Entertainment in Riga. Open left menu rig

13.04.2023

…What can I say: Riga is a very cool city. We stayed here for three and a half days, and during this time the capital of Latvia gave us many unforgettable impressions. Finding yourself in the whirlwind of its narrow streets, you seem to fall into some other reality, where the air is filled with the amber light of forged lanterns, and the songs of street musicians seem to intertwine with the songs of the Baltic wind. I won’t hide: I liked our trip to Riga. Therefore, writing this article, replaying the memories of those days in my head, is somehow especially warm and pleasant.

I hope yours trip to Latvia you will like ours no less than we do. And in order to help you make your trip a little more interesting and brighter, we have prepared this short review for you, collecting in it all the interesting activities and entertainment that you definitely need to devote time to while traveling around the Latvian capital.

16 things to do during trips to Latvia

Stay in an old mansion.

This option will allow you to feel like a real resident of this city for a short time, will help you better understand it and feel its atmosphere. By choosing an apartment instead of a standard hotel, you get a chance to “peek behind the scenes” and see the city as the locals see it. Moreover, you can live in one of the houses in old Riga for very little money. Find a good option, and you can also save a little by using the AIRBNB website (which, by the way, offers a small bonus to all new users of the project. To get it, just register using this link).

From the window of our apartment, for example, there was such a stunning view. It’s always a special pleasure to greet the morning looking at such beauty.

Wander around the old town.

Well, there’s probably no need to explain anything here. The Old Town is the real heart of Riga, its soul and its main center of attraction. Therefore, you are unlikely to miss these places. In this place, the present and the past intertwine with each other in the most bizarre way. Replicas of ancient buildings stand side by side with original buildings dating back hundreds of years. And cute street cafes, original art installations and modern cars of wealthy Riga residents surprisingly harmoniously complement the image of old squares and alleys.

However, you will probably note all this without me. Therefore, I will not burden you with all this unnecessary information in vain. Instead, I’d better throw in a few photos here, which will probably convey the atmosphere of these places much more eloquently.

Take photos on the narrow streets of Riga.

Do not know, what to do in Riga? Have a little photo shoot for yourself! The capital of Latvia is a surprisingly photogenic city. Therefore, anyone can find some interesting shots for themselves. In general, all fans of VKontakte and Instagram will definitely like it here.

Dedicated to the upcoming release of the film “Spectre”...

Lady with a handbag

Feel like a movie character on Jauniela Street.

It just so happened that two cult films were filmed on this picturesque street during Soviet times. At one time, the famous Baker Street from the epic film about the famous detective Sherlock Holmes was located here. And also the Flower Street of “Swiss” Bern, which is familiar to us all from the TV series “17 Moments of Spring”.
Without visiting this place, trip to Riga will definitely be incomplete.

Make a wish at the monument to the Bremen Town Musicians.

Like in many other cities, there is a place in Riga where flocks of tourists rub/twist something together, hoping that this non-trivial ritual will fulfill some of their deepest desires. To believe in such things or not is everyone’s business. But it’s definitely worth visiting the Riga monument to the Bremen Town Musicians. At least because it is one of the most popular and “photographed” monuments in Latvia.

The monument is located behind St. Peter's Church (in the Sk?r?u iela area). In the photo its location is marked by a group of tourists

His wish fulfillment system is quite simple - make a wish and rub the nose of one of the animals. Well, the higher you reach, the faster your wish will come true. By the way, reaching the rooster is quite difficult (even with my height of 195 cm). But it's definitely worth a try. Even if it takes some time. In general, it will be what to do in Riga.

See the famous Riga spiers.

In general, there are only four main “high-rise buildings” in the capital of Latvia – St. Jacob’s Church, St. Peter’s Church, Dome Cathedral and Riga Castle. It was these buildings that were the main symbols of old Latvia in Soviet times. Their images were used almost everywhere. And over time, the panorama of the city topped with sharp roofs became so popular that other buildings were often counted among the Riga spiers.

