Latvia is tucked between Estonia and Lithuania,
these three countries are known as the Baltic states.
In order to reach Riga our ship had to sail down the Daugava River,
dominated by lowlands and small sandy beaches.
We docked at a small lumber yard and shuttle bused into town.
these three countries are known as the Baltic states.
In order to reach Riga our ship had to sail down the Daugava River,
dominated by lowlands and small sandy beaches.
We docked at a small lumber yard and shuttle bused into town.
 Dome Cathedral | Old Town Entering the old town we found ourselves in the middle of Dome Square where the Dome Cathedral stands. There was little of interest besides a few small cafes and a sightseeing trolley. |
Dome Square
We ventured down several side streets
to discover Riga's famous Art Nouveau architecture.
to discover Riga's famous Art Nouveau architecture.
Town Hall Square
We also came across the oldest medieval buildings in Riga,
known as the Three Brothers
known as the Three Brothers
Three Brothers
Livu Square
Beyond the Old Town
Much like its neighbors, Latvia was occupied by the Nazis during WWII and
afterwards by the Soviets for nearly 50 years up until 1991.
Beyond the old town charm, traces of a struggling city still remain
with a large homeless population, elevated crime rates, and dirty streets.
It was one of the roughest Baltic cities we visited on our cruise.
Much like its neighbors, Latvia was occupied by the Nazis during WWII and
afterwards by the Soviets for nearly 50 years up until 1991.
Beyond the old town charm, traces of a struggling city still remain
with a large homeless population, elevated crime rates, and dirty streets.
It was one of the roughest Baltic cities we visited on our cruise.
Photo by David Holt: https://www.flickr.com/photos/zongo/4818085625/
Riga's Central Market is housed in old German WWI Zeppelin hangars,
making it a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The hangars were divided by the type of products being sold:
bakery items, fish, meat, produce, and spices.
It was obviously a popular place for the locals, but not so much for the average tourist.
making it a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The hangars were divided by the type of products being sold:
bakery items, fish, meat, produce, and spices.
It was obviously a popular place for the locals, but not so much for the average tourist.
| Latvia Likes to Party! Compared to our other cruise stops, Riga seemed much less built up for tourism. Although it was apparent by the number of bars and 'happy hour specials'that it was a popular place to party. |  Currant beer made in Latvia |
 Black Basalm | We tasted a nice selection of local beers, including a honey beer (popular in the Baltics) and one made with currants. It tasted like sparkling cranberry juice! Black Basalm is a traditional Latvian liquer made up of 24 different herbs and vodka. This bitter drink packs a punch at 90 proof! It is usually drank as a digestive or mixed into a variety of cocktails. |
| Baltic Amber Riga is a great place to buy amber souvenirs, because it is situated close to Lithuania and the Russian province of Kaliningrad where the majority of genuine amber washes ashore. Make sure you're getting the real thing by reading my Amber Buying Guide I wrote about in my Helsinki post. |  Amber box |
Latvia was the end of our Baltic Cruise,
but not the end of our full adventure.
Stay tuned as we race across Norway in a Nutshell!
but not the end of our full adventure.
Stay tuned as we race across Norway in a Nutshell!
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