Riga

[Cowick Claret]

Hi,

Sorry for another tourist post but just after some recommendations for Riga. We will be there first week in April for 4 nights so any advice on places to go/avoid appreciated.
Thanks

[Dark Cloud]

I went last May for a week and wasn't expecting much. I bloody loved it. Small central area, extremely relaxed, very friendly, lovely weather, great little bars and cafes and a ton of history showcased in a plethora of museums (some free to enter). Everything very walkable. The market housed in the old zeppelin hangers is great, especially the food/drink hall. I noted an extremely welcome absence of stag/hen do's (although did see a couple), but my fear would be it's going to be "discovered" sooner or later and they'll just ruin it sadly!!

[18MD82]

Places to see:

-Dome Square
-“Three Brothers”
-Livu Square
-“House of The Black Heads”
-St Peter’s Church (well worth making the trip up the tower for the views)
-Holy Trinity Orthodox Church

Pubs:

-Delirium
-Armoury Bar (get to enjoy a pint while handling all different types of firearms)
-Thirsty Bulldog (show all the live sport, big screen and got some good beers on)

[Tribesmen]

Yep well worth the trip I would say also . We went to the opera not as good as it could have been but saying that would do it again .

[alboclaret]

Went there yrs ago on a stag do.
As you woukd expect didn't see much of the city apart from the bars.
Watched clarets win away at wolves 1-0 gareth O'connor i think. Friday night game.

We went to a war bunker in a park which was a underground shooting range. Shot all sorts of hand pistols, klashnicovs, uzi....it sticks with me has crazy that was as there were a dozen or so of us an 1 bloke and a young lass running this shooting range with all sorts of guns and ammo.

As a group in a place not really uncovered for this sort of weekend away we were followed around be a couple of blokes all wk end. Same blokes in every bar we went, restaurants included. They kept showing up.
Really good trip and have said for years we shoukd go (with wife) for a proper look.

P.s don't go off beaten track after dark if it's a lads trip....certainly not to them bars where ladies get kit off

[DCWat]

Went there yrs ago on a stag do.
As you woukd expect didn't see much of the city apart from the bars.
Watched clarets win away at wolves 1-0 gareth O'connor i think. Friday night game.

We went to a war bunker in a park which was a underground shooting range. Shot all sorts of hand pistols, klashnicovs, uzi....it sticks with me has crazy that was as there were a dozen or so of us an 1 bloke and a young lass running this shooting range with all sorts of guns and ammo.

As a group in a place not really uncovered for this sort of weekend away we were followed around be a couple of blokes all wk end. Same blokes in every bar we went, restaurants included. They kept showing up.
Really good trip and have said for years we shoukd go (with wife) for a proper look.

P.s don't go off beaten track after dark if it's a lads trip....certainly not to them bars where ladies get kit off

There’s definitely an undercurrent there, if you’re on a lads trip.

We had a few uneasy encounters, felt that we were being watched / followed on a few occasions and found some of the locals to be very suspicious and at times, on the intimidating side.

I was glad that we were a reasonably sensible group - less so and I can well imagine that you could get into some very sticky situations out there.

It was a nice enough place but not loads to see, from what we saw, compared to a Prague or Budapest, for example.

What really stood out was the women. I’ve never been to a city with so many beautiful women - a super model scout would have a field day out there!

[ClaretAndBlue94]

Went a couple of years ago and remains one of my favourite European cities.

2 recommendations:

1) Indoor Market for a beer - Local market near the bus station mainly has meat/fish/produce but had a stand serving beers. Local stuff served in a plastic refillable bottle. Dirt cheap and nicely away from touristy stuff.

2) Visit to Sigulda - Public bus around 40 mins from Riga bus terminal. Wonderful national park area with cable cars up to the top. Stunning views/walks.

[Cowick Claret]

Thanks for the tips, definitely look at getting those in while we are there.

[dvalley69]

Plenty of footy teams in Riga if you fancied watching the beautiful game. Pretty shocking standard but always worth checking out footy on the continent.

[Claret86]

Someone i worked with wasn't impressed with Riga. He said there's a nice main square but generally everywhere seemed either old and grey or new and grey.
I'd be happy for him to be proved wrong, I'd like to visit all 3 of the baltic capitals (haven't been to any of them)