When is the best time to go on holiday to Latvia? Latvia in winter: where to ride? Is it worth going to Riga in winter?

In winter, quite a lot of public, free skating rinks in Riga are flooded. If you come with your own skates, it’s free; if you rent them, you only have to pay for the equipment rental.

You can also skate in Riga, Latvia in professional ice halls and Olympic centers. Also, small skating rinks are opening in entertainment centers (for example,).

Ice palaces, Olympic centers in Latvia

There are ice palaces in almost every major city in Latvia. Local hockey schools usually train here, and in your free time you have the opportunity to use a skating rink and, if necessary, rent skates.

Curling in Latvia

Curling in Latvia was “born” in Jelgava - in. This is where today you can play and learn to play curling.

10 ideas for winter holidays in Riga, Latvia

1. Go to the ski hill

The highest, and therefore popular, slide in Latvia (312 m) - . There are several illuminated trails up to 360 meters long. Among them are two for descending cameras. The route works until the last client. There is equipment rental and a place to stay overnight.

More ski and ski slopes -

2. Go to Mezaparks

3. Go cross-country skiing in Riga parks

With the arrival of real winter, cross-country ski trails open in Riga. For example, there are good trails (Riga, Uzvaras вulv., 15), in Lucavsala, Imanta and Purvciems.

The best time to travel or fly to Latvia is definitely in the summer. The high season in Latvia begins at the end of May and ends at the beginning of September. The second peak of the tourism boom begins in December and subsides in the second half of January.

The low season occurs in late autumn and early spring in Latvia. At this time it is damp and dank, the temperature rarely drops below 0°C, -3°C. But it doesn’t rise above +5°C either. But if you decide when to go to Latvia and want to save money, you can choose these options. After all, this country is beautiful at any time of the year, and the owners warmly welcome guests.

By the way, Latvia cannot boast of an abundance of sun - there are only 30 to 40 sunny days per year. The weather is changeable, warm and clear skies are easily replaced by rain and wind.

Holidays in Latvia in winter

Winter in Latvia moves from off-season to off-season. And between them there is one small peak of tourism. Of course, we are talking about Christmas and New Year. In Latvia they are celebrated on a European scale. The weather in Latvia in winter will please those who love wet, mild winters with plenty of fluffy snow. And it will not please those who are afraid of possible slush. Both happen here.

So, there are ski resorts in the Baltic country, and you can read about them in this section. In winter there is almost no point in going on excursion programs, but celebrating the New Year somewhere in Riga, Jurmala or Cesis is quite welcome. Christmas markets and subsequent sales will delight shopping lovers.

The Latvian capital Riga attracts more and more guests every year in winter, and they come here to relax for a reason! Here you can see the sights of old Riga (the historical part of the city), and this time is ideal for shopping, because it is in winter that Riga stores offer the greatest discounts. Let's find out what to do in Riga in winter before planning to go there on vacation.

The weather in Riga in winter is much milder than in Russia. This is due to the close proximity to the Baltic Sea. The average temperature varies between -7-+5 degrees Celsius, but sometimes it can surprise you with frosts of 30 degrees. Where to go in Riga in winter? Walking around the Old Town in winter can be especially interesting. Ancient buildings dusted with snow are simply an unforgettable sight. The narrow streets that run between the houses have seen a lot over the course of several centuries. They fully convey the atmosphere of ancient Latvia. So, what are the best attractions to see in Riga in Winter?

The capital of Latvia, Riga, is famous for its huge number of attractions that certainly deserve attention. The largest number of them is concentrated in Old Riga - the historical part of this wonderful city. Most of the main attractions of Riga are located here; few excursions are complete without visiting this part of the city. And this is not surprising, because this place is one of the few that are included in the UNESCO list of cultural heritage of humanity.

You should start exploring the Old Town by visiting the Dome Cathedral. Just imagine, the first stones of this structure were laid back in 1211. This place has a rich history; it was partially destroyed and rebuilt many times. The ancient architecture of the building has been partially preserved to this day, but this is enough to spend several hours exploring this place. In addition, today the Philharmonic Society and the Museum of Navigation and History are located here.

