Is Riga Safe or How To Be Safe In Riga | Weekend In Riga (2024)

When traveling to Riga, Latvia, you need to be briefed on basic safety precautions if you want to enjoy your stay. Riga is a pretty peaceful place but it is inevitable to have some dangers on some part of the city.

A lot of people are asking whether Riga is a safe city or not. Riga is a fairly safe city compared to other European cities– there are no major crimes that happen within city particularly are armed clashes. But just like with all major cities, you still must be aware of your surroundings.

If this is first time to travel to Riga, there are certain things you need to know, to make sure you full enjoy your stay and at the same time avoid any possible trouble. The first thing you need to know is that Riga is as safe as any cities in Europe if not more so.

As with any other metropolis that have grown popular for great nightlife, figuring out where to go and having somebody to tour you around is very essential. This is why one of our Riga Nightlife Tours is very useful because we guarantee to point out few bars and night clubs that could pose a problem for your group or wallet.

In Latvia, anyone can rest easy both in the outlying country side and in metropolitan areas without having to worry about getting mugged or robbed. By paying attention to basic precaution, your vacation in Latvia will be safer and also worry-free. Here is a list of the bars recently blacklisted but remember that this list change on a regular basis so it will be better to check for the most up to date information;
• Alibi - Kalēju 51 (Alberta laukums)
• Ampir – Kaļķuiela (Līvu Square)
• Baltic Saloon – Laipuiela
• Bar Bar – Dzirnavu 55 Barfly – Kalēju 14/16
• Brilliant Club – Blaumaņa 9
• Līvukrodziņš – Kaļķuiela (Līvu Square)
• Radio Bar – Šķūņu 17 (entrance from Zirgu)
• Shot Bar – Grēcinieku 1 (entrance from Skārņu)
• VīnaSēta - MazāSmilšu 7.

As a general guideline it is often better to pay cash when visiting bars and clubs, even though the variety of bars and night clubs that like to rip-off clients has considerably decreased, it is always best to be safe than sorry.

Here are quite a few cash-in points close to the tourist hub within the city; the most popular are Swedbank, SEB and DnB Nord. Each of these banks will charge a withdrawal fee, having said that, if you need to exchange some currency, then the best place to go to is in Marika on Brivibas Street.

Another thing you need to remember is to keep away from the central market area. But with opening of a new venue, that are can be deemed a lot safer than before. Most of the public parks are well lit and while it may seem safe, always be on the side of caution and do not do anything that will put in harm’s way just like what you would when you are in another city.

The law on drugs in Latvia is severe. Remember this: no amount of any kind of drugs can be carried or sold. The law enforcement authorities are very strict regarding this policy and they would gladly treat cannabis with the same penalties as with cocaine. It cannot be stressed enough that illegal drug use in Riga is not very common and if you start off asking around and looking for a supplier, you will easily find yourself in trouble with the wrong people, not to mention the police.

Watch out for the taxis, as always. The meter can jump 2 or 3 euro without trying.If your hotel is not within walking distance of the Old Town then taking a taxi is the best option, its very easy to know which ones to take. Baltic Taxi is a reputable taxi company and although they are more expensive they will take you where you need to go without the fear of being ripped off or worse.

When you are checking out the city, it is best to travel by two’s. Always remember not to leave your valuable things unattended when you are in restaurants or any public place. Regardless of the country you are in, this basic safety rule must always be observed. Also, do not leave your glass unattended. You will know what other people may slip into it to spike up your drink. When this happens, order a new drink.

Pay no attention to fortune-tellers and never ever talk or start a conversation with hustlers. Ignore aggressive, drunken passers-by. In order to stay away from scam or misconceptions in pubs, always ask for the menu so you can check the prices. If unfamiliar females want to go along with you in a café, it is best to avoid striking up a relationship – they may get you to order very expensive cocktails for them and share the earnings with the pub owner.

The Old City of Riga is a lot safer today since video surveillance system were installed around key areas. This allows police to easily identify offenses and turn up at the place of an incident faster than before. You can enjoy the nightlife of Latvia quite safely, though do moderately. When you are paying using a bank card, never allow the card to leave your sight and also pay attention to the amount stated on the receipt.

Just like any old city, Riga is very beautiful and your visit will be a lot more memorable if you pay respect and be aware of your environment. Come and enjoy, be safe and have fun. If you are planning to visit the city, try to learn about how you can evade being ripped off bars, bad locations and unsafe districts. You are encouraged to join us on one of our organized tours to find out the nicest areas within the city of Riga! .

