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Travel On A Budget: Riga
Tuesday 6th August 2013 | Christina
Travel on a Budget: Riga
Riga is an amazing city to visit and you can definitely do it on a budget. The cheapest way to get there is to fly and with return flights available for just £75, what's stopping you? Here's our guide to making the most of the beautiful Latvian capital.
ACCOMMODATION
If you're travelling on a budget, staying in hostels is definitely the best option. Riga offers lots of great hostels at very affordable prices so you can spend less money on a bed and spend more money on this busy Baltic city.
The Blue Cow Backpackers:
This small hostel holds just 20 people providing an intimate and welcoming atmosphere. It's located in Old Riga and is a short distance from some of Riga's most famous landmarks. It's very affordable with rooms from as little as £17 a night! It even has its own bar with an owner who is willing to offer her knowledge of all the best bars and clubs Riga has to offer.
Central Hostel Riga:
If you're looking for somewhere a bit more chilled, this hostel is a bit quieter but still in a great location. The hostel is just a five minute walk from the train station which means if you're travelling by train you'll save money getting to your accommodation. It offers kitchen facilities and sits above a food shop which means you can decide to make your food at home and save yourself some lats! The hostel comes with lots of freebies including breakfast and even shisha and tobacco. Best of all, rooms start from as little as £7.90!
The Naughty Squirrels Backpackers Hostel:
This hostel is located in the old town and is in walking distance from train stations, landmarks huge markets and shops. Again it's really affordable with beds from just £10.50 a night and it offers some great tours such as bobsleighing and husky dog sledding. The less unusual activities on offer give you the chance to save some money with happy hours every day and free walking tours. Do be warned though, often on these tours they're not afraid to ask for tips and with their excellent knowledge and charm you're bound to feel guilty not coughing up.
Top Tip: All the hostels mentioned offer free wifi meaning you can upload all your Latvian memories and contact friends and family at home whilst avoiding expensive phone bills.
FOOD
Old town Riga offers lots of affordable restaurants and a choice of lots of different cuisines from around the world. Here's a few of our best picks.
Teātra Bāra Restorāns:
Just because you're on a budget doesn't mean you can't eat in style! This restaurant is hidden away in a theatre courtyard and is very popular with the locals. It has an extensive menu and offers lunch specials at affordable prices.
Pelmeni XL
Located right in the centre of old city Riga this place has very low priced food. You can tell that it's popular with the locals as the queues are always out the door but it's definitely worth the wait if you want to try traditional Latvian food.
Lido
This company of restaurants has spots dotted around the city. With affordable prices and a delicious array of food this is definitely one to visit. Perhaps the best Lido to visit sits just outside the city centre and hosts an ice rink. The restaurant sits underneath a windmill and once you step inside you are greeted to decor that looks like a quaint wooded area. Very popular with locals.
Top Tip: Whilst in Latvia you must try some traditional Latvian food. Pīrāgs are a delicious savoury snack made with pastry and are traditionally filled with bacon and onion. If you're feeling brave, take a shot of Balsam. This herbal liqueur will keep you feeling warm for days!
PARTYING
Riga offers some amazing clubs and with them amazing clubbing experiences. Here's our pick of some of the biggest and best.
The Club
This club boasts itself as 'one of the hottest dance clubs in Riga.' It hosts two dancefloors and an international clubbing experience. On certain nights ladies are offered free entry all night long and free champagne before 1am. Not to worry though boys, entry is cheap and you can avoid the queues by pre-booking your tickets online.
La Rocca Revolution
This is one of the biggest clubs in Riga offering a 1,500 capacity and the chance to party till the early hours. Entry is fairly priced but get on the guestlist for free entry through their website.
Pulkvedim Neviens Neraksta
If you don't think you can pronounce that (which I know I can't!) the English translation of this club is 'Nobody Writes To The Colonel'. This is one of Riga's oldest clubs and holds two dancefloors playing a mix of genres to suit everyone.
Top Tip: If you're staying in a hostel, ask the owners where they recommend clubbing. They're more likely to tell you somewhere that the locals enjoy going meaning you get a real taste of partying like the Latvians really do.
DRINKING
If clubbing's not your thing or even if you fancy a break from the wild nightlife Riga has to offer then why not visit old town Riga, the home of Riga's best bars.
Olé Bārs
This bar will make you see red, literally.? You won't be throwing your drinks at your friends but your eyes may be dazed after staring at the very red interior for too long. It's a great place to pick up a good cocktail without breaking the bank.
La Belle Epoque
This popular French student bar located in a cellar and although it may be small this only adds to the atmosphere. This bar attracts younger crowds and is a great place to pick up good beers at student prices.
Krogs Aptika
This bar offers something different. Translated, Krogs Apitika means 'Pharmacy Bar' and you can drink your beers amongst pills and old fashioned medical bottles. The jukebox is a special edition that means you can sip your beverages whilst listening to your own personal favourite tracks.
So after reading about how affordable Riga can be, will you be their next visitor?
Christina Hirst
