Riga
Riga is home to the largest concentration of Jugendstil (German Art Nouveau) architecture in the world and is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Riga has become an increasingly popular destination for Europeans drawn by its old town, its historical importance, and its nightlife.
Riga was founded in 1201 by Albert of Bremen as a base for the Northern Crusades. It developed as the major trade hub of the Eastern Baltic during the high days of the Hanseatic League, ruled by the Archbishop of Riga. The Reformation reached Riga in 1522, which ended the Archbishops’ power. After the fall of the Hansa, Riga became a part of first the Swedish and then the Russian Empires, before becoming the capital of independent Latvia in 1918. Riga remained as the capital of Latvian Socialist Soviet republic throughout the Soviet period, and emerged in the 1990s as the capital of newly-independent Latvia.
More information on Wikitravel
Air Baltic is the largest carrier operating and the airport, with service between Riga and many of the major cities in Europe, including hard-to-reach cities in Caucasus. Prices are generally close to those of low-cost carriers. Ryanair and WizzAir also offer low fares to/from Riga. Other airlines serving Riga include those from other former Soviet republics (e.g. Aeroflot and Transaero from Russia, UTAir from Ukraine and Uzbekistan Airways), Finnair, Norwegian, Lufthansa, Czech Airlines, and LOT Polish Airlines.
Riga airport has splendid smoking terraces: a large glass shelter in front of the main building (upper level), adjoining the police station and used also as bike parking, and a smaller terrace after security checks, open without a roof.
- Bus 22 runs between the airport and the old town, with a stop near the central bus and railway stations. The bus runs every 10 minutes during rush hour and the journey to the old town takes 40 minutes. The bus stop is located opposite the entrance of the terminal. There is a ticket machine at the bus stop.
- Airbaltic Airport Express operates minibuses to the city center costing €5 per person. These run every 30 minutes but only take 20 minutes to get to the old town. This bus also stops at several hotels near the airport, so it may be more convenient than Bus 22.
- Baltic Taxi runs taxi service from the airport to the center for a fixed price of €14 if booked online or slightly more if paid to the driver. Service to the old town takes 15 minutes.
- Riga Limo is an English language limousine, bus and taxi service that provides affordable airport transfers and other transportation services in Riga and Latvia.
- Personal Minibus offers airport transfer for groups. The price of €8 per person (6 person minimum) also includes guide to meet group with greeting sign.
- Regular Taxis can be expensive if a meter is used and a fixed price is not negotiated. Charges are as follows: €2.10 for embarkation plus €0.70/km; waiting costs €8.5/hour. The ride to the center takes 15 minutes.