Today, in addition to the four main buildings, the expanded list also includes the spiers of the Riga Academy of Sciences, the Church of St. Magdalene, the Anglican Church of the Holy Redeemer, as well as the thin needle of the Riga TV Tower. Which one should you pay attention to during trips to Latvia– decide for yourself.

Riga Castle

The buildings with the four main spiers of Riga can be found at: Herdera laukums 6 (Dome Cathedral), Skarnu iela 19 (St. Peter's Church), Jakaba iela 9 (St. Jacob's Church), Pils laukums 3 (Riga Castle). The best view of all Riga's spiers opens from the left bank of the Daugava.

View Riga from above.

By the way, many high-rise buildings in Riga today are equipped with observation decks. But most of them have an entrance fee. You can climb the tower of St. Peter’s Cathedral for 7 euros, the observation deck of the “Stalinist high-rise” Academy of Sciences (Academy Square, 1) for 4 euros, and the platform of the Riga TV Tower (Zakusala Island) for 3.70 euros. The last option may seem the most tempting (especially considering the fact that the Riga TV Tower, with a height of 368 meters, is officially considered the most tall building Baltic states). However, I would strongly advise you not to choose it. If only because the windows in this building are constantly dirty.

Academy of Sciences of Latvia and Riga TV Tower

Instead, go to the Panorama cafe, located on the roof shopping center Galleria Riga (Dzirnavu iela, 67) or to the pretentious Riga Sky Line bar in the Latvia Hotel (aka Radisson Blu Hotel). You can come here on weekdays completely free of charge. It’s better to spend the remaining money on coffee. All kinds of cocktails there are expensive (9-12 euros).

Hotel Latvia on Brivibas Ave. View from Cafe Panorama

Listen to the melodies of street musicians.

I don’t know why, but trips to the Old World are always associated in my mind with the music of street musicians. A few months ago we listened to a cool street concert during a trip to Warsaw. This time we came across an equally interesting performance by street musicians in Riga. The guys were playing Pharell Williams' “because i'm happy” on the trumpet. And some little EU citizen was dancing in the background. In general, it was great.

Wander through Riga's parks.

Autumn in Latvia is very picturesque. We especially liked the park next to the Freedom Monument (on Brivibas Avenue). Ponds, bridges with locks, ducks running underfoot and a huge amount of yellow, red and orange colors around - it looks very beautiful.

See Riga through the eyes of a local resident. After all, someone like real Riga residents will be able to show you all the most hidden corners of this city, tell you about the legends of old Riga, show the city “from the inside”, the way it appears to ordinary residents of Latvia. In order to move away from the traditional format of excursions, some time ago, on the basis of the Tripster project, a number of unusual custom tours were created from “ local residents" Today they enjoy stable popularity in Riga. View the full list of such non-standard excursions. If finances allow, do not miss this opportunity.
Visit Riga's Art Nouveau neighborhoods(located in the area of Elizabetes, Alberta, Antonias streets and some others adjacent to them).

Latvian Art Nouveau has long been considered one of the symbols of Riga. Pay attention to these areas. There really is something to see there. And in general, trip to Riga– a great opportunity to understand a little the intricacies of architectural styles.

Take a walk along the banks of the Daugava.

Just dress warmly first. Autumn weather in Riga is some kind of hellish swing! Now it’s rain, now it’s sunny, now it’s fog, now it’s wind... First you leave the house and think: “Why am I dressed like a cabbage.” But after an hour you realize that you did the right thing.

National Library of Latvia. Architecture in the late “anyhow” style. There is also some kind of crown on top.

Take a photo of the ugliest library in the world .

Do you think we have one in Minsk? I hasten to assure you: not at all. In comparison with the unsightly and somewhat awkward building of the National Library of Latvia, our “Diamond of Knowledge” is simply an architectural masterpiece. In general, you don’t know what to do in Riga- go to the Daugava. There is always a lot of interesting things here.

Compare Minsk and Riga Lido.

Another object for comparison is two Lido restaurants located in two capitals. As for me, our Lido is even a little better than the Latvian one. At least in Riga, Tanya constantly grumbled that there was some tension with desserts in this place.

