Useful information about Riga and events in Riga

1. Riga city council website in English – website
2. Live Riga – website

Places to see Riga from above

1. St. Peters church – google maps
2. Science Academy – google maps
3. Skyline bar – google maps

 

Getting around Riga and Latvia

1. Riga Central bus station – google maps
2. Riga Central train station – google maps
3. Bus nr. 22 to the airport – schedule

 

Museums in Riga

1. Museum of History and Navigation – google maps – website
2. Decorative arts and design museum – google maps – website
3. Žanis Lipke museum – google maps – website
4. Ethnographic museum – google maps – website
5. Occupation museum – google maps – website
6. Museum of History of Latvia – google maps – website
7. National art museum – google maps – website
8. Art Nouveau museum – google maps – website
9. KGB museum – google maps – website
10. Motor museum – google maps – website

 

What is on another side of the river Daugava?

1. A-B dam – beautiful view of Old Riga – google maps
2. Ķīpsala island – famous for its wooden architecture, on this island also a museum of Zanis Lipke(savior of Jews during WWII) – google maps
3. National Library of Latvia – google maps – website
4. Kalnciema street Quarter – especially known for its weekly market – google maps – website
5. Āgenskalna market (oldest on the left bank of river Daugava) – google maps –

 

Where to eat in Riga?

 

Great coffee & croissant place:

 

1. Conta specialty coffee – google maps

 

Breakfast:

1. Katkevich – opens at 09 00 – google maps
2. This place doesn’t need a name (they have 3 locations in Riga) – google maps
3. Innocent Cafe – coffee shop and breakfast restaurant – google maps

 

Casual:

 

1. Lido – most popular by locals for simple lunch – there are several of them in Riga – here is one close to Old Riga and also Lido website for full info – google maps – website
2. Galerija Centrs – 4th floor – Burzma – floor with several eating places – Latvian style is a place called Boom cafe – google maps
3. Spināti un Sviests – A very popular spot for simple, thus good lunch. Works Mon – Fri, from 11-15 00 google maps

 

Evening dining:

1. Pētergailis – google maps – website
2. Melnais Ķiploks – google maps – website

 

Vegan and vegetarian places:

1. Miit – Vegan and vegetarian food all day with great coffee on the side. Hosts brunch on the weekend google maps
2. Mazā terapija – wholesome vegan food and pastries – google maps
3. Nirvana – only raw vegan place in the city – google maps
4. Kozy eats – wide variety of vegan food, know for their vegan shashlik (a must in the summer season) – google maps

 

Music, food, atmosphere

1. Ala Folk Club – great food, live music and superb atmosphere – google maps – website
2. Riga Rock cafe – google maps
3. Kaņepes kultūras centrs – 15 min walk from Old Riga, regular cultural events (Temporarily closed)  – google maps
4. Tallinas ielas kvartāls – 16 buildings – An attractive place for art and entertainment – google maps
5. Andrejostas kvartāls – google maps  – info

 

Riga nights

1. Cuba bar – a true nightlife spot in the Old town. Caribbean-inspired pub. One of the few oldest bars in Riga. Started in 2005. DJs almost every night starting around 10 PM. Salsa on Tuesdays. Mad weekends. Musically unpredictable – Latin vibes, house music till pop evergreens. Also some simple snacks on demand – google maps
2. St. Black – Live music almost every night + DJs on weekends. Festive atmosphere. Grillhouse kinda food menu. Musically pop with a touch of rock’n’roll and swing vibes. Working hours till 3 AM – google maps
3. Manana – Mexican-inspired food and DJs on weekends (7 PM till midnight+). Full house intelligent grooves. Reservations suggested – google maps
4. Bar six – “Secret” speak-easy bar inspired by the times during the prohibition in the US. Press 6 at the gates and you will be provided in the basement. Lounge atmosphere. Simple, conceptual snacks. DJs randomly on weekends. Also an option of smoking inside in a separate room – google maps
5. Nemiers – Pure dive bar of rock music where parties hit like pop discos. Literary flaming bar counter and dancing on concrete tables. Sometimes live bands as well. Notorious for their parties till 6 AM and even longer. No food, but there’s catering around the corner. As well as many different other venues in that whole area – google maps
6. Space falafel – A hip and stylish spot and an intersection point of so-called “silent center” of Riga. Excellent Jewish cuisine and drinks. Cozy interior. Vinyl DJs on weekends. Always packed like a house party – google maps

Art & other shops and galleries

1. Stikla Galerija(glass gallery, shop) Latvian power signs from glass – google maps
2. Birkenfelds painting gallery – website – google maps

 

Must visit

1. Riga Central Market – website – google maps
2. Freedom Monument – google maps
3. District of concentrated Art Nouveau architecture – Alberta street – google maps

 

Good ideas for other things to do in Riga

1. Renting a bicycle (this is the best bike rent in Riga from all angles) – google maps – website

 

Good souvenir shop

1. Abekks – google maps

 

Popular destinations not far from Riga

1. Jurmala – beach resort city – very convenient is to get on the train from Riga Central train station, get off in a stop called Majori, it takes 25 min to get there – website
2. Sigulda – Gauja river National park – train or bus – 50 km from Riga – website
3. Cēsis – one of the prettiest cities in Latvia – 81 km – bus station – your own car – website
4. Bauska – There is a very beautiful castle in Bauska – website
5. Kuldīga – the old town is a pearl of west Latvia – website

 

Cultural Canon of Latvia:

Cultural Canon is a collection of the most outstanding and significant works of art and cultural heritage. The Cultural Canon includes the treasures of Latvian culture in various fields that we are proud of and which should form the basis of the cultural experience and sense of belonging to Latvia for every resident of Latvia.

website