RIGA for under £100 a night
WEPOUNDTHESTREETS... YOU REAPTHEREWARDS!
Latvian capital Riga — less than three hours from the UK — is ranked among the world’s greenest cities. So it’s no surprise to find so many parks to enjoy while exploring this walkable city. then there’s the lovely Old town, with its cobbled streets flanked by countless cafes and restaurants set within beautiful art nouveau buildings. Riga really is a wonderful surprise. Where to stay
Pullman Riga Old Town Hotel
WITH its decorative terracotta and white frontage, this classy five- star hotel was converted from 18th-century former stables. It’s close to the Old Town and has 155 mutedtone rooms, the best of which overlook a small park. A welcome drink is offered on arrival.
Doubles from £85, breakfast £15, pullmanriga.lv
Sherlock Art Hotel
THIS quirky Victorian-styled hotel in the Old Town is dedicated to Sherlock Holmes, hence the Baker Street-themed mural by the main door. Its 17 self- catering apartments are named after characters in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s books, which have been popular here since Soviet TV made several Sherlock Holmes films in Riga. A 1901 letter written by Doyle, which was found under floorboards in one of the rooms, is displayed in reception. Apartments are spacious and stylish. apartments from £96, sherlock.lv
Hotel Dome
TUCKED away on a quiet street near the Dome Cathedral, this hotel has 15 rooms reached via an 18th-century spiral staircase. Rooms are light, airy and have Nespresso coffee machines. Next door is the hotel’s highly respected seafood restaurant, where mains cost about £20.
B&B doubles from £85, domehotel.lv/en
Wellton Riverside Hotel
BUILT in 2018, this 220-room four-star hotel is close to the railway station and many city attractions. In clement weather, relax with a glass of wine on the eighth-floor terrace overlooking the River Daugava.
B&B doubles from £59, wellton.com/en Where to eat
Kolonade Restaurant
ENJOY views of the 138 ft-high granite and copper Freedom Monument and impressive National Opera House from the Kolonade, which offers Latvian and international dishes. On the lunch menu, try wholegrain pasta with mushrooms, cream and parmesan (£5.25). kolonade.lv
Cafe 22
POPULAR with locals, this canteen-style cafe is on one of Riga’s main streets. Reasonable prices and wholesome dishes mean you might have to wait for a table. Opt for the lunch offer of a soft drink, main course (e.g. chicken, rice and veg) and soup or dessert for £3.34. Its closed at weekends. address: Krisjana valdemara iela 22
Cafe Leningrad
STEP back in time to the country’s Soviet era at this kitsch basement caff with its old clocks, televisions, radiograms, books and furniture. Try Russian dumplings (£5.17) and a local beer (£3). leningrad.lv
How to get there
AIRBALTIC ( airbaltic. com) offers return flights from London to Riga from £63.
At Riga airport, the number 22 bus runs approximately every 20 minutes to the heart of the city and costs only £1. For further information, see liveriga. com. Holiday Extras ( holidayextras.co. uk) offers various savings on airport hotels and parking.
RICHARD WEBBER