There are plenty of police patrols and it is very common to be stopped for an alcohol test. There you'll also find important museums such as the National History Museum of Latvia located in Riga Castle and the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia closed for refurbishment until late , with the exhibition moved to temporary premises , as well as remnants of the Medieval-era city fortifications popping up here and there. Aside from the aforementioned Freedom Monument, architecture buffs flock here to admire the beautifully preserved Art Nouveau row houses on Alberta iela and other nearby streets — one of the densest clusters of architecture of that style in the world — as well as still more museums, such as Latvia's National Museum of Art.
However, there are places worth visiting outside the city center as well. Some other old and well-preserved urban districts that are relatively unvisited by tourists include Agenskalns and Tornakalns, just over the Stone bridge. Further out, the residential areas on the periphery of town are largely made up of gray apartment blocks built in the typically Soviet style.
These areas are nearly identical to those all over Eastern Europe. However, they do give an idea of how the vast majority of the people in Riga live and of the history of the area. The tourist office, located inside the House of Blackheads, offers guided tours and free pamphlets, complete with detailed descriptions of many buildings, for independent walks.
These walks cover the old town, the nearby city center sights, and the Art Nouveau district. It's easy to do each of these in around an hour, or linger and read every detail in the booklet. In the absence of any signs or plaques around the city, the booklet gives you an insight to what you are seeing. Many private companies offer organized tours of Riga.
Options include bike tours, Segway tours, pub crawls, hop-on-hop-off bus tours, walking tours, free tours, and tours focused on a certain aspect of Riga - away from the touristy old town. The city has several pleasant parks, notably around the city canal and further north into Centrs.
It's also possible to do a boat ride on the canal, making a tour around the old town on the Daugava river. Start point is near the Freedom Monument.
Also, check out the nearby sights of the Riga region , some of which allow for a good day trip from Riga due to the frequent and comprehensive travel options of the region. Riga and its surroundings are popular destinations for adrenaline sports, which can be booked online, from most hostels and hotels, or from any local travel agent.
Riga had a significant Jewish population during the Russian Empire period and therefore has a significant Jewish legacy. Russian Language School scams are extremely common in Riga.
They take money for intensive classes and then when they are unable to offer them will not refund one's money. They have several classes for free for locals meeting only a few hours a week. The only good reviews are from the locals or people living in Riga who got free classes. You might haggle and get good prices for souvenirs. During the Christmas season there is a small Christmas market in the main square of old town which offers lots of festive fare and hot wine.
Like in other cities around the world, you can find shopping malls in the suburbs along most major thoroughfares. While not attractions in themselves, they may come in handy especially if you get around by car; you can buy things you need on your trip, some Latvian specialties to bring home or have a quick meal there. Riga, as the most vibrant and cosmopolitan city of the Baltics, offers countless opportunities to sample both local cuisine and international favorites.
Latvian food can be hearty, using a lot of potato, cabbage, beef, pork and fish. A diversity of foreign cuisines is also available — sushi restaurants in particular are in vogue. The most central districts Vecriga and Centrs are the places to go for the widest selection of restaurants, though there are certainly also places to eat elsewhere in the city.
There are a couple of local restaurant chains that have eateries in many different parts of Riga:. A common scam , which targets men, begins by having someone you meet randomly coax you into a bar.
If you can't pay with cash, the bar will take credit cards - or you might be forced to withdraw money from their handy ATM. If you refuse to pay, the exit door will most likely be blocked by a large bouncer. The trick to avoiding this scam is not to enter a bar recommended to you by someone on the street. Many are strip bars or locations of prostitution rings.
These shady establishments change their names often to escape lists like these and continue extorting unwitting travelers, so use your judgment when entering a bar, or check reviews of the establishment online before entering. Black coffee in Latvia is traditionally served unfiltered and quite strong in small cups.
If you are used to filtered coffee, you may want to have a "white coffee" with either milk, whipped milk or cream , or you want to have a glass of water on the side.
Coffee "to go" has become increasingly popular, and many of the coffee chains offer coffee served in paper cups with lids. In addition to the independent coffee shops listed in district articles, several international coffee chains such as Double Coffee , Coffee Inn , and Costa Coffee , have locations in Riga.
Riga is a major nightlife destination for tourists and bars here are often open later than those in other European cities. A specialty liquor is Riga Balsam , which is an acquired taste. Riga is known for a sparkling nightlife. There is a difference in style between 'Russian' clubs and 'Latvian' clubs. Hotels and hostels in general offer free WiFi and many have computer terminals. Almost all accept credit cards. For budget accommodation, head to the eastern half of the old town and the surroundings of the railway station.
As with neighboring Vilnius and Tallinn, Riga is generally safe if you know how to take the basic precautions. Riga's old town is extremely safe at all times, as are the city's major thoroughfares. On the other hand, certain areas in the city's western parts have had their share of crime since the fall of the USSR.
Many Latvians will tell you that any Russian-speaking neighborhood is rife with crime and violence. While this may be blown out of proportion due to historical tensions, poorer parts of Riga with significant Russian populations do need to be avoided after dark. The residents of Sabile celebrate their vineyard with an annual Wine Festival that takes place every July — just in case you need help deciding when to visit.
It is where they exhibit modern art installations and hold various cultural events. The Abava Valley is also a fascinating site for those interested in exploring archeological sites, as there are many old burial sites and cemeteries.
Going farther towards the Baltic sea, you will eventually come upon Kuldiga, which is known throughout the country for its beautiful architecture. This has the Aleksupite River running within its walls. The river itself offers several sites worth visiting. One of these sites is the Venta Rapid, the widest natural rapids in Europe where fisherman used to catch salmon throwing themselves up in the air.
There is also a waterfall that, at 4. While the fort that it was built up around has now been reduced to ruins, there is a tower that remains from the 14th century. The Old Town Square and adjoining Promenade, where you can easily find comfortable cafes and craftsmen selling their wares, are the best places to go to feel the spirit of the city.
Kandava also has its fair share of notable architecture, including a very high concentration of stone buildings and a number of Neo-Gothic townhouses. Often called the Town of Nine Hills, Talsi was built up to incorporate both the hills that grant it its nickname and the two lakes that give it some of its peaceful atmosphere.
There are a number of well-maintained parks with fruit trees, which are ideal places to spend warm summer afternoons or witness the changing of the leaves in autumn. Talsi keeps its cultural heritage very close, so there are frequent performances by the Talsi Folklore Group. There is also a lovely midsummer celebration held every year. First built in the late s by a German baron, Pavilosta grew and developed first as a manufacturer of ships and later as a fishing harbor.
The Baltic Sea is never more than a few minutes away in this cozy seaside town. The city underwent some difficulty during the communist period in the 20th century, but it has since rebounded to become a fishing center and worthwhile place to visit. A town in central Latvia not to be missed is Cesis. Originally planned and built in the 13th century, Cesis is full of important Latvian history and fascinating historical sites.
The oldest section of Riga is still surrounded by a moat, and contains several medieval buildings. These include a cathedral from the 13th century and guild halls dating from the 14th century. There are a number of universities in Riga, including the Latvian Academy of Sciences. The city also boasts a symphony orchestra, theatres, museums and a zoo. These images were acquired thirty years apart and show a clear before and after demonstrating how urban development has changed Riga, especially the south east where the national airport is located.
Another aim of these images is to promote the opportunity to download Landsat data through the ESA portals, where images captured every day are made available in near real time to the users and the scientific community. View large format slider.
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