Shopping in Latvia

Shopping in Latvia is all fun and exciting, though sometimes more expensive than shopping in other Baltic Countries. Latvia is a land of contrasts and a hidden exciting place in Europe. So when one comes visiting the country don’t forget to buy nice souvenirs.  Latvia shopping for souvenirs offers a good range of products. Latvian-made Laima candies are a great purchase; during the Soviet era, they were celebrated by all the children with rotting teeth up and down the Communist empire. Laima-brand chocolate is simply delightful. It's the perfect souvenir to take back home. The Latvian national liqueur Riga Black Balsam, if nothing else, makes a very nice conversation piece. 

Latvians are famous for their craftsmanship, especially when it comes to jewelry and leather. Even shopping in Latvia for linen items is a unique experience and an excellent buy. Baltic amber is also a very good buy and of very high quality. During your stroll in the streets one can come across some real finds in antique stores that dot the city center. When in city Riga one good place to go for Latvia shopping is the Riga Market, which has an amazing selection of almost anything and everything in existence. The on the Skarnu Street near St. Peter's Church, visitor’s will find Rigans hocking anything from knitted wear to beautiful paintings of local sights.

Latvia shopping in one or more of the TAX FREE stores can make you receive your Value Added Tax refunds when you leave Latvia at the airport and border. For music lovers one can go for CDs recorded from the recent National Song Festival, on which you can hear many of the most treasured Latvian folk songs. Otherwise one could go for one of Latvia's premiere classical recordings of international favorites.
Shopping hours:

• Mon-Fri 0900/1000-1800/1900
• Sat 0900/1000-1600/1700
• Food shops open 0800/0900-2000/2100
• Some of the shops are open 24 hours