About Riga

Riga is the capital of Latvia with a population of around 800 000. It is the metropolitan centre of not only the country, but the whole Baltic region. The city straddles the River Daugava about 15 km from its entrance into the Gulf of Riga. Riga was formally founded in 1201 when the German bishop Albert built his castle on the site of a pre-existing Livonian settlement.

Riga is best know for its architectural legacy. The Old Town is listed in UNESCO’s prestigious World Heritage List, and is made up of buildings from the Middle Ages and subsequent periods of Swedish, Polish, Russian and German influence.

In the cultural field Riga is famous for its world class opera house. The Latvian National Opera is a home to ballet, too. The annual Riga International Opera Festival and Baltic Ballet Festival take place there, while other classical music concerts and choirs perform in various venues around the city. During the summer, many concerts take place in the parks and street musicians congregate in the Old Town. Riga hosts various other international cultural festivals in music, dance, film, theatre, poetry and art, while a wealth of museums and galleries offer plenty to interest culture lovers.

Riga remains an elegant city with a wide range of classy restaurants, trendy bars, tea rooms, cabaret venues, quality shopping and a populace that takes pride in individual and collective appearances. Beauty parlours and hairdressing salons are on nearly every corner providing highly professional services at a fraction of Western European prices and many female visitors in particular like to take advantage of the opportunity for a bit of pampering.

With beer gardens and terraces in summer, ice rinks and cosy cafes in winter and lively nightlife all year round, Riga really does have something for everyone.