According to a very old legend, it seems that every night a voice rises from the Daugava River, the waterway that divides Riga, asking any passerby if the construction of the city is really finished.
In fact, it is a pitfall since at the precise moment the city is completed, it will sink into the river.
In all sincerity, it is hoped that this phenomenon will never happen because Riga is a picturesque northern European capital that possesses as many as 2 historic centers in as many architectural styles, as well as being a cosmopolitan urban agglomeration that has seen a noticeable advancement in technology.
Many wealthy tourists, in fact, choose to travel to Riga by chartering a private jet, a solution that allows them to enjoy great flexibility, comfort and luxury already in the very aircraft used to cover the trip, as well as at the airport.
The Paris of the East, as Riga is called, is ready to offer a great tourist heritage full of various attractions: which ones?
Let's examine that and more in this guide!
Historical and geographical background on Riga
Riga is a northern European city located on the Baltic Sea, exactly at the mouth of the Daugava River, an artery that divides the city by bathing several of its neighborhoods. The city stretches over a very fertile plain bordered by elongated hills, mountain humps and even glaciers that make the area in which it is located one of the best known in northern Europe.Because of these features, agriculture and livestock farming around Riga are highly developed sectors. The earliest traces of Riga's founding date back to a period of time between the 11th and 12th centuries A.D. Its strategic location attracted a number of people settled in its surroundings, who immediately noticed the fertile area in which the city currently stands and made use of it for commercial and agricultural purposes. Among the many historical events affecting Riga is its seizure at the hands of German crusaders in the early 13th century, who also brought with them numerous merchants and wealthy landowners who immediately took possession of the plots of land around the town. The expansion of trade in the following centuries made Riga one of the most important intermediaries between the East and the West; however, the following Polish, Swedish and Russian dominations did nothing but cause much bloodshed to determine governmental rights in the area. In the 19th century, Riga also became a key port hub of the Russian Empire, as well as a rail transportation hub of excellence, increasing its size by about 10 times. At the height of World War II, Riga and its old city suffered extensive damage from various bombings; a few years of reconstruction following these tragic events, however, were enough to return the city to its former glory. In gaining independence from the USSR, Riga played a crucial role as the headquarters of the Awakening independence movement. The history that characterizes the Latvian capital is undoubtedly a shining testimony to tenacity, perseverance and courage that are still rooted in the hearts of the inhabitants.
What to do and see in Riga
The Old Town and shopping in Riga
The Old Town is definitely Riga's main attraction as it is home to the so-called Old Town, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. In it stands first and foremost the cathedral with its pretty and picturesque front square overlooked by numerous cafes and typical bars. Also worth mentioning are City Hall Square and Riga Castle, now the seat of the Presidency of the Republic, as well as the Cat House, one of the most unique and photographed buildings in the historic district. After visiting these and other attractions, wealthier tourists also have the opportunity to go shopping in the historic Berga-Bazars pedestrian center, on which there are small boutiques and stores of prestigious international fashion brands combined with bazaars offering high-quality local products.
Culture and art in Riga
Lovers of art and culture will also have their fill in Riga thanks to the presence first and foremost of the Latvian National Opera, a historic and imposing building in which numerous theatrical performances and as many as 6 different opera and ballet performances are held. Obviously, the parterre of international stars who attend the events of the opera season is very large: VIP tourists for the occasion have the opportunity both to admire what is being staged from exclusive loggias in the theater, and to meet the stars of the performance backstage. Art lovers can head to the National Museum of Fine Arts, which, in addition to housing the country's most iconic collections, offers tourists fine architecture that is a must-see.
Rent a private boat to visit Riga
If the more hurried tourist might limit himself to visiting the Old Town and the attractions contained within, the more meticulous one might opt for one of the more exclusive experiences doable in Riga. In fact, the city's maritime location and its marina make it possible to charter a yacht or private boat to visit some of the neighborhoods with a unique perspective of the sea, such as Kipsala, an island connected to the mainland by several bridges and characterized by sea-facing dwellings, green areas, cobblestone streets, and decidedly picturesque pastel-colored houses. On board the chartered boat it is also possible to have lunch or dinner on board with oysters, champagne and local dishes thus delighting oneself while visiting the city's most iconic neighborhoods.