Be sure to visit Riga Castle when visiting this city. This majestic structure was built in 1333; since then, this castle has been completely destroyed and restored several times. In this place you can see a tower that was built in 1515. The uniqueness of this tower lies not only in its age, but also in the fact that it has survived (and this is a miracle!) to this day unchanged. The three museums located in the Riga Castle building are also of considerable interest. Here you can visit the Historical Museum of Latvia and visit the most interesting galleries of the Museum of Foreign Art. The works of famous world-class masters are presented here. A visit to this place will bring a lot of pleasure to connoisseurs of high art. For lovers of the work of J. Rainis, there is an opportunity to visit a museum dedicated to his art.

Visitors to the city are of considerable interest in visiting the Powder Tower. No one knows exactly the reliable date of the beginning of its construction; it approximately began in the 15th-16th centuries. This tower was rebuilt several times, in particular, it underwent the last architectural changes after the First World War.

At the end of your walk, you simply need to visit the Swedish Gate. This place contains an interesting monument - the last of the eight ancient Riga gates that stood at the entrance to the city. They were built in 1698. There are even several legends associated with this place, which the locals here will gladly tell you.

We hope that from this material you will be able to understand what to see and what to do while relaxing in Riga in winter, you will always find. The time spent here will fly by unnoticed on the most interesting excursions around the amazing city.

You can visit this wonderful city by registering and.

…What can I say: Riga is a very cool city. We stayed here for three and a half days, and during this time the capital of Latvia gave us many unforgettable impressions. Finding yourself in the whirlwind of its narrow streets, you seem to fall into some other reality, where the air is filled with the amber light of forged lanterns, and the songs of street musicians seem to intertwine with the songs of the Baltic wind. I won’t hide: I liked our trip to Riga. Therefore, writing this article, replaying the memories of those days in my head, is somehow especially warm and pleasant.

I hope yours trip to Latvia you will like ours no less than we do. And in order to help you make your trip a little more interesting and brighter, we have prepared this short review for you, collecting in it all the interesting activities and entertainment that you definitely need to devote time to while traveling around the Latvian capital.

16 things to do during trips to Latvia

• Stay in an old mansion.

This option will allow you to feel like a real resident of this city for a short time, will help you better understand it and feel its atmosphere. By choosing an apartment instead of a standard hotel, you get a chance to “peek behind the scenes” and see the city as the locals see it. Moreover, you can live in one of the houses in old Riga for very little money. You can find a good option, as well as save a little, by using the AIRBNB website (which, by the way, offers a small bonus to all new users of the project. To receive it, just register using this link).

From the window of our apartment, for example, there was such a stunning view. It’s always a special pleasure to greet the morning looking at such beauty.

• Wander around the old town.

Well, there’s probably no need to explain anything here. The Old Town is the real heart of Riga, its soul and its main center of attraction. Therefore, you are unlikely to miss these places. In this place, the present and the past intertwine with each other in the most bizarre way. Replicas of ancient buildings stand side by side with original buildings dating back hundreds of years. And cute street cafes, original art installations and modern cars of wealthy Riga residents surprisingly harmoniously complement the image of old squares and alleys.

However, you will probably note all this without me. Therefore, I will not burden you with all this unnecessary information in vain. Instead, I’d better throw in a few photos here, which will probably convey the atmosphere of these places much more eloquently.

• Take photos on the narrow streets of Riga.

Don't know what to do in Riga? Have a little photo shoot for yourself! The capital of Latvia is a surprisingly photogenic city. Therefore, anyone can find some interesting shots for themselves. In general, all fans of VKontakte and Instagram will definitely like it here.

Dedicated to the upcoming release of the film “Spectre”...

Lady with a handbag

• Feel like a movie character on Jauniela Street.

It just so happened that two cult films were filmed on this picturesque street during Soviet times. At one time, the famous Baker Street from the epic film about the famous detective Sherlock Holmes was located here. And also the Flower Street of “Swiss” Bern, which is familiar to us all from the TV series “17 Moments of Spring”.
Without visiting this place, trip to Riga will definitely be incomplete.

• Make a wish at the monument to the Bremen Town Musicians.

Like in many other cities, there is a place in Riga where flocks of tourists rub/twist something together, hoping that this non-trivial ritual will fulfill some of their deepest desires. To believe in such things or not is everyone’s business. But it’s definitely worth visiting the Riga monument to the Bremen Town Musicians. At least because it is one of the most popular and “photographed” monuments in Latvia.

