Food is very inexpensive here, you will get a feast for under £20. It also costs around 2 Lats at most. If eating out you can get MacDonalds etc.
Try going into the old town and picking any resteraunt, if you are not after a 3 course meal you will eat for under a tenner. If you like Pizza try Latvias "Lulu Pizza" - it is very reasonably priced and tasty.
One thing we tried to do was eat fish caught in the Baltic sea, the fish resteraunts all sell very fresh fish. Be warned though, some places do not carry an English language menu.
I HAD RUSSIAN DUMPLINGS poor
Avoid drinking Latvian Tap Water. Water (bottled) is cheap enough anyway.
One Lat = One pound (approx).
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Cigarettes are 82p a packet for Marlboro, you can also get some for as little as 37p a 20 packet. Remember though, even though Latvia is an EU country you are only allowed to bring in 200 in your case. As many single packets in your pockets though.
The price of booze is cheap, unless you go to the up market bars.
Another wondrous thing in Riga that I have never encountered is the noise level. There is very little. It is a very relaxed place, only spoiled by the Stag parties .
The police are generally helpful, however do not wander the streets at night (alone) for two reasons.
One - Like any city if you are seen to be alone you are seen to be an easy target. Where the average wage is £200 a month you are quite a tempting target.
Two - The "rogue" police will see you as an easy target.
When drinking in bars it will be safe, when going out you will be tempted in with free drink. These drinks are not free. You will be charged extortionate amounts of money for them. If you haven't got it you will be taken to a cash machine.
Avoid anywhere where there is more bouncers than bar staff, again it is a recipe for disaster.
Strip bars are also a no-no. Best to avoid them in all honesty. shows in the . Voodoo is part of the Reval hotel, they hire poledancers...as does Dolls and Club essential. As I said, stay away from the stripclubs, they probably aren't worth it (going on word of mouth here).
If you do decide to go out drinking during the day then go into the Old Town, here you have Dickens Paddy Whelans (football bar) and a good few others. It is also a safe environment.
The important thing though is that the locals have seen it all before. .
Don't be loutish.
Give the strip clubs a miss.
Must See
The Latvian Museum of Occupation.
The various city tours, recommended.
Jurmalla - A seaside town, like the Latvian Irvine.
Skonto Rigas stadium, wouldn't catch a game though - dire. If you do it's Friday evening games.
The 26th floor cocktail bar in the Reval, the views are quite simply stunning.
The women.
The cheap fags and booze.
The friendly attitude.
Skyline Bar
Look across the Old Town or over the Baltic Sea while you enjoy cocktails or bar snacks in our sophisticated, modern lounge. Chilled music, with live DJs at weekends, draws a cool, urban crowd, and major sports events are shown on our flat screens.
Opening hours:
Sunday - Thursday 15:00 - 02:00
Friday, Saturday 15:00 - 03:00