A last-minute anniversary trip to the Baltic region of northern Europe proved far more appealing than its infamous industrial nature would suggest. Latvia was never particularly high on the list of dreamy getaways, but Riga offered everything and more.
From its striking Art Nouveau architecture and historic Old Town filled with charming cafés to its effortlessly beautiful streets, it was a city with everything not known to be needed. Only a weekend was spent in Riga, but it is a city already drawing the visitor back for a longer stay.
Getting to Riga and Top Attractions
As of writing, there are no direct flights to Riga - or any Latvia destination - from Liverpool John Lennon Airport. Travelers must go to Manchester for departure. The flight time between Manchester and Riga is approximately two hours and 30 minutes, with a two-hour time zone change. The only airline delivering flights is Ryanair.
The best attractions in Riga are free. The Old Town is the most obvious, demanding the vast majority of time with its cobbled streets and historic buildings easy to lose yourself among. Dead centre is Riga Cathedral, towering over its neighbours, with other notable structures including St Peter's church and the quirky Three Brothers houses.
If you're searching for the Riga tourist sign, it's popped in front of the House of Blackheads landmark. Luckily, the bottom of the building boasts an affordable souvenir shop for all your holiday trinkets. The Latvian War Museum, the Occupation Museum and the Museum of Art are all free, so take your time to explore. There's also river boat trips through the Old Town and to the edge of the city for a measly €12.
Is Riga Good for Tourists?
The Freedom Monument and Panorama Tower should be on the list for architecture buffs. The latter even has a viewing deck for the best view of the city. Latvia is rich in authentic Baltic food, so if you're the inquisitive type with a hankering for freshly caught seafood, then you're in luck. Uncle Vanya is one of the best in town, but you'll find great spots everywhere.
Riga is great for tourists. English is the country's second language and widely spoken in the city centre and key tourist areas. You won't have to worry about a language barrier as most of your interactions will begin in English, with English menus and signs readily available. Riga is fairly affordable, and hotel prices won't burn a hole in your bank account. You won't need to travel around by bus or tram either, as all of the hotspots are within walking distance from the city centre.
Personal Thoughts and Experiences
Before arriving, the visitor imagined Latvia would offer more or less the same as its northern neighbour, Estonia; a charming Old Town surrounded by less-than-charming buildings. And hey, they wouldn't have minded. But what they got was a city brimming with beautiful architecture for miles. The parks along the Daugava River looked like something straight off a postcard, with every stereotypical autumn scene you could dream of.
When not busy falling in love with the scenery, they were happily eating their way through the city, popping into all the cute cafés and little shops along the way. They visited quite a few actually, including the decadent Black Magic truffle and cake café with secret entrances with a mystical, apothecary aesthetic. The aforementioned Uncle Vanya's restaurant was the date night stop for a gluttonous array of Latvian home cooked classics, including sturgeon balyk, fish solyanka and pelmeni.
The highest cocktail bar in the city Skyline, atop of the Radisson Hotel building, may seem glamorous, but it was given a miss. It's not all it's marked up to be in terms of views, service or experience. The evening offered just as much fun as the daytime with plenty of bars to keep entertained until late. If you like karaoke, you'll find a venue to sing your heart out on every street. At one point, they counted eight in an approximate two minute walk. If you see a bar, it's probably a karaoke bar.
If the visitor had known how much they would've enjoyed Riga, they would've stayed for longer. For now, it's firmly on the list of destinations to revisit.