The monument is located behind St. Peter's Church (in the Sk?r?u iela area). In the photo its location is marked by a group of tourists

His wish fulfillment system is quite simple - make a wish and rub the nose of one of the animals. Well, the higher you reach, the faster your wish will come true. By the way, reaching the rooster is quite difficult (even with my height of 195 cm). But it's definitely worth a try. Even if it takes some time. In general, it will be what to do in Riga.

• See the famous Riga spiers.

In general, there are only four main “high-rise buildings” in the capital of Latvia – St. Jacob’s Church, St. Peter’s Church, Dome Cathedral and Riga Castle. It was these buildings that were the main symbols of old Latvia in Soviet times. Their images were used almost everywhere. And over time, the panorama of the city topped with sharp roofs became so popular that other buildings were often counted among the Riga spiers.

Today, in addition to the four main buildings, the expanded list also includes the spiers of the Riga Academy of Sciences, the Church of St. Magdalene, the Anglican Church of the Holy Redeemer, as well as the thin needle of the Riga TV Tower. Which one should you pay attention to during trips to Latvia– decide for yourself.

Riga Castle

The buildings with the four main spiers of Riga can be found at: Herdera laukums 6 (Dome Cathedral), Skarnu iela 19 (St. Peter's Church), Jakaba iela 9 (St. Jacob's Church), Pils laukums 3 (Riga Castle). The best view of all Riga's spiers opens from the left bank of the Daugava.

• View Riga from above.

By the way, many high-rise buildings in Riga today have observation decks. But most of them have an entrance fee. You can climb the tower of St. Peter’s Cathedral for 7 euros, the observation deck of the “Stalinist high-rise” Academy of Sciences (Academy Square, 1) for 4 euros, and the platform of the Riga TV Tower (Zakusala Island) for 3.70 euros. The last option may seem the most tempting (especially considering the fact that the Riga TV Tower, with a height of 368 meters, is officially considered the tallest building in the Baltics). However, I would strongly advise you not to choose it. If only because the windows in this building are constantly dirty.

Academy of Sciences of Latvia and Riga TV Tower

Instead, it’s better to go to the Panorama cafe, located on the roof of the Galleria Riga shopping center (Dzirnavu iela, 67) or to the pretentious Riga Sky Line bar in the Latvia Hotel (aka Radisson Blu Hotel). You can come here on weekdays completely free of charge. It’s better to spend the remaining money on coffee. All kinds of cocktails there are expensive (9-12 euros).

Hotel Latvia on Brivibas Ave. View from Cafe Panorama

• Listen to the melodies of street musicians.

I don’t know why, but trips to the Old World are always associated in my mind with the music of street musicians. A few months ago we listened to a cool street concert during a trip to Warsaw. This time we came across an equally interesting performance by street musicians in Riga. The guys were playing Pharell Williams' “because i'm happy” on the trumpet. And some small EU citizen was dancing in the background. In general, it was great.

• Wander through Riga's parks.

Autumn in Latvia is very picturesque. We especially liked the park next to the Freedom Monument (on Brivibas Avenue). Ponds, bridges with locks, ducks running underfoot and a huge amount of yellow, red and orange colors around - it looks very beautiful.

• See Riga through the eyes of a local resident. After all, someone like real Riga residents will be able to show you all the most hidden corners of this city, tell you about the legends of old Riga, show the city “from the inside”, the way it appears to ordinary residents of Latvia. In order to move away from the traditional format of excursions, some time ago, on the basis of the Tripster project, a whole series of unusual custom tours from “local residents” were created. Today they enjoy stable popularity in Riga. View the full list of such non-standard excursions. If finances allow, do not miss this opportunity.
• Visit Riga's Art Nouveau neighborhoods(located in the area of ​​Elizabetes, Alberta, Antonias streets and some others adjacent to them).

Latvian Art Nouveau has long been considered one of the symbols of Riga. Pay attention to these areas. There really is something to see there. And in general, trip to Riga– a great opportunity to understand a little the intricacies of architectural styles.

• Take a walk along the banks of the Daugava.

