Riga
Riga is the capital of Latvia.
It is useful to understand that although from 1940 to 1991 Latvia was a part of the USSR, the official language is Latvian. However, a significant minority (up to 30% nationwide and possibly about 45% in the capital Riga) is Russian. The majority of ethnic Latvians living in the city, not only those old enough to have attended school during Soviet times, can also speak and understand Russian. Latvian and Russian belong to different language groups and the difference between them is about as large as difference between English and French. English and also German are widely understood at places regularly visited by tourists and foreigners but you may be out of luck when leaving the city center or visiting places off the beaten track, where you get by only in Latvian or Russian. Young people (born in 1975 or later) usually can speak English anyway.
Tallink, [19], operates a daily ferry service between Stockholm and Riga.
Riga's international rail connections are fairly sparse, travelling only to destinations in Russia (as of May 25/2008). Two trains depart from Riga Station for Moscow daily (except New Year's Eve) at 16:20 and 18:10, and one bound for St. Petersburg at 19:30 similarly from Riga Station. Check Latvian Railways for more information, [20]
Riga has several districts. The most popular among travellers is the Old Town (latv. Vecriga, germ. Altriga), German architecture and magnificent Doma Cathedral (German: Domkirche, Latvian: Doma baznīca) with the world famous organ inside, along with vivid nightlife, makes Vecriga the most interesting spot. You will need approximately half a day to walk around Vecriga.
The area around Vecriga is mostly built between 1860 and 1914 and has many buildings that resemble the ones in Berlin, Paris or Rome. Many Soviet movies about West were filmed here during Soviet times, as it was considerably easier to film here than to go overseas.
The mostly residential areas outside Riga center are largely filled with grey apartment blocks built in the typically Soviet style. These areas are nearly identical to those all over the former USSR and some cities in western Europe. However, they do give an idea of how the vast majority of the people in Riga live and of the history of the area.
Sit outside in the summer months and enjoy the day. Go to the river and take a walk during summer days to see the sunset.
Go to the historic opera house and see an opera or ballet.
Go to the Skyline Bar at the top (26th floor) of Reval Hotel near the Freedom Monument. Excellent views and moderately priced drinks (beer 2.20 Lats Cocktail 4-5 Lats). Finding a table next to the windows might be difficult after 11pm.
Go on a trip to the east of Riga. You will find a large band of parks and gardens dating back to the 19th Century. Almost 20% of Riga's city area is devoted to these well-kept gardens and they should certainly be visited.
If you want to see more of the city of Riga, you can try Eat Riga, this is an alternative walking tour operating daily from Saint Peters church beside Ratslaukums, info on these can be found in the main info centre, great way to see more of the places in the city hidden away.
The markets next to International Bus Terminal are full of people selling their wares at stalls, both inside the large halls and around the outside. The market is actually quite non-touristy with more emphasis on selling things like second-hand clothing, food, furniture or kitchen supplies.
