending on a ticket, don’t be too lazy to pay attention to the most interesting temple. St. Peter’s Church is almost the same age as Riga and in itself, without an observation deck, is a unique cultural monument and architectural masterpiece. Having once been made of wood, over time it “dressed” itself in stone and brick, moved from modest Gothic to Baroque, was destroyed and restored, lived a rather eventful life for eight centuries, and if you find out even a little curious thing about it in advance, before the excursion, I think You will remember it better.

Second observation deck Skyline Bar at Radisson Blu HotelLatvija, located in the very center of the city, in an old hotel built in Soviet times, on the 26th floor. This place is preferable if you are on a limited budget, since you don’t have to live in a hotel to visit the observation deck; you can simply enter the lobby and go right to the high-speed elevators. Having gone up to the bar, decide on a place - just look at the city or drink a cup of coffee on a cozy sofa. That is, in fact, a visit to this observation deck costs zero euros, unless you have the desire to drink coffee. And if you are economical and prudent like me, then you will go here on Sunday from 11 a.m. to three in the afternoon. Because at this time you will not only enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city, but also have a delicious lunch! Every Sunday at this time, paying 20 euros (children under 6 years old free, from 6 to 12 - 10 euros) you eat buffet style plus juices, coffee, cocktails. The menu is varied - salads, appetizers, hot dishes, even cakes. In my opinion, having lunch and going on an excursion for 20 euros is very economical.

If suddenly your thirst for adventure is so great that you want to visit observation deck on high 99 meters, then your path lies to the Riga TV tower. A visit to it will cost six euros, a taxi will cost the same. You can economically ride on any of these trolleybuses 14, 17, 19 and 24 to the “Hare Island” stop and walk to the TV tower for 20 minutes on foot; as you understand, there will be no difficulty with the landmark, it will always be before your eyes. If you have time for this hike and you are determined to visit it, it’s not just about the observation deck, the location of the TV Tower on an island will allow you to admire the Daugava and enjoy landscape paintings to your heart’s content. For the same reason, it is preferable to use a trolleybus. I confess, I didn’t get to the observation deck of the Riga TV Tower itself, but I visited the island and highly recommend it for visiting.

Another one Observation deck located in the building Academy of Sciences of Latvia. As far as I know, it is not the most accessible place to visit; if you still choose it, it is better to coordinate your visit with at least the administration.

It’s not at all difficult to walk around the city on your own, try to become a real pioneer traveler, I think you’ll like it.

Is the answer helpful?

If you find yourself in Riga, then, of course, you should definitely visit the city center. Personally, I highlight about a dozen historical and architectural monuments in this city, but I can say for sure that this is achieved with great difficulty. Exclusively for the reason that Riga itself is one big monument! Of course, there are iconic places and they are such not only for tourists. Today we will talk about the cathedral, which you will see on the souvenir symbols of Riga with a 99% probability, this is the heart of the city, The Dome Cathedral and naturally Dome Square.

The Dome Cathedral is, first of all, a symbol of spiritual life and, perhaps, not only of Latvia, but also of the Baltic states as a whole, and only then a monument. Residents of Riga are very respectful of it, believers from all over the world come to listen to concert programs of the famous organ of the Dome Cathedral, this is the place where millions of people open their hearts to God.

The Dome Cathedral is a stronghold of Lutheranism, but to understand its greatness and beauty, it does not matter at all what denomination you belong to.

You can order a tour and consult about opening hours and concerts by calling +371 67227573. As a rule, services are held on weekdays at eight in the morning, on Sundays at twelve in the afternoon. The entrance ticket costs five lats, excursions are held every day except Friday. When planning your trip, please note that the cathedral is currently undergoing restoration work and at different times various parts of it may be covered with scaffolding.

This architectural monument is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and accordingly is protected not only by the laws of Latvia. But here it is necessary to note that practically every cobblestone has the same status.

