Heading to Riga next week - any tips?

YouBelongWithMe · 2024-10-05T19:08:29+00:00

Me and my friend, late 30s, three days in Riga. We've booked a spa treatment for one afternoon but otherwise we have no plans!

JWR · 05/10/2024 21:03

Museum of the occupation of Latvia is fascinating. Train out to Jurmala for a beach walk

Doggymummar · 05/10/2024 21:04

Wrap up warm. I had to buy all new hats gloves etc when I went. Freezing

Isleoftights · 05/10/2024 21:15

You'll be struck by the number of Art Nouveau buildings - Riga has more than any other city in the world. The Art Nouveau museum - Albert iela, 12, (open 10- 6 Tue - Sun) will explain all.

DaneMum · 05/10/2024 21:18

The ethnographic open air museum. We went in the autumn a few years ago on a foggy day and the colours of the leaves were amazing. A magical place!

Isleoftights · 05/10/2024 21:20

Art Nouveau museum

jugendstils.riga.lv/eng/sakums/

AceOfCups · 05/10/2024 21:21

The central market is great

also the Lido restaurants are buffet style and are a great way to sample local cuisine

pick up a bottle of Riga black balsam and buy some amber jewellery

AdoraBell · 05/10/2024 21:25

Never been there myself so I can’t help just wanted to say I hope you have a good trip.

Milkmani8 · 09/10/2024 21:50

Book a free walking tour, you ‘tip’ your guide at the end of the tour. They do different ones for the old town, art nouveau district etc. Eat at Ala Folk Klubs, try Lido for cheap and cheerful
local food, Kolanade restaurant overlooking the park is pretty. There’s the central market and also a very nice smaller one in Agenskalns. The canal tour takes you out on a boat through the canal into the Daugava river - lovely on a bright day. The Stura maja (KGB museum/prison) is an interesting insight into soviet occupation as is the Occupation museum. There’s a very large Orthodox Church in the centre, beautiful from the outside and in. If you want to venture further out then there the Ethnographic museum, you’ll need to get the bus or a taxi or if you want a walk in a different town take the train to Jurmala (seaside town). Looks to be warm weather next week for October, think it might be the warmest on record if it does reach 17c. Make sure you try the Latvian garlic bread, the cheeses are delicious, great selection of local beers. And black balsam of course - great in a hot cocktail, ask any bar tender or waiter and they will make you one.

Original poster

YouBelongWithMe · 10/10/2024 11:19

Milkmani8 · 09/10/2024 21:50

Book a free walking tour, you ‘tip’ your guide at the end of the tour. They do different ones for the old town, art nouveau district etc. Eat at Ala Folk Klubs, try Lido for cheap and cheerful
local food, Kolanade restaurant overlooking the park is pretty. There’s the central market and also a very nice smaller one in Agenskalns. The canal tour takes you out on a boat through the canal into the Daugava river - lovely on a bright day. The Stura maja (KGB museum/prison) is an interesting insight into soviet occupation as is the Occupation museum. There’s a very large Orthodox Church in the centre, beautiful from the outside and in. If you want to venture further out then there the Ethnographic museum, you’ll need to get the bus or a taxi or if you want a walk in a different town take the train to Jurmala (seaside town). Looks to be warm weather next week for October, think it might be the warmest on record if it does reach 17c. Make sure you try the Latvian garlic bread, the cheeses are delicious, great selection of local beers. And black balsam of course - great in a hot cocktail, ask any bar tender or waiter and they will make you one.

This all sounds fantastic... Sadly i am coeliac!

OP posts:

Milkmani8 · 10/10/2024 11:55

@YouBelongWithMe Oh dear, no bread for you then 😩