Is Riga Safe or How To Be Safe In Riga | Weekend In Riga (2024)

FAQs

Is Riga Safe or How To Be Safe In Riga | Weekend In Riga? ›

A lot of people are asking whether Riga is a safe city or not. Riga is a fairly safe city compared to other European cities– there are no major crimes that happen within city particularly are armed clashes. But just like with all major cities, you still must be aware of your surroundings.

How safe is Riga for tourists? ›

Petty crime is common, particularly in Riga. This includes bag snatching, pickpocketing and muggings. Hotspots include Old Town, the central train and bus stations, the Central Market, parks, and routes to major hotels. Take care of your belongings.

Is Latvia safe for American tourists? ›

Latvia - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions

If you decide to travel to Latvia: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive travel alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter. Review the Country Security Report for Latvia.

Where to avoid in Riga? ›

There have been reports of petty crime, particularly bag snatching and pickpocketing, in:
  • Riga Old town.
  • Central Market.
  • central train and bus stations.

Is it safe to go to Riga Old Town? ›

Downtown, especially Old Town where most of the nightlife takes place, is as safe as it gets. There are surveillance cameras everywhere, and the police response time is 2–3 minutes. Pickpocketing and petty theft happens, but isn't a particularly big issue.

Can I speak English in Riga? ›

There are plenty stalls – especially at Riga Central Market – so you have choices. Also worth noting – Latvian isn't the only language spoken in Latvia. A percentage of people also speak Russian. Some speak both languages, some speak both plus English, and some only speak one or the other.

Are people in Riga friendly? ›

Latvian people are friendly

The people of many former Soviet countries have a reputation for being stony-faced or even downright rude. But Latvians – while not overtly gregarious – are very friendly. Nearly all Latvians speak three languages well.

Are Latvians friendly to foreigners? ›

Once a foreigner gets to know a Latvian and a certain amount of time passes, we're really good friends. We're not a very theatrical nation, so we're pretty frank in certain parts. We won't tell everyone that we like them, so if a Latvian says he/she likes you, it's really true.”

Is Riga safe for Americans? ›

Riga is absolutely safe for an American visitor or a visitor from any other country. It is a relatively quiet city with beautiful architecture and parks.

Is Riga cheap or expensive? ›

But for the most part, Riga is reasonably priced for tourists. It is quite expensive for locals.

Why is Riga so popular? ›

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Riga is worth visiting for its old town alone. Back in 1997, the city's old town gained world heritage status due to its unique display of art nouveau architecture. With so many incredible buildings and beautiful churches, it isn't hard to see why.

Is Riga close to Ukraine? ›

The distance between Riga and Kyiv is 862 km. The most popular airlines for this route are Ryanair, Wizz Air, airBaltic, Lufthansa, and LOT Polish Airlines. Riga and Kyiv have 348 direct flights per week.

Why do people go to Riga? ›

What are the top reasons to visit Riga, Latvia? Riga boasts a beautifully preserved medieval Old Town, captivating Art Nouveau architecture, a vibrant cultural scene, delicious Latvian cuisine, and affordability compared to many other European cities.

Should I take cash to Riga? ›

Card payments are accepted in most restaurants, shops, hotels and petrol stations. However, cash is still handy. You'll need euro change to buy a ticket on a bus for example, although you can buy public transport tickets in advance with a card if you need to.

Can you drink alcohol in public in Riga? ›

Latvia. In Latvia, until 2020 drinking alcoholic beverages in public was banned and classified as an administrative violation.

Is Riga a clean city? ›

At least 80% of inhabitants were very or rather satisfied with the cleanliness of their city in Luxembourg (95%), Vienna (90%), Ljubljana (88%), Riga (81%) and Helsinki (80%). In contrast, only 9% of inhabitants in Rome found their city clean enough.

Is it safe to walk at night in Riga? ›

Safety at night:Moderate

Riga is a relatively safe city, even at night. It's highly touristic and generally well-policed. However, like any urban area, it does have some crime, particularly in less populated areas or late at night.

Is Riga safe to walk around? ›

Riga is a pretty peaceful place but it is inevitable to have some dangers on some part of the city. A lot of people are asking whether Riga is a safe city or not. Riga is a fairly safe city compared to other European cities– there are no major crimes that happen within city particularly are armed clashes.

Is Latvia safe to travel to with the war? ›

With the war in Ukraine; Will traveling to countries like Romania, Estonia, Finland, Russia, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland or Latvia in 2024 be a bad idea? It is as safe in each of those countries as it is normally except for Russia.

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