Here are the local dishes national cuisine I liked it. But this should probably be written as a separate paragraph. Sooooo….

Try Latvian national cuisine.

There are actually a lot of strange things here, but at the same time very interesting. Milk soup with fish, semolina porridge with beaten egg, pumpkin compote and many other strange oddities. Although in reality everything turns out to be very, very tasty. For example, I especially liked the gray peas with bacon. It looks unpretentious, but is actually delicious. You eat and immediately imagine yourself as some kind of Latvian farmer from the Middle Ages. In Lido this dish cost 1.65 euros. Oh, yes... This restaurant also brews very tasty beer (1.95 euros per mug). In short, you won't know what to do in Riga– go on a tour of local gastronomic establishments. This is quite an adventure.

Treat yourself to Latvian pastries.

The people of Riga simply adore her. And Tanya (our main sweets specialist) really liked it too. At the same time, good pastries can be found both in cafes and in regular stores. For example, we liked the shop at the intersection of Tallinas and Krisjana Barona streets. And also cafe “Martina”. Both places made very cool buns (0.3-0.45 euros).

Bonus. If you suddenly start to get bored in the Latvian capital itself, go on a tour of its nearest suburbs.

Turaida Castle in autumn

In summer, the numerous beach villages in Jurmala can be a good solution. In autumn (as in our case), a much better option would be Sigulda and the Gauja National Park located in its vicinity.

Filled with myriads of yellow, red and burgundy colors at this time of year, these places become especially beautiful and picturesque. However, see for yourself...

That's all. I hope our article is about what to do in Riga was useful to you. Write comments and share your impressions of your own trips. We will be glad to see you again. Bye!

Some useful information for organizing your trip:

The average cost of hostels in Riga ranges from 6-12 dollars (for a bed in a shared room). You can view inexpensive housing options on this website. Our personal selection of the best hostels in the Latvian capital is presented.

Renting a Riga apartment for a day (for two people) costs from 29 to 45 dollars. You can view current options and get a discount on your first booking on this website.

Approximate cost hotel rooms(2-3*): 25-50 dollars. You can check prices for several booking systems at once and save a little by using this site.

Fabulous Riga is located on the shore Baltic Sea and is divided into two parts by the Dugava River. Riga is one of the best places to spend a romantic weekend and family vacation. To understand and feel the atmosphere of this city, it is enough to visit its main square. Ancient “gingerbread” houses, St. Peter’s Cathedral, the statue of Rolonda, the symbol of Latvian independence, the Dome Cathedral – all this is something every traveler should see.

The capital of Latvia seems to be specially created for leisurely walks along the medieval streets and conversations over a cup of coffee. But the main uniqueness of Riga is that it is easy to combine sightseeing and beach holiday. The city's beaches are wide and clean, some of them are even marked with the Blue Flag. In summer, the coast is dotted with tourists, but in autumn and spring you can stroll along the deserted beach, breathing in the cool sea air.

If you want to diversify your visit with a visit to the museum, then pay attention to National Museum history of Latvia and the National Art Museum.

When is the best time to go?

To fully enjoy your visit to Riga, including sunbathing on the beach and splashing in the Baltic Sea, it is better to choose the summer months for your trip, when the thermometer rises to an average of +25°C. If you do not intend to sunbathe, but are going to devote time to exploring the culture and historical sights of Riga, then the spring months and the beginning of autumn will be the most comfortable.

In winter the city is quite cold and damp. Temperature drops due to cold weather air masses from the sea. But if the cold doesn't bother you, then visit Riga during the Christmas holidays.

What to buy?

Shopping in Riga comes from Soviet Union. In that era, everyone dreamed of Latvian cosmetics, bought Riga sprats for the New Year's table and decorated the sideboard with a bottle of Riga balsam. These legendary products have not lost their relevance today.

Real Riga sprats of a rich golden color, made from fresh Baltic fish, placed in jars in even rows, are sold in the Latvian capital everywhere - from small grocery stores and markets to large supermarkets.

