Riga City Tour

Take in an Ice Hockey game during your stay in Riga

Riga Old Town Walking Tour

Segway Tour

The climate of Riga is humid continental. The coldest months are January and February, when the average temperature is −5 °C but temperatures as low as −20 °C to −25 °C can be observed almost every year on the coldest days. The proximity of the sea causes frequent autumn rains and fogs. Continuous snow cover may last eighty days. The summers in Riga are warm and humid with the average temperature of 18 °C, while the temperature on the hottest days can exceed 30 °C

Salve, Rastlaukums 5, Riga. +371 67044317. www.salve.lv

Salve: Enjoy the traditional Latvian food in the heart of the Latvian capital. It is located in Town Hall Square next to the House of the Blackheads. It is known for its friendly service and its quality regional and local dishes.

Cili Pica, Galerija Centrs, Audeju iela, 1822, Riga. www.e-pica.lv

Cili Pica: It may not be traditional Latvian food but Cili Pica's pizzas, pastas and dumplings that are on offer at this local pizza chain are very popular among locals and visitors alike.

Lido Recreation Centre, Krasta iela 76, Riga. +371 67504420. www.lido.lv

Lido Recreation Centre: Enjoy the ultimate Latvian dining experience. Not only can you enjoy a buffet style restaurant, the Lido Complex also contains a beer cellar, brewery, a bistro, live music, events, rides as well as Ice-Skating during the winter months. Take Tram 3,7 or 9 to the Lido stop.

Lido Vermanitis, Elizabetes iela 65, Riga. +371 67286289. www.lido.lv

Lido Vermanitis: Why not enjoy a stroll through Vermanes Park to this Latvian themed restaurant. You will be able to choose from a fantastic selection of Latvian delicacies from the buffet, or you can grab something from the salad bar. Wash it down with a glass of Kefirs or Kvass or a beverage of your choice while you enjoy traditional Latvian folk music. It is always cheap, quick and totally scrumptious. One visit and you will be hooked!!!

The city runs the trams (street-cars), buses and trolley buses. They all use the same e-ticket (e-talons); a single price covers any one route independent of the distance.

By foot

Streets are mostly asphalt, with Old town and some random streets being cobblestone; some smaller streets outside the city centre may be unpaved. Sidewalks are predominantly asphalt everywhere. Riga's Old town is best explored on foot, especially since it is not very large and cars are not allowed anyway. Cobblestones, where present, are round rather than flat, so comfortable shoes are recommended.

Taxi-bus (also called mini or march-route bus) services: operated by private companies, generally hold 10-11 people in a bus (seats only, at least officially), you must purchase the ticket on board (cash only, approximately 0.50 LVL, depending on the operator). Usually drives by and stops at overlapping city public transportation stops, otherwise can stop anywhere were permitted, so flag it to get in, and ask driver to stop in order to get out. If a route covers the city from one end to the other, you may be asked by driver how far you go, and would have to purchase two tickets, either beforehand or at a city centre stop. The taxi-bus services are being overtaken by the city at the moment, so there may be major changes in near future, such as organizing the routes so they would less overlap with the rest of transportation.

Trams are generally the fastest public transportation apart from trains. Although they are on street level and the rails are not always physically separated from the rest of the traffic, in all but the busiest rush hours they get their way. Taxi-buses are smaller and thus more manoeuvrable than buses and trolley buses, making them second only to trams.

By bike

Bicycles may be rented from stands several locations in the central city. One must have a mobile phone to register, but registration is free. The bikes have 3 speeds and lights, but it does not seem helmets are available. Cost is 0.7 LVL or 1 Euro per hour. Max of 6 LVL per day.

By boat

All the boats stop near the Stone Bridge (Akmens Tilts), which is right next to the House of Blackheads -- the Riga Tourist Information Centre, in the old town. During summer the following boat transport is available:

• Boats between Riga and the beach city of Jurmala (24) - Leaves Riga at 11 am daily. Cost for adults is 10 LVL one-way, 15 LVL return.
• Boats that tour up and down Daugava River.
• Boat that goes to the Riga Zoo, located in Mezaparks district once or twice a day

Riga Zoo

Riga Circus

Doll Art Museum

The Open Air Ethnographic Museum

Livu Akvaparks

Lido Recreation Centre

Latvian

Russian

English

Euro

Once known by several clichéd names including the Vegas of the Baltics, Riga’s nightlife scene has had its ups and downs, but, thankfully, neighbourhood pubs have slashed the price of a pint and clubs are once again open until the last paying customer leaves. Many bars still close their doors before midnight on weeknights.

Skyline Bar: A visit to the Skyline is a must for any visitor to the Latvian capital. It is very popular among a foreign clientele. Views of the city of Riga are spectacular. If you wish to get one of the coveted seats by the windows is often quite a chore, but it is definitely worth the effort. Staff here are friendly and pleasant. Admission - Friday -Saturday: 2LS

Labu apetiti!

 Latvian cuisine isn't famous, but that doesn't mean it hasn't got its adherents. Influenced by the likes of Poland, Russia and Germany, typical Latvian food includes pork, potatoes and cabbage in abundant measures. Latvians also have their own version of the ubiquitous East European dumpling, called 'piragi'. If all that sounds like a fast-track to thunder thighs then there's no need to panic. Riga has a wide variety of restaurants serving every dish under the sun, from Japanese sushi to Swiss rosti. So take your pick!

If there were only two words to sum up the shopping experience in Latvia, they would have to be ‘really expensive.’ Prices of imported goods tend to be inexplicably high, with simple things like a pair of Nike runners costing in lats what they would cost in Euro anywhere else in Europe. Local crafts, food and alcohol, however, are still relatively cheap. Shops are scattered throughout Riga, with the highest number being concentrated around the Old Town and near the city centre. Several shiny shopping centres have also sprouted up in and around Riga.

Riga Cathedral (Rigas Doms)

Museum of the Occupation of Latvia

Riga's Central Market

Riga's Old Town

The House of the Blackheads

Saint Peter's Church

Latvian War Museum

Riga Castle

+2 Hours