{"id":18289,"date":"2021-05-13T15:12:10","date_gmt":"2021-05-13T13:12:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fromplacetoplace.travel\/?page_id=18289"},"modified":"2023-02-06T15:39:27","modified_gmt":"2023-02-06T14:39:27","slug":"city-trip-to-riga","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/fromplacetoplace.travel\/city-trip-to-riga\/","title":{"rendered":"City trip to Riga"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
The capital of Latvia is called Riga. It is located on the Gulf of Riga on the banks of the River Daugava and is considered the largest urban centre in the Baltic States. A city trip to Riga is worthwhile!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Riga was once a Hanseatic city founded by German merchants in the Middle Ages. At that time, trade flourished in Riga and prosperity grew in some population groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From 1918 to 1941 Riga was the capital of the independent Republic of Latvia. From 1944 Latvia belonged to the Soviet Union and Riga was the administrative seat of the Latvian SSR. Since 1991 Latvia is again independent and the city is again the capital of the republic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Riga, the capital of Latvia, is well worth a visit. We went there over the Christmas period and left with many new and interesting impressions.<\/p>\n <\/div >\n \n \n Riga \u2013 5 top destinations →<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> I didn\u2019t dare to wish for it but during our time in Riga, it snowed every night. The snow transformed our walk along the Daugava in Riga and we were walking in a winter wonderland. A dream!<\/p>\n <\/div >\n \n \n Walk along the Daugava →<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> The Cathedral of Riga was about a one-minute walk from our hotel and, in addition to that, also one of the spots where a Christmas market was taking place. This made it a location we absolutely had to visit.<\/p>\n <\/div >\n \n \n Cathedral of Riga →<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> The House of Blackheads is, for me personally, amongst the most beautiful buildings in the Old Town of Riga. We were in Riga over the Festive Season and got to see the wonderful Christmas lights on the building.<\/p>\n <\/div >\n \n \n House of Blackheads →<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> During the preparations for our trip, I was enthused to find out about the Yellow Church of Riga. It quickly became clear that after visiting the Blue Church in Bratislava, we had to also go see the Yellow Church.<\/p>\n <\/div >\n \n \n Yellow Church of Riga →<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> On a guided tour we passed the Freedom Monument in Riga. Our guide told us about the history of that monument and made us smile.<\/p>\n <\/div >\n \n \n Freedom Monument →<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> Riga\u2019s Old Town is not that big. There are almost no cars in the Old Town and public transport is diverted around that area. So, let\u2019s go for a walk.<\/p>\n <\/div >\n \n \n Stroll Old Town →<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> Riga Central Market is a must see in Riga. This was one of the rare locations that are used by locals and tourists alike and where we got a better feeling for the Latvian way of life.<\/p>\n <\/div >\n \n \n Riga Central Market →<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> You cannot miss it when you are visiting Riga\u2019s Old Town \u2013 Stalin\u2019s Birthday Cake. This is what locals call the Latvian Academy of Science.<\/p>\n <\/div >\n \n \n Stalin\u2019s Birthday Cake →<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> Who doesn\u2019t know the Bremen Town Musicians from the Brothers Grimm fairy tale? But what are they doing in Riga?<\/p>\n <\/div >\n \n \n Town Musicians of Bremen in Riga →<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Those who come to Riga in December are usually not only hoping for snow but also want to visit the Christmas Market. It was our goal, too, to go and see the market which was in close proximity to our hotel.<\/p>\n <\/div >\n \n \n Christmas Market in Riga →<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> It is a little disappointing to visit the Old Town of Riga and stumble on KFC, McDonald\u2019s, Costa Coffee and all the other chains that one doesn\u2019t really like to go to. Our tourist guide in Riga had a few recommendations for us about where to eat in Riga.<\/p>\n <\/div >\n \n \n Restaurant tips →<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nFood tips<\/h2>\n\n\n
Stay overnight on a Riga city break<\/h2>\n\n\n