Riga - Shopping

Since 2003, this Finnish chain of department stores has also had a branch in Riga. In keeping with the... company's philosophy, most of the products on offer in the 10,000 m2 (110,000 sq ft) four-storey sales area are of relatively high quality, although these too are no longer cheap in Latvia. more

Jāņis Roze is the largest chain of bookshops in Latvia. In addition to countless books in Latvian,... the well-stocked shop on Krišjāņa Barona also has dictionaries and English-language literature. Books on Riga and classic travels guides like the Lonely Planet range are also available. more

Mara is a well-stocked souvenir shop. Its textiles with typical Latvian motifs are particularly recommended.... If you are looking for amber jewellery, you would be hard pressed to find a better range anywhere else in Riga. Here you can get both inexpensive pieces of "raw" amber and precious amber jewellery. more

It is not easy finding books written in English in Riga's bookshops - let alone any other languages.... In Globuss, you at least have a reasonably good chance of finding some holiday reading material. You won't need to go far to find it either, because the bookshop is right in the old town. more

Why not savour these tempting sweet delights in the stylish café, which could just as easily be in Vienna.... And don't forget to take with you a selection of the handmade truffles and choice chocolates for when you go home. more

A rather extensive range of antiques spread across two floors. The majority of items are paintings and... icons. The top floor contains an exhibition of paintings and drawings. more

Bernard Larane's bakery is alive with the fragrances of a Parisian boulangerie. Indeed his baguettes,... croissants and quiches are so good that his shop would also do a roaring trade in France. You can of course also enjoy a coffee here. There is even a copy of Le Monde newspaper to browse through. more

The delicatessen in Berga Bazars has an enticingly large selection of French specialities. All its goods... are flown in freshly from France. A sandwich and a glass of wine in the café complete the gastronomic experience. more

The Latvians spend more on flowers than nearly any other nation. Whether it is for their own apartment... or a visit to friends or acquaintances, they never seem to be without a bunch of flowers. It is therefore hardly surprising that the flower market on Terbatas iela by Vermanes Park (Vērmanes dārzs) is open around the clock. more

Jewellers Inita and Vitauts Straupe are two of Latvia's most famous craftsmen. Although their creations... are mainly based on old Latvian, Baltic or Scandinavian motifs, they are still ultra-modern. more

A large and modern shopping centre spread over three floors at the main railway station, with a lot of... shops and several restaurants. more

The name Vincents is a guarantee of quality, so it is hardly surprising that this shop contains the ultimate... in modern design. The top-quality furniture and accessories are a delight to look at, though the prices are far too high for most budgets. more

This ultra-modern design and delicatessen centre opened in 2002 and offers exquisite goods for those... with plenty of money to spend. In all, the three halls - Decorum, Galleria and Gastronome - cover an area of 13,000 m2 (140,000 sq ft). Many of the smaller items make excellent tasteful souvenirs. more

Riga's central market occupies five huge former airship hangers. Here you can get everything you need... for everyday life. The market is impressive not only for the incredible variety of goods on offer, but also for the crowds it attracts. For this reason, the central market is worth a visit simply to observe the goings-on. more

Here you can buy a miniature of Riga, the Art Nouveau city, to take home with you. The only shop of its... kind has a wide range of Art Nouveau motifs on sale, from replicas of the most beautifully decorated façades to postcards and scarves. more

Berga Bazars is situated in a quiet historical building complex in the heart of Riga, with restored houses... and cobblestone streets. The exclusive boutiques, wine merchants and delicatessens at the corner of Elizabetes and Marijas iela are an open invitation to shop. A flea market is held there on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month. more

The Jana Seta publishing house has the best maps for trips around the Baltic and the shop always stocks... a good selection of the most important ones. You can also get travel guides to the Baltic states in English and sometimes in other languages too. more

Retro A sells a mixture of bric-a-brac and antiques. Whether you are looking for antiquarian books, valuable... or cheap paintings, porcelain or icons, there are plenty of bargains on offer - providing you can find them! Make sure you allow plenty of time when you come because the shop is absolutely packed with all sorts of odds and ends. more

Having undergone no fewer than two thorough facelifts in recent years, this long-established 1920s department... store now has a very modern appearance. It contains everything a good department store should have, including trendy shops and cafés and a large supermarket. more

Laima is Latvia's most famous chocolate manufacturer. A huge selection of this typically Latvian delicacy... can be found in the shop in Smilsu iela 16 near the cathedral. Laima chocolates are also now exported. more