It is best if your path to the excursion starts from the northern side of the Dome Cathedral, but be sure to choose Jauniela Street for your hike, also known as “New Street” in the past; its novelty has roots in the 16th century, since then the name has not changed. The length of the street is only 225 meters, but what! Every centimeter of this street is history! Firstly, it is simply aesthetically pleasing to the eye, real “gingerbread houses” with an abundance of cafes and restaurants (there are about ten of them if my memory serves me correctly, that is, one for every 20 meters), where you can leisurely drink a cup of excellent coffee and refresh yourself breakfast on the way to a long, informative and therefore tiring excursion.

Secondly, it was here that several cult films for the Soviet audience were filmed: “17 Moments of Spring” - the unfortunate Professor Pleischner fell from a fourth floor window on Novaya Street, and just opposite the fall and failed appearance could have been watched by the entire honest company of Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson and Mrs. Hudson, since this same street is the famous Baker Street, although the iconic door of the detective’s apartment is located around the corner of house number 22 on Novaya Street, but the windows have a very suitable location. Directly opposite the door of the famous house on Baker Street, we were lucky enough to have a coffee at a table in an open-air cafe. Drinking coffee on Baker Street – I never even dared to think about it, but dreams have a way of coming true!

Emperor Peter I lived in one of the houses on this street in the 18th century, and the queen, Paulina of Württemberg, was born in another. Actually, the entire Jauniela street is, in fact, an open-air museum.

Having walked along it and coming out to the Dome Cathedral, you will already be imbued with the spirit of the time and will certainly feel a little like a time traveler.

The cathedral will take you to the beginning of the 13th century; it is in this time period that the countdown of glorious centuries begins, during which it gives people joy. The name of the Dome Cathedral was presumably formed from the Latin phrase “Domus Dei” (“House of God”), currently it is the largest temple in the Baltic countries and is also unique in that it has probably absorbed all the architectural styles that have replaced each other in over the centuries (more precisely, Romanesque, early Gothic, Baroque, Art Nouveau are represented here). The initial construction itself lasted quite a long time, then there were fires, wars, and simply the “hand of time” did not spare the mighty stones... So it acquired those unique features that delight our eyes today. Initially, a rather modest building was planned in a laconic Romanesque style with a basilica; later in the century, adjustments were made and the cathedral took the form of a hall church; side chapels and elongated rooms with columns were added, known today as the “western aisles.” Even the hand of Catherine II reached here; it was she who, by her decree, provoked the transfer of the Riga City Cemetery and the burials of the Dome Cathedral (for sanitary and epidemiological purposes), and the result was an increase in the floor level in the cathedral.

The tower spire that we see today appeared in the middle of the 18th century and is made in the Baroque style; it is decorated with the symbolic “Golden Cockerel” (also one of the symbols of the city). If you are even a little attentive, you will find the same “bird” on the spire of the Cathedrals of St. Peter and St. James.

Above the portal of the northern entrance, also called the “Paradise Potal”, a rare example of medieval painting has been preserved - “The Coronation of Mary”. And the stunningly beautiful stained glass windows on the same northern side depict the scene of laying the first stone of the cathedral; the stained glass windows on the southern side, depicting the life of Christ, have not survived to this day.

In Soviet times, the Dome Cathedral went through difficult times; in the early 60s it was rebuilt as a concert hall, the altar was dismantled and chairs were installed, however, perhaps this is what allowed it to be saved from a sadder fate. In the 19th century, an organ was built in the cathedral, which to this day has no analogues in the world; the virtuoso Franz Liszt himself wrote works for this great musical instrument.

In the eighties of the 20th century, the organ was restored, interior work was carried out, all engineering communications were updated, the restoration even affected the famous “Golden Cockerel”, the copper cladding of the tower, and an air conditioning system was created in the hall and in the tower. And some outstanding monuments of the Middle Ages were preserved without significant intervention by restorers: the carved wooden surfaces of the side panels on the chairs, the tombstone of Bishop Maynard, two benches on the north and south sides (Adam and Eve and Mary Magdalene, respectively).

