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New Year 2020 in Riga is an amazing time in the ancient European city. The capital of Latvia annually attracts a huge number of tourists who dream cheaply, cheerfully and variably to meet the main holiday of winter. Excellent conditions have been created for travelers here, from cozy comfortable hotels to medieval architectural monuments.
Climate features
Riga in January 2020 will not please with stable weather. Proximity to the Baltic Sea causes a sharp change in climate - from plus marks to frosts. For example, the sun can shine during the day and reach a thermometer column of 5 ºС, and at night a biting wind with an outside temperature of -10 ºС can blow. Nevertheless, the narrow streets of the city reliably protect from piercing impulses, which makes it possible to smooth out the quirks of the climate of the Latvian capital.
Going to the New Year 2020 in the Baltic States and Riga, stock up on winter things. The point is not even in possible frosts, but in high humidity, which reaches 95% at night. Humidity aggravates the body's perception of subzero temperatures, so heat-loving travelers should definitely bring a scarf, hat, winter shoes, especially if you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors.
How to celebrate?
Without exaggeration, Riga is called a unique place where all kinds of entertainment are collected for tourists. The country less than 30 years ago withdrew from the USSR, as a result of which local residents combine the familiar Soviet traditions of the New Year with old rites. The most common of these is the placement of a burning candle on the windowsills of houses and in shop windows. It looks against the background of dark streets in a very original way, creating a unique romantic atmosphere.
The list of the most common options for celebrating the New Year 2020 in Riga includes:
- mass street festivities;
- sightseeing;
- visiting bars, restaurants, cafes.
Famous fairs are held throughout the Christmas week in the capital of Latvia, where you can buy souvenirs, fur products, jewelry. Rows will unfold in Domsky and Livu squares, Kalkyu street, Egle park. Solid discounts await buyers in shopping centers where knitwear, furniture, mobile phones, household appliances and computer equipment will be sold at affordable prices. By the way, all goods for Russians bought in Latvia are subject to “tax free”, that is, the opportunity to return VAT by submitting checks to the tax authorities at the place of registration with a statement.
Mass festivities
On the night of January 1, Riga is filled with people who do not want to sit at home. Traditionally, places of mass festivities will be:
- Town Hall Square;
- Freedom Monument;
- Embankment on November 11th.
The main Christmas tree of the country will be installed on the Town Hall Square. Here, on the evening of December 31, an entertainment program for guests and residents of the city starts. Vacationers expect a disco, performance of famous artists, contests. It is noteworthy that in Riga on New Year's Eve the authorities allow drinking alcohol in public places, but the container must be placed in an opaque bag. Failure to do so will result in a fine of up to € 100 or arrest. Riga policemen are quite friendly with foreigners, try not to use force and escort tourists who have tried their norm of strong drinks to a hotel or rented accommodation.
The city's attractions
Riga, founded in 1201, has several dozen architectural monuments. Many of them are compactly located in the Old Town, so you can inspect them within 1-2 days. A magnificent view of the capital opens from the observation deck of St. Peter's Basilica, where thousands of tourists take stunning pictures. Sightseeing tours in Riga are held daily, and a comfortable bus leaves from the National Opera building at the beginning of each hour (ticket price - 40 €).
Among the main attractions of Riga in the winter of 2020, we note:
- Dome Cathedral (at noon concerts of organ music are held here);
- Riga Castle - a fortress built by the knights of the Livonian Order in the 13th century .;
- The Powder Tower - part of the former city wall, a fortification for sentries;
- St. James Cathedral - a brick Gothic building, erected in 1125;
- Ethnographic Museum - expositions tell about the life of Latvians in the Middle Ages.
Riga is a city of museums, of which there are several dozen. Among the most exotic, we will highlight the museum of retro cars, porcelain, the occupation of Latvia, architecture, art and design. In addition, a zoo, a colorful local market, and a Russian drama theater operate in the Latvian capital.
Recreation facilities
Those who do not want to celebrate the New Year 2020 in Riga under the open sky are advised to visit one of the restaurants or bars. For information on the most popular institutions in the capital, see further:
Name of institution | Address | Menu Features | Average check from the table |
"Locale" | Grecinieku, 8 | Mediterranean Kitchen | 100€ |
"Le Dome" | Miesnieku 4 | European and author's cuisine | 180€ |
"B-bar-restaurant" | Dome Square | European cuisine, a large selection of cocktails | 150€ |
Rozengrals | Rosena, 1 | Medieval cuisine and drinks according to old recipes | 200€ |
"Vincets" | Elizavetes 19 | Latvian and European cuisine | 150€ |
"Cemodans" | Gertrudes, 39 | European cuisine | 190€ |
As for prices during the Christmas holidays in 2020 in Riga, due to the tourist influx, they are slightly increasing, in particular for housing. The cost of a single room in hotels 2 or 3 * will be from 30 € per day, and apartments in hotels 4 and 5 * - from 80 €. For travelers with a limited budget, a place in a hostel will cost 10 € per night, while for 20-25 € per day there is the opportunity to rent a one-room apartment on the outskirts of the city. It is recommended to book accommodation in advance, otherwise on the eve of the holiday all decent options will be busy.
Offers of tour operators
Tours to Riga for the New Year 2020 are very popular. Their cost varies from the length of stay in the country, the saturation of the entertainment program, the degree of comfort of housing. On average, a 3-day stay in the capital of Latvia with departure (departure) from Moscow or St. Petersburg will be from 30 thousand rubles per person. A week-long trip during the New Year holidays starts from 50 thousand rubles, but during this time you will explore the city far and wide. You can get to Riga from the European part of Russia by car in half a day, but in this case take care of applying for a Schengen visa, which will cost 35 €.
The new 2020 year in Riga will appeal to all lovers of medieval architecture, exquisite Baltic cuisine, the European level of service. In this unique corner of the Baltic, all conditions are created for varied leisure, incendiary celebrations, as well as inexpensive shopping. Having visited the capital of Latvia, you will appreciate its originality, grandeur and modern infrastructure.
You can admire New Year's Riga in the next video:
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