Riga holidays

If you’re looking for a long stretch of sand, Jūrmala Beach more than fits the bill – it unravels along the coastline for 25km. It has fine sands and a backdrop of trees with wooden walkways winding through them. It’s just outside of the city – around 40 minutes away in a taxi or by train – and you can really make a daytrip out of it. There are plenty of food joints nearby, and you’ll sometimes be able to watch games of volleyball and football by the water.

Lucavsala Recreational Park is a relaxed spot on an island in the middle of the Daugava River, around 10 minutes from the centre of Riga by cab. Along with a small beach on the riverbank, it has a skate park, loads of green space where you can lay out a picnic blanket, and a kids’ play park with slides and swings. This place sometimes plays host to outdoor concerts, too.

If you want to venture out a little further from the city, Saulkrasti Beach is a great spot to visit. It’s about an hour’s drive away, and it’s a pretty long swathe – around 17km. It’s a little less busy than Jūrmala Beach, too, if you’re after some peace and quiet. There’s a walking trail right by it that weaves around a huge sand dune, and on breezy days the waters are popular with windsurfers.

The Central Market in Riga is one of the biggest markets in Europe, with five big pavilions where you can pick up everything from clothes and handicrafts to flowers and vegetables. There are rows and rows of stalls, both inside and outside, and it’s right by the city’s main train station, so you’ll see plenty of locals buzzing about.

If you fancy browsing some high street shops, Galerija Centrs is just the place. It’s a shopping mall right near the old town, with a tall and long shape, five floors and a glass roof letting in plenty of sunlight. You can visit well-known stores like H&M and Mango, or check out some Latvian brands. You’ll sometimes find art exhibits set up inside the mall, and there’s a food court with plenty of choice for when you’re peckish.

Luxury shopping’s on the cards at Stockmann, a department store that sits right near the Central Market. The fashion department’s home to designers like Coach, Boss and Calvin Klein, and there are cosmetics counters where you can get glam with beauty brands like Chanel and Estée Lauder.

There are a few places to visit on a low-key evening in Riga, and one comes with a view – the Skyline Bar on the 26th floor of the Radisson Blu hotel. You get 360° views of the city from up there. Or, if you’d rather stay on ground level, you could try the famous Black Magic café in the old town. It’s got a long cocktail list and a witchy theme – think golden chandeliers and bookcases that are actually secret doors.

If you’d rather spend your night hitting the tiles, you’re in luck – Riga has plenty going on into the early hours. There are sports bars with dozens of screens, cocktail joints with happy hour deals, and even a rock bar that has an underground karaoke room. There’s no wonder it’s a popular spot for birthday celebrations and pre-wedding dos.

Rupjmaize – AKA rye bread – is one of Riga’s staples on the food front. You can get it in most restaurants, and it’s often served with butter, cheese, smoked fish or deli meats. Some places even turn it into a sweet treat, layering it with fruit, jam and cream for a tasty dessert.

If you have a bit of a sweet tooth and like a beer while you’re on your travels, keep your eyes peeled for Latvian honey beer. Many taphouses around the city will pour amber and dark versions of this local ale, which has historically been one of Latvia’s biggest exports – particularly in the Middle Ages.

Aukstā Zupa – which translates to ‘pink soup’ – is as colourful as its name suggests. It’s a refreshing cold soup that’s popular in Latvia over the summer months. It’s made from beets, radishes, cucumber and herbs, and it’s often served with a boiled egg on top.

You won’t be able to miss stovēti kāposti, especially if you visit Riga around Christmastime. This warming dish is a stew made up of sauerkraut – a Latvian cabbage – mixed with lard and sugar, and it’s often served with your choice of meat and potatoes. This one’s a winter must-have for locals.

The local spirit in this city is Riga Black Balsam. You’ll find this on the menu of most watering holes – sometimes in a cocktail, and sometimes on its own. It has a bittersweet taste, with hints of ginger, birch, lime, cocoa and liquorice.