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About Riga and Latvia
Welcome to Latvia! Welcome to Riga!!
Are you the first time in Latvia? ANd what to know how to survive in this nodthern country and what should you see and do during your stay?
Here is some useful information for you about Latvia and the capital - Riga.
As well as our suggestions where you could stay, party and what you should see once you are here! :)
Of course - don't forget to contact AEGEE-Riga people if you are haveing a party in Riga! :)
Enjoy Riga&Latvia!
How to get to Riga?
You can choose to fly to Riga airport (RIX) http://www.riga-airport.com/en
When you have arrived at the airport you can get to the centre of Riga by public bus No. 22
Bus stop is located on the right in front of Airport entrance behind the parking area. Bus ticket costs 0.5 Ls and 0.8 Ls for oversized luggage (that'll probably be any luggage you check in at airport). Tickets you can purchase in the bus from a bus driver - keep in mind, only Latvian currency (Lats) is accepted.
To see more detailed information on public vehicle fares and routs in Riga please follow this link: http://www.rigassatiksme.lv/
Express microbus, price - Ls 1.5
Taxi, price 7 - 10 Ls (from airport to the centre of Riga)
Another option, if you are traveling shorter distance, is to come here by bus. Bus terminal is conveniently located in the city centre http://www.autoosta.lv/. Ecolines and Eurolines buses operate in Riga International Bus Station.
By train. Train routes are very limited, you can see the scheme here http://www.ldz.lv/?module=explorer&object_id=1972
Home page: http://www.ldz.lv/
By ferry. Available routes are Riga - Stockholm www.tallink.lv and Riga - Lübeck www.dfdstorline.lv
Main facts
Latvia (Republic of Latvia) is a North European Baltic country in European Union, one of the three Baltic States.
It is bordered to the north by Estonia, to the south by Lithuania, and to the east both by Belarus and the Russian Federation. Across the Baltic Sea to the west lies Sweden. The territory of Latvia has a temperate seasonal climate.
Capital (and largest city): Riga
Official languages: Latvian! It's not Russian, not even similar. But there are lot of Russian speaking people in Latvia, that's why the mistaken suggestion that "all Latvians speak Russian" or "Latvians are Russians". Only similar language to Latvian is Lithuanian, our neighbors.
To read more facts about Latvia please follow these links:
http://www.aroundlatvia.lv/index.php?lang=3&f=11
http://www.startlatvia.com/ Latvia information blog
National holidays
January 1 - New Years Day
March-April (in accordance with the Western Church calendar) - Easter
May 1 - Labor Day
May 4 - The Day of the Proclamation of Independence of the Republic of Latvia
June 23-24 - Līgo (Midsummer Solstice) usually celebrated in countryside - you don't want to miss that!
November 18 - The Day of Independence of the Republic of Latvia
December 24 - 26 - Christmas
December 31 - New Year's Eve
Where to stay in Riga?
Hostel CITY LOUNGE
A. Kalniņa 4, Riga, LV-1050
Mobile no. (+371) 29358958
Aegee members can stay for 5 Euro/per night.
OldTown Hostel
Vaļņu iela 43, Riga, LV - 1050
Tel: +371 7223406
http://www.rigaoldtownhostel.lv/
Aegee members can bargain for discount (not guaranteed though)
Contact us and maybe we can host you. :) Although sometimes it is even cheaper to stay in hostel as most of AEGEE-Riga members do not live in the centre, so taking taxi to get home after party might be even more expensive than to pay for hostel. ;)
Where to eat in Riga?
You'll find a great choice of Latvian cuisine in Lido recreation centre
http://ac.lido.lv/, some other Lido restaurants are also located in centre
Cheap places - Pelmeņi (in old town), McDonalds, Čilli pica (pizzas)
Or you can go to universities - there is Amica couisine -
Places to visit
Old Riga
Old Riga is a pretty famous place in Europe. There are many cafes, bars, and restaurants, with very friendly atmosphere. This small part of the capital of Latvia will excite you with its charm, hospitality and variety of entertainment.
Famous symbol of Old Riga - Three Roosters: St. Peter's Church, the Dome Church and St. Jacob's Church
St. Peter's Church was first mentioned in 1209. From the very beginning it was considered to be the church of Riga's burgers. The height of the church tower and the original view has changed many times; it burnt in fire many times, but was always renovated. The present steeple of the church was renovated in 1971. You can enjoy a great view from St. Peter's Church.