Performers who are invited to perform concert programs at the Dome Cathedral are, of course, given a special honor. In the manufacture of this unique musical instrument, pine, maple, oak, beech, pear wood, and spruce were used (all of these wood species have a beautiful texture and are durable). He also has a long list of registers, manuals, pedals and other details, but, frankly speaking, I am not strong in organ designs; you will learn more from the guide. About it I can only add that which became obvious to us from the first note - this stunning instrument, due to the acoustics of the temple, captivates you regardless of religion, nationality, age, and so on... It makes a truly indelible impression; it has no similar sound in my memory. one musical instrument I had previously heard. It has a monumental sound, it is a monument to itself.

In the 30s of the 20th century, a decision was made to “expand” the Dome Square adjacent to the cathedral and some buildings around it were demolished. Now numerous fairs, exhibitions and concerts are held here. And in the late 80s of the same century, during archaeological research carried out on Dome Square, a cemetery of the Kuron or Curonian Vikings was discovered (by the way, there were very warlike and rich tribes).

Only about 9000 square meters, and what a concentration of historical monuments, interesting details - and, please note, we have touched upon only one of the attractions of this amazing city!

Literally everything here breathes history; this is the greatest cultural heritage not only for people whose homeland is the Amber Sea, but also for citizens of the whole world and a must-see place!

Is the answer helpful?

Riga is a rather interesting city for architecture lovers. It easily combines ancient stone buildings and pavements with high-rise buildings of modern architecture. For tourists, of course, the greatest interest is in the so-called “Old Riga” - the historical center of the city, in which buildings from the 13th-14th centuries have been preserved, the streets are paved with cobblestones, and walking through the quarter, you find yourself in the various eras that this city has experienced. This is where you should go first if you are passing through Riga or just for a short while.

The two Riga Lutheran Cathedrals are of the greatest value: St. Peter's Cathedral, the building of which has an observation deck, almost completely restored after the Second World War, and the Dome Cathedral, with one of the largest organs in the world. Here, near the Dome Cathedral, in the city center, there is a museum of the history of Riga and navigation. You can visit them any day until six in the evening. Entrance to St. Peter's Cathedral is free, you only have to pay for the climb to the observation deck. Sometimes various exhibitions or concerts are held in the cathedral premises; admission to them is also usually free. I highly recommend attending an organ concert in the Dome Cathedral; they take place quite often in the evenings.

Walking around Old Riga, you can come across attractions at almost every step. On Town Hall Square in the center there is a monument to Roland, and a little further away is the building of the Merchant Guild, or, in other words, the House of the Blackheads, completely restored in the nineties of the twentieth century.

At the moment, the presidential office is located in it, so for the next two years tourists will not be able to examine the building from the inside. Albert Street with the Old Town almost entirely consists of architectural delights of past centuries: stucco molding, statues on the facade, mosaics and columns - you can find everything here.

Here, literally a few blocks away, stands the Powder Tower, which now houses one of the branches of the city’s Military Museum. The Swedish Gate, a complex of buildings on Torņa Street, is also built from the same time in Riga. Nowadays it houses the union of city architects. But in the so-called “Three Brothers” - three adjacent houses on Maza Pils street, reminiscent of a piece of Holland and built from the 15th to the 17th centuries, there is already a museum of Latvian architecture.

For lovers of more modern buildings, New Riga with its spiers and high-rise buildings will undoubtedly be interesting. The Riga TV Tower literally rises above the city, which has an observation deck; it is located on the opposite bank of the river, opposite St. Peter's Cathedral. At the moment, construction is underway on the building of the Latvian National Library, which will become the most expensive library in the world; almost 115 million lats were allocated for its construction (let me remind you that the lats were more expensive than the euro). The Riga Central Market, oddly enough, is also a rather interesting structure in its architecture, attracting the attention of tourists from different countries.

