Riga

The Mangalsala Dam or the Eastern Mole has been built between 1850 and 1861 and rumor has the Russian Empire's Tsar actively followed the developments (back in those days there were two tsars ruling the Empire, Nicholas I and Alexander II). Mangalsala is the first part of the Riga city which is crossed by all ships entering the Daugava river. The length of the mole is 2240 meters. The sea part of the eastern mole was formed by pile constructions, which were later laid out and covered with…

The Botanical Garden of the University of Latvia is located in Pardaugava (Kandavas 2), just a 10-minute ride from the central part of Riga. The garden was founded in 1922. Over 15ha visitors can explore hothouses and outdoor collections with some 6,000 different plants. It is one of the most well-loved recreational spaces in Riga - you can slowly walk the garden’s compact yet informationally saturated territory, get to know plants from all over the world, visit the Plants House, the Azalea…

Ķīšezers is a lake in Riga, Latvia, with a primary inflow of the Jugla River. The lake is 1,730 ha (4,300 acres) large, it has 2.4 metres (7 ft 10 in) of average depth and reaches 4.2 metres (14 ft) at the deepest point. Lake Ķīšezers is a popular recreation area both for locals and foreign guest in the Mežaparks neighborhood. Riga Zoo is located close to the lake.  A recreational area near Lake Ķīšezers in Riga

Spare Hotel is located a 5-minute drive from Riga International Airport and 7 minutes from the historic city centre. It features free parking and an on-site bowling complex. We booked Spare hotel for a short stay in Riga for one night.  Spare hotel in Riga Seems the hotel is located in former dwelling house, but our stay here was decent. Had a lovely dinner at hotels restaurant and simple free breakfast. All rooms of Spare Hotel provide a bathroom and cable TV. Most rooms offer a seating…

Hotel Mezaparks in Riga is a really great value deal for a very affordable price (we paid about EUR 30). Located next to the lake Kisezers and just 15 minute drive from the Old town. We booked hotel Mezaparks for one night stay in Spring 2016.  Hotel Mezaparks is a great choice if you are looking for a cheap stay for one night in Riga, it doesn't offer much extra's, although there is even a restaurant located in first floor. This property is 1 minute walk from the beach. Hotel Mezaparks…

It was still and tranquil (most probably Friday evening) after visiting my dear grandmother in Riga, I decided to take Riga in night pictures. Experimented with long exposures and HDR photography tonight. View towards Old Riga from Radisson SAS hotel  River Daugava View towards Old Riga Vansu bridge in Riga Classical Old Riga photography River Daugava Riga: Iron Bridge, TV Tower and National Library

Riga Central Market as I believe is among of of the top Riga attractions a tourist might want to visit and see. First opened to public in 1930, with main structures of the market built by reusing old German Zeppelin hangars, it now has become Europe's largest market and bazaar. There are not many markets from which I have seen I could compare this one. The closest I can compare is La Boqueria market in Barcelona, Spain.  One of the Riga Central market pavilions In total there are 5…

At the start of this August I traveled to Estonian capital city Tallinn from Riga (Latvia) to celebrate my birthday and I had a few options to choose on how to actually get there - like, car, coach (bus) or plane (I believe there is a rail connection as well, but I also believe it takes some 12 hours to travel a short ~ 300 km distance) The fact is as I believe it will be even cheaper or about the same to fly between those two Baltic Capital cities, rather to use a bus. But since I'm sick and…

Riga international coach terminal or bus station is a major traffic hub in Latvia and Baltics. I last time visited this place and used Riga - Vilnius coach transfer and then departed from Vilnius to Kutaisi. This coach terminal is situated in the heart of city, close to the Old Riga and Riga Central Market. In fact I was surprsided to learn that here you can make really interesting landscapes.  Riga International Coach Terminal View to St. Peters Church in Old Riga Iron Bridge,…

Dali Cafe & Art is located in Spikeri quarter in Riga, I visited this place at night before leaving Riga (right next on the corner from this place is Riga bus station) and headed to Tbilisi (a long way, via Vilnius and Kutaisi). The night I visited Dali Cafe was the Eurovision song festival night, and folks gathered here of watching it. Dali Cafe in Riga Located in one of the brick houses of Spikeri quarter Interior at Dali Cafe Menu at Dali Cafe We order some coffee and a beer…