Travel to Riga

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Riga, Latvia

It is surprising, but of the three Baltic capitals, Riga offers the least dynamic and colourful image. It is generally perceived as a continental country despite its location on the sea, or almost, and as an industrial city, emerging from the Soviet era to develop business and to create a country with a high standard of living, elegant avenues, etc. These ideas are fading away, but the city must, nevertheless, not be judged by the sad and impersonal image of its airport. Located between a river, an estuary, the countryside and gardens, Riga reveals itself to be a place of unique "urban fabric", classed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Its old district is neither surrounded by walls like in Tallinn, nor is it as large as the capital city of Vilnius, however, it does contain an impressive array of squares, churches and small streets from a bygone era. Its Gothic buildings of brick and stucco façades recall those of Flanders and Northern Germany. During the Middle Ages, the city gained in prosperity and became a city of merchants and influential guilds. At the turn of the 20th century Riga became "the Paris of the Baltic": a crossroads for artists and artisans, where arts and the Art Nouveau of the time, inspired and developed buildings, streets and neighbourhoods to such an extent that today in Riga, a third of the constructions are of an Art Nouveau style. Beautiful and lively, the Latvian capital is a place to visit both in the winter and the summer, for the seasonal cold and Christmas lights in the winter and the beaches in the summer. The beach resort town of Jurmala, for example, among the dunes, the lagoons and the wooden houses, is absolutely splendid, it is the "Latvian Saint-Tropez" just 15 and a half miles from Riga. For some, it resembles the Californian town of Carmel, while for others it might be compared to the "pogosts" (wooden houses) of Karelia, or a child's toy house. For all, it is a stunning place which is worth visiting.

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pros

•  A capital city near the Baltic.
•  The old Town is an historic and lively place.

cons

•  The 'urban fabric' is austere outside of the city centre.
•  The hotels and restaurants are of varying quality.

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map Latvia

Visit Riga

• To see

  There are at least two things which are not to be missed in Riga: the first is the Art Nouveau district along Elizabetes street and Alberta street, with its revamped facades with borders and sculpted faces; the most impressive one being at 10b on Elizabetes street. The second is the Old Town, with streets from the the Middle Ages and Renaissance (Konventa Seta) and Gothic (the House of Blackheads) buildings.

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  To do

  Plan at least one day at Jurmala, the main beach in Riga. Only a 30 minute journey (by car or bus), this seaside resort on the Baltic Sea is a true paradise. It has approximately 4,000 houses, which are all different, but all built of wood (with carved details) and more than 400 of them are listed buildings. In the summer, there is a real holiday atmosphere here, where you can sit out in the gardens or on the café terraces; but you should also come in the winter to see the beach sprinkled with snow.

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  To think about

  Choose a hotel in Old Riga. The hotels near the Art Nouveau district are numerous and lacking in style and character, with the exception of a few historic buildings like the Europa Royale (Neo-Classical) or the Domina Inn (Art Nouveau). They are more expensive though and the rooms are not overlooking the rooftops of the Old Town.

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• To avoid

  Avoid going out to nightclubs or bars until 5 o'clock in the morning, If you want to enjoy Riga nightlife safely, choose the bars in the Old Town or seek advice (at the hotel or the tourist office), they will gladly recommend the cheapest places to go at that time. Also, watch out for pickpockets, keep an eye on your wallet.

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  To try

  As far as gastronomy is concerned, Riga is a little like Hong Kong or New York: here you can taste all of the cuisines of the world. This said, Latvian culinary dishes are not disregarded; in the big restaurants such as the Lido chain (a very popular place among Latvians) you can eat very well and the atmosphere is often reminiscent of a large self-service buffet or a theme park. Things to try in Latvia: the herring salad with cream, smoked eel, cold cut meats and the many local cheeses.

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  To bring back

  Clothes and household linens (tablecloths, towels, draperies) are available here for a lot cheaper than in the UK. You can bring back a range of knitted pieces, from pullovers, hats and socks to gloves or mittens, depending on what you like to wear during the winter. Other souvenirs that make inexpensive gifts: spoons, pyrographed wooden spatulas and folkloric dolls, or get something typical and unique - choose a ring of Nameju, made of twisted metal.

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Latvia, All you need to know!

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Riga in pictures

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