In addition to the architectural structures that are scattered throughout the city, Riga also offers several dozen museums. In addition to the already mentioned museums of navigation and architecture, you can visit the Museum of the History of Medicine, the Aviation Museum, the Doll Museum, the Sun Museum or the Porcelain Museum. They usually display more than just permanent exhibitions. but also replacement imported ones, including from other countries. and for a little less than 100 rubles, you can get into the open-air ethnographic museum, which is located on Lake Yugla.

But not just museums, as they say, there are currently seven different theaters in Riga. The residents of Riga themselves are very proud of their opera theater, but I would advise you to pay attention to two completely non-classical theaters: the OSA Theater - "Society of Free Actors" and the New Riga Theater. If you find yourself in Latvia with children, you should definitely visit the Latvian Puppet Theater in Riga.

If Riga turns out to be the place of your trip, then you should pay attention to less well-known culturally, but quite interesting for tourists establishments: the legendary House with Black Cats in the city center, the Hospitalis restaurant-psychiatric hospital and the Riga Water Park, which is located on the left bank of the Daugava.

What to see in Riga: overview of the most important attractions

The history of Riga, as well as the whole of Latvia as a whole, is closely intertwined with the history of the Russian state, so many have probably heard well about this city, seen it in photographs, in films, and maybe even visited here once. But for representatives of the younger generation, which entered adulthood after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Riga is a typical European capital and is hardly associated with something familiar and familiar. For travelers who are going to Riga for the first time, we have prepared an overview of the most important and interesting sights of this beautiful city.

What to see in Riga in 1 day?

Not every traveler thinks of organizing a purposeful trip to Riga (of course, we do not take into account business trips, trips to relatives, and the like). As a rule, this is either one of the points on a tour of Europe (in particular, the Baltic countries), or transit. In these cases, the question arises: what to see in Riga in 1-2 days and what is the most rational way to plan a route around the city? Let's figure it out.

Old city

Regardless of how much time you have in Riga, the first place you should go is the Old Town, or Old Riga - the central area of ​​the city, where the medieval flavor has been preserved and a huge number of attractions are concentrated.

The old town of Riga occupies a very small area and you can leisurely walk around it from top to bottom in a couple of hours. Where to start your walk doesn’t really matter. As an example, we have laid out a route from Riga Central Station, where many city guests arrive.

Route around Old Riga

The Dome Cathedral

The Riga Dome Cathedral can certainly be called a symbol of the city. A huge medieval building is located on the square of the same name, in the very heart of Old Riga. The Dome Cathedral was founded back in 1211, but since then, of course, it has been repeatedly reconstructed and modernized. Today, the architecture of the cathedral belongs to the Gothic style with Baroque elements. The height of the cathedral, including the spire, which is immortalized by a cockerel, is 96 meters.

Due to the fact that Riga throughout its history suffered greatly from floods of its main waterway, the Daugava, the streets of the Old Town were covered with gravel. As a result of this, the floor level in the Dome Cathedral today is significantly lower than street level. There is a feeling that the cathedral has “grown” into the ground. By the way, since 2011, the cathedral has been gradually reconstructed. It will last 10 years.

An important object of the Dome Cathedral is a huge organ, 25 meters high and including 6,768 pipes. The cathedral regularly hosts organ concerts.

Riga Castle

Another medieval building on the territory of Old Riga is Riga Castle, whose history begins in 1330. The castle rises on the banks of the Daugava. Since the 20th century it has been the residence of the president of the country, but over the last few years it has been restored and therefore the residence has been temporarily moved to the House of the Blackheads. The castle was founded by the knights of the Livonian Order.

House of the Blackheads

Another “calling card” of Riga is the House of the Blackheads. The construction of this attraction, as in the case of the Riga Castle, is associated with the Livonian Order - this is the years 1330-1353. However, during the Second World War, the building was completely destroyed and restored to its original form in 1996-2000, for the 800th anniversary of Riga.

