Christmas market in Riga, Latvia! Why not get into the Christmas spirit in a cosy medieval town not too far away? The three Christmas markets of Old Town, Liv Square and Esplanade offer Latvian crafts and delicacies galore. Here you can also try the local strong drink Black Balsam or visit the Rabbit Kingdom. Join the Christmas market in Riga, Latvia!
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ShareOne city - three Christmas markets
The Christmas markets in Riga are not very big, but on the other hand there are three of them! You will find a Christmas market in the Old Town, another Christmas market on Livu Square and a third Christmas market on the Esplanade. At all three you'll find charming little stalls where you can buy knitted cardigans, mittens and socks and all sorts of other handicrafts made from wood, leather, fur or fabric.
There are also plenty of locally produced delicacies such as honey, jams and sausages, as well as gingerbread and Christmas sweets. And, of course, you can combine the Christmas markets with a visit to the huge food market in Riga!
Warm yourself with a hot drink
There are many stalls selling hot drinks. It is easy to get a cup of gluhwein, but there are also more local and exciting Latvian drinks such as the famous "Black balsam". This strong spirit is often mixed with something hot, such as coffee or blackcurrant drink. We tried the latter, which was really tasty and warming in the slightly rough weather!
Visit the rabbit kingdom
The first thing that greets you when you arrive at the Christmas market on the Esplanade is the "Trusukaraliste" - the kingdom of rabbits. Within a fenced-in area are a large number of very small palaces and mansions. Between these fancy buildings, a large number of rabbits are running around and having a good time - in the "rabbit kingdom".
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Ama de casa says:
What an incredibly cute little car! I would like to have one of those, it certainly fits in narrow alleys too 🙂
What lucky rabbits to have such a nice house!
02 December 2015 - 10:05
Deprivation of liberty says:
No where does it just look cosy 🙂 Riga we are quite fond of and the bath in the Christmas atmosphere certainly does not make the city less attractive. Glad that you have some good experiences 🙂.
02 December 2015 - 10:21
Mr Steve says:
I remember many amazing markets from the years when I worked in Latvia. Markets where I could find just about everything. And then some.
Black balsam I remember as Riga balsam, a particularly rich liqueur that I think tasted like urk!
02 December 2015 - 10:25
admin says:
Ama de casa, haha, yes it may fit in narrow alleys! And the rabbits look like they are having the time of their lives 😉.
Ontripdk, we have really fallen in love with Riga on this trip, a cosy and nice city! We have had many experiences here, so we still have a lot to tell you about! 🙂
Steve, interesting that it used to be called Riga Balsam! I don't know what it tastes like if you drink it straight, but with a warm blackcurrant drink we didn't think it was too bad!
02 December 2015 - 11:37
Anders and Birgitta says:
Looks really cosy, we've never been there.
02 December 2015 - 12:34
Lena & Jan says:
Cool Citroen (?) with LED around really nice Christmas atmosphere you have up there in the north! Understand that your travelling year is almost over, good luck with the re-adaptation!
We have now finally settled in Roquetas de Mar, a greeting to you from Eddie & Pamela, a few more have been asking for you and wondering if you are coming back!
02 December 2015 - 12:02
Ditte says:
Riga is a very nice city and so all year round and surely it is extra nice now in these times if you like Christmas markets (I don't..., but like Riga).
I really think that your reports from Riga have been rewarding and good and nice with your opinions and pictures.
I would also like to try "Blacj balm".
Understand that you had a good time! And extra nice with a guide who is involved and shows "that little extra" that you may not always find / think about.
02 December 2015 - 14:18
admin says:
Lena & Jan, great to hear that you are doing well and thank you for the greeting! Say hello back! Who knows, maybe we will come back sometime, but right now the plans are to get ready in Sweden and travel on smaller trips without a motorhome or shorter trips with the motorhome in the spring / summer.
Anders and Birgitta, we have had a very positive experience of Riga! Nice city that is cosy to walk around in!
Ditte, glad you like our reports from Riga! We have had time to see and experience lots so there will soon be even more reports! 🙂 Incidentally, I agree that it is extra good with a guide, you always get a little extra out of it all then!
02 December 2015 - 15:13
steel city anna says:
Ah, how cosy! Really liked Riga, been there once. So beautiful city and I think I never met nicer and more humble people. Fun with Christmas market and a little different food and drink 🙂 .
02 December 2015 - 17:00
admin says:
Steel city Anna, we can certainly agree that Riga is a beautiful city. Glad you liked the people too! We haven't had time to talk to a lot of people perhaps, but we have at least received fantastic service.
BP, something alcoholic (and preferably warm!) is good in the cold. Glad you have a bottle of Black balsam at home. Maybe it's time to try it in a hot drink? 😉
02 December 2015 - 18:40
BP says:
I like such markets, especially when they offer some alcoholic beverage, which is a must in this cold weather. The Latvian glühwein definitely has nothing in common with our slushy drink. The selection is reminiscent of German and Austrian markets actually.
Å Black Balsam was a gift from a colleague a number of years ago. I must admit that it remains untouched in the fridge ...
02 December 2015 - 18:27
Mrs Anne-Marie says:
Really cosy market and that car was cool. 🙂
Never been to Riga but it seems to be an interesting city.
You are real "gypsies" 😉 and travel is in your blood.
Funny!
I was in the Old Town and photographed the Christmas market.
02 December 2015 - 23:23
admin says:
Anne-Marie, yes, we can't get enough of travelling 😉 And we have become very fond of Riga! I saw the post on your blog, nice with a Christmas market in the Old Town! 🙂
03 December 2015 - 0:43
Eva - People in the Street says:
Hello on is
Is it only cash at the Christmas market or do they take credit cards for larger purchases?
23 November 2016 - 13:24