Europe's Famous Hostels - Riga
Europe’s famous Hostels ‐ Riga
This month it’s all eyes on Latvia’s capital ‐ Riga. We’ve got all the essential info, from how to get there on the cheap to where it’s legal to vent your frustration with and AK47. Enjoy!
Getting There: Riga International Airport (RIX) is a twenty five minute, 60 cent bus ride from the city centre. Bus N22 goes straight to the hostel, Ryanair flies direct from most major European cities, you can get a return ticket for around 50 Euros (inc taxes) and the flight time is just over two hours.
Where to Stay: Fun Friendly Frank’s Hostel is not only easily accessible from the airport but everyone who stays here gets a free beer when they check in! The bus will drop you off just after you cross the river so look out for a yellow building with a bank on the ground floor. The entrance to the hostel is just around the back so head around the corner and turn into the first alley. The hostel door is orange, unmarked and has an intercom. Simply buzz this and you’re in. Inside there are free computers and free internet too.
Ak47 Shooting: Something unique to Riga and your stay at this hostel is the chance to let rip with an AK47, a Glock 17 Pistol and a Benelli M3 Shotgun. Just to be clear you do this in an underground shooting range next to Latvian police officers who are training for their day to day duties! Eight live rounds with each weapon, transport to and from the range and an adrenaline calming beer at the hostel afterwards, will cost you 35 Lati ‐ so approximately 50 Euros.
The Riga Card: For 18 Lati (25 Euros) you can pick up a Riga Card which will get you into all the top museums for free, the unlimited use of public transport, a free walking tour of the Old Town and discounts at a number of popular eateries. You can pick one up from the Tourism Information Centre which is in the city centre square, near the Museum of Occupation and the reconstructed Blackheads House.
Getting Around Riga: Trams and electric buses rule the roost in Riga. A single ticket anywhere is approximately one Lati or if you pick up a three‐day, 18 Lati Riga Card ‐ this includes unlimited public transport.
Stag Parties Beware: If you’re in Riga for a stag do and plan on ending up in a strip club then make sure you check out its reputation first. There are a lot of sting joints who employ heavies to make you part with your cash and credit cards, so if you want to get out without an over‐draft, do your homework. You can ask at the bar in Fun Friendly Franks for a list of the good, the bad and the ugly ‐ without any judgement.
Photo Happy: For the best photo opportunities head to St Peter’s Church on Kungu iela. It’s only two Lati to ascend the bell tower and the views from the top are spectacular.
Food and Drink: Aside from the Central Market, Riga is riddled with affordable and authentic eateries. Lido on Tirgonu iela is a great spot for tasty Latvian cuisine, as is Taverna pie sena dzintara cela on Torna iela.
For a taste of Latvian bar life take yourself to Kabata on Peidu. Aside from the unfortunate choice of the Swastika logo, this is a great underground club and bar where the entrance fee is a mere 2 Lati, and the entertainment includes champion league arm wrestling.
A Little History: Latvia only gained its independence in 1991 and the scars of a prolonged occupation, first under the Nazis and then under the Soviet Union, are everywhere. To gain a truly humbling insight into what really happened, make sure you make time for a trip to the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia.
Sea Side Escapes: If you have time to factor some beach time into your break, then take a train from the station on MARIJAS SATEKLES IELA to Majori or Dzintari. These beaches are less than forty minutes away and if you jump on a train with Sloka as the final destination, you’re definitely on the right track.
Read the full Riga City Guide on the Europe’s Famous Hostels website.
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