Just dress warmly first. Autumn weather in Riga is some kind of hellish swing! Now it’s rain, now it’s sun, now it’s fog, now it’s wind... First you leave the house and think: “Why am I dressed like a cabbage.” But after an hour you realize that you did the right thing.

National Library of Latvia. Architecture in the late “anyhow” style. There is also some kind of crown on top.

• Take a photo of the ugliest library in the world.

Do you think we have one in Minsk? I hasten to assure you: not at all. In comparison with the unsightly and somehow awkward building of the National Library of Latvia, our “Diamond of Knowledge” is simply an architectural masterpiece. In general, you don’t know what to do in Riga- go to the Daugava. There is always a lot of interesting things here.

• Compare Minsk and Riga Lido.

Another object for comparison is two Lido restaurants located in two capitals. As for me, our Lido is even a little better than the Latvian one. At least in Riga, Tanya constantly grumbled that there was some tension with desserts in this place.

But I liked the local dishes of national cuisine. But this should probably be written as a separate paragraph. Soooo....

• Try Latvian national cuisine.

There are actually a lot of strange things here, but at the same time very interesting. Milk soup with fish, semolina porridge with beaten egg, pumpkin compote and many other strange oddities. Although in reality everything turns out to be very, very tasty. For example, I especially liked the gray peas with bacon. It looks unpretentious, but is actually delicious. You eat and immediately imagine yourself as some kind of Latvian farmer from the Middle Ages. In Lido this dish cost 1.65 euros. Oh, yes... This restaurant also brews very tasty beer (1.95 euros per mug). In short, you won't know what to do in Riga– go on a tour of local gastronomic establishments. This is quite an adventure.

• Treat yourself to Latvian pastries.

The people of Riga simply adore her. And Tanya (our main sweets specialist) really liked it too. At the same time, good pastries can be found both in cafes and in regular stores. For example, we liked the shop at the intersection of Tallinas and Krisjana Barona streets. And also cafe “Martina”. Both places made very cool buns (0.3-0.45 euros).

• Bonus. If you suddenly start to get bored in the Latvian capital itself, go on a tour of its nearest suburbs.

Turaida Castle in autumn

In summer, the numerous beach villages in Jurmala can be a good solution. In autumn (as in our case), a much better option would be Sigulda and the Gauja National Park located in its vicinity.

Filled with myriads of yellow, red and burgundy colors at this time of year, these places become especially beautiful and picturesque. However, see for yourself...

That's all. I hope our article is about what to do in Riga was useful to you. Write comments and share your impressions of your own trips. We will be glad to see you again. Bye!

Some useful information for organizing your trip:

• The average cost of hostels in Riga ranges from 6-12 dollars (for a bed in a shared room). You can view inexpensive housing options on this website. Our personal selection of the best hostels in the Latvian capital is presented.
• Renting a Riga apartment for a day (for two people) costs from 29 to 45 dollars. You can view current options and get a discount on your first booking on this website.
• Approximate cost of hotel rooms (2-3*): 25-50 dollars. You can check prices for several booking systems at once and save a little by using this site.

Latvians are very fond of skiing. The closer the winter season gets, the more often you can hear conversations about the gurney in different groups. Even those who are good at appearing on the slope during the winter actively discuss skiing. And no wonder, there are more than three dozen ski resorts in small Latvia, including large bases and local single slopes. You can often meet Estonians and Lithuanians on the highways. Most of Latvia's ski slopes are natural, and some are located in picturesque national parks, right in river valleys. The local hills are certainly not the Alps, but they provide a close and budget-friendly alternative to Austria and France.

Riekstukalns

Where is it located? The closest ski resort to Riga is Rekstukalns. The journey to the place will take about 30 minutes. Getting there without a car is quite problematic. You can take a bus to the town of Baldone, but then you will have to drive about 10 km more along flat roads. So you better try and find an RV company.

Trails. The complex includes 13 tracks, including tracks for beginners, boardercross, a trick park, and sledding hills for children. The length of the tracks is from 80 to 350 m. The height difference is up to 47 m.

Lifts. There are 16 T-bar and plate tow lifts in operation.

Services. If you are just starting your journey to conquering mountain peaks, then professional instructors can help you. They will go away faster and with fewer bruises. If necessary, you can ask for help in caring for the equipment - sharpen the edges, polish and wax the slide.

