Riga Favorites

Favorite thing: Definitely the babes are bodacious. However, never run a tab in a Riga bar that features women as the main attraction. Be careful in the nightclubs too. Always, and I mean ALWAYS, ask how much things cost and better to just pay as you go.
I know that many of us have gotten used to running a tab and using the plastic, but that is dangerous here.
And never, once again I mean NEVER, expect help from the Riga police. Latvians in Riga are not especially fond of tourists, especially Brits, and the police are included in this group. Recent statements from the Latvian government are basically they will not help tousrists when nighttime establishments literally double or triple your bill and send some large men to force you to pay. Yes, the Riga authorities will support these thieves and will side with the thieves.
Many people have been forced to pay over 5000 Lat bills for one night (5000 pounds or 8000 Euros) and the police did nothing but blame the victim.
Stick to restaurants and pubs - if you want to risk it - ask the price and pay cash.

Fondest memory: The Latvian Prime Minister bashing British tourists for drinking too much and getting what they deserve.

Favorite thing: I am an American living in Riga and you will hear alot about the women here. Yes there are alot of beautiful women here but they are the coldest, unfriendliest, rudest group I have ever met and I have lived in several countries.
There are many websites trying to convince you that Latvian women would make good wives. DON'T BELIEVE IT!!! If you even try to ask the time they will rudely ignore you. If you smile at them, they will snear and look away. The sites that talk about introducing you to a future wife are escort services and the women are prostitutes.
This is not only my personal experience. All the people I talk to here (even the Latvians) say its a big problem. The only "friendly" Latvian women are the women who want your money - the strippers and the prostitutes. The websites claiming otherwise are lying to get your money.
I know that many men come here for a "sex vacation". Hey if you are paying them, no problem - they will be friendly. If you're coming here hoping to meet a nice girl or woman, don't bother. I'm not suggesting where you should go, just not here.

Fondest memory: If you do come to Riga just to visit, try during the summer. It rains or is cloudy about 95% of the time otherwise. Its definitely cheaper than England but its not cheap. In the old city, since most of the people there service the tourists and want your money, they are pretty kind and frindly and speak English. Outside of the old city, the attitude towards the foreigner is radically different. If you are black, don't come here. They have violent skinheads who target black people, sometimes Asians.
After living here, I don't really have that many fond memories to share. I am simply doing my job and when it is over I will leave and never return. There are so many other places to visit in Europe besides Latvia (or the Baltic states for that matter) that are friendlier and the same price.
Sorry to be so negative but I just want to share my experiences with you that give you an honest picture of Riga. Not the usual drivel about how wonderful it is here and how there is so much to see. You can read that from any website that wants you to come to Latvia.

1 more image

Favorite thing: One thing I really liked, in Riga, was the Soviet architecture that could be still seen around town. Some really interesting Soviet buildings are to be seen along the river Daugava, in the outskirts of the old town - past the central market hangars.

My fascination comes from a simple consideration: each of the massive grey-concrete buildings can house as many people as my village in Switzerland (i.e. 1500 people at least).

Fondest memory: Different types of Soviet architecture: “Stalin-era” monumental architecture and “Khrushchev-era” residential houses. Beautiful in their own peculiar way.

My very favourite is the Palace of Culture and Science, home of the Latvian Academy of Sciences - when you'll see it you'll understand why... it looks exactly like one of the huge seven sisters buildings in Moscow.

1 more image

Favorite thing: In 2001 Riga became 800 years old and celebrated its anniversary in style. Hence you can guess that the old town is really old... log buildings date back to the 11th century, while stone buildings to the 13th century. Much of it has disappeared, but not all. Where the old feeling is gone, art nouveau/jugendstil has set in, at the end of last century.

Fondest memory: In the middle ages Riga was a very rich city - much richer than its neighbouring cities of Tallin and Vilnius - and this wealth can still be seen, in particular in the merchants' houses and in the churches. Look at the details to see how money was floating - or go through the counrtyards... rich people were living lavishly.

2 more images

Favorite thing: The 'New Town' of Riga is very near the Old Town... a few steps away, just beyond the semi-circle of parkland which once was the city limits wih the city walls. it's an interesting area - and worth a visit for the wide avenues and the tourist-free shops and restaurants.

Fondest memory: Across the Daugavariver, just opposite the Old Town, the New Town becomes quite futuristic... starting from the massive bridge... seen so many times in so many other cities, but still imposing. or the gass skyscraper/tower, or the cubist houses.

1 more image

Favorite thing: Riga is the capital of Latvia and it is located on the Baltic Sea coast, while the river Daugava splits the city in two parts. Its Historic Centre has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Sitebecause of its Art Nouveau/Jugendstil buildings.

Just like any pretty city up north, Riga is given the much-abused nickname of "Paris of the North". The city was founded in 1210 and it had a turbulent past: sacked, occupied, reoccupied and then sacked again, by nearly everyone, in fact.

Fondest memory: I liked the old town, both with its old wooden buildings (not many) and its art nouveau facades. I like the maze of cobbled streetsd that I allowed me to get lost happily and endlessly.

What I liked was the buzzing atmosphere and nightlife, unfortunately this has brought many problems - including prostitution, crime (robbery and mugging) and, especially, begging... nowhere else in the world (including Africa) I have seen so many beggars.

Favorite thing: In my humble opinion the information provided by "In Your Pocket" is most helpful for independent travels to East or Central Europe. Loads of the tips are published on their webpage.
In addition about 20 printed city guides are available locally at the tourist information offices, kiosks or in hotels. Among all kinds of useful information the printed guides include various helpful maps of the city and the region.

Webpage:
http://www.inyourpocket.com

Favorite thing: Make sure you pick up a copy of the latest edition of 'Riga This Week'. I found it to be an indespensible guide to all things Riga.

It is packed with useful information on restaurants, bars, cafes, and things to do .... plus lots more. It seems to be published every two months.

We got our copy from our Hotel, but I think they are available in lots of other places around the city.