Between the Nordic and Baltic cities of Riga tourist assessment is recognized as a cultural and historical city, but the art is in Helsinki, Copenhagen and Malmö. Turn Tallinn recognized as romantic
Yes you can officially drop the empty shelves cliche of the old Eastern bloc - it's about twenty years out of date after all. These days you'll find Riga offers all the variety and quality you would expect of a city approaching 1 million in size, and you can have plenty of fun shopping for familiar brands in spanking new shopping centres. Be warned however that Western labels are something of a status symbol in Latvia and as such they can be more expensive than back home. Bargain hunters might prefer to see what reputable national stores offer - or for real cut price deals check out the Riga Central Market.
Latvia’s key tourist attractions are concentrated in Riga. It is therefore possible to visit them all in one day since they are mostly located in the Old Town or within the borders of the historical centre.
Rundala Palace and Turaida Castle are the most popular tourist sights outside the capital.
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia, one of the major industrial, commercial, cultural and financial centres of the Baltics, and an important seaport, situated on the mouth of the Daugava. With 702, 891 inhabitants (July 2011) it is the largest city of the Baltic states. Riga's territory covers and lies between above sea level, on a flat and sandy plain.
Riga's historical centre has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city is particularly notable for its extensive Jugendstil (German Art Nouveau) architecture, which UNESCO considers to be unparalleled anywhere in the world.
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