Initially, the House of the Blackheads was built for the Great Guild - a community of traders (merchants). Later, the merchants united into a brotherhood, which was called the Order of the Blackheads, which gave the name to this architectural monument.

Dome Square

Dome Square is the heart of the Old Town of Riga and, of course, a gathering place for a huge number of tourists. Around the square there are cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops and other tourist attractions.

In addition to the above-mentioned Dome Cathedral, there are other important city objects on the square: the Stock Exchange building, the Latvian Radio building, the Banking building and others. Each of them has its own unique architectural style. All together they form the uniquely beautiful architectural ensemble of Dome Square.

St. Peter's Church

Along with the Dome Cathedral, St. Peter's Church rises above Old Riga - another unique symbol of the city. This is the tallest building in the Old Town and the second (after the Riga TV Tower) in all of Riga. The height of the church is 123 meters and 64 of them are on its spire.

It is this tall spire that arouses the admiration of all guests of the city and it is thanks to it that St. Peter’s Church is often called the main “calling card” of Riga, leaving behind the Dome Cathedral, the House of the Blackheads and other unique attractions of the city.

However, the Church of St. Peter attracts the attention of tourists not only due to its majestic appearance, but also due to the observation deck located at a 71-meter height. This is, without a doubt, the best observation deck in Riga. It offers a breathtaking view not only of the Old Town, but of the entire city. There is an elevator to the observation deck, the entrance fee is 9 euros for an adult.

Three brothers

This name was given to an architectural complex consisting of three small quaint buildings located in old Riga on Maza Pils street. Each of the houses has its own name - “White Brother”, “Middle Brother” and “Green Brother”. The Three Brothers were built at different times and reflect the different eras of residential construction in the city. Today, all three buildings are not residential; they house the State Inspectorate for the Protection of Cultural Monuments, the Union of Architects of Latvia, the Latvian Museum of Architecture and the editorial office of the magazine “Latvian Architecture”.

Powder Tower and remains of the fortress wall

In the old days, Riga, as befits any medieval city, was surrounded by fortified walls. In the 19th century, almost all of the fortifications were demolished as their original functions were lost. Only one tower, the Powder Tower, and part of the city wall have survived to this day. Anyone can see them.

The Bremen Town Musicians

A rather popular attraction is the sculpture dedicated to the Bremen Town Musicians. Bremen is Riga's sister city. This monument, made by a Bremen sculptor, was presented to the city as a gift.

According to tradition, if you make a wish and rub the nose of any of the four musicians, it will definitely come true. Moreover, each animal is capable of fulfilling a separate wish, that is, you can make four in total! And the most secret desire is fulfilled by the rooster, which is the most difficult to reach.

Cat house

There are also quite unusual sights on the streets of Old Riga. For example, the House with black cats or, simply, the Cat House. This attraction is a building in the Riga Art Nouveau (rational Art Nouveau) style, built in 1909. The turrets of this building are decorated with sculptures of black cats.

The history of their appearance is quite interesting. A merchant named Blumer, who owned this house, installed cats with their backs turned to the Guild building, where they did not want to accept him, thereby demonstrating protest against such a decision. The Guild elder did not like this act very much. A scandal began that resulted in a lawsuit. However, the court did not find anything illegal in Blumer's actions. Later, Blumer was finally accepted into the guild and the cats were turned into the correct angle.

Yakovlevsky barracks

Opposite the city walls (or rather, the part that remains of them) stretches the Yakovlevsky barracks. They were built in the 17th century for Swedish soldiers defending the Gulf of Riga.

Of course, today the barracks are not used for their original purpose. Now they house souvenir shops, shops, offices, cafes, pubs and restaurants. While walking around Old Riga, be sure to stop by here.

What to see outside of Old Riga?

If after a busy walk around the Old Town you still have enough time, pay attention to the following attractions.

Freedom Monument

The Freedom Monument is a symbol of Latvian independence. It is a 42-meter stele, erected in 1935, in memory of those who died during the civil war in 1918-1920. This attraction is located on the central street of Riga - Brivibas Boulevard, in close proximity to the Old Town.

