Top Local Tips for Riga

Public transport By far the cheapest mode of transport from the airport to the city centre is by bus. The No. 22 and No. 22a both depart frequently from directly outside the main terminal. The 22 will bring you into the city via the main bus and train stations, the 22a stops at the Orthodox Cathdral leaving you a mere 10 minute stroll from the Freedom Monument - clearly the best landmark for finding your way around.

History all around Plenty of museums and monuments to visit.Modern shopping and good European influenced restarants.Source a copy of the booklet "Riga in your pocket "for for the best travel tips.

"Special programmes" offered by restaurants on the new year's eve If you plan to spend new year's eve in Riga, I suggest that you plan well in advance and are prepared to pay extra for "special programmes". On the new year's eve you had to pay an extra 10-30 lats just to get in to any dinner restaurant. The price usually included a glass of local sparkling wine and some appetizers. A proper new year's eve dinner would cost something between 50-80 Lats, even in quite basic restaurants in the old town, which considering the local income level sounded a rip-off to me. We bought an entrance ticket to a local steak house for 15 Lats each. The special programme they offered for the price was a musician playing in another room. In total, my meal (one glass of local sparkling, some appetizers, main course and two glasses of Chilean red) cost something like 75 euros in a quite low key place, which I consider expensive. But hey, once in Rome.. The main thing was that we had a good time in a beautiful city. And the service was friendly anywhere we went.