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Souvenir Hunting and Shopping in Riga, Latvia
Why Consider Buying Here Instead of other EU Countries
One of the obviously valid stereotypes about shopping in Europe is that everything is Hermes-level expensive. Okay, maybe if we are just imaging Paris as the ultimate European city, but for places around the Baltic region, it’s a yes and a no. Much to my surprise, Riga, Latvia has more inexpensive items to shop and bring back home, compared to other European cities that I have been to. It’s like buying stuff in Budapest, or maybe in Bucharest.
Souvenir hunting and all out shopping for stuff are better to do in Latvia because there are options that are considered cheap and reasonably priced. Some items are even more expensive in Singapore compared to Riga, so you can just imagine how accessible the kinds of stuff are here. We found ourselves packing an extra 3 KG of stuff, after doing our scouring and searching for items to bring back home, which of course is mostly for ourselves instead of things to give to our loved ones.
If you are wondering what to buy for yourself or perhaps as a gift for some distant future event, you better make that purchase in Riga. Funny thing, when we were scouring the city center and planning to just go window shopping, we ended up obtaining one too many souvenirs for ourselves. Yes, it’s because it’s way inexpensive for its excellent quality, and most of the items are quite unique to the rest of the things you most likely see around Europe.
You can always go to the traditional souvenir shops, where most of the items are crafty and ready to be given as a gift. On the other hand, if you like something a bit modern and practical, like me, I would recommend going to shopping malls and maybe choosing local retail brands. Surprisingly, there are a lot. Of course, food options too; convenience stores and groceries are your friends in Riga – there are a lot of local snacks and chocolates that are super cheap and easy to appreciate.
So more specifically on where exactly to buy souvenirs and shopping items? Yes, it’s still that seemingly tourist trap Old Town Riga, but to be honest, it’s not so trippy at all. Within and around the Old Town Riga, there are many stores like Sena Klets, Hobbywool, Upe Folk Music Store, Riga Balzams, and Art Nouveau Riga to keep you inspired. Also, you should check out these stores in particular as they offer really good keepsakes: Monogramma Antikvariats, Pienene, Stenders, Laima Chocolates.
It depends on what exactly you are looking for, but you wouldn’t mind buying any time of the year when you are visiting Riga. Funny thing is that if it’s peak season, meaning the festive seasons, although the prices get a bit hiked up, it’s also the time for most shops to go on holiday sale to attract more customers. With a bit of luck, much like how we experienced it when we visited, we were able to swipe and shower them with our cash because of the purchases. Lol.
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