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Riga

Latvia

Riga

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RigaGuide was updated:
Riga greets visitors with a unique and breathtaking silhouette, beautifully reflected in the Baltic Sea. A stroll through the city centre offers a charmingly confusing mix of a modern metropolitan city with exclusive shopping, vibrant nightlife, international cuisine, and ancient traditions in a capital that has been multi-cultural throughout its 800-year history.
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Facts
Population:628,000 (2021)
Currency:Euro (EUR) €1 = 100 cents
Emergency Numbers:Emergency: 112 Fire&Rescue: 01 Police: 02 Emergency Medical Services: 03
Newspapers:The Baltic Times — www.baltictimes.com Diena (The Day) — www.diena.lv Latvijas Avīze — www.la.lv Neatkarīgā Rīta Avīze (Independent Morning Newspaper) — www.nra.lv
Website:www.latvia.travel/en/city/riga »
Opening Hours:Shops in Riga are normally open 9am–5pm on weekdays while on weekends opening hours are reduced. Shops are open on Sundays at their own discretion. Most supermarkets are open until 10pm.
Tourist Information:Riga Tourist Information Centre Rātslaukums 6, Riga Opening Hours: Mon–Sun 10am–6pm. From 1 May and 30 September: Mon–Sun 9am–7pm +371 67 037 900

Do & See

Riga offers plenty in terms of sightseeing and entertainment, just as one would expect from a city that was named the European Capital of Culture in 2014. Guided tours normally depart from Old Town Square. Many of the most beautiful and interesting sights are concentrated in the Old Town, so it is a good idea to start your tour from there.
St. Peter’s Church

St. Peter’s Church

St Peter's Church in Riga is known for its tall tower, which offers stunning views of the city, including the red roofs of Old Town, the modern part of Riga, Riga Bay, and the Daugava River with its large port. The church itself was originally built in 1209, but only a few walls and pillars remain from that time. The Gothic tower, which was over 130 meters tall, was completed in the late 15th century. However, it collapsed in 1666 and was rebuilt in the Baroque style in 1690–at the time, it was the tallest wooden structure in the world. In 1721, the tower was struck by lightning and burned down. It was later restored, but once again it burned down during World War II. Renovation of the tower began in 1967, and today, it stands at a height of 123.25 meters. Visitors can access the second gallery, which is 72 meters above the ground. In 1997, St Peter's Church was added to UNESCO's World Heritage list.

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Riga Nativity of Christ Orthodox Cathedral

Riga Nativity of Christ Orthodox Cathedral

Constructed in the Neo-Byzantine style between 1876 and 1883, when the country was a part of the Russian Empire, the Nativity of Christ Cathedral in Riga is the largest Orthodox church in the city. It has undergone several transformations over the years, being used as a planetarium and a restaurant during the Soviet Era. However, it has since been fully restored as a church and now holds regular Orthodox services. It has also one of the biggest organs in Europe with 6,768 pipes.

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