Before coming here, I knew very little about Latvia — and I’m still just scratching the surface. But the moment you arrive in Riga, the capital, one thing stands out immediately: the stunning beauty of its Art Nouveau architecture.
The historic old city, Vecrīga, is a charming maze of cobblestone streets, colorful façades, and elegant buildings. Latvia, once part of the Soviet Union, regained its independence in 1991 when the USSR collapsed, and you can feel that mix of history and resilience in the city’s atmosphere.
August here is a treat — 65 degrees and breezy. It’s perfect weather for wandering aimlessly, which is exactly what we did our first afternoon. We even stumbled into a river cruise simply because we happened to walk past the dock right before departure. That spontaneous detour was a great way to get a different perspective on the city. We’ll do more intentional exploring soon, but so far, I’m really happy we decided to come here.
One thing that’s hard to miss: Ukrainian flags are everywhere. It’s no surