Take the Train to Hmmm – Not Far

Our sole journey on Latvian Railways was a short return trip to Darzini, about 20 minutes outside Riga, to visit the site of the former Salaspils concentration camp, now a memorial with some amazing brutalist statues. More of that in a separate review which includes how to get there from the Darzini train stop.

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Long Distance Bus services, including to Tallinn

Riga’s International bus station, which also services domestic locations outside the Riga area, is very conveniently situated at the southern end of the Old City and a few hundred metres from the train station. Local trams, trolleybuses and buses pass within a very short distance of the station as well.

While the station is small and services are limited it is clean, well laid out and has everything necessary for your trip into or out of the city, including a tourist information office (Live Riga) for those arriving.

Riga’s Hop-on Hop-Off Bus Services

From what I can ascertain there are three operators offering hop-on, hop-off bus tours of Riga. They each cost Euro15 and the ticket lasts 48hrs. Buses run between around 10am and 3-4pm.

Getting around in Riga

Most visitors with just a day or two in Riga will generally not have time to venture beyond the Old City area and what they want to/ have time to see can easily be reached on foot. There is no doubt that walking is the best way to get around the Old City area and, indeed, slightly beyond.

In planning my trip I knew I wanted to spend a bit of time exploring the Moscow District. I also wanted to visit the massive Soviet Victory Monument across the Daugava River and the former KGB building. The latter I ended up walking to and it’s really not that far from the Old City centre anyway.

Getting from Stockholm to to Riga by Ferry

Instead of flying from Stockholm to Riga we decided to take Tallink’s ferry, the M/S Isabelle. The trip lasted about 18hrs and was indeed pleasant with everything from check-in at Stockholm’s Frihamnen Terminal to disembarkation at the Riga Passenger Terminal running smoothly. A most civilised and stress-free way to travel.

Riga – A Turbulent Past Left Behind?

In the late northern summer of 2015 I spent around five weeks travelling around Scandinavia, Estonia and Latvia. Of this time I had around three days in Riga – three very full days. The weather was perfect for doing what I enjoy most, just wandering around. I wandered and wandered and wandered.