Arriving in Riga

Arriving in Riga is fairly simple these days. The bus and train stations are located right on the edge of Old Riga and the airport is only a short cab or bus ride away. Money can be changed wherever you land, but rates at banks and exchange booths will no doubt be better in Old Riga and the city centre. Bear in mind that all vehicles including taxis must pay 5Ls to enter the old town, a cost that will be passed on to you.

By plane The airport (lidosta) is some 8km southwest of the Riga city centre. Baggage claim and customs are fairly quick, but don’t forget to pick up a complimentary copy of Riga In Your Pocket while waiting for your luggage. A currency exchange booth is available here (open until the last flight) as well as a tourist information centre. Reserve a hotel room or rent a car in the arrivals hall. A 24-hour baggage room (1Ls/day) and yet another information centre are also available here, as well as three ATMs and a post office (open 08:00 - 17:30, Sat, Sun 09:00 - 16:00). Getting to town: CONTACT EASYRENT or: A queue of eager taxis will be waiting for you outside the arrivals hall. A typical ride to Old Riga or the city centre should cost no more than 9Ls. Bus N°22 (0.30Ls) goes to the city centre (Strēlnieku laukums and the train station) every 20 minutes. Express bus N°22A departs for the Orthodox Cathedral on an erratic timetable. Exit the airport arrivals hall and walk across the parking lot to find the bus stop and schedule. More info at www.riga-airport.com.

By bus The first thing you’ll notice upon arrival at the bus terminal or autoosta (open 05:00 - 24:00) are the impressive hangars of the Central Market to your right just above the murky waters of the Riga canal. Inside, Eurolines and Ecolines offices are located to your left as well as an ATM, baggage room (0.24 - 0.50Ls/hour, 0.20Ls each additional hour) and toilets for 0.15Ls (ask for paper). To your right is the waiting room. A bar/cafeteria with great views, a baby-changing station, a shower and even a small hostel are available upstairs. At the far end of the hall are a tourist and bus information centre (open 08:00 - 21:00), currency exchange (open 07:00 - 21:00, Sat, Sun 07:00 - 19:00) and pharmacy (open 07:00 - 20:00) or aptieka in Latvian. Getting to town: CONTACT EASYRENT or: trams N°7 or 9 stop in front of the bus station; ride it one stop into the centre (buy a 0.30Ls ticket in the station). To get there on foot, turn left, walk through the underpass and follow the signs ‘Vecrīga-Vaļņu iela’ into Old Riga. The white Opels owned by Riga Taxi are the only reliable cabs outside.

By ferry The ferry terminal and yacht harbour lie less than 1km north of Old Riga. Change money in the terminal. Open 09:00 - 18:00. Getting to town: CONTACT EASYRENT or:  take trams N°7, 5 or 9, from Ausekļa two stops to the centre of Riga (buy a 0.30Ls ticket in the terminal).

Riga nightlife

From standard bars to more mature music clubs and raging discos, Riga has no problem providing nightlife. It's just a matter of being able to choose where to lose your money, and your sleep. The town is small enough to cover on foot, though as the night gets longer, so does the distance between places. Here then is the pick of the bunch.

Club Essential Skolas 2, tel. 67 24 22 89. Website   Having experienced the ill-fated disco that once occupied this space, we were relieved to discover that this trendy club is essentially a new creation or, to speak frankly, not another typical boring Riga techno club. In fact, it’s quite stylish offering a funky chill out room and several distinct areas on two levels which are all a part of the action surrounding the central dance floor. The music is fast-paced and progressive which is what you’d expect given the talented DJs it imports from around Europe each weekend. Open Closed, Sunday: 22:00-05:00, Monday: Closed, Tuesday: Closed, Wednesday: Closed, Thusday: 22:00-06:00, Friday: 22:00-08:00, Saturday: 22:00-08:00 Admission: 3 - 5Ls.

Skyline Bar  Elizabetes 55 (Reval Hotel Latvija - 26th floor), tel. 67 77 22 22.   A visit to the Skyline Bar has become a mandatory stop on the well-travelled tourist routes of Riga and this fact is reflected in its largely foreign clientele. The views are spectacular and the new retro interior of shag carpeting, comfortable couches and an abundance of pillows is warm and inviting. Getting one of the coveted seats by the windows is often a chore, but it’s worth the effort. The wait staff can be a little lethargic, but perhaps it’s due to the altitude. Tapas and sandwiches also available. A visit to the Skyline Bar has become a mandatory stop on the well-travelled tourist routes of Riga and this fact is reflected in its largely foreign clientele. The views are spectacular and the new retro interior of shag carpeting, comfortable couches and an abundance of pillows is warm and inviting. Getting one of the coveted seats by the windows is often a chore, but it’s worth the effort. The wait staff can be a little lethargic, but perhaps it’s due to the altitude. Tapas and sandwiches also available. Open 15:00-02:00, Friday: 15:00-03:00, Saturday: 15:00-03:00

Lounge 8 Vaļņu 19 (entrance from Gleznotāju), tel. 67 35 95 95. Website   Pass the walk-in humidor on the ground floor and head upstairs to experience one of Riga’s trendiest bars. A unique, spacious interior of palm trees and skylights as well as an inventive drinks list that includes key lime, chocolate and even rhubarb and lemongrass martinis makes one half expect to the see the cast of Sex and the City flirting with eligible men at the bar. Mediterranean and Southeast Asian cuisine is also available as is a huge smoking lounge. Pass the walk-in humidor on the ground floor and head upstairs to experience one of Riga’s trendiest bars. A unique, spacious interior of palm trees and skylights as well as an inventive drinks list that includes key lime, chocolate and even rhubarb and lemongrass martinis makes one half expect to the see the cast of Sex and the City flirting with eligible men at the bar. Mediterranean and Southeast Asian cuisine is also available as is a huge smoking lounge. Open 12:00-24:00, Thusday: 12:00-03:00, Friday: 12:00-03:00, Saturday: 12:00-03:00

A. Suns Elizabetes 83/85 (Berga bazārs), tel. 67 28 84 18.   The Andalusian Dog is proof that an old canine doesn't need to learn new tricks. Loyal expats and locals still cram in day and night, to a Tex-Mex, burger and beer menu and a boisterous atmosphere that hasn't changed in years. They'll even let you bring your own puppy, who may have to walk you home after all the merriment. The Andalusian Dog is proof that an old canine doesn't need to learn new tricks. Loyal expats and locals still cram in day and night, to a Tex-Mex, burger and beer menu and a boisterous atmosphere that hasn't changed in years. They'll even let you bring your own puppy, who may have to walk you home after all the merriment. Open 10:00-01:00, Sunday: 11:00-01:00, Friday: 10:00-03:00, Saturday: 11:00-03:00