Date of travel: Jul, 2016
Riga, the capital of Latvia, is the largest city in Latvia and second largest in the Baltics. The city lies on the Gulf of Riga at the mouth of the Daugava river where it meets the Baltic Sea.
Founded in 1201, Riga is known for its stunning Art Noveau architecture, vibrant cultural scene, and rich history. From the medieval Old Town to the beautiful Daugava River, Riga has its charm.
Today Riga is one of the leading travel destinations in the Baltic region and also serves as a significant venue for international trade fairs and exhibitions.
Our Journey:
Day 1.
We spent 3 days and 2 nights in Riga, Latvia, as part of our 2016 Baltic states tour. After exploring Tallinn, we hired a private vehicle and drove 300 kms to Riga in 4.5 hours. We also had quick stopover at two beautiful Latvian coastal villages, Skulte and Salacgrivas, famous for quiet, picturesque beaches and peaceful atmosphere. Our hotel, Radisson Blu, was perfectly situated on the Daugava riverbank, offering stunning views of the Riga skyline.
After a quick rest, we strolled along the riverside promenade, soaking up the lovely atmosphere, and grabbed coffee at a waterside café. The highlight of our evening was a river cruise, which I highly recommend.
The cruise usually starts near Old Town quays and offer a choice of 1-2 hour cruises as well as a romantic sunset option. As we cruised along, we admired the Old Town, multiple scenic spots, and iconic bridges which span the river. We crossed Vansu Bridge, the main road bridge with nice city views, then passed under the Railway Bridge, and Stone Bridge. As evening set in, the twinkling city lights and live music added to the lively atmosphere, making it an unforgettable experience.
Day 2:
Next day we joined guided walking tour of Riga in the morning. First on the list was medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We walked on its cobblestoned streets admiring local shops selling various artefacts and local snacks before visiting Town Hall square.
House of the Blackheads: A real showstopper in Old Town was second on our list. A jaw-dropping Gothic-Renaissance facade with intricate carvings, ornate windows and famous copper roof made us spellbound. It was built in 1334 for the Brotherhood of Blackheads, a guild of unmarried merchants, ship-owners and foreigners.
Riga Dome Cathedral: We proceeded to Dome Cathedral.Built in 1211 as a Catholic cathedral, it is now an Evangelical Lutheran Church and a symbol of Riga. A stunning Romanesque-Gothic masterpiece, it has soaring vaults and Latvia’s largest 6768-pipe organ inside.
St.Peter’s Church: Riga’s iconic sky-high stunner was our next stop. This 13 th-century Gothic masterpiece is a must see in old town. Once a towering 123 meter (now much shorter after WWII bomb damage, still majestic) was the tallest wooden structure in Europe. Once you climb, you will be rewarded with panoramic views of Riga’s red roofs and Daugava river.
Riga Castle: Another gem of Old Town. This medieval fortress, now turned presidential palace is a mix of medieval, Baroque and Art Nouveau styles. Built in 1330, now it is home to several museums.
We had lunch at a Town Hall square restaurant where we devoured Latvian specialities and local brews. Lunch was followed by visit to the Riga Central Market, housed in former Zeppelin hangars, and it was a sensory explosion – one of Europe’s largest and oldest, no less!
We soaked in the vibes at Freedom Monument, a monument of Latvian independence and then strolled into the Art Nouveau District, located very close to old town. It boasts the world’s highest concentration of Art Nouveau buildings, offering a stunning display of early 20th century architecture with elaborate and vibrant details. We were spellbound by carved mythological figures, symbolic animals and intricate floral patterns on the buildings.
We ended our day at a happening restaurant near Old Town quay where we were awestruck by lovely post sunset hues playing over bridges on the river Daugava.
Day 3.
We spent our third morning exploring Bastejkalna Park, a hidden gem nestled between Riga’s canals. The park’s lush greenery, picturesque bridges, and historical sculptures made for a perfect stroll. We were particularly captivated by the Bremen Town Musician Statue, a bronze tribute to the fairy tale characters, gifted by Riga’s twin city, Bremen, Germany.
Next, we cruised Pilsetas Kanals, also known as the City Canal, which circles Old Riga and passes through the park. This former medieval moat is now a tranquil oasis, perfect for relaxation and scenic walks. Our hour-long electric launch ride was the perfect ending to our Riga adventure, before catching our afternoon flight to Munich.
This whirlwind trip through Riga’s dazzling capital – the quirky mix of medieval charm and Art Nouveau flair, Old Town’s pulsing vibes, and wine-sipped laughter … honestly, we are still mesmerised!
Latvian cuisine:
We had a great time savouring Latvian delicacies which is usually a hearty meal and consists of pork, lamb, potatoes, rye bread and dairy.
Though dishes are often rich and high in fat, they are very comforting and delicious.
Top picks are:
Riezputra- Barley porridge with meat and veggies
Pelekie Zirni- gray pea soup with pork
Sklandrausis- Rye dough pie with carrots/ potatoes
Rigat’s Black Balsam- Herbal liquor
6 thoughts on “Riga Unfiltered: A Whirlwind Trip through Latvia’s Dazzling Capital”
Beautifully compiled trip of a medieval sleepy town Riga. It is joy reading your blogs
Thank you Sir. Nice to know that you liked it.
Pics are super! Will read the text later.
Thanks a lot Rajan. Nice of you to take out some time from your super busy schedule.
As usual very well narrated n beautiful pics of the trip.
The way you describe each trip makes them so helpful n tempting to visit.
Thank you Sharmila for your kind feedback.