Riga and visby

The Royal Caribbean have Riga and Visby as two ports of call on their Baltic cruise his summer - unable to find much about these ports and things to see, have other cruisers stopped here and what did they find?

We would also like some information on these two ports. I have not found much even with doing a search. We will be on the Regatta (Oceania)which visits both of these ports. I am not sure but possibly Visby is a tendering port.

Anyone have info as to what to do in these two ports? Would just walking around be good or does one need to plan for further? In Riga our ship docks at Andresajla 3-4 which is supposedly a 15 minute ride but by what means? Taxi? Bus? Also, does on need to get some money in local currency for Riga?

Thanks for any information anyone has.

Pearl

Our cruise also stopped in Riga, and I was unable to find much information about it before we left. The ship docked about 20 minutes by bus from the old town. This was the only port we used the ship's transportation into town, and it was probably for the best.

We toured the city on our own. Our first stop was the Central Market, because I love seeing how the locals shop. It was definitely off the tourist trail, but very worth it. It was only a 10 minute walk from where the bus dropped us off. The market is housed in several former zeppelin hangers from WWII. One building had fish, another produce, another baked goods. Very little, if any, English was spoken, but we were able to buy pastries and local honey using sign language. (We also had local currency-there was an ATM at the market.) Outside the buildings there was a flea market selling new and used stuff.

From there we wandered through the old town: Dome Square with the 13th-century red-brick Dome Cathedral, the Powder Tower a surviving defense tower from the old (14th century) city walls, and a large park along the river. The most spectacular place we saw was Alberta St. across the river in the more modern part of town, a concentration of German Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) buildings. Much of the city is still recovering from communism and the war, but this area of town is quite wealthy--housing numerous embassies--and very well restored.

I was able to Google these things and get more information, along with maps before we went. The ship's paper mentioned: Three Brothers, House of Cats, Big Choral Synagogue, and the Riga Motor Museum (the biggest antique vehicle museum in the Baltics), and outside of town: Rumbula, the Latvian Ethnography Open-Air Museum, Sigulda Castle, Turaida Castle. I don't know about any of these, but they are the highlights according to the cruise line.

Other things to know: public toilets are non-existent. You'll need to use hotels and restaurants and the men's are marked with a V, K, or upside-down triangle, the women's with a S, D, or point-side-up triangle. We had lunch at a local hotel on a square in the old town, with local beer and local cheeses.

Good luck planning!

Thank you for the information and tips - we will probably follow your tracks

and just explore the town if its only 20 minutes from the port

Rereards,

Thank you so much for the info. I have pasted it into my vacation folder. I especially liked getting the bathroom info. It is good to have that info before one actually needs it.

I did get the Lonely Planet book on Estonia and Lativa to help with the planning.

It sounds as if this could be quite the adventure!

Pearl

For Riga, try:

http://www.rigatourism.lv/EN/Channels/Tip/default.htm

This site has maps of Riga and a fairly detailed brochure on sites to see, including physical addresses (e.g., a description of historic and art nouveau buildings in the Old Town area).

For Visby:

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/gotland/3247010029.html

David

VISBY Rocks,

Charming little city with tons of medieval churches, mostly in shades of ruin, but enchanting effects. One that really got me the arches were still in place with the blue summer sky behind. Visby's residents take their heritage seriously and in august the place is a 24/7 Rennaisance Fair without the false notes. Lush gardens, quaint houses, it is a lovely place that you will remember. The really good news is that few ships go there so you will not be a part of some ungodly wave of tourists.

Visby is a real reason to take that itinerary.

Some advices from a local.

(I am living in Riga, but I am norwegian. Living aprox. 15 min walking distance from Andrejsala (where the ships docks).)

1. If your health is ok, then old town is within walking distance. If you want to use taxi, then ask for the price in front. Not more than 5-7 LVL on daytime from port to Old Town.

