General information about Riga

Riga is said to be the largest and the most interesting and beautiful city in the Baltics so probably you will have a hard time to find somebody with a different opinion.

The Historic Center of Riga has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site,and the city is particularly notable for its extensive Jugendstil German Art Nouveau architecture, which is considered by UNESCO to be unparalleled anywhere else in the world. Eight hundred years have shaped the city`s unique appearance and rich traditions. Beautiful architecture, mix of different styles, narrow streets... All these details give a certain perspective on the city – you start to feel as if you`re a part of an amazing historical adventure... And then you suddenly get struck by the vibrant night life of this fun-filled, forward-looking city. It`s impossible not to fall in love with Riga , because of its inspiration given to everyone.   

Riga has hundreds of ways for enticing visitors – its rich history, architecture, spacious gardens and parks, museums, art galleries and world-class opera…and daily treats like a walk in the enormous colorful central market or going to a cozy cafe, club or pub…

Sounds interesting, doesn`t it? Well, why not try to experience all these emotions yourself?

Here you will find the useful information for your Stay In Riga:

TOURISM INFORMATION CENTRES IN RIGA, LATVIA

Latvian Tourism Development Agency
Pils laukums 4, Riga, LV-1050, Latvia
Tel: +371 67229945
Fax: +371 67358128
tda@latviatourism.lv
www.latviatourism.lv

Riga Tourism Information Centre
Ratslaukums 6, Riga, LV-1050
Tel: +371 67037900
Fax: +371 67037910
tourinfo@riga.lv
www.rigatourism.com

EMERGENCY NUMBERS IN RIGA

Hotline for tourists +371 22033000
Emergency number (for all emergency cases) 112
Fire station 01
Police 02
Ambulance 03
Gas emergency service 04
Inquires 1180, 1188, 1199,117

LATVIAN CURRENCY

(1 Ls = 100 santims) The Lat is a stable andfreely convertible currency. The exchange rate set by the Bank of Latvia on the1st January, 2005: 1 EUR = 0.7028 Ls

Most Latvian banks are open from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM on weekdays, while some are also open on Saturday mornings.In the big supermarkets banks are opened every day till approximately 6:00 PM. www.bank.lv

Credit cards can be widely used throughout Latvia, and the most common ones are VISA International, Euro card and MasterCard. However, American Express becomes popular, and Diner’s Club and Eurocheque are sometimes in use. All of the aforementioned cards can be used to withdraw cash advances from ATMs that can be met in all district of Riga.

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS 2009

• January 1 – New Years Day
• April 10 – Good Friday
• April 12-13- Easter
• May 1 – Labor Day
• May 4 – The Proclamation Day of Latvian Republic Independence
• June 23-24 - Ligo (Midsummer Solstice)
• November 18 - The Independence Day of the Republic of Latvia
• December 25-26 - Christmas
• December 31 – New Year’s Eve

EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES IN RIGA, LATVIA

Australian Consulate in Riga, Latvia
Mr Janis Sala
Tomsnonia iela 33-1,LV-1013 Riga Latvia
Phone: +37 (1) 67224251
Email:australia@apollo.lv

Embassy of Austria in Riga, Latvia
Elizabetes iela 21a, 4th floor, appt. 11, 1010 Riga, Latvia
Phone: (+371) 67216125
Email:riga-ob@bmeia.gv.at

Consulate of Austria in Riga, Latvia
Gertrudes iela 19-21/Appt.12A, LV-1022 Riga, Latvia
Phone: (+37/1) 67315432
austrian.embassy@mailbox.riga.lv

Embassy of Azerbaijan in Riqa, Latvia
3 Raina Bulvaris, Riqa, Latvia
Phone: (371) 671428 89/91/92/93/94/95
Email:riga@mission.mfa.az

Embassy of Belarus in Riga, Latvia
Jezusbaznicas iela 12, Riga, Latvia, LV 1050
Phone: (+371) 67222560
Email:latvia@belembassy.org

Embassy of Belgium in Riga, Latvia
Alberta iela, 13 (5th floor),LV-1010, Riga,Latvia
Phone: 00 371 67114852
Email:riga@diplobel.fed.be

Brazil (Honorary Consulate)
Address : 40 Brivibas iela, apt.26,Riga,Latvia
Phone: 00371 67288247
E-mail:gbsaule@parks.lv

Honorary Consul of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Republic of Latvia
Doma Square 1 Riga, LV 1050,Latvia
Phone: +371 67211776
Email:mairita@gutenbergs.lv

Embassy of Canada in Riga, Latvia
20/22 Baznicas Street, 6th Floor,Riga, Latvia LV-1010
Phone: (011 )00371 67813945
Email:rigag@international.gc.ca

Honorary Consulate of Chile in Riga, Latvia
4 Audeju Street Riga, Riga,LV-1050, Letonia
Phone: 00371 67216034
Email:consul@apollo.lv

Chinese Embassy in Riga, Latvia
5 Ganibu Dambis Str, Riga, LV 1045, Latvia
Phone: 00371-67357023

Embassy of the Czech Republic in Latvia
Elizabetes Iela 29a,LV-1010,Riga,Latvia
Phone: 00371/67217814
Email:riga@embassy.mzv.cz

Embassy of Denmark in Latvia
Pils iela 11, LV-1863,Riga, Latvia
Phone: +371 67226210 or +371 67820235
Email:rixamb@um.dk

