Few who have never been to Latvia can actually pinpoint Riga on the map. It's just across the gulf east of Sweden and Denmark. Under Soviet control until recently, it has emerged as a popular tourist destination for Swedes and Finns. With the rise of cheap charter flights it is now also popular cheap flight break with Brits, especially for stag parties.
Riga history
The history of Latvia is largely one of foreign occupation, catastrophic setbacks and boom conditions since shaking off Russian rule. Riga city was founded in 1201 by a German priest and grew rich through trading alliances. But the city was then swallowed in turn up by Poles, Swedes and Russians.
Riga city suffered greatly in World War I although 20 years of independence followed until World War II saw it occupied again, by Russia, then Nazis, then Russia again. The fall of Soviet bloc saw Latvians at last in control of their own country and EU membership in 2004 brought massive investment. Riga today is a boom city.
When to go
Spring is one of the best times to visit. The city's cultural calendar blossoms along with the weather and April is warm. Before then the winter thaw brings damp, soggy conditions.
Summers are relatively short but days are hot and long, if prone to thunderstorms. Summer highs average 14°C to 22°C. Nights are warm too.
Winter is bleak in the Baltics with a few hours of hazy daylight;- temperatures rarely go above 4°C and often drop well below zero.
For Riga weather check out Weather2Travel.com
Riga events
Riga has a packed festival calendar with the season peaking at midsummer. Latvia shares many cultural events with the other Baltic countries but also enjoys one-off and regular cultural events in its own right.
The most notable festivals in Riga are:
International Baltic Ballet Festival - over five days in April
Ethnic Arts and Crafts Fair - at the Open-Air Ethnography Museum on the first weekend in June
Riga Opera Festival - across Riga for 10 days in June
ArenA Music Festival - across Riga in the first two weeks o f October
Language
Both Latvian and Russian are spoken in Riga but English is well understood in tourist haunts. A few key phrases will always endear you to the locals. Pronunciation as much as the spelling.
Hello/Goodbye - Labdien/Ata (atar)
Good morning/evening - Labrit/Labvakar
Thank you - Paldies
Yes/No - Jar/Ne as in jar/nay
1- viens; 2- divi; 3- tris; 4- cetri; 5- pieci
And some useful signs to look out for
Entrance - Leeja
Exit - Izeja
Open - Atverts
Closed - Siegts
Toilet - Tualete
Money
Due to a booming economy prices have shot up, with annual inflation in double figures each year. The currency is the lats, divided into 100 santimi. Major banks change cash and there are currency exchange kiosks all over Riga with ATMs in the city centre.
Medical
No jabs are needed for Latvia, and tap water is ok to drink. Minor complaints can be treated at a phamarcy (aptieka) but for serious complaints go to the hospital (simnica) or call an ambulance (03). Emergency treatment is free and medical standards are high.
Telephone, intenet and post
Public card phones are widespread. Phonecards (telekarte) are sold at kiosks and post offices. You will usually find English instructions in phone booths. Latvian phones have seven numbers and no area code. The international code for Latvia is 371 followed by the number. The Latvian postal system is reliable and letters to Europe and the UK take about a week to arrive. Riga is well served by internet cafes.
Riga statues
Riga hotels
Riga museums
Riga snow