Lime watch

Near the Freedom Monument there is another fairly famous landmark of the city - the Laima clock. Their story began back in 1924. Since then, of course, they have been reconstructed more than once and changed their appearance.

Today, the Laima clock not only serves as the main city clock, but is also an important landmark: important meetings, dates, etc. are scheduled around it.

Riga TV tower

Speaking about modern symbols of Riga, it is definitely worth mentioning the Riga TV Tower - the tallest building in the city. Its height is 368 meters and according to this indicator it ranks first in the Baltic states and is one of the five tallest buildings in Europe. Built in 1986. The tower rises on a small island on the Daugava River.

At an altitude of 97 meters there is an observation deck from which, in theory, you can see the whole of Riga and its suburbs, but the local weather does not always allow this. One way or another, the Riga TV Tower is an integral element of the picturesque panorama of Riga.

Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ

The majority of the population of Latvia, as is known, profess Lutheranism (Protestant movement in Christianity), but Orthodoxy also plays a large role in the history of the country. Almost in the very center of Riga stands the Orthodox Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ. This incredibly beautiful building is made in the neo-Byzantine style.

Its construction was carried out in 1877-1884. We recommend that you pay attention to this attraction.

Excursions around Riga

An excellent solution would be to see all the sights of Riga as part of a group or individual excursion. Especially if you want to get to know the city as best as possible in a short time. The guide will be a local resident of Riga, who, like no one else, knows the city and its history very well and, moreover, speaks Russian.

LET'S TRAVEL CHEAP!

Any trip begins with searching and purchasing tickets - this is something you can and should save on!

When searching for cheap air tickets during our travels, we use search engines such as Aviasales and Momondo.

Some rules for finding cheap air tickets can be found in this article.

Every traveler, of course, wants to optimize their costs and find a good hotel (or apartment) in terms of price/quality ratio. Thus, the more options you are offered, the more likely you are to find the best one. Therefore, your search can be greatly facilitated by the Hotellook service, which searches for the best accommodation booking systems.

You don't need to compare prices on different services yourself - Hotellook will do it for you!

To obtain a Schengen visa, as is known, the list of required documents includes an insurance policy for those traveling abroad.

When traveling to other countries where a visa is not required, taking out an insurance policy for the safety of you and your family members will also not be amiss, especially if you are traveling with children.

The road from the airport to the hotel or apartment after a long flight is often very exhausting. To get to your destination as quickly as possible, comfortably, without trudging around the city with heavy luggage, we often use the KiwiTaxi service - booking taxi transfers at airports and cities around the world.

The best way to get to know a new city is through guided tours from local residents. To do this, many travelers use services such as Sputnik8.

One day is clearly not enough for a more or less thorough acquaintance with the city. But there’s nothing to do, the return tickets have already been purchased, so we’ll try to make the most of the day so that it won’t be so “excruciatingly painful” later..

Let’s begin the “express method of getting to know Riga”. We will definitely take care of comfortable shoes, make sure that the camera battery is fully charged, and the flash drive is empty - the “home video” has been transferred to the computer..

It's time to hit the road!

Climb. 7:30 am

We won’t be able to get enough sleep today, we wake up, (not) do exercises, wash ourselves, have breakfast, and off we go to meet the city.

Our task is to reach Old Riga by 10 am. If you already live in Old Riga, you can use a small handicap for a relaxing breakfast or to relax in bed.

A walk around Old Riga will take at least four hours; we recommend taking our route “The 20 Most Important Sights of Old Riga” as a basis.

If the weather permits, stay nearby and go up to the observation deck - it offers a wonderful view of the city.

Rest is a rather tiring thing, especially when it involves active sightseeing. It’s a good idea to have some food along the way, and our advice is simple - choose your favorite cafe and enjoy a cup of coffee and a bun.

We will plan a substantial snack for a later time.

