near the sea terminal

I guess this is my favourite district in whole of Riga as it is astonishingly beautiful and easily reachable (10 minute walk from the opera house, for example). Most of these houses were built at the beginning of the 20th century and they served as apartment buildings for the rich German (with few exceptions) families. Now the residents are mostly embassies or councils or other diplomatic entities, yet the feeling there is not uptight at all. 

This is a great place for taking a walk in the afternoon, I think. Very calm, peaceful, safe and beautiful. You can also take a cup of coffee at All Cappuccino either on 11 Antonijas iela (iela meaning street) or Vidus iela which are all there and serve really good coffee, nice staff and relatively friendly prices. I reccomend this one because it's the only one I know in the district that I have used myself, but if I will find something better, I will let you know. So for now, enjoy the pictures and see if this is the kind of experience you crave for!

why riga

Among other European cities Riga has never had any special tourist attractions. Neither Columbus was born here, nor did the Latvians invent electricity. Yet Riga has a unique spirit. Being the crossroads between the North, The East and the West, it is a cluster of various influences you can see here on a daily basis.

I am born in Riga and I have lived here all my life. I know the different faces of Riga from plain wodden houses  to dazzling art nouveau buildings, from kids running barefoot on a hot summers' day to glamorous outfits for an evening at the opera. The forests, the lakes, the sea. The food and the drinks. The history of 810 years alive on the streets of my city.

Riga can be the ugliest and the most beautiful city at the same time. It is so alive that you can actually feel how the city feels today.  

I love that it is such a changing city. A busy street full of energy and the vibe of a capital can be easily avoided by taking a small one that is full of petite cafes, vintage bookshops and inspiring art galleries. Besides, Riga is wonderful in Spring as it is the greenest capital I know and just the thought of everything blossoming right before your eyes makes your heart beat faster and butterflies dancing somewhere in yout stomach.It is the only place besides Champagne that has got the licence to call our sparking wine champagne. It is the birthplace of the Minox spy cameras and high quality bicycles Ērenpreiss. It is an art nouveau city as well as rich in Soviet architecture. Riga has a lot to offer if you choose to take.

So I hope that my further articles will give you an insight on Riga from the eyes of a local. And maybe it will awake a feeling that you want to come here. For you are always welcome!