Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia, on the Daugava river near the Gulf of Riga. Known for its UNESCO-listed Old Town, Europe's greatest concentration of Art Nouveau architecture, the vast Central Market and a growing craft-beer and restaurant scene, it blends Hanseatic, Swedish, Russian and Soviet layers into one of the Baltics' most walkable capitals.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
Latvians are reserved at first and value personal space; conversation with strangers is quiet and polite, and warmth shows after an introduction
Greet with a handshake and eye contact; say 'Labdien' (good day) when entering shops, cafes and offices
Latvia has a large Russian-speaking minority, especially in Riga; it is polite to start in English or Latvian rather than assume Russian, and to avoid political topics about Russia and the Soviet occupation unless a local raises them
Latvian is the sole official language; English is widely spoken by younger people and in tourism, and effort with a few Latvian words is appreciated
Latvia uses the euro, is in the EU and the Schengen area, and card payments are accepted almost everywhere
Jāņi (Midsummer, 23-24 June) is the biggest folk celebration, with flower and oak-leaf wreaths, bonfires, caraway cheese and beer; many shops and offices close
Nature matters to Latvians: forests, mushroom and berry picking, and saunas are part of everyday life
Tap water in Riga is safe to drink and smoking is banned in enclosed public places, including bars and restaurants
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Do shake hands and make eye contact when meeting people, and say 'Labdien' in shops and restaurants
- Do remove shoes when entering a Latvian home unless the host says otherwise
- Do bring flowers in an odd number (even numbers are for funerals) or chocolates when invited to a home
- Do dress modestly in churches and keep voices low
- Do try local food: grey peas with bacon, rye bread, smoked fish, sklandrausis and Riga Black Balsam
- Do say 'Priekā!' (cheers) and make eye contact when toasting
- Do tip 5-10% in restaurants by rounding up or adding to the card total
- Do queue and wait for a seat to be assigned in busy restaurants
Don't
- Don't compare Latvia with Russia or call it a former Soviet republic in a casual way; Latvians stress their independence and the 1940-1991 occupation
- Don't assume everyone speaks Russian or switch into Russian without asking
- Don't give even numbers of flowers or yellow flowers as a gift to a host
- Don't wear outdoor shoes inside a home
- Don't be loud on public transport or in public spaces; Latvians prefer calm behaviour
- Don't photograph military sites, border areas or people in private moments without permission
- Don't litter or walk on the grass in parks where it is marked as protected
- Don't drink and drive; the legal limit is very low and fines are strict
Local customs
Traditions and practices you'll encounter.
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
- Greetings
- Handshakes with eye contact are standard. Friends may hug or kiss on the cheek. Use 'Labrīt' (good morning), 'Labdien' (good day) and 'Labvakar' (good evening). Titles and surnames are used in formal settings.
- Dining
- Wait for the host to start eating. Say 'Labu apetīti' (enjoy your meal) before eating. Bread, especially rye, is central to the table and should not be wasted. Make eye contact when saying 'Priekā' in a toast.
- Dress
- Smart casual in the city; locals tend to dress neatly for restaurants and theatres. Cover shoulders and avoid beachwear in churches.
- Gifts
- When invited to a home bring flowers in an odd number, chocolates or wine. Unwrap gifts only if the host does.
- Business
- Meetings are punctual and fairly formal; Latvians value directness and honesty over small talk. Exchange business cards and expect decisions to take time.
- Tipping
- Tip 5-10% in restaurants and cafes by rounding up the bill or telling the server the total; round up taxi fares to the nearest euro; EUR 1-2 (~$1.15-2.30) per bag for hotel porters.
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
Labdien
Hello / Good day
LAHB-dee-en
Sveiki
Hi (informal)
SVAY-kih
Labrīt
Good morning
LAHB-reet
Lūdzu
Please / You're welcome
LOO-dzoo
Paldies
Thank you
PAHL-dee-es
Jā / Nē
Yes / No
yah / neh
Atvainojiet
Excuse me / Sorry
AHT-vai-noh-yee-et
Priekā!
Cheers!
PREE-eh-kah
Cik tas maksā?
How much does it cost?
tsik tahs mahk-SAH
Rēķinu, lūdzu
The bill, please
REH-tyih-noo LOO-dzoo
Vai jūs runājat angliski?
Do you speak English?
vai yoos ROO-nah-yaht AHNG-lis-kih
Es nesaprotu
I don't understand
es NEH-sah-proh-too
Uz redzēšanos
Goodbye
ooz REH-dzeh-shah-nos
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Riga.
Main: Latvia has no state religion. Lutheranism is the largest historic Christian tradition, especially in Riga and the north and west; Roman Catholicism is strongest in Latgale in the east, and Orthodox Christians, mainly in the Russian-speaking community, form another large group. Many Latvians are not actively religious.
Sites: Riga Cathedral (Doma laukums 1, Lutheran, largest medieval church in the Baltics), St. Peter's Church (Skārņu iela 19, Lutheran), Nativity of Christ Orthodox Cathedral (Brīvības bulvāris 23), St. James's Cathedral (Jēkaba iela 9, Catholic) and Riga Synagogue (Peitavas iela 6/8)
Holy Days: Christmas (24-26 December, with 24 December the main family evening), Easter, Jāņi (Midsummer, 23-24 June, a pagan-rooted holiday) and Mārtiņi (10 November). Many shops close on 24-26 December and 23-24 June.
Conversations: Religion is a private matter for most Latvians and is rarely discussed in casual conversation. Asking about folk traditions such as Jāņi or the Latvian Song and Dance Festival is welcomed.