Do you want to celebrate the New Year in Riga? We will tell you how and how much it costs: prices for hotels and restaurants in 2020, the weather, what to do during the holidays, as well as reviews of tourists.
The festive atmosphere in Latvia lasts longer in winter than in other European capitals. Here they celebrate the New Year and two Christmas - according to the Catholic and Orthodox calendar. Riga greets its guests with bright illumination and Christmas markets, and even bridges and buildings glow in a special solemn and a bit mysterious way.
Where to find cheap tickets? It is most convenient to do this using the search engines Aviasales and Skyscanner. To find the best price, check both and see tickets for different dates. Read also the instructions on how to search for cheap flights correctly.
How is New Year celebrated in Riga?
In Riga, Christmas trees of the most unusual and bizarre shapes can be found throughout the city, the capital surprises tourists with unusual creations: wooden, mirror, LED fir trees and even labyrinth trees. Forest beauties adorn the Domskaya and Pryvokzalnaya squares.
If you are going to celebrate the New Year 2020 in Riga, we recommend arriving on December 23-24 to take part in the celebration of Catholic Christmas too. From mid-December, Christmas markets open, the largest of them on Dome Square, in Egle Park on Kalku Street, on the Esplanade and Livu Square. Here you can taste confectionery, the famous Riga bread, local beer and mulled wine, buy leather and amber souvenirs, handicrafts.
Most of the townspeople and tourists gather on December 31 at the Freedom Monument and on the 11 November Embankment near the Daugava River. A stage with screens is set up here, people are entertained with songs and dances. On this day, it is officially allowed to drink alcoholic beverages on the street, which you can bring with you or buy right there in the tents. Exactly at midnight fireworks are thundering over the river. Young people go to have fun in a nightclub, Essential, Faraons, Saxophone, Big Point, Casablanca are very popular.
Weather in December
The weather in the capital on New Year's holidays is unpredictable: the snow that has fallen can easily be replaced by rain and temperatures up to + 5 ° С. But most often there is snow and a little frost –1 ... –4 ° С or about zero, but high humidity and a piercing wind increase the feeling of cold. You need to dress warmly, it is desirable to have waterproof and windproof clothing.
Where to go and what to do during the winter holidays
The most interesting place for tourists in the capital of Latvia is Old Riga, the city center. Ancient castles, buildings and churches are located here, everything is quite compact, so you can easily see the main sights in 1-2 days, periodically warming yourself up in cozy cafes. From the observation deck of St. Peter's Cathedral, a magnificent panorama of the Old City opens up.
If the weather is not very favorable for walking, then you can use the services of tourist buses. The red tour bus departs from the National Opera. The sightseeing tour usually lasts about 1.5-2 hours.
In the Dome Cathedral on Catholic and Orthodox Christmas and on New Year's Eve, Christmas concerts are traditionally held with the participation of local and foreign performers. On any day, you can stop by and listen to a small 20-minute organ music concert, which is performed here at noon.
History lovers will be able to visit the local Ethnographic Museum, the exposition tells about the way of life of Latvians in the Middle Ages, exhibitions of applied art are also held right there.
What else to do in Riga after the New Year 2020? If the weather and time permit, you can go to Jurmala to breathe the healing sea air, admire the castles in Rundale or Cesis. At the entrance to Jurmala there is the Livu water park, which is open on holidays. The water park has a swimming pool, a tower, slides, a Finnish and Turkish sauna, a jacuzzi, so you can safely go there for the whole day.
According to reviews, prices for branded clothing and footwear are lower here than in Moscow, even without sales, so you can shop successfully. True, on January 1, all large shopping centers, as well as museums, are closed, only grocery stores are open from 10-11 am. Cafes and restaurants open in the afternoon.
Riga restaurants for New Year 2020
Not all restaurants in Riga are open on New Year's Eve, so it is better to worry about a place in advance, as many serve group orders and it will not be possible to get there "from the street". It is easier for tourists to find a hotel with a restaurant; most hotels organize festive banquets.
For example, the Radisson Blu Ridzene Hotel 4 * offers to celebrate the New Year in its restaurant of European cuisine "Pyramid". The cost of the banquet is from 362 euros per person (accommodation included).
New Year's Eve in a Mediterranean restaurant Locale in the center of the Old Town will be remembered for the magnificent dishes from the chef Andrea Bressan and the beautiful views of the Daugava embankment at night, where mass festivities and fireworks take place. The gala dinner costs approximately € 100 per person.
Connoisseurs of gourmet cuisine will love dinner at an elite fish restaurant Le Dome on Miesnieku, 4. Guests are offered to taste delicious branded desserts and dishes of author's cuisine. The cost of the banquet is about 180 euros per person.
The Skyline bar is located on the top floor of the Radisson Blu Hotel Latvija 4 *. The place is remarkable for its magnificent panoramic views of the Old Town, especially beautiful at night. Even if you fail to celebrate a holiday here, you should definitely go on any other day: a cozy atmosphere, tables near the window and comfortable soft sofas in the center. Here you can not only drink, but also dance; on weekends, admission is paid (3 euros). The average bill is 30 euros.
Next to the Dome Cathedral is located B-bar-restaurant... This is a new establishment with an original interior, live music, good European cuisine and a large selection of cocktails. You should definitely try "Balm of the Innocent", "The Key to Riga" and "Cold Balm". There is a playroom for young children. Main dishes from 10 to 22 euros, cocktails from 7 euros.
Do you want to celebrate New Year 2020 in Riga romantically? An unforgettable experience can be obtained in a medieval-style restaurant Rozengralslocated in the basement of wine cellars on Rosen Street near Dome Square. The twilight and stone vaults remind of ancient times, the menu includes dishes from the 13th century and beer, bread is baked right there, and even musicians perform their compositions on ancient instruments. For all the splendor of the cuisine, the prices are quite affordable, the average bill is 30 euros.
Prices in Riga for New Year - 2020
As a rule, there is a tourist boom in Riga on New Year's holidays, so prices rise by at least 20-30%. Nevertheless, during the winter holidays, the cost of accommodation and services here is quite affordable compared to other European capitals.
To save money on the New Year 2020 celebrations in Riga, look for a hotel in advance, so you can manage to book places at low prices and discounts. We advise you to look for hotels on the Roomguru service - it finds the best deals and promotions. So, at the moment, the cost of double rooms in hotels on New Year's Eve in the city center is as follows (relevant at the time of publication of the article): 2 and 3 * - from 30 euros (Hotel Westa and Hotel Irina), 4 * - from 55 euros (Europa Royale Riga), 5 * - from 130 euros (Royal Square Hotel & Suites), a bed in a hostel - from 10 euros per person. Further from the center of the capital, the cost of housing is lower.
You can eat on a budget in those establishments where locals come. So, breakfast can cost 2-3.5 euros, lunch - 3-6 euros, dinner - 5-9 euros. Pay attention to business lunches and daily specials - this can save you a lot.
You can dine at a cafe in the Old Town for 20-30 euros with drinks. A business lunch at the hotel restaurant will cost 8-10 euros.Cheap set meals of about 3 euros in the cafes of shopping centers Origo, in network establishments Lido and kebabs.
Thus, in Riga you can eat on a budget - even in the Old Town! The article contains a list of inexpensive establishments in the city.
Reviews of tourists about the New Year holidays in Riga
Tourists who visited here during the winter holidays appreciated the beauty and friendliness of the Old Town, as well as the absence of a language barrier - an important factor for a comfortable stay in a foreign country. In addition, a trip to the capital of Latvia for our compatriots is much cheaper: you can get there not only by train or plane, but also by car, and the prices are pleasantly surprising in comparison with other European cities.
According to reviews, Riga gives the impression of a kind and romantic city, where you can have a great time and escape from working days. If you are not lucky with the weather, you can always sit down in some cozy cafe and warm yourself up with a cocktail with Riga balsam or a cup of aromatic coffee. Well, if on New Year's Eve in Riga it will be snowing and warm enough, then you will find yourself in a real winter fairy tale!
