Stay in Riga, Latvia

Latvia became my 59th country, and Riga turned out to be a neat, compact city - even when viewed mostly through rain. The weather stayed gray throughout my visit, so I embraced it and focused on night photography instead. Turns out Riga is actually quite attractive after dark!

Latvia is the middle child of the Baltic states, sandwiched between Estonia and Lithuania. With just 1.9 million people (down from 2.7 million in 1990 - emigration has hit hard), it's a small nation with a complex history of occupation and independence. Riga itself holds about a third of the entire population.

What I Experienced

The Old Town (Vecrīga) is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and even in the rain its medieval streets had charm. The spires of St. Peter's Church and Riga Cathedral punctuate the skyline, and the Art Nouveau district nearby has some of the finest examples of that architecture anywhere in Europe.

The Central Market, housed in former Zeppelin hangars (yes, really), was a highlight. Five massive pavilions filled with local produce, smoked fish, bread, and pickled everything. Even if you don't buy anything, wandering through gives you a genuine sense of Latvian daily life.

At night, the city transformed. The rain-slicked cobblestones reflected the street lights, creating this moody, atmospheric scene that's actually better for photography than harsh sunshine. The House of the Blackheads, lit up against the dark sky, made for some of my favorite shots of the trip.

Practical Notes

• Euro is the currency (Latvia joined the Eurozone in 2014)
• Russian is widely spoken alongside Latvian (legacy of Soviet era)
• English is common, especially among younger people
• The Central Market is a must-visit for food lovers
• Riga Black Balsam is the local spirit - an acquired taste, but worth trying

Don't let the weather scare you off. Baltic cities have a particular beauty when it's gray and rainy - just pack a good jacket.

Aerial photography from Latvia is available for purchase with commercial license - ideal for Baltic travel marketing, medieval European city content, or atmospheric urban wall art.