Where to eat. Having ridden to your heart's content and tired, go and relax in a cafe located at the foot of the main highway. The cozy bistro offers hot lunches, sweets, drinks, and mulled wine. Just what you need after a successful ride!

Prices. Ski pass (lift ticket) for an hour on weekdays - € 7, on weekends - € 11. Renting a set of equipment (boots + board / skis + poles) will cost € 6, in addition you can take a helmet, mask and even clothes for skiing . Instructor services for 50 minutes - € 16.

Where to stay. There are no guest houses in Rekstukalns itself, but the complex’s website offers the closest available options.

Milzkans

Where is it located? It takes about an hour to get to Milzkalns (72 km from Riga). You can find directions to the slope on the complex’s website.

Trails. The complex includes 13 tracks, including a cross-country ski track, a toboggan hill, a track for beginners, a snowboard park, boardercross and other tracks for every taste and level of training. The cross-country ski track is free, its length is about 600 meters, and it is illuminated at night. Any equipment can be rented on site. The length of the tracks is from 160 to 320 m. The height difference is 45 m.

Lifts. The ski lifts in Milzkalns are rope tows.

Services. Milzkans positions itself as the most comfortable and friendly holiday complex in Latvia. In addition to the services of instructors, the opportunity to put your equipment in order, here you can leave your things in the dressing room, take a shower, take a steam bath, or go to a tavern. And if you come with children, there is an opportunity to leave them in the children's room under the supervision of animators.

Where to eat. At the foot of the main trails, next to the equipment rental house, there is a tavern where you can refresh yourself with hot food or drink alcohol during the entire operation of the gurney.

Prices. Ski pass prices start from €6 per hour on weekdays. Rent a kit for a skier or snowboarder € 5. You can also rent additional things like a helmet, goggles or a suit. Instructor services from € 14, bathhouse rental from € 45 for 20 people.

Where to stay. In the complex itself, at the foot of the slopes, there is a hotel where you can stay for a weekend or several days and ski in the wasted snow in the morning. Room prices start from €20 for two. You can reserve rooms by calling the number listed on the complex’s website.

Ozolkalns and Zagarkalns

Where is it located? Both complexes are located on the outskirts of the city of Cesis, 88 km from Riga. You can get to Cesis by bus. The traffic diagram and location can be viewed on the website. Žagarkalns is 500 m away.

Trails. Ozolkalns has 6 tracks of different levels and a freeride area with natural obstacles, which is equivalent to a black track. Žagarkalns has 5 tracks of different levels, a snowboard park, and a toboggan run. Ozolkalns has the longest trails , the size of which reaches 500 m, the height difference is 80 m. In Žagar, the length of the trails is from 100 to 420 m, the height difference is 25-50 m.

Lifts. Ozolkalns is notable for the fact that it is one of two ski resorts in Latvia equipped with a chair lift. If you are a beginner snowboarder and feel fear and horror of the rope rope, this is the place for you. Additionally, there is a T-bar lift. There are only rope tows in Žagarkalns.

Services. In both complexes you can use the services of instructors; in Žagarkalns there is even a ski school for the little ones. There are also children's rooms with the necessary equipment.

Where to eat. Both complexes have small taverns with hot food and drinks. You won't remain hungry!

Prices. On weekends there are combined tickets between the two bases. The price for such a ski pass for 2 hours is € 16. Plus a free transfer every 15 minutes in both directions. The price of a lift ticket in one of the complexes is about €8. It is a little more profitable to rent a ski lift in Žagar - €6. But an instructor will cost €2 cheaper in Ozolkalns. We'll have to run!

Where to stay. Camping huts, cottages and apartments are available for overnight accommodation in Ozolkalns and Žagarkalns. There are many options for overnight stays in the city of Cesis.

What to see. Cesis itself deserves your attention, so once you are there, make plans as well.

Sigulda

Where is it located? You can get to Sigulda from Riga by car, bus or train. There are three separate bases in the city. Kaķīškalns, or as the locals affectionately call it - Kotik, Sigulda city track and Olympic track (Kordes trase). All of them are located on the slopes of the Gauja River valley, so the views there are simply stunning.

