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Jan
10
Riga Travel & Sightseeing Guide
January 10, 2008 |
A trip to Riga
Latvia has been free from the Soviet Union for more than a decade now, and in that short time, Riga has set itself apart as one of the fastest-growing and most contemporary destinations in the entire region. Equal parts hip and historic, Riga is complete with marvellous ancient architecture; slummy, communist-era blockhouses; and a rambunctious nightlife—all of which coalesce to make Riga an important stopover for international tourists.
Flights to Riga
Riga International Airport sits approximately eight miles south of the city centre. Most incoming flights hail from other European destinations, though less frequent flights occasionally head across the Atlantic from North America. The most common direct connections are from Prague, Stockholm, Helsinki, Copenhagen, Frankfurt and Moscow.
The port at Riga is just as popular with international travellers, with frequent and regular traffic to and from the ports in Germany, Finland and Sweden. Latvia’s rail network gets a lot of use, though it isn’t especially efficient. Trains are commonly used to make domestic connections, with a few lines heading across the border to St Petersburg and Moscow. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Riga try Expedia.
Riga
Sightseeing in Riga
The contrasting mix of old and new architecture in Riga make it popular with photographers. The Old Town specialises in historic architecture, and it usually gets more attention from tourists. Riga Cathedral is frequently pictured in guidebooks and pictorials of Riga. Begun in the 1200s, this church blends Romanesque and Gothic architectures. St Peter’s Church is almost a couple hundred years younger and features a climbable spire with panoramic views of Riga.
The New Town holds the ins and outs of day-to-day life in Riga. Most of the architecture here follows trends set during the German Art Nouveau movement, characterized by ornate doorways, strange towers looming over the rooftops, and ghostly faces engraved in the walls. The bars, restaurants and markets here are most popular with locals and offer a candid view into daily life in Riga.
Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
At the dawn of its independence, Latvia knew that the best way to boost tourism was to fuel an energetic night scene. Years later, the result is a feisty, bohemian nightlife that attracts patrons from multiple continents spanning both hemispheres. The bars and clubs in the Old Town are the most touristy, and some nights the drinking and dancing lasts well past the midnight hours. A variety of tastes and budgets are represented in the Old Town’s commercial districts.
Head into the New Town and you may be surprised to find the nightlife is just as healthy here, though you won’t find nearly as many tourists. Locals party in and out of several bars and clubs across the New Town, and interestingly, Russian expats have staked a claim on a few of these nightspots. Stay on your toes in the New Town, as you may find yourself stumbling into a bar haunted by the old Soviet remnant, in which case you’re better off on the street. This brand of clientele steers clear of international tourists for a reason.
Fun by day - shopping and activities
The best shopping options in Riga are located on Audeju Street. Here you’ll find the city’s oldest shopping mall along with several designer outlets and boutiques. International visitors are often pleased to find that Riga actually has quite a bit to offer the modern shopper, especially given its ex-Soviet status. The Central Market is an interesting place to shop, housed in a sprawling complex of old zeppelin hangers. Most of the commerce here revolves around produce and other edible goods.
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