Dinner. About two o'clock in the afternoon

So, the route around Old Riga has been trodden, along the way we looked into the courtyards and churches we liked, it’s already about two o’clock, it’s time to have a snack. Since there is little time, the best choice is the Lido bistro, located in the center, address - st. Tirgonu, 6.

We had a snack, drank beer or juice. It turned out quickly (given our time pressure - the most important thing), satisfying and inexpensive (which is also useful) - for 5-7 Euros per person in the center of Riga it is not so easy to have a hearty lunch.

Stop sitting around, the sun will set soon, and we haven’t even completed half of the program yet. Riga, no matter how you look at it, we have no right to ignore this fact.

Our goal is tram number 6, stop "National Opera" (stop not far from the Freedom Monument. If we are facing the Old Town, and the Opera building is behind us, then our direction is to the right (women's left). You can see the schedule) .

A short break on the tram, we pass four stops and get off at the terminus.

Here it is, the most expensive district of Riga, in every second house there is either an embassy or a bank; if it’s an apartment, then either an ambassador or a banker lives. There are also presidents, corrupt..., oh, honest politicians, as well as simple working people... no, still hardly simple... A square meter costs 3-4 thousand Euros, people need to work for a year to get a couple of meters of living space accumulate. Politicians, however, also have to work a lot, but they somehow manage to live here with non-banker salaries.. It’s a paradox, however..

The route is simple - we go without turning along Elizabetes Street. On the right is a park, on the left are luxuriously restored 4-5 storey buildings from the early 20th century.

We reach the intersection of five streets, we go to the left - onto Strelnieku Street. Let's slow down and meet the best examples of style in Riga.

The final goal is Albert Street, only half a kilometer long, on which every building is an architectural monument. We dedicated a virtual walk to her in the article ““.

In order not to carry a computer with you, you can print (or download to your phone) a PDF version of the guide.

There are no copyright violations, the guide has been prepared by us for free use - you can download it, you can copy it, you can post it on social networks. Information should belong to everyone! Links to guidebooks are at the end of the article. So, we promoted ourselves a little, and moved on...

Albert Street has been passed, it’s past eight o’clock, my strength is running out, I have 758 photos in my camera. A hearty lunch has already been converted into walking energy (I wonder if such a thing exists?), it’s time to think about a quiet evening rest.

If you have the energy, you can return to the Old Town and hang out in some restaurant, for example Lido (just kidding, Lido is not suitable for the evening, let's look for something more leisurely). Let's do this - while walking along the charming streets of Riga, we choose a restaurant that we like.

To say that there are restaurants on every corner in Old Riga would be an understatement; rather, between two corner establishments there are a couple more.

If we don’t have the strength, we stay in the embassy area; there are fewer restaurants here, but it won’t be difficult to find either.

We digest the impressions. Nine o'clock in the evening

Having settled comfortably and ordered dinner, we sip beer (the best varieties are Piebalgas, Valmiermuža, Užavas. Aldaris Luksus - only if nothing more decent is offered..), and thoughts are annoyingly spinning in our heads:

“..to leave tomorrow morning..
..but what about its sandy beaches and cool Baltic Sea.. they say that in the summer there are more stars on the promenade there than local residents..
..and I also read somewhere that it is one of the three largest museums in the world..
..and it would be nice to take a walk along (they said that Western tourists go there as if they were going to a museum, especially the fish pavilion)... and further along the restored Daugava embankment..
.. and what are the creative quarters of Riga - I heard somewhere that interesting wooden buildings have been preserved there..
.. it would be interesting to go to ..
..my mother-in-law also advised me to listen, she was here in 1974.. she proved that the Riga for a long time was the largest instrument in the world.. she probably plays as usual..
.. it would be nice to give up, Schengen is there, the Petrovs swam, they said - the night on the ferry, the next morning it’s already there .. and it costs a few pennies ..
..eh, I’ll have to come again..”

And the main idea

“..and why am I in Riga for only one day.. so little..”

And we warned you...