Tourist Entertainment Guide For Latvia

Latvia has its fair share of places to eat, but if you want to get a decent meal- sit down and with staff waiting on you- you should be prepared to pay a proportionately large price for it. Restaurants serving local food are to be found all over the country, and in larger cities like Riga, there are some restaurants that serve international cuisines, including French, Italian, Russian and American fast food. Fast food or cafés and bars are a good option if money is a constraint; or you can self cater. Buy stuff like cheeses, cooked meats and cold cuts, bread, fruit and the like- from grocers and delis and do your own thing; it can be inexpensive and sometimes more fun.

Most of the nightlife in Latvia- in the form of discotheques, pubs, clubs, and the like- are concentrated in larger cities like Riga. The capital, in fact, is the best place to go for entertainment of any sort- there are a number of cinemas and theatres, and cultural venues where concerts and other performances are regularly held. Opera, in particular, is very popular, as is folk music and jazz. Riga has, in addition, a large number of museums (including the History Museum of Latvia, the Motor Museum, The History of Riga and Navigation Museum, the Art Museum, and the Museum of Decorative & Applied Art. All have good collections, and are great for getting to know more about the country.

Outside Riga, you may not find as wide a variety of entertainment options, but you’re unlikely to be bored. Folk festivals are a significant part of the Latvian calendar, and most of them are celebrated with much fervour- with singing, dancing, and folk theatre.

Besides these, there are periodic festivals of music and dance, held in different parts of Latvia; Riga hosts the arts & crafts fair called Gadatirgus, and the International Festival of Organ Music, in June; Sigulda hosts the Opera Music Festival in July, and the Liepajas Dzintars, a rock music festival, is held in Liepaja in August. If you’re interested in music and other performing arts, check with your travel agent for the list of events- there’s bound to be something you’ll enjoy.