Without doubt the colourful House of Blackheads, a Gothic building with a Dutch Renaissance façade, is the greatest crowd puller and most photographed building in Riga. Continue reading “House of Blackheads”
Town Hall Square (Rātslaukums)
The Old City of Riga has a collection of small squares, each worthy a visit in its own right.
One of, if not, the oldest of these squares is the cobbled Town Hall Square (Rātslaukums). This has been the administrative/local government centre of the city since it was founded in 1201. Since then markets, festivals and all manner of events have occupied or taken place in this square. For those into it, this used to be the place to go for an afternoon’s merriment at a public execution or two. Continue reading “Town Hall Square (Rātslaukums)”
‘Cock-a-doodle-do’ or ‘The Tale of Seven Roosters’
When viewing the Riga skyline you will notice that the tops of Riga’s oldest churches – Dome Cathedral, St. Peter’s, St. John’s and St. Jacob’s host a rooster (in the form of a weather vane) and not a cross. This is an old tradition, especially popular in Riga and Latvia more generally. Continue reading “‘Cock-a-doodle-do’ or ‘The Tale of Seven Roosters’”
St Peter’s Church
The thing that amazed me most about St Peter’s Church was how old the church looked. This was particularly true when I came around from the rear of the building and was confronted by the beautiful Baroque western façade of the church. I knew Riga had been founded in the early 1200s though I would have placed the church as Medieval – somewhere in the 1400s. Continue reading “St Peter’s Church”
Double Coffee Kungs: “Extensive Menu With Decent Coffee”
We had wined and dined ourselves well on the overnight ferry from Stockholm to Riga so by noon and having checked into out hotel I was not especially hungry. Added to that, when I visit a new place the first thing I want to do is get out, find my bearings, and explore. Eating is a distant second priority. Andy’s priorities differed on the day we arrived into Riga so having something light was agreed upon. Double Coffee in front of St Peter’s Church fit the bill beautifully. Continue reading “Double Coffee Kungs: “Extensive Menu With Decent Coffee””
SamaraH Hotel Metropole – Riga
On arrival into Riga following our over night ferry trip of Stockholm the first thing we did was check into our hotel in the Old City.
The SamaraH Hotel Metropole turned out to be the best hotel we stayed in on our six week trip to Scandinavia and the Baltics in 2015. I say ‘turned out’ as that’s not how it started. Continue reading “SamaraH Hotel Metropole – Riga”
Take the Train to Hmmm – Not Far
Our sole journey on Latvian Railways was a short return trip to Darzini, about 20 minutes outside Riga, to visit the site of the former Salaspils concentration camp, now a memorial with some amazing brutalist statues. More of that in a separate review which includes how to get there from the Darzini train stop. Continue reading “Take the Train to Hmmm – Not Far”
Long Distance Bus services, including to Tallinn
Riga’s International bus station, which also services domestic locations outside the Riga area, is very conveniently situated at the southern end of the Old City and a few hundred metres from the train station. Local trams, trolleybuses and buses pass within a very short distance of the station as well.
While the station is small and services are limited it is clean, well laid out and has everything necessary for your trip into or out of the city, including a tourist information office (Live Riga) for those arriving. Continue reading “Long Distance Bus services, including to Tallinn”
Riga’s Hop-on Hop-Off Bus Services
From what I can ascertain there are three operators offering hop-on, hop-off bus tours of Riga. They each cost Euro15 and the ticket lasts 48hrs. Buses run between around 10am and 3-4pm. Continue reading “Riga’s Hop-on Hop-Off Bus Services”
Getting around in Riga
Most visitors with just a day or two in Riga will generally not have time to venture beyond the Old City area and what they want to/ have time to see can easily be reached on foot. There is no doubt that walking is the best way to get around the Old City area and, indeed, slightly beyond.
In planning my trip I knew I wanted to spend a bit of time exploring the Moscow District. I also wanted to visit the massive Soviet Victory Monument across the Daugava River and the former KGB building. The latter I ended up walking to and it’s really not that far from the Old City centre anyway. Continue reading “Getting around in Riga”
The Rambling Wombat 