Riga Tourist Traps

At first sight, it is hard to think where to find place to see panorama of Riga. Riga's central part is on plain grounds - no mountains, or even smaller or bigger ups and downs when walking. But no problem about it! I suggest you three places from where you can see very different and nice panoramas:

>>> Another bank of river Daugava, opposite to old town, you can walk through Vansu bridge (Vansu tilts). From another bank you see mostly old town, church spires, and castle.

>>> Reval hotel. It is in Brivibas street, just not so much walking from Freedom monument. Reval hotel offers you great views if you go up by lift and spend some time in the highest floor, where bar is.

>>> St. Peter's church. You can go up to the tower of church in old town (entrance is 2,17 euro). Here you see view of inside's old town and other districts.

I think you will be wondering why they put such locks on this bridge. At first I wrote that Latvians lock bikes there, when just coming to the centre (mostly for work, shopping). But for real, it is really nice tradition - when Latvians merry each other they put the lock on the park bridge with their names and after locking they throw keys into the river. It is like assurance, that the marital life will be nice and without divorces. Overall this is a nice bridge in the park, surrounding old town.

When cathing a Taxi from Riga Airport try and use the NEW Air Baltic Taxi service. They have introduced a flat rate into the city 8LVL.

Riga taxis have a bad reputation for over charging tourist (same as most cities). One company you can also trust is The Red Taxi Company, they always use a meter.

You may find that many taxi drivers dont speak much english, is better to have your destination written down to give the driver. Also ask for a rough price before you get in the taxi.

Once in the city you can walk almost everywhere or use the tram system.

My apartment renter lives in Riga and suggested me a list of places to avoid.
Here you are her BLACK LIST.

FOXY LOUNGE
Terbatas 2; located below the "Fashion Café" in the basement of the "Vegas" casino at the corner of Terbatas and Merkela streets near flower market.

BABYLON CLUB
Formerly "Roxy Club" in Kalku 24; located near the entrance to Old Town on Kalku Street.

ROYAL PUB
Formerly "Groks Pub", "Lord's Pub" in Kalku 22; located next door to Roxy Club.

PUZZLE
Formerly "Pink Panther" in Kalku 22; also located next door to Groks Pub.

MARY
Located in Audeju 13, on the east side of Galleria "Centrs" Mall.

DD BARS
I don't know where it is located...

SAXON
Located in Laipu 7, near "Livu Square" in a small street to the right of restaurant "Steiku Haoss".

DOLL HOUSE
Aka "Zig Zag", located in Marstala 12, to the right of Reformed Church.

BAR FLY
Located in Vagnera 8, near "Livu Square" in a small street to the right of "Roxy", "Groks" and "Pink Panther".

ZEPHYR BAR
Located near Galleria Center in Old Town, near the youth hostel.

MADEMOISELLE CIGAR CLUB
Located in Valnu street, it's in Old Town across "Lounge 8".

NOBU SUSHI
Located in Grecinieku 28 (Old Town).

Unique Suggestions: Keep in mind the number: +371 22033000
It is a TOURIST PROBLEM HOTLINE 24 hours in English language. It could help you.

I made experience about on my first stay in Riga. Me and my friend met two girls. They began to talk with us in Kalku street and after 15 minutes they invited us to have a drink in ROYAL PUB. We did not drink so much (a total of 16 Gin Tonics). When I asked for the bill I was shocked: 420 LATS, more than 600 EURO!!! I asked for menu to check the prices. Prices were normal, so I discovered they wanted me to pay something I had not consumed! I told the barwoman there was a mistake but she told me: "If you don't pay I call our bodyguards".
I paid but I signed them...
So, dear Royal Pub, do you like be simpleton with us? OK... I'm a Virtual Tourist Member, potentially over one million of tourists will avoid you.
What do you think about?

Unique Suggestions: Keep in mind this number: +371 22033000
It is a TOURIST PROBLEM HOTLINE 24 hours in English language; it could help you to solve the problem.

Many companies offer tours to places like Sigulda and also to the beach at Jurmala for very high price
Jurmala can set you back 10 Latts on an organised tour - and is only around 2 latt return on train and you are flexible to come home when you want
Similarly Sigulda is about 20 Latt and it is 1 hour away on local bus and was only 1.5 Latt return

Riga Card many people will like - but really Tram rides are so cheap at 50 cent each - and i only had need for Tam 1 time - i just walked everywhere

Don't trust taxi drivers, any girls or bars! better don't go to Riga at all. We were robbed at gunpoint in a taxi and ripped of in a bar and overcharged by every cabdriver! People are not friendly and every local is out there to rip off tourists!

Unique Suggestions: Ask the price before or demand a price list. Don't get in a taxi alone

Fun Alternatives: Alternatives: Paris, London, Dublin, Brussels

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The biggest thievs in all of Riga. We (I and my wife) came to Riga by boat from Stokcholm and outside the terminal there were only white taxis (red taxis is more honest).

So we took the withe one, the driver turned on the meter, starting cost at 1,5 Lat. So it say on the window. We went to the Freedom Statue, taxi driver stops and says 8,5 Lat and so it is on the meter, so I asume that the taxidriver drowe with high speed meter all the time. My first rip of and I havent even started sightseeing.

WELCOME TO LATVIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unique Suggestions: Allways tell the driver to put on the meter. Or deal with him about a fix price. Look at the meter all the time if it starts to go fast tell the driver.

A trip from the ship terminal to Freedom Statue should cost MAX 5 LATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1