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City Guide - Riga - Excursions | ||
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Excursions For a Half Day Salaspils: About 18km (11 miles) southeast of Riga lies Latvia's Nazi tragedy. Between 1941 and 1944 an estimated 100,000 innocents (including 55,000 Jews from Riga) were murdered at the concentration camp at Salaspils. Today, the camp is preserved as a reminder to those dark days and there is also a museum. The poignant inscription at the entrance reads 'Behind this gate the earth groans'. Salaspils is easily accessible by electric commuter train and by car (opening hours: daily 24 hours; admission: free). Riga Motormuzejus (Riga Motor Museum): This truly bizarre museum (tel: 709 7170), eight kilometres (five miles) east of Riga's Old Town, at first glance looks just like a car showroom. Closer scrutiny reveals a collection of over 100 vehicles that includes the former wheels of such renowned car buffs as Stalin, Khrushchev, Brezhnev and East German dictator Erich Honecker. A nice touch are the wax figures, which create the surreal sight of the late Brezhnev sitting proudly in his Rolls Royce, or Stalin in his specially modified armoured car. The museum can be reached by bus 15 or 21, or trolley bus 14 or 18, and is open Sunday to Wednesday 1000-1800 (admission: Ls1). For a Full Day Jurmala: Once a favourite holiday destination of Communist Party members, this string of small seaside towns and resorts stretches 30km (19 miles) west along the coast from Riga. The attractions are sweeping sandy beaches, sand dunes, pine trees and old wooden houses. The only drawback are the incessant forest ticks. Jurmala is served by regular trains, on the Kemeri-Tukumus train line from Riga Central Station. All trains stop at Majori. |