What you need to know before you book your airfare and tickets
The best way to appreciate this city is to discover it on foot. The old town which is also a Unesco World Heritage Site is very compact and you'll really only need a couple of days to see all that Riga has to offer. The Old Town's heart lies around the Dome Square which is particularly lively in summer. Kick back here with a beer and spend a couple of hours of people watching. Don't forget to have a peek inside the dome though. It's the largest house of worship in the Baltic States and parts of it date back as far as 1211. Walk around the cobble stone streets and admire the many historic buildings that line them. If you're into Art Nouveau, then you should definitely check out Elizabetes Street, Alberta Street and Strelneku Street. There are several master pieces by the hands of Russian Architect Eisenstein to be found in this area. One not to be missed is no 8 Elizabetes street. Even if you're not an art lover you might be interested to know that it also houses a Russian restaurant called Traktieris where the food is served by boys and girls in authentic Russian costumes. Another interesting neighbourhood to explore is the Moscow District. The houses might look a bit run down in some places, but if you can manage to look beyond that, you'll see that they're pretty much all made out of wood and actually quite pretty. If only there were enough funds to pay for the renovation of this area. There is also a market called Central Market which is open every day. You'll find loads of kitsch and other over the top knick knacks that the locals seem to be crazy about. For an authentic night out, head to Staburags. The decor has a very cosy feel as the tables are all set in small wooden niches. Great beer and hearty dishes is what it's all about here.What more do you need for a great night out in Riga?