Embassy of Estonia in Latvia
Skolas iela 13, LV-1010,Riga,Latvia
Phone: (371) 781 20 20
Email:embassy.riga@mfa.ee

Embassy of Finland in Latvia
Kalpaka bulvaris 1, LV 1605, Riga, Latvia
Phone: +371-67078800
Email:sanomat.rii@formin.fi

Embassy of France in Riga, Latvia
Raina bulvaris 9 ,LV 1050, Riga, Latvia
Phone: [371] 67 03 66 00
Email:webmestre.ambafrance-lv@diplomatie.gouv.fr

German Embassy in Latvia
Raina Bulv. 13, Riga, Latvia
Phone: 371 67229096
Email:mailbox@deutschebotschaft-riga.lv

Embassy of Greece in Riga
Elizabetes str. 11, Appt. 5, Riga, LV-1010, Latvia
Phone: (00371) 67356345
Email:greekemb-riga@mfa.gr

Royal Danish Embassy in Latvia
Pils iela 11 LV-1863, Riga Latvia
Phone: 371 67226210
Email:rixamb@um.dk

Iceland (General Consulate)
21 Kr. Valdemara iela, Riga, Latvia
tel. 00371 6703 53 83
E-mail: ineta@islande.lv

Embassy of Ireland in Latvia
Alberta iela 13, LV-1010,Riga, Latvia
Phone: +371 6703 9370
Email:rigaembassy@dfa.ie

Embassy of Israel in Riga, Latvia
2 Elizabetes iela, Riga, LV-1010,Latvia
Phone: (371) 67320980; (371) 67320739
Email:press@rig.mfa.gov.il

Embassy of Italy in Riga, Latvia
Teatra Iela 9, Riga, Latvia
Phone: +371 67216069
Email:consolare1.riga@esteri.it

Embassy of Japan
21 Kr. Valdemara iela,Riga,Latvia
Phone: +371 6781 20 01

Consulate of Kazakhstan in Riga, Latvia
18 Kr. Valdemara Street, Office Nr. 7a, Riga 1010, Latvia
Phone: (+371) 6724 30 28
Email:kazconsulat@mail.ru

Embassy of Lithuania in Riga, Latvia
Rupniecibas iela 24, 1010 Riga Latvia
Phone: +371 6732 15 19, +371 6732 09 48, +371 6732 09 19
Email:lt@apollo.lv

Honorary Consulate of Malta in Riga, Latvia
Deloitte, Office Managing Partner
Biskapa Gate 2 Riga, LV-1050, Latvia
Phone: (371) 6781 4160 Dir. (371) 6781 4265
Email:maltaconsul.riga@gov.mt

Embassy of Moldova in Riga, Latvia
Basteja bulvaris 14, Riga 1050, Latvia
Phone: (+371) 6735 91 60
Email:riga@moldovaembassy.lv

Embassy of the Netherlands in Riga, Latvia
Torna iela 4-1a, Jacob`s Barracks, LV 1050 Riga, Latvia
Phone: +371 67326147
Email:info@netherlandsembassy.lv

Royal Norwegian Embassy in Riga, Latvia
14 Zirgu iela LV-1050 Riga, Latvia, P.O. Box 1173 LV 1050 Riga, Latvia
Phone: +371 6781 41 00
Email:emb.riga@mfa.no

Embassy of Russia in Riga, Latvia
2, Antonias st., Riga, LV - 1010, Latvia
Phone: +371 67332151
Email:rusembas@delfi.lv

Slovak Republic Embassy , Latvia
Smilsu iela 8 LV 1050 Riga
Phone: +371 67 814280
Email:embassy@slovakia.lv

Embassy of Spain
11 Elizabetes iela, Riga,Latvia
tel. 00371 67320281

Embassy of Sweden, Riga
Andreja Pumpura iela 8,LV-1010 Riga, Latvia
Phone: +371 6 768 66 00
Email:ambassaden.riga@foreign.ministry.se

Embassy of Switzerland
2 Elizabetes iela, Riga,Latvia
Phone: 00371 6733 83 51,00371 6 733 83 52,
Visa section, Phone: 00371 6733 83 53.
Email:vertretung@rig.rep.admin.ch

Taipei Mission in the Republic of Latvia
World Trade Center, Room 602, Elizabetes Str. 2A,LV-1340, Riga,Latvia
Phone: (002-371) 6732-0610
Email:tmil@tmil.lv

Consulate of Turkey in Latvia
Lacplesa iela 14-302,Riga, Latvia
Phone: +371 29342244

Embassy of Ukraine in Latvia
Kalpaka bulvaris 3,Riga
Phone: +371 67243082
Email:emb_lv@mfa.gov.ua / UAemb@mail.neonet.lv

Embassy of Great Britain in Riga, Latvia
British Embassy Riga, J Alunana iela 5, Riga ,LV 1010, Latvia
Phone: (371) 6733 8126

U.S. Embassy in Riga, Latvia
7 Raina Blvd. LV1510,Riga,Latvia
Phone: +371 67216-571
Email:ambassador-riga@state.gov

Consulate of Uruguay in Latvia
K.Ulmanagatve No. 2,Riga,Latvia
Phone: +371-67243170 / +371-67066303
Email:janis_kirsis@latnet.lv / janis@lindaks.lv

Embassy of Uzbekistan in Latvia
Elizabetes Street, 11, 2nd floor, room 11,Riga, Latvia
Phone: +371-6732-24 24 / +371-6732-23 46
Email:posoluz@apollo.lv