Shopping in Latvia
Whilst shopping in Latvia isn't quite the shoppers' delight as perhaps Milan, Paris or London is, there are some interesting shops that you may wish to visit, and traditional Latvian goods that you may wish to purchase. At the very least, you can definitely spend an afternoon or two browsing through the little shops that dot the many squares throughout the cities, or else the local merchant's shops in smaller villages and the countryside.
See some of the unique Latvian products on offer, and perhaps you'll even want to purchase one or two for the folks back home!
This Latvia shopping guide gives some insight into what you are likely to encounter, and also what are some traditional Latvian goods that you may consider buying as gifts or souvenirs. Specific shops are listed in our Riga shopping guide - use this to get an idea of what to expect when shopping in the capital. Whilst shopping, don't forget to have a meal at one of the great Latvia restaurants, as all this shopping will no doubt have caused you to work up an appetite!
Latvia Shopping Guide
An unusual purchase is Laima candies, which include their brand of chocolate. These were popular through the Soviet Union - one taste and you'll see why! Another interesting purchase to item to consider is the national liqueur of Latvia, Riga Black Balsam. Although not to everyone's taste, it is sure to be a conversation starter.
Jewellery and leather goods are also quite popular. Baltic amber, especially, is plentiful, and many of the artisans and artists create beautiful pieces with it. There are numerous stores throughout Latvia where you will come across it.
Latvia is also quite well regarded for its music. You may wish to pick up one of the CD recordings of a recent National Song Festival, which exhibits some traditional Latvian folk music. Those more interested in classical music can find recordings of international favourites, as well as works of famous Latvian composers such as Jazeps Vitols. Pop music can be found everywhere, and popular in Latvia is Raimonds Pauls, a songwriter who has since turned to politics.
Opening Hours
On weekdays, shops are normally open between 10:00am and 7:00pm, and from 10:00am to 4.00pm on Saturdays. However, many of the larger shopping centres and department stores will open at 8:00am. In Riga, there are also quite a few food shops that are open 24 hours a day. In smaller towns and more remote areas, some shops close for a one to two hour lunch, normally some time between 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm. Standard office hours are between 8:30am and 5:00pm, from Monday to Friday, while banks are generally open between 9:00am and 5:00pm. A few are also open on Saturdays, between 9:00am and 1:00pm.