2. Do not miss Alberta Iela (street). The most beautiful street in Riga!

3. If you visit the big market, then watch your wallet!

4. The open air museum is nice, but far away from Riga center.!

Some youtube films made my me:

In my mind the best web page for tourists:

http://www.rigathisweek.lv/

Restaurants reccomended by my stomach:

Local latvian food:

Lido atputas Centrs (LIDO recreation centre)

10 min with taxi from old town/centre.

The building is actually one of the largest log cabins in Europe.

You can find Lido in old town as well, but I would reccomend you to visit the big one:)

http://lido.lv/eng/

Of other restaurants I would reccomend:

Melnie Muki (The black munks) (old town)

Bergs (in Berga Bazars, outside old town)

Fellini (in Berga Bazars)

Vincents (in Elizabete iela, on the way to Andrejsala)

Del popolo (italian place in old town, great lunch place.)

Have a great stay in this beautiful city!

Those that know Riga, or who have been on cruises there, would you suggest we tour on our own, or do a ship's tour? It's hard to know right now, because RCCL doesn't have the tours posted yet. (We generally do not like ship's tours because we feel like we waste a lot of time waiting for others.) Would like opinions of those who know Riga or have been on cruises there.

Thanks!

In my opinion you could do Riga Old Town on your own quite easy. The area is not very big, and it is in walkable distance from the cruise harbour.

Get yourself a map here:

http://www.orangesmile.com/travelguide/riga/city-maps.htm

..and do not miss Alberta Iela/street:

Visby is definitely a tender port.

Once you get off the tender, go to the left. To the right is residential. The old city walls are easy to spot to the left. There is a really small botanical garden, but it is very pretty. I got lots of good pictures there. If the Renaissance fair is going on, it can be pretty crowded, but once you get away from where the fair actually is, it is fine. We loved just wandering around.

Does anyone know of a place to rent bikes in Riga?

Harry

Yes I do know, and I actually tried to help you. But the moderator of CC doesnt like that I recommend you spesific companies.

So, it is difficult to help you more. I suggest you should use one of the search engines to find what you are looking for. I am probably not allowed to recommend you any spesific of these either..

Hi Norwegian Latvian! I am happy to see you're still following this old post. I have researched Riga quite a bit and have plans to see a lot of things (art nouveau on Elizabetes, etc. - and sorry if I spelled that wrong!) but have some questions. It's a busy day for me, but tonight (well, your early morning I guess) I will get my thoughts together and post my questions.

Thanks for helping out, and thanks for the YouTubes, which I'll check out tonight as well!

Hi Norwegian Latvian! I am happy to see you're still following this old post. I have researched Riga quite a bit and have plans to see a lot of things (art nouveau on Elizabetes, etc. - and sorry if I spelled that wrong!) but have some questions. It's a busy day for me, but tonight (well, your early morning I guess) I will get my thoughts together and post my questions.

 

Thanks for helping out, and thanks for the YouTubes, which I'll check out tonight as well!

I am hanging around! In worst case I will answer a day or two later..

BTW, the weather in Riga is great right now. 32c in the shadow:)

Well, you wouldn't like it here (Washington, DC). We're having a huge heat wave and it's currently 99 degrees Fahrenheit. Ugh. Just a bit TOO hot for me, and I DO like hot! Anyway, here are my questions. They're pretty weird and specific, so if you can't answer a single one I'll completely understand!

1. I am fascinated by the blue topped building with huge face figures. I believe it's on Elizabetes, but I forget - but I'm sure you know which one I mean. Would you happen to know whether morning or evening would be better to photograph it, or which direction it faces and if the sun (assuming there is sun on the day we visit) would be hitting it or if it might be in shade? I know it is way up there, high, so already it will be a challenge to photograph it. However, we are in Riga all day so that's why I'm wondering if morning or afternoon would make a difference.

2. I have in my notes that there's a lighthouse in Riga. I'm not sure of the specifics, just what I copied, which is this: "Located on west side of entrance to Daugava River and Rīga harbor. Site open." Would you happen to know where it is and whether there is a bus or tram that would take me there if I have time to see it? I know you said cabs are relatively inexpensive, but I'm not sure I'd be able to find a cab from a lighthouse (not exactly a popular tourist attraction!) when I wanted to get back to the port!