The list of mandatory purchases includes cosmetics from the Dzintars company. Many specialize in selling cosmetic products from this brand. The permanent symbol of the city and Latvia as a whole is the Riga Balsam. This alcoholic drink is attributed medicinal properties, because the drink is a tincture of all kinds of local herbs. Look for antiques on flea market in the Latgalite area, and traditional souvenirs are sold in shops and stores near the main attractions.

What to try?

The culinary capital of Latvia does not end with sprats alone. The range of fish dishes on the menu is amazing. Herring dishes are popular here. It is fried with vegetables, pickled, and made into sandwiches and salads. All kinds of smoked fish are popular among tourists: salmon, eel, flounder, cod. Thanks to the peculiarities of preparation, you can not only try smoked delicacies during your trip, but also take them home with you.

Latvian rye bread deserves special attention. It is prepared in the classic form, as well as with all kinds of additives: dried fruits, nuts, seeds. Soups, appetizers and even desserts are made from rye bread.

In authentic Latvian cuisine restaurants you will definitely be offered dishes with wild mushrooms and berries, blood sausage, meat steaks and charcoal fish. For dessert, go to the nearest supermarket - there you will definitely find the legendary Karums sweet cheeses.

Where to stay?

The Latvian capital has a sufficient number of hotels and hostels for all tourists. The city is one of the most popular destinations in Europe, and there are always plenty of people willing to get the best hotel room. That is why, when going here, it is worthwhile in advance.

For the most discerning travelers in the center of Riga there are many 4 and 5 star hotels. Luxury hotels will cost an average of 150-200 euros per day. A budget option accommodation – hostels, which you can easily find both in the Old Town and in other areas. The golden mean is represented by hotels of 2 and 3 star categories.

The place where the waters of the Daugava River meet the sands of the Baltic Sea, and the light pine forest turns into soft narrow beaches. The main attraction of the peninsula is the Mangalsala Dam or the Eastern Pier, built back in 1861 under the patronage of the Russian Tsar Alexander II. In addition, here you can find catacombs from the Russian-Swedish War, protected by the state. Mangalsala is recommended for visiting for lovers of picturesque sunsets and thrills. You can get here from the center by bus number 24.

Mezaparks district

The most prestigious green area of the city, where you can walk for hours, looking at old and new mansions. Until 1923, it was called the Tsar’s Forest; peasants lived there, growing vegetables and fruits for the townspeople. But everything changed dramatically at the end of the 19th century. At the instigation of the chief architect of Riga, rich and creative people began to build their dachas here. Now this is a favorite walking place among Riga residents. The most delicious eclairs are prepared in the Gustav Adolf cafe, named after the Swedish king of the 17th century. It is also good to combine a visit to Mezaparks with a visit to the oldest zoo in Northern Europe, grand concerts on the singing stage and services in Russian in the chamber Lutheran church.

Miera Street

Miera iela

Local residents call it the Republic of Miera: there is a workshop for processing glass containers into objects of modern design “Boutelion”, a teahouse “Illoseum”, where you can buy tea from all over the Earth and admire the psychedelic interior, a hairdresser-library, a hotel for flowers, clothing rental XX century, a salon of antique furniture and many, many other interesting establishments.

Nudist beach in Vecaki

Riga, Vecaki

A place popular not only among nudists, but also among all fans of wild tourism on the right hand of the Vetsaki city beach. You can spend a couple of hours or a whole day here, and play games on the way back. Beach volleyball, and next to the volleyball court - eat simple food, like sprat sandwiches, beetroot soup and shish kebab. Already at railway station At the Wave Cafe you should definitely try Indian food and pizza rich in toppings on a thin Indian flatbread. The trip can be combined with a trip to Mangalsala.

Cafe Osiris

Krišjāņa Barona iela 31

Perhaps the most stable cafe in Riga was opened in 1994 by the director of the National Opera and simply a talented person, Andrejs Žagars. Several tables, a laconic interior and a fusion menu that has not changed for 20 years, like the main composition of the guests. A favorite place for journalists, artists and other creative citizens. Pancakes, sandwiches and pastas are equally good.