Trails. Katiskalns has only 2 trails. One of them is flatter and shorter for children and beginners, and the second is one of the sportiest routes for experienced riders. Sigulda city - 3 trails, one for children and 2 longer and steeper ones, and Kordes - 2 trails. In Sigulda, the tracks range from 100 to 350 m, and the elevation difference is from 20 to 90 m.

Lifts. There is a chairlift on the Sigulda city slope. On the remaining slopes there are only rope tows.

Services. Equipment rental, instructor services, as well as a sauna, a cafe and overnight accommodation - you can look for all this at the Katiskalns ski resort. You can also join a group to improve your skating skills; there are the same groups for children - of varying levels of training.

Where to eat. On the slope of Katiskalns there is a cozy tavern where you can warm up and have a snack without going far from the slope. And if you want to take a walk, the entire town of Sigulda is at your disposal, and there are plenty of places to eat.

Prices. Unlike other complexes, in Sigulda the payment system for the ski lift is one-time. One lift - € 0.5. You can pay for several trips at once using an electronic card, which is read by a validator at the entrance to the ski lift. Equipment rental - € 6 per hour for a complete ski/snowboard set, € 13 per hour for instructor services.

Where to stay. There is a hotel complex on the slope of Katiskalns, and you can also find many options in Sigulda itself.

What to see.- one of the most beautiful cities in Latvia. These are ancient castles, and well-groomed parks, and the luxurious valley of the Gauja River, and a bobsleigh and luge track, on the turns of which you can feel the speed with which athletes rush at competitions.

Eglukalns

Where is it located? The Egļukalns ski resort is located at the junction of the borders of Latvia, Lithuania and Belarus. In the suburbs of Latvian Daugavpils, just an hour's drive from Braslav and 15 minutes' drive from the Lithuanian city of Zasarai.

Trails. Slalom track, jump track, family track, tubing track. This choice is offered by the Eglucalns complex. The length of the tracks is up to 200 m, and the height difference is 39 m.

Lifts. Tow ropes.

Services. Rental, instructors, equipment care service. There is an opportunity to celebrate a children's holiday.

Where to eat. There is a cafe on the slope of Eglukalns where you can relax after an active ride.

Prices. Lift prices per hour start from €5 on weekdays. The cost of a set of equipment is from € 5. Renting a tube along with a lift ticket for half an hour is € 4, for an hour - € 7.

Where to stay. The complex itself does not offer hotel service, so you can choose overnight accommodation directly in the city of Daugavpils.

Skier or snowboarder

The conflict between skiers and snowboarders has been going on for centuries, or rather since the advent of boards as an alternative to skis. Snowboarders troll skiers for walking like a robot in hard plastic boots, and skiers make fun of snowboarders desperately trying to move on the flat. But despite all the strife, these guys are united by a love of mountains, speed, winter and snow. And they ride and relax together.

If you are just at the beginning of your journey and have not yet decided which unit to choose, let me give you some advice.

Price. About the same. Necessary kit for a skier: skis, bindings, boots, poles; for a snowboarder - board, bindings, boots. Helmet. Glasses. Ski clothing.

Learning ability. It is believed that learning on a snowboard is much faster. Skis are more suitable for those who like to slowly delve into processes and polish their technique.

Injury hazard. Even beginner skiers fall less often, but more painfully. Snowboarders, especially during the learning period, fall very often, but, as a rule, without serious consequences. With experience, it becomes easier for a snowboarder to climb than for a skier. The danger zone for a skier is the lower part of the body, while for a snowboarder it is the upper part. Both are recommended to protect the most exposed parts of the body.

Speed ​​and agility. Skis are considered faster, but maneuverability behind the board is considered faster.

Philosophy. The philosophy of skiing is technique, pedantry, conservatism. The philosophy of snowboarding is freedom and rejection of restrictions and cliches. Of course, these are rather arbitrary divisions.

Lifts. All lifts are designed for skiers. And if on a chairlift it is still possible for a snowboarder to adapt by unfastening one leg from the board, then it will be very difficult to get used to the yoke, which drags you to the top sideways. It just takes practice.

Choose what is closest to your temperament, and if it’s difficult to decide anyway, you can try both, and only then decide whose flock to join. Good luck on the slope!

Photos - picjumbo.com, barnimages.com, duotonesnowboards.com, riekstukalns.lv, milzkalns.lv