Riga, Latvia

pimpy_c

Hey all!

I'm planning a trip for my class and we've decided to go to Riga in Latvia. I've never been and neither has anyone in the class but many of us have heard that it's great. I'm basically just wondering if anyone can give me any useful information about the place. I understand it's cheap but I've also heard rumours that many western europeans can get ripped off out there. Is this true? I'd also like to hear any first hand reccommendations of good hostels to stay at and also good places to go out. Any information at all would be greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone.

gonementhol

First off you simply HAVE to stay in Fun Friendly Franks. It's probably the best hostel I've ever stayed in. I think it actually was voted the best hostel in the world on www.hostelworld.com , it was last time I checked anyway. It's in a great location and he picks you up from the airport and everything, not to mention it was dirt cheap. Ten of us went and took a 10 bed dorm and it worked out at less than €10 a night if I remember correctly. Then you're greeted at the door with a free beer. The staff a friendly and are great craic and every night they can take you to some of the better nightclubs in the city and get you free or cheaper entry. They'll also organise all the popular activities for you like going to the shooting range, and bobsleighing etc. They are expensive enough, about €50 each, we thought we were getting ripped off, but found out later that that was the going rate everywhere you looked to do that stuff. Frank really was a nice guy not out to con us afterall!!! The bobsleighing was great, but quick and you have to go get a train journey to it as well, but one of the girls from the hostel brings you. I found it much more of a rush than a bungy jump anyway if thats any comparison. The shooting was good craic too, fired AK-47's, Shotguns and pistols. The city itself is lovely, some fantastic buildings. I wouldn't consider it the safest place in the world though. Stick to your group and never go off on your own. Be VERY careful with taxis and make sure you agree a fare first. Otherwise you'll get shafted and if you refuse to pay I've heard more than 1 or 2 stories about them taking matters into their own hands. The police are corrupt too so dont expect help from them. Best thing is to just be sensible and stick with people you know, and depending on what nightclub you're in don't get too drunk or trouble could find you. There's a split in the populous between Latvian's and Russians, and there's areas/clubs etc for both. For some reason I never really felt that safe in the Russian club, we had to walk away from troulbe more than once or twice in the one night there. As for resteraunts and shopping etc the place is cheaper, but not by much. It was actually a lot more expensice than I thought it would be. Still it was great fun and wellworth going to. ...... once atleast. I don't know if I'd go back though.

killbillvol2

pimpy_c wrote:

Hey all!

I'm planning a trip for my class and we've decided to go to Riga in Latvia. I've never been and neither has anyone in the class but many of us have heard that it's great. I'm basically just wondering if anyone can give me any useful information about the place. I understand it's cheap but I've also heard rumours that many western europeans can get ripped off out there. Is this true? I'd also like to hear any first hand reccommendations of good hostels to stay at and also good places to go out. Any information at all would be greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone.

Fantastic city. Great beer, interesting food and stunningly beautiful women. I was there for a week last year and there's plenty to do. Stayed in a hotel so I can't help you on hostels.

It's cheaper than here but not dirt cheap by any means. There's loads of info here and you can pick up the inyourpocket magazine when you get there. It's full of useful information.

I didn't have any hassle with rip-offs but there were only 2 of us. Large groups seemed to attract a lot of attention from the kind of scam artists you meet everywhere. Taxis aren't cheap and there's an extra charge to enter or leave the old city so just get dropped off outside the traffic barriers.

Finally, if any of your group are into fine whiskey there's a great whiskey shop in the airport. Top of the range stuff for about half what you'd pay here.

aviendha

Spent 3 nights there, didn't particularly like the city, but it was winter-time and a little miserable so I could be biased!

Fun Friendly Franks is fantastic, an absolute must! And definately visit the Museum of Occupation, which is very informative and interesting (if a little creepy in places).

Enjoy!

dubstub

Was there for a stag do, great craic. Stayed in a hotel, not a hostel. The city is great fun but try and stay away from the main touristy street in the Old Town. If you are a big group you will attract unwanted attention. We got some aggression showed but nothing too worrying.
Stay away from the strip bars unless you really want to be ripped off. Some of the lads were faced with a €340 bill each for agreeing to buy the girls' a drink (a cranberry juice in a fancy glass) - no option not to pay, unless you'd like a trip to the hospital.