Andrejsala Peninsula

Andreevsky Peninsula is not only yachts, sailboats and ferries, but also a lot of good establishments for every budget. Starting from the old democratic bus with burgers and fries, ending with the glamorous Aqua Luna restaurant with fried foie gras and elements of Japanese cuisine, or the snobby Koja, where Latvian dishes are discovered in a new way. Even at the beginning of the 19th century, the island was not on the map of Riga, but already in the 20th century it was right opposite historical center The port with industrial buildings has expanded. In the 2000s, young artists, designers and budding restaurateurs began to settle in. Nowadays, fans of seascapes, gourmets and party-goers spend their time here.

Animal cemetery

Bramberģes iela 63

A touching place, familiar to every Riga resident: a light pine forest, monuments, photographs and flowers. Everything is like with people, only better. The cemetery has existed since 2004, when it was founded by the talented fashion designer Ugis Ruitis, who lived a difficult life, part of which was his best friend, a Labrador named Carbo Cerbo Corso van der Clemenceau. In the center of the cemetery - mass grave in the form of a collar for homeless animals and those whose owners cannot afford to pay for a separate place. On Pet Remembrance Day (second Sunday in September), a saxophone plays here in the morning. There is also a monument to accidentally crushed insects.

Introduction to Moscow suburb

Latgale suburb

The Moscow suburb in Riga begins with the Central Market - a tourist attraction and a favorite place for fans of farm products, as well as Riga's grandparents: the prices are surprising in a good way. The market lives in former airship hangars built during the First World War - there are only nine such structures in Europe, and five of them are in Riga. It is better to go through the pavilions through the rich fish, through the fragrant green and to the meat. Immediately after the meat pavilion you can turn right along Gogol Street. This is where the Moscow Forshtadt begins - the most international district of the city. To the left is the Church of All Saints, where Fyodor Chaliapin performed. To the right is the Stalinist skyscraper of the Academy of Sciences with the best view of Old Riga. Directly - the walls of the Great Choral Synagogue, which was burned in 1941 along with the people. There is also a flea market, an exhibition hall and a youth theater. The atmosphere has hardly changed over the past 100 years.

Cafe Andalūzijas Suns

Elizabetes iela 83/85

A democratic cafe in the bourgeois quarter of Berga Bazaar. The cuisine is a mixture of Latvian, Mexican and American food. Moderately unobtrusive service, a large selection of local draft beer and tequila-based cocktails. Jazz plays once or twice a week in the evenings. If it’s too noisy, you can go to the Garage wine bar across the street or the fine-dining restaurant Bergs next door. Directly above the cafe is the K. Suns cinema, where they show underground films with subtitles in Russian and Latvian.

Museum of Roman Suta and Alexandra Belcova

Elizabetes iela 57a-26

The apartment-museum of outstanding Latvian modernist masters was created by their daughter Tatyana Suta, a ballerina, art critic and TV presenter. The interior and atmosphere of the salon parties, which the owners hosted on Thursdays, refer to the beginning of the last century - to the heyday of their creativity. Beltsova and Suta met while studying at the Penza Art School, but began to live and work together in Riga. The result of the union was works, 4,500 of which Tatjana Suta donated to the Latvian state with the condition of creating a museum.

Photos: cover - Anton_Ivanov / Shutterstock.com, 1 - out0fwave, 2 - Dāvis Mosāns, 3 - Buteljons, 4 - Shutterstock.com, 5 - www.abcsofbeijing.com, 6 - Reinis Traidas, 7 - www.petcemetery.lv, 8 - "Wikipedia", 9 - A. Suns cafe, 10 - Romana Sutas and Aleksandras Beļcovas Muzejs

Riga - beautiful Old city. It has preserved ancient buildings, there are castles in the Baroque and Rococo styles, temples of various religions. At the end of winter, it is still quite cold here and in order not to freeze, you need to approach planning your vacation wisely. Before your trip to Riga in February 2020, we advise you to read our article in order to know in advance how to dress for the weather, what to consider, what to do during your vacation.

Well, hello, winter Riga!

About the weather

The weather in Riga in February is cold, windy and dank. Due to high humidity and piercing winds, a slight minus feels like real frost. In a matter of minutes, your nose and cheeks turn red. The air temperature in early February remains at −1–−4⁰С, and at night it drops to −7–−9⁰С. Severe frosts down to −20⁰С are very rare.

In the second half of the month, the temperature is often above zero, but the wind increases even more. The air warms up to an average of +4⁰С.

At the end of February, the snow begins to melt in Riga, causing puddles and slush underfoot. Ice often appears on the roads. Most The weather has been cloudy for months, there are few sunny days - on average 3-4 for the whole of February.

Weather forecast in Riga in February 2020.

Tatyana, Moscow:

“When we arrived in Riga in February, we were constantly freezing. It rained often. Clothes and shoes were wet. But despite the cloudy weather, we liked the city. We don’t regret the trip.”

When going on a trip, be sure to take warm clothes: tights, pants, a jacket with a hood, a hat and gloves. Don't forget insulated boots and wool socks. It is advisable to treat shoes with water-repellent impregnation. If it snows and rains, then an umbrella is unlikely to save you; it is better to hide in a cafe during this time.

There is no need to think about swimming in the Baltic Sea. February temperature sea water averages about 0⁰С. The lakes are completely covered with ice at this time.

The wind is raging on the Baltic Sea.

Guided tours

We recommend starting your acquaintance with the city with a simple sightseeing tour in the company of a guide. Here you will see all the most important and beautiful objects of the capital, get acquainted with its history. A ticket for a two-hour tour costs €15. Children under 12 years old participate for free.

We recommend as an alternative. By paying €5 for a tour, you will see the main attractions, learn how to navigate the city and learn how to make your vacation in the Latvian capital economical and memorable. The duration of the excursion is 3 hours.

. This two-hour walking tour will introduce you to urban legends and the history of the center's most striking attractions. You can go for a walk with your children. The cost of participation is €19 per person.
. The guide will take you to interesting, conceptual cafes and restaurants serving Latvian cuisine, and introduce you to the peculiarities of local village food. Even though the tour is gastronomic, you will learn a lot about the history and architecture of the city. The program is designed for a company of up to 5 people. The cost of the excursion is €50 if there are 1 or 2 of you, or €25 each if there are more of you. Duration - 2 hours 30 minutes.

Gastronomic walk around the city.

.The excursion will allow you to try on the images of the famous detective’s contemporaries and even Sherlock himself, walk through the filming locations of the famous TV movie, play with the camera and get about 100 processed images. The cost of the walk is €160 for a group of 1–4 people. Duration - 1 hour 30 minutes.
. The cost of the excursion is €69 for a company of up to 6 people. In 3.5 hours you will see all the sights of the popular resort and hear funny stories associated with this place.

Trip to Jurmala.

The entire range of Russian-language excursions in Riga is on the websites and. Choose! And have a pleasant experience!

February leisure

If you are an active person, here are some options for leisure activities in Riga in February:

Spend time at the skating rink. There are many of them in Riga - both indoor and outdoor. Most popular place- ice skating rink in the Lido park at Krasta iela, 76. The park has a lot of entertainment for adults and children - shooting galleries, a Ferris wheel, attractions, cafes and restaurants. The cost of the skating rink on weekdays is €3 for adults, €2 for children. Skate rental - €1.50 per hour.

In winter, city skating rinks are open every day.

To ski. Head to the very center of Riga - to Uzvaras Park. There is a free ski slope here. Equipment is available for rent (€4.5 per hour). The rental office is open from 10:00 to 21:00.

Ski walk in Uzvaras park.

Take a walk around the Riga Zoo(Meza prospekts, 1). You can feed and touch the animals, and if it gets cold, warm up in the Tropical House, where exotic animals live. The zoo is open every day. Ticket price for adults is €6, for children – €4.

Children will love the local zoo.

Try your hand at a high-speed descent from the mountains on a steerable sled. In Sigulda, a small town an hour's drive from Riga, there is a bobsleigh and luge track. It is available not only to athletes, but also to amateurs. The cost of descent is from 10 to 50 depending on “ vehicle" You can get to the town by bus, train, or by ordering a taxi.

In Sigulda you can try your hand at luge.

Vacationing with children visit Livu water park in Jurmala(20 km from Riga). You can get there from the city by public transport or taxi. The center is open all year round. Inside there are swimming pools with sea and fresh water, slides, saunas, and jacuzzi. In February, an adult ticket costs €18.5 for 2 hours. Discounts for children, families and pensioners.

It's always summer at Livu Water Park.

Olga, Moscow:

February holidays at the Lido amusement park.

If you want to eat deliciously, go to the Riga fish restaurant Le Dome at st. Miesnieku 4. Order any dish from the menu and don’t forget to try the signature dessert of rye bread with cheese cream and berry sauce.

Shopping

The end of winter in Riga is the sales season and a great time for shopping. Take this chance and please your loved ones with gifts from Latvia. From the capital you can bring not only the famous black balsam and Riga sprats, but also many other useful souvenirs:

amber products, for example, a magnet with Baltic stone;

Amber jewelry to remember the trip.

sweets from the local Laima factory;
ceramics;
linen products;
cosmetics and perfumery Dzintars;
LAUMA lingerie;
Karums cheesecakes;

Enjoy Karums cheesecakes.

pepper cookies;
smoked fish in original packaging.

Alexey, Moscow:

“I bought a pendant with green amber as a gift for my girlfriend. The seller explained that this is a swamp stone, which is why the color is so unusual. I brought Riga balsam with black currant to my parents. It differs from the traditional Latvian drink in its milder taste.”

For groceries, go to the Central Riga Market.

Cosmetics, clothing and other goods - in stores:

Galerija Centrs at Audeju iela, 16;
Univers alveikals Stockmann at Janvara iela 8;
Olimpia, located at Azenes iela, 5.

Holidays and concerts - event poster

On February 10, 2020, one of the significant events of February will take place in Riga - Methenis (Maslenitsa). On this day, city residents will say goodbye to winter, bake traditional pancakes, ride with ice slides and lead round dances. To join the folk festivities, go to the Latvian Ethnographic Museum at Brīvības gatve 440. From 12:00 to 16:00 a folklore performance awaits you. Ticket price is €2.

Until February 24, you can visit the exhibition “Portrait in Latvia” at the Latvian National Museum of Art at Jaņa Rozentāla laukums 1. It presents outstanding works from museum and private collections. You can attend the event on any day of the week except Monday. Opening hours: 10:00–17:00. Entrance price - from €2 to €3.5.
On February 16, 2020, the play “Plastic Fantasy” will be shown in the city. This unique show combines pantomime and improvisation. If you are going on vacation with a child, don't miss it. The performance starts at 12:00. Duration - 1 hour 30 minutes. Ticket price is from €12 to €20. Venue - Rīgas Kongresu nams.

Travel budget

When calculating your travel budget, take into account in advance the costs that you are likely to incur:

air tickets from Moscow to Riga and back ≈ 16,720 rubles;
round-trip train ticket from Moscow ≈ 10,900 reserved seat carriage and 15,500 in a coupe;
daily accommodation in a 4-star hotel in a double room ≈ 4,000 rubles;
a week's tour to Riga for two in a 4* hotel ≈ 42,400 rubles;
travel by public transport - €2;
lunch in an inexpensive cafe (for example, in LIDO) - €7;
dinner for two with alcohol - €35.

A delicious dinner at the end of an adventurous day.

Conclusion

A holiday in Riga is usually not complete without visiting excursion programs. Dress properly, plan your routes, and then exploring the city will be a pleasure. If possible, visit a theater or museum. There are also facilities for real people in Riga winter activities: skating rinks and ski slopes, and they are open here from morning until evening.