The Freedom Monument. The Freedom Monument shows off on Brivibas street. It was built 1931-1935. The Monument of Liberty is an outstanding monument of history, architecture and art. It is a testimony of love and respect of the nation towards its Motherland and Liberty. It is an interesting fact that the monument was built for the money donated by people.
Riga at night:
Big dance clubs:
Club Essential
- The biggest club in Riga
- Modern house music on the dance-floor, R&B hits in the second floor and in the «special zone«
- Entrance fee according to time and day www.essential.lv
Nautilius
- 3 dance floors, 5 bars, etc. www.nautilus.lv
- Progressive-house, r'n'b' and soulful house music
- Strict face-control. No sport-shoes!
- Girls free before 1am
Godvil
- A bit outside the city centre, www.godvil.lv
- Girls free before 1am, working hours 22:00-5:00
Drink and Dance:
Radio Bar
- Music leans toward alternative, house and hip-hop
- Location near Dome Square also ensures higher prices
- Open: 15:00-24:00
- Thursday: 15:00-03:00
- Friday: 15:00-05:00
- Saturday: 15:00-05:00
- Sunday: Closed
Skyline bar
- Perfect view across Riga (26th floor of Reval Hotel Latvia)
- The bar offers cocktails and snacks is also small place to dance
Pulkvedim neviens neraksta (Nobody writes to the colonel)
- Located in Old Riga
- Music: every day something different
Cuba bar
- Small and cosy place with salsa style music
- Located next to Dome Square
- Offering a wide range of reasonably-priced cocktails
For more check in Internet: www.riga-life.com
Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau museum (Alberta Street 12)
The historic centre of Riga, with "the finest collection of art nouveau buildings in Europe", was inscribed on the list in 1997 in part because of the "quality and the quantity of its Art Nouveau/Jugendstil architecture"
In Riga, Art Nouveau could be split into two main directions, decorative and romantic-nationalistic Art Nouveau. Riga is one of the largest centres of Art Nouveau, with more than a third of the buildings of its Central District built in the style; the main street for Riga's Art Nouveau district is Elizabetes, which intersects Brivibas Boulevard. In addition to Elizabetes Street, Alberta and Strelnieku Streets also feature impressive examples of the style. In total, there are over 800 Art Nouveau buildings in Riga.
Outside of Riga
JURMALA - the largest resort city in the Baltic States. The attraction of Jurmala hides in its almost 33 km long white sand beach, the large pine forest and the natural border of the city - the river Lielupe. In Jurmala, you will discover a combination of charming wooden houses built in the beginning of the last century and modern resort buildings. http://www.jurmala.lv
SIGULDA - one of the most beautiful Latvian cities (not far form Riga). You can enjoy the walk through Gauja National Park, visit Turaida castle (www.turaida-muzejs.lv) or do some extraordinary activities - try free flight simulator (www.aerodium.lv), walk in the trees on ropes (www.mezakakis.lv), bobsleigh and sleight track, Bungee jumping from Cable car (www.lgk.lv), and many other fun activities! http://tourism.sigulda.lv
RUNDALE PALACE (Near Bauska) - one of the most outstanding monuments of Baroque and Rococo art in Latvia. It was built between 1736 and 1740 as a summer residence of Duke Ernst Johann of Courland. http://www.rundale.net
You can find more information about places to visit, prices, weather, maps on http://www.startlatvia.com/
Useful Latvian phrases
Hello - Sveiki
Hi - Čau
Bye - Atā
How are you? (informal) - Kā iet?/ Kā klājas?
Cheers! - Priekā!
God bless you (after sneezing) - Uz veselībām!
Good afternoon - Labdien!
See you tomorrow - Līdz rītam!
Do you speak English? (formal) - Vai Jūs runājat angliski?
One beer, please- Vienu alu, lūdzu!
Great! (In slang version) - Forši! / Kolosāli! / Super! / Feini!
What's your name? (informal) - Kā Tevi sauc?
Thank you! - Paldies!
Please! and Here you go! - Lūdzu!
Yes/No - Jā / Nē
Maybe - Varbūt