3. I have "Be sure to find Ukrainian/mosquey church in Per Lidval’s pbase.com gallery on Latvia. This might be Russian Orthodox Cathedral, at south end of Esplanade Park on Brivilbas, with distinctive domes surrounded by crosses. It has 5 cupolas. Opposite is large government building. Alexander Nevsky Church is not far, near Hotel Latvijas." Would you have any clue what this cathedral is so I can google it?

4. Is there green scaffolding and netting on the Nevsky cathedral right now, or am I thinking of the one in Tallinn?

5. My husband would probably want me to ask you about this casino: "Olympic Casino C-4, Brīvības 31 (entrance from Dzirnavu), tel. (+371) 67 82 87 77, http://www.olympic-casino.com. Located on ground floor of Radisson Blu Hotel, Latvija, it’s supposedly biggest casino in Baltics." I was planning to google the web site, but so far haven't had time. Would you happen to know anything about it? Do they charge to get in, as some casinos do? Is there a dress code? (Either one is a deal breaker for my husband!)

6. How do you pronounce the following: sveiki (hello) & paldies (thankyou)?

7. Have you been to the Motor Museum? We probably won't go, as it sounds a little far in the 'burbs, and hard to get to, but it DOES sound intriquing...

8. Do all cruise ships dock at the port area I found on google earth? I like to look up where we'll dock in each port, and how many ships we'll be docking with, but Riga's port site only lists information for the current month. We're there in Aug. so I have to wait a while.

So there you have it! My very weird, specific questions. If you can't answer them I till TOTALLY understand, but I thought I'd give it a shot! Our cruise in mid-August goes to 10 different ports, and I'm kind of drowning in information at this point, as we always do things on our own (walk, bus, etc.) rather than take the pricey ship's excursions.

 

So there you have it! My very weird, specific questions. If you can't answer them I till TOTALLY understand, but I thought I'd give it a shot! Our cruise in mid-August goes to 10 different ports, and I'm kind of drowning in information at this point, as we always do things on our own (walk, bus, etc.) rather than take the pricey ship's excursions.

My girlfriend and I will answer all your questions during the weekend, but some of them we need to check out for a bit more info.

Short and fast.

1. It is Elizabetes and Alberta iela (street). But it is also more buildings in this area. More spesific answers (and pics) will follow.

For photo I like to go on afternoon, but on days with bad weather it can get quite dark there.

2. Lighthouse. Not very impressive. If you only got a day in Riga, dont use your time on it. From the center it takes 40 min + 15 min walking each way.

3. The first one is the orthodox that I posted a video of, the other one is basically 4-5 min walk from Hotel Latvija. Actually, this is in my neighbourhood and I can see its blue roof from my apartment. I would not use time on it. Only "special" about it is its very YELLOW color!. The one St. Alexander Nevsky Church with five cupolas is in Sofia I think - not in Riga/Latvia. My girlfriend will write more.

4. It is constantly being renovated, but no green netting on it as we speak.

5. No dress code. If you are interested in slot machines, it is not impressive. Quite old machines. I dont know much about poker and other gambling tables there. Doesnt cost anything to enter there as we speak.

6. Every latvian loves it when foreginers is trying to use their difficult language. Pronounce it as it is written is the basic rule. Try, and you will get a smile:)

7. Not personally, but it got mixed reviews.

8. If you are coming with one of the bigger cruise ships, then it will dock at the same place as I posted a video from earlier. You can also check out this video from the place when

My girlfriend is latvian, (Im norwegian), and will fill in more details!

Well, you wouldn't like it here (Washington, DC). We're having a huge heat wave and it's currently 99 degrees Fahrenheit. Ugh. Just a bit TOO hot for me, and I DO like hot! Anyway, here are my questions. They're pretty weird and specific, so if you can't answer a single one I'll completely understand!

1. I am fascinated by the blue topped building with huge face figures. I believe it's on Elizabetes, but I forget - but I'm sure you know which one I mean. Would you happen to know whether morning or evening would be better to photograph it, or which direction it faces and if the sun (assuming there is sun on the day we visit) would be hitting it or if it might be in shade? I know it is way up there, high, so already it will be a challenge to photograph it. However, we are in Riga all day so that's why I'm wondering if morning or afternoon would make a difference.

I will try to do my best to answer your questions. I am Latvian and I live in Riga for last 8 years, but some answers I had to search for :)

1. As you probably know, there is a LOT of Art Nouveau buildings in Riga.

The best to choose, which ones you want to visit is to look into this page:

http://www.jugendstils.riga.lv/eng/JugendstilsRiga

Under "Art Nouveau objects in Riga" you will find a long list of the most beautiful Art Nouveau buildings in Riga. Each has address (iela means street) photos and small description.

If you are looking for faces on their facades, then these two are the best examples:

http://www.jugendstils.riga.lv/eng/JugendstilsRiga/eizensteins/elizabetes10b/

http://www.jugendstils.riga.lv/eng/JugendstilsRiga/eizensteins/alberta013/

I personally like these very much:

http://www.jugendstils.riga.lv/eng/JugendstilsRiga/eizensteins/strelnieku4a/

http://www.jugendstils.riga.lv/eng/JugendstilsRiga/shefels/skunu10/

http://www.jugendstils.riga.lv/eng/JugendstilsRiga/shefels/teatra9/

http://www.jugendstils.riga.lv/eng/JugendstilsRiga/shefels/meistaru10/

Last one is also known as Cat House because of cat figures on top of its towers.

Well, you wouldn't like it here (Washington, DC). We're having a huge heat wave and it's currently 99 degrees Fahrenheit. Ugh. Just a bit TOO hot for me, and I DO like hot! Anyway, here are my questions. They're pretty weird and specific, so if you can't answer a single one I'll completely understand!

 

2. I have in my notes that there's a lighthouse in Riga. I'm not sure of the specifics, just what I copied, which is this: "Located on west side of entrance to Daugava River and Rīga harbor. Site open." Would you happen to know where it is and whether there is a bus or tram that would take me there if I have time to see it? I know you said cabs are relatively inexpensive, but I'm not sure I'd be able to find a cab from a lighthouse (not exactly a popular tourist attraction!) when I wanted to get back to the port!

Lighthouse you mean is called Daugavgriva lighthouse and it is located in place, where Daugava river flows into the Baltic Sea.

You actually can see it from the cruise ship - you will be passing it on the way into and out from Riga, because last few miles till Riga center ship will float on the river Daugava.

I have never heard that lighthouse is open to public. Actually it is not easy to access it, because even if you get to the Bolderaja area by bus, which from city center takes at least 40 minutes, then you still have to walk quite a long distance and access light house from the sea, because short cut from land is not open to public. It is port area and you cannot just wander around there.

I would not use so much time for lighthouse, which you actually will be able to see from the ship. And if you dont plan to spend time on a beach, then there is absolutely nothing else to do/see in that area. Maybe only Soviet style block houses..

Well, you wouldn't like it here (Washington, DC). We're having a huge heat wave and it's currently 99 degrees Fahrenheit. Ugh. Just a bit TOO hot for me, and I DO like hot! Anyway, here are my questions. They're pretty weird and specific, so if you can't answer a single one I'll completely understand!

 

3. I have "Be sure to find Ukrainian/mosquey church in Per Lidval’s pbase.com gallery on Latvia. This might be Russian Orthodox Cathedral, at south end of Esplanade Park on Brivilbas, with distinctive domes surrounded by crosses. It has 5 cupolas. Opposite is large government building. Alexander Nevsky Church is not far, near Hotel Latvijas." Would you have any clue what this cathedral is so I can google it?

I guess it is Nativity Cathedral in Esplanade park:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nativity_Cathedral,_Riga

It is really beautiful and worth to visit. The government building accross the street is Cabinet of Ministers.

As my boyfriend wrote earlier - Alexander Nevsky Church is very small and I would not use time on it unless you are very interested in Russian Orthodoxy.

