WINTER IN BALTIC’S (LATVIA)
The winter in Latvia usually lasts from mid-December to the beginning of March. Air temperature can fluctuate from +5 degrees Celsius all the way down to -30 degrees.
A weekend in Riga, the capital of Latvia, is the perfect winter destination. There are plenty of things to do in Riga during a winter weekend. Read our blog to find out what to do in Riga,Latvia.
WINTER ACTIVITIES
Luge and Bobsleigh Track in Sigulda – zip down the only bobsleigh track in the Baltics at speeds of up to 80 km/h. In winter, rides are done by “vučko” or the so-called soft bob. The total length of the bobsleigh and luge Track is 1200 m, it features 16 curves, and allows for a maximum speed of 125 km/h. The track is suited for bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton competitions and training sessions. Both international and local competitions are held here every season.
Cross-country skiing -When staying in Riga, cross-country skiing is easily accessible. One does not have to venture far from the capital – a groomed cross-country track is available across the river in Victory Park. Sigulda is also close to the Latvian capital for long distances in pristine natural surroundings. Cross-country skiing is special in Jurmala where one can enjoy wonderful landscape of frozen waters in cold winters.
Downhill ski slopes:
- Zagarkalns – one of the most popular ski resorts in Latvia, located in Cesis by the Gauja River
- Ozolkalns – is proud of the longest downhill ski track in Latvia
- Milzkalns – one of the most popular places of wintertime activities in Latvia, located in Engure district
Ice fishing – enjoy the ice fishing on the frozen lake and rivers and try to catch you own fish.
Husky dog sledding – hop on a sled and let a pack of Huskies power you along through a Latvian forest, generally the best months for husky dog sledding are January to March!
RESTAURANTS
You can treat yourself to lovely meals – Riga is perfect destination for food lovers. Thanks to a creative and enthusiastic generation of chefs, there are now numerous world-class restaurants in Latvia serving exquisite local and international cuisine.
Restaurant 3 – Taste of nature “Restaurant 3” offers to the guests menus, which display modern culinary tendencies in the world. Restaurant’s menu is made by using forest goods, natural, bio and seasonal products. They offer guests to enjoy the taste of nature and forest at the very heart of Old Riga.
MUUSU – is a story of values developed through years of experience. We hail and pursue beauty and comfort; every detail counts. The Nordic interior – distinct lines, exposed brick, flax fabric and wood accents in combination with metal provides an exquisite background for all that is essential – fine food and emotions. The strength of MUUSU is its chef, Kaspars Jansons. We do not hesitate to claim that he is one of the best chefs in the city. The ascetic table settings and dishes, made by Rauna Kiln, is very much like a canvas to paint on. Time-tested, stable culinary values are at the base of our menu. These are the classics of contemporary Europe, leaving space for new interpretation and seasonal accents, with respect for everything fresh and of local origin.
Ferma – At restaurant “Ferma” you can try local products – wild venison, Baltic salmon, shrimp grown in Latvia, dry aged beef from Latvia, as well as Latvia’s Culinary Heritage. Restaurant “Ferma” is a long-awaited project by chef Maris Astics. Restaurant is in the Quiet Centre of Riga which gives a chance to enjoy a meal with a view of the Viesturs Garden park.
Vincents Restaurant – since it opened in 1994, Vincents has become the prime destination for all those passionate about good food and fine wine. Vincents is located in one of the most picturesque parts of Riga, surrounded by Art Nouveau buildings. The modern interior forms the backdrop for chef Aleksandrs Nasikailovs’ inspired & constantly evolving cuisine. A gourmet’s grotto & celebrity haunt. The guest book at Vincents is a cornucopia of praise from President George W. Bush, brothers Prince Charles and Prince Andrew, Paco Rabane, Pierre Cardin, Mstislav Rostropovich, Montseratt Caballe, Maija Pliseckaya, Nikita Mihalkov, Jose Carreras, and Elton John – to name a few.
MUSEUMS
Discover the most interesting museums to visit when in Riga.
Latvian National Museum of Art -The collection of the largest art museum in Latvia comprises more than 52 thousand works by Baltic and Russian painters and sculptors.
Riga Art Nouveau Centre – Rīga is one of the few European cities where Art Nouveau architecture, art and design objects have survived in great numbers. It is even called “the metropolis of Art Nouveau”. There are 800 Art Nouveau buildings in Rīga, mostly located in the city’s centre – particularly on Alberta Street. Riga Art Nouveau Centre can also be found on this street, in the former apartment of the renowned Latvian architect Konstantīns Pēkšēns, who lived and worked here till 1907 and designed this beautiful building.
Riga Motor Museum -Visit Riga Motor Museum to see the largest and most diverse collection of antique motor vehicles in the Baltics and listen to exciting stories about them. The museum exhibition has been created as a story about unique motor vehicles, prominent persons and the most important historical events in the automotive world. Innumerable interactive elements have been installed throughout Riga Motor Museum, which will draw the attention of any child.
Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum – One of the oldest and largest open-air museums in Europe is located on the banks of Lake Jugla, just a 30 minute drive from downtown Riga. This museum is unique when compared to similar museums around the world with the fact that it began to collect its exhibitions before the war, and thus many of its exhibition objects are in very good condition. 118 historical buildings from all four of Latvia’s provinces – Kurzeme, Vidzeme, Zemgale and Latgale, have been put on display at the museum. The buildings range in age, and most of them were originally constructed between the 17th century up all the way up until the 1930s.
Aldaris beer museum and brewery – Aldaris beer museum is the most up-to-date museum of beer in the Baltics and the very first one in Latvia. The museum offers its guests to discover the diversity and charm of beers brewed in Latvia and elsewhere, the secrets of brewing, and also to try hand at brewing. It also displays the collection of historic exhibits related to beer and relies on state-of-the art technologies to better introduce its visitors to the four basic elements of beer – water, hops, malt and yeast.
The Corner House – a project by the Occupation Museum, provides the opportunity for the wider public to gain insight into the former KGB, or ‘Cheka’, headquarters in Riga by preparing an exhibition on the institution’s operation in Latvia and a tour of the building. Visitors are able to view jail cells, dungeons, strolling areas, the lift for the interrogated and office workspace. It is a revelation for the young generation and foreign tourists as well as a memorial for those who suffered within these walls.
kim? Contemporary Art Centre – was founded in 2009. The name of kim? is an abbreviation of an insistent question “what is art?” (“kas ir māksla?” in Latvian). The organization is offering a certain range of activities such as exhibitions, lectures, discussions and other events related to recent art, theory and social issues. kim? supports the development of emerging Latvian artists, theoreticians and curators and collaborations between art professionals and thinkers of other spheres aiming to provide a responsive context to their work and to make critical practices accessible to a wider audience.
Laima chocolate museum – is the biggest and most well-known producer of chocolate and sweets in the Baltic, where chocolate is made with cocoa beans without using semi-prepared products. The method was introduced in 1870 by factory founder Teodors Rigerts. The Laima chocolate museum welcomes, treats and inspires its visitors. Laima tells, shows and involves! The mastery LAIMA is known for since 1870 is full of love and affection, resulting in chocolate without equal in the world. Life is full of secrets. One of them is how to make chocolate. In the Laima chocolate museum visitors will discover the secrets of making chocolate, find out how cocoa beans are used to make Laima’s chocolate and other delicacies and become true confectioners by making their own chocolate bar.
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