Riga, Latvia π±π»
#898
56.949397, 24.105184
Nomad Score:
68%
Essentials
| ποΈ City | Riga, the capital of Latvia and the largest city in the Baltics, features a blend of modern and medieval architecture. |
| π₯ Population | Approximately 632,614 |
| π» Internet Speed | Average download speed of 100 Mbps |
| πΈ Currency & Banking | Currency: Euro (1 EUR β 1.07 USD). Major banks include Swedbank and SEB. |
| π° Tap Water | Drinkable |
| π Power | 230V, 50Hz, π Type C/F sockets |
| πΆ SIM Card | Providers: LMT, Bite, Tele2 |
| π³ Banking for Expats | Common payment methods include Revolut, TransferWise; acceptance of international credit/debit cards. |
| π Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, HomeAway, and local real estate agencies for long-term stays. |
| π³ Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely. |
| π Short Term Rentals | Airbnb, Booking.com, and local agencies offer various short-term rental options. |
| ποΈ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like Hostel on 4th and Red Nose Hostels. |
Working and Networking
| π’ Best Coworking Space | Spaces by Osta, located in the heart of Riga. |
| β Best Cafe for Work | MΔkoΕi, known for its good coffee and ambiance for remote work. |
| πΌ Networking Events | Riga TechGirls and various local meetups found on Meetup.com. |
| π₯ Social Events for Expats | Riga Expats Facebook Group hosts regular outings and community events. |
Transportation
| π Best Taxi/Ride App | Bolt and Yandex.Taxi are widely used for rides. |
| π² Bike/Scooter Rental | Citybee and Bolt scooters are available for rental. |
| ποΈ Best Beach Nearby | JΕ«rmala Beach, located about 20 minutes from the city center. |
| βοΈ Top Regional Airline | Air Baltic, servicing regional flights. |
| βοΈ Top International Airline | Lufthansa and Scandinavian Airlines operate numerous international routes. |
| π£οΈ Highway Access | E67 and A8 highways provide major road connections. |
| π Main Train/Transit Hub | Riga Central Station |
| π Public Transport Passes | Single ride tickets, daily, and monthly passes available for trams and buses. |
| βοΈ Regional Travel | Options include buses (Lux Express) and trains to destinations like Sigulda and CΔsis. |
Health and Wellness
| π₯ Best Hospital | Riga East University Hospital |
| π§ Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Now and Tyasana Yoga Studio are popular. |
| ποΈ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness House and MyFitness are well-reviewed options. |
| π§Ί Laundry Services | Self-service laundromats like Wash & Go. |
Food and Drink
| π± Best Food Delivery App | Bolt Food and Foodout offer extensive delivery options. |
| π½οΈ Best Local Dish to Try | Grey peas with bacon, a traditional Latvian dish. |
| π± Vegan/Vegetarian Options | The Loco and Funky Vegan for plant-based dining. |
| π« Best Dessert Spots | Laima Chocolate Museum and Cafe Viedi. |
| π Affordable Shopping Spots | Riga Central Market for fresh produce and local goods. |
| π E-commerce/Online Store | 220.lv for electronics and household items. |
| π Grocery Delivery | Rimi and Maxima offer online shopping and delivery services. |
| πΈ Bar/Nightlife Area | Riga Old Town, around Alberta Street. |
| π» Local Brewery | Alus DarbnΔ«ca offers tours and tastings. |
| π· Wine Bars | VΔ«na SΔta specializes in local and imported wines. |
| π² Street Food Stalls | Street food festival at the SpΔ«Δ·eri Quarter. |
| π Popular International Cuisine | Marta's Thai Kitchen for Asian flavors. |
Culture and Attractions
| ποΈ Must-See Landmarks | The House of Blackheads and the Freedom Monument. |
| ποΈ Museums & Art Venues | Latvian National Museum of Art and The Museum of the Occupation of Latvia. |
| π° Historical Sites | Riga Cathedral and St. Peter's Church. |
| π Religious Sites | Nativity of Christ Cathedral. |
| π Annual Events | Riga City Festival and Riga Opera Festival. |
| π¨ Cultural Districts | Art Nouveau District and SpΔ«Δ·eri Quarter. |
| π Theater Venues | Latvian National Theatre and Daile Theatre. |
| ποΈ Local Markets | Kalnciema Quarter Market for local crafts. |
| πΌ Music Scene | Notable venues include Palladium and the Latvian National Opera. |
| π¨ Street Art | Graffiti in the Miera iela district. |
| π§βπ³ Cooking Classes | Latvian Culinary School offers various classes. |
| π©βπ¨ Art Galleries | Galerija Centrs features local artists. |
| π°οΈ Historic Buildings | The Three Brothers, the oldest complex of buildings in Riga. |
| π΄ Local Heritage | Latviaβs vibrant cultural dances and folk traditions. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| π Nearby Nature Escapes | Gauja National Park, about an hour's drive. |
| ποΈ National Parks Nearby | The nearest park is Kemeri National Park. |
| π² Cycling/Walking Paths | The Daugava River promenade is popular for cycling and walking. |
| π Scenic Viewpoints | The viewing platform at St. Peter's Church. |
| π¦ Birdwatching Locations | Kemeru National Park is excellent for birdwatching. |
| π₯ Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Beach areas near JΕ«rmala have designated bonfire spots. |
Other Services and Amenities
| π¦ Parcel Delivery Service | DPD and Omniva are reliable for parcel services. |
| π οΈ Tech Repair Services | iFix servicing phones and laptops. |
| π Table Tennis Spots | Riga Sports Center offers table tennis facilities. |
| π§βπ« Language Classes | Riga Language School provides Latvian and English classes. |
| π Libraries & Study Spots | Riga Central Library is popular for studying. |
| ποΈ Community Centers | Cultural Center Imanta hosts various events. |
| πΉοΈ Gaming Lounges | GameZone offers gaming opportunities. |
| π° Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Riga located in the city center. |
Business
| π’ Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. β¬2,800 per mΒ² (e.g., 40 mΒ² = β¬112,000) |
| π’ Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. β¬1,900 per mΒ² (e.g., 40 mΒ² = β¬76,000) |
| π 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. β¬3,200 per mΒ² (e.g., 60 mΒ² = β¬192,000) |
| π 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. β¬2,400 per mΒ² (e.g., 60 mΒ² = β¬144,000) |
| π‘ 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. β¬2,900 per mΒ² (e.g., 80 mΒ² = β¬232,000) |
| π‘ 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. β¬2,200 per mΒ² (e.g., 80 mΒ² = β¬176,000) |
| πΌ Corporate Tax | 20% |
| π΅ Dividend Withholding Tax | 10% |
| π¦ Tax System | Residents are taxed on their worldwide income. |
| π Highest Income Tax Bracket | 31.4% |
| π§Ύ VAT | 21% |
| π Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict rules apply. |
| π Property Tax | Yes, based on property value. |
| π Property Transaction Tax | Approx. 2% standard rate. |