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Capital and largest city of Latvia
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Riga is the financial, creative, and cultural centre of Latvia. It is the capital and the largest city in Latvia, it is also the second largest city in the Baltic States after the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. The city lies on the Gulf of Riga, at the mouth of Daugava, Riga has a population of approximately 640,000 inhabitants, or 1/3 of the population of Latvia. The city was part of many empires throughout history, each of which has left its mark on the city. It is famous for Art Nouveau and wooden architecture. Riga's historical centre is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The old town, entirely listed as a world heritage site, is the primary draw for visitors and many of the city's most prominent sights are here. The streets and alleys are lined with restaurants, bars, shops and hotels. The impressive central market lies just south of the old town.
Centrs, encircling the old town and extending northeast, is the commercial centre of Riga, famous for its Art Nouveau architecture, parks and boulevards. It is also a place to go to for nightlife and hotels; the high-rise Hotel Latvija (which doubles as a landmark) with its Skyline bar on the top floor offers both.
Further out on the eastern bank, you have an opportunity to see some more rural attractions including Mežaparks district with the Latvian Song and Dance Festival open air stage, and the city’s zoo. It also includes the district of Latgales apkaime with Jewish heritage.
The West Bank of Daugava offers nice parks and beaches, 18th- and 19th-century wooden architecture in Agenskalns, the mountain-shaped building of the National Library of Latvia, and a railway museum. The TV tower on Zaķusala island is the tallest tower in the European Union. Riga International Airport lies just outside the city limits.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Lieldienas
Egg fights!
Maija Grāfs
Medieval festival. Takes place annually in mid-May.
Takes place annually at the end of May. The largest international beer festival in the Baltics.
On June 24, Latvians celebrate the summer solstice with the midsummer festival called Jāņi. Before the celebration, flea markets are held in many places.
Latvian Vispārējie latviešu Dziesmu un Deju svētki
One of the key cultural events in Latvia, which started in 1873 as a singing festival. This festival has become an important facet of Latvian culture and has been held 25 times since then. There are smaller Song and Dance Festivals between 5-year time spans. About 30,000 people from every corner of the country participate, with choirs and dance groups at the heart of the celebrations. Brass bands, folk ensembles, players of the zither-like kokle, amateur theatrical troupes, and foreign guests also perform at the festival. The traditional procession through the street of Riga is not to be missed, as the participants invoke plenty of enthusiastic audience participation.
Rīgas svētki
Traditional weekend of celebrating a city. Many cultural events take place all around the city.
Baltā nakts
Rīgas Ritmi festivāls
Lattelecom Rīgas maratons
The biggest sport marathon held since 2007 in Latvia.
Youth sport festival that encourages and enables every visitor to try to explore inspiring sports and culture on water, land and air (e.g. longboarding, SUP, wakeboarding, hydro-cycles, mountain bikes, slack line).
Cheap but good pizza.
A network of 8 restaurants offering decent hearty Latvian food, including desserts, at good prices. The restaurants are either cafeteria-style or feature English menus.
By bus
There are international bus connections to anywhere in Europe, including frequent service to Tallinn and Tartu in Estonia, and Vilnius and Kaunas in Lithuania.
By train
AS Pasazieru vilciens (meaning "Passenger Trains Company") operates service to many cities in Latvia, including the suburbs of Riga.
By car
Riga has good road connections with Estonia, Lithuania, Russia, and Belarus. Riga is on the Via Baltica and ~300 km from Tallinn and Vilnius.
By yacht
By public transport
The city-owned Rigas Satiksme company operates the trams (street-cars), buses, and trolleybuses. They all use the same e-ticket system called e-talons.
By bicycle
SIXT Latvia operates self-service bicycle rentals at bicycle stands across the city. The service is available to both residents and guests of Riga.
By electric scooter
From April to September a good way to go short distances is by electric scooter, which are abundant on city streets. Download Bolt, Citybee or Ride apps to use them.
By taxi
The best way to hire a taxi is to use the Bolt, Panda Taxi or Red Cab mobile app, which allow you to see the rates being charged, time to pickup, enter the destination, and pay with the credit card…
By car
It is not advisable to get around Riga by car unless you need to move things around.
By carsharing
It is common in Riga to use carsharing apps. There are almost always some cars available near the center.
By boat
Boat service is available from May to September from/to Jūrmala.
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Riga · International · RIX
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