Riga
Arrived in Riga, Latvia from Tallinn, Estonia by bus for 18 euros. It took 4 hours in total and I used the bus company, Lux Express, I found his company to be very reliable, friendly and a professional service with great free tea/coffee facilities.
Latvia is a country on the Baltic Sea between Lithuania and Estonia known for its strong national identity, diverse culture, modern cities and landscapes ranging from wide beaches to dense, sprawling forests.
Riga is Latvia’s largest city and capital, it is a cultural centre with museums and concert halls known for its wooden buildings, medieval Old Town and art nouveau architecture. Set on the Baltic Sea at the mouth of the River Daugava.
Riga’s old medieval town is a city full of pretty architectural buildings, sculptures and small pretty parks to relax.
Hotels are a very reasonable price in Riga as was everything else in Riga.
Riga is a city that has a lot to offer from exciting museums to great nightlife and streets packed full of coffee bars to sit back, relax and enjoy taking a step back in time.
The food is a very good price, you should expect to find a lot of pork offerings such as pork ribs, pork neck and pork loin as well as different pasta and pizza dishes.
Riga is a very nice medieval city and it really is like taking a step back in step.
Riga certainly has enough to keep you entertained for a couple of days.
Getting from Riga airport to city centre Riga
Riga International Airport is approximately 5 km south of the city centre.
The easiest way from Riga airport to Riga old town is to get a taxi for 13 euros, you will find these right outside the airport.
Public bus no 22 runs the route of Riga airport to Riga’s city centre which will cost 2 euros.
Mini- Bus route 222 which takes you from Riga airport to Riga’s central bus station for 1.50 euro.
All tickets can be bought ON the transport method and remember to valid your ticket.
Travelling Around Riga
For travel within the old city, I would suggest to just walk. However, there are around 10 tram lines, 20 trolleybus lines and 50 bus routes taking you to every destination possible.
You can buy tickets from the bus driver at slightly more, post office, ticket machine ad supermarkets.
1/2/4/5/10 rides costing 1.20/2.40/4.50/6 euros
A 1- day ticket cost’s 5 euros (£4)
A 3- day ticket cost’s 10 euros (£8)
A 5- day ticket cost 15 euros (£12)
Do not forget to activate your travel card on the first journey or face a big fine.
Click the Logo for the great company I used for my Vienna card.
Latvia’s, Riga Card
A Riga Card gives you free travel on all pubic transport and also has great savings on over 150 things to do including museums and sightseeing tours.
24 hours: 25 euros (£20)
48 hours: 30 euros (£24)
72 hours: 35 euros (£28)
If you’re in Riga for a few days I really would recommend getting the Riga card as each attraction itself can cost around 5 euros (£4), around 4 attractions at a discounted price and you’ve saved.
Accommodation, Eating and Drinking in Riga, Latvia
Hotels and hostels budget for every price range with:
Hostel’s in the centre of Riga can be found for around 10 euros (£8) per person.
3- star hotels with 2 sharing a double room with breakfast can be found from around 32 euros (£25).
4- star hotels with 2 sharing a double room with breakfast and spa facilities can be found for around 50 euros (£40).
Or
If you’d rather, you could find a 5- star hotel for 482 euros (£380).
Restaurants are in the central area of Riga and are not too expensive.
If you were looking for a 3- course meal in a mid- range restaurant you could expect to pay 20 euros (£15 and a beer for 2 euros (£1.50).
If you were looking for a single course meal in an inexpensive restaurant you could expect to pay 7 euros (£5).
For nightlife in Riga
Riga has great night live with good bar crawls, click this link for the pub crawl I join and I can highly recommend them for a good night
This pub crawl really makes for a good night out in Riga
My perfect hotel in Riga, Latvia.
Click, image for link.
Highly recommended,
In the heart of the old town of Riga
Professional service and the staff really know their stuff about Riga.
Museums worth a visit in Riga
A lot of museums are free with the Riga card, so if you plan to see a lot of museums and sights it’s worth getting the Riga card at 25 euros.
Latvian National Museum of Art.
Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation.
Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum.
Latvian War Museum.
The National History Museum of Latvia.
Latvian Railway museum.
Things to do and must see in Riga
St. Peter’s Church is a Lutheran church in Riga and enjosy great views of Riga
Riga Town Hall Square where you can sit back and relax with a coffee and enjoy the architectural buildings and see the famous house of blackheads.
KGB Building File No. 1914/2014 worth taking the tour and very interesting.
Cat House is just a restaurant but interesting to see the cat on top dating from 1909.
The Small Guild is a building situated in Riga, Latvia, at 3/5 Amatu Street. The building was erected in the years 1864—66 after a project by architect Johann Felsko in Neo- Gothic style.
Riga Castle is a castle on the banks of River Daugava in Riga, the capital of Latvia. The castle was founded in 1330. This structure was thoroughly rebuilt between 1497 and 1515.
Free things to do Whilst in Riga, Latvia
Take a free walking tour, yes, It’s free (tips excepted but not expected).
The Freedom Monument is a memorial located in Riga, Latvia, honouring soldiers killed during the Latvian War of Independence. It is considered an important symbol of the freedom, independence, and sovereignty of Latvia.
The Three Brothers, Three buildings built next to each other r different times. Keep your eyes peeled as they are hard to spot.
Pilsetas canal is perfect on a nice day to kick back and relax on the greens.
The Nativity of Christ Cathedral, Riga, Latvia was built to a design by Nikolai Chagin and Robert Pflug in a Neo- Byzantine style between 1876 and 1883, during the period when the country was part of the Russian Empire.
Also plenty of churches and cathedrals to pop in, however, a few have an admission fee.