Instead visit our wonderful churches in Old Town:

St.Peters Church (take elevator to the top of the tower)

Riga Cathedral (biggest church in the Baltic States)

St.Jacobs (James) Cathedral

And I found interesting link, where you can read legends about Riga:

https://www.riga.lv/EN/Channels/About_Riga/History_of_Riga/Stories/Legendas/default.htm

Definitely read the one about roosters..

Well, you wouldn't like it here (Washington, DC). We're having a huge heat wave and it's currently 99 degrees Fahrenheit. Ugh. Just a bit TOO hot for me, and I DO like hot! Anyway, here are my questions. They're pretty weird and specific, so if you can't answer a single one I'll completely understand!

 

4. Is there green scaffolding and netting on the Nevsky cathedral right now, or am I thinking of the one in Tallinn?

At the moment there is no green scaffolding on Nevsky Cathedral in Riga, but they are renovating it and removing the yellow colour. Bell tower has construction scaffolding around it, but you can see it through.

Well, you wouldn't like it here (Washington, DC). We're having a huge heat wave and it's currently 99 degrees Fahrenheit. Ugh. Just a bit TOO hot for me, and I DO like hot! Anyway, here are my questions. They're pretty weird and specific, so if you can't answer a single one I'll completely understand!

 

5. My husband would probably want me to ask you about this casino: "Olympic Casino C-4, Brīvības 31 (entrance from Dzirnavu), tel. (+371) 67 82 87 77, www.olympic-casino.com. Located on ground floor of Radisson Blu Hotel, Latvija, it’s supposedly biggest casino in Baltics." I was planning to google the web site, but so far haven't had time. Would you happen to know anything about it? Do they charge to get in, as some casinos do? Is there a dress code? (Either one is a deal breaker for my husband!)

6. How do you pronounce the following: sveiki (hello) & paldies (thankyou)?

7. Have you been to the Motor Museum? We probably won't go, as it sounds a little far in the 'burbs, and hard to get to, but it DOES sound intriquing...

8. Do all cruise ships dock at the port area I found on google earth? I like to look up where we'll dock in each port, and how many ships we'll be docking with, but Riga's port site only lists information for the current month. We're there in Aug. so I have to wait a while.

5. Have never been in that Casino, so cant help you.

6. Latvian is simple in the way that we pronounce everything as it is written, but several letters in English is pronounced different though. If it helps, then Sveiki you pronounce as sveyki and paldies is just paldies :)

7. I havent been to Motor museum and I cant comment how good or boring it is, but I can just say that it is located far out the city center and it would take at least 40 minutes to get there. Less if you take taxi.

Here is their home page:

http://www.motormuzejs.lv

8. All ships are docking in the same port - 5-10 minutes walk from Old Town. Here you can see cruise ship schedule in Riga till end of the year:

http://www.rop.lv/lv/pramji-un-kruizi/kruizs/kruiza-kugu-grafiks.html

If you have more questions - feel free to ask! It is our pleasure to help you to get around Riga!

Wow! Thank you both very much! I am digesting it all, and adding stuff to my notes. I'll get back later with any further questions (thanks in advance) or comments!!!!

Hi -

Are they easy to find at the port in Riga? Are there any security concerns on using ATM's that I should know about?

Harry

Hi -

 

Are they easy to find at the port in Riga? Are there any security concerns on using ATM's that I should know about?

 

Harry

I dont know about any ATMs in the port area, but it is a lot of ATMs in old town and the rest of Riga. Here you can see a map of ATMs in Riga.

I moved here in 2007, and to this date still no issues with ATMs here. Only lost my credit card once because I forgot the code, and another time VISA deducted the same amount 36 times from my credit card instead of on one transaction. Got the money back a week later. This was actually a error by VISA International, and it happend to a lot of clients the same day around Europe. They told us that their system got hiccups:). Not a single cent in compensation, and a half hearted apology..

Use cash in smaller shops just to be sure. But it is safe to use credit card in bigger shops and restaurants. Use cash in taxis, and try to get hold on small bills (5 and 10). 5 LVL is 8.8 USD.