The title may be embarrassingly uncreative but the pictures more than make up for it: Riga’s centre is beautiful.
Latvia’s capital is relatively unknown to many North Americans (heck, I had never heard of Riga before RyanAir started flying there a few years ago), but it’s quickly becoming a popular destination amongst Europeans looking for a quick and inexpensive weekend getaway.
All told, I never would have found myself here were it not for Busabout’s Scandi-Baltic tour. When I think of European travel, I think of croissants in Paris, massive cathedrals in Rome, and riding the tube in London. Going to Northern Europe was never really on my radar, at least until I made trips to Iceland and Sweden and Western Norway. Still, I can’t say I ever had any burning desire to travel to the Baltic States. And then Busabout took me to the Hill of Crosses in Lithuania. I quickly realized how foolish I was for dismissing this part of the world.
The up-and-coming party scene in Riga is jumping and a number of restaurants boasting international cuisine make the city an attractive option for scores of Europeans looking for a good time. Riga is perfect for the budget-conscious: a room at a 4-star hotel will only run you $80 USD and I indulged in a hearty pancake breakfast for only $2 USD.
Most of all, though, Riga impressed me with its tidy cobblestone streets and fanciful architecture. As Latvia was once under Soviet rule, I had visions of grim, Stalinest architecture, dark and foreboding.
Instead, I saw this:
Here in Riga, a cornucopia of archictectural styles abound. Structures sporting everything from Gothic to Modernist architecture are present here. What’s more, they are painted all different colours, much like the buildings in Valparaiso, Chile, where I travelled by myself last year.
What do you think of Riga? Is this a part of the world that interests you? Why or why not?
I was a guest of Busabout on this trip to Riga, but as always, all opinions are my own.
57 Comments
I would go most anywhere if I could. My friend from St. Petersburg is the only person I’ve ever heard badmouth Riga, but it just makes me want to go both there and his hometown. He’s a little drippy, really.
haha. We were told that there is still a lot of tension between the Russians and the Latvians, actually!
I had never heard of Riga before this post but it looks beautiful! Sometimes the unexpected destinations end up being the best ones as we go into them without many preconceptions and can be pleasantly surprised!
I agree with you!
Pretty! Especially with the bright blue sky as a background.
So much prettier than I would have thought!
It looks just stunning and really reminds me of Novi Sad, Serbia. I have a feeling that I’d fall in love and definitely want to visit one day!
Serbia is on my list as well!
Riga is great for a city break from Vilnius. Last time I stayed a week and had things to do and see. There is this fabulous Armenian restaurant with great food and yet very affordable prices.
I definitely want to go back with Liebling.
There is something about Eastern Europe and former Soviet places that breathe really remarkable architecture with such character. Lativa is definitely on my travel list in the future!
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