Top restaurants in Riga
Riga's culinary scene is very diverse, ranging from traditional Latvian cuisine to various international flavors. One of the places to sample local dishes is Vincents, a renowned gourmet restaurant known for its innovative cuisine that attracts multiple celebrities and businessmen by offering them a rather sophisticated setting. Also worth mentioning is Valtera Restaurant, which focuses on local and seasonal ingredients while revisiting traditional cuisine, as well as Forest, which offers a culinary experience with a nature-inspired menu featuring a mixture of fresh and wild ingredients.
Climate and best time to visit Riga
Riga's prevailing climate is continental, with very cold, dark winters and short, mild summers. Average temperatures throughout the year are very subdued, even in the warm season; spring, in fact, is characterized by weather that struggles to leave behind the glacial air of winter and that, only gradually and starting in March, sees the lengthening of the days, the melting of the snow and the rise in temperatures that reach 10°C. The awakening of nature in the city's green areas is clearly evident by the blossoming of cherry trees that color the parks the classic pink color. The beautiful season, i.e., the summer season, is characterized by decidedly more pleasant temperatures touching even 22°C in August; therefore, there are many outdoor festivals held in the city, while the various waterways become playgrounds for the adventurous. The weather cools down from October onward, characterizing autumn as an all in all still pleasant time; the trees begin to shed their leaves, leaving carpets of brownish and yellowish leaves in the streets and coloring the city with a picturesque atmosphere. Winter in Riga is incredibly endless: the hours of daylight on any given day decrease significantly, just as do the temperatures, which can reach as low as -30°C during freezing cold spells. However, traditional Christmas markets and the Latvian field hockey season attract residents despite the icy winter weather. However, the best time to charter a private jet to Riga remains the summer, a season where the weather is pleasant and allows for visits to the city's main sights.
How and why to fly private to Riga
Opened in the mid-1970s, Riga International Airport (ICAO code EVRA) is the most important hub in Latvia and the entire Baltic region. To keep the airport on excellent levels of competitiveness, the state and administrative properties that still own it today implemented several renovations and expansions to expand the existing terminals, effectively increasing air traffic in recent years. As of today, in fact, there are about 5 million passengers passing through it each year, with more than 65,000 aircraft movements serving those who use the airport as a hub to move around Europe. Tourists renting a private jet can enjoy many premium services thanks to the presence of the VIP Center, which offers them several lounges, conference rooms, catering service, escorting of the individual passenger to the jet, WiFi connection, stores, and various dining outlets. The only runway present manages to handle air traffic as well as possible by allowing any category of jet to depart or arrive without any restrictions. The distance of about 15 km between downtown and the airport can be covered by using numerous transfer services, such as cabs or rental cars with or without drivers of different sizes but still of great quality.
How much does it cost to fly private to Riga
Among the most important routes made in the direction of Riga is the one connected to Paris, which takes approximately 3 hours to fly; chartering a Light Jet, Medium Jet, and Large Jet is available at approximately €15,000, €26,000, and €37,000, respectively. The fee schedule changes slightly starting from Ibiza with a flight taking about 3 hours and 45 minutes; the three categories of jets mentioned above imply a respective expense of about 20,000€, 37,000€ and 51,000€. Decidedly shorter is the journey from Copenhagen, a flight that lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes; opting for a Light Jet costs €8,000, while a Medium Jet and a Large Jet carry a respective cost of €15,000 and €23,000.
The best jet to fly to Riga
One of the most reliable light jets is definitely the Nextant 400, an aircraft that consists of 7 seats and very important parameters such as a range of 3,000 km and a cruising speed of about 800 km/h. Neither does the Hawker 850XP, Medium Jet whose cabin is capable of carrying up to 8 passengers making them travel at about 800 km/h and providing very high levels of comfort thanks to the reclining seats and tables inside. Among the Large Jets, it is worth mentioning the Gulfstream G650, which is ideal for long-distance travel thanks to a range of around 9,000 km on a single full tank. The speed attainable is impressive: the aircraft is capable of touching 1,000 km/h, thus making the longest journeys into inimitable and absolutely lightning-fast experiences!
The most frequent flights to and from Riga
Below of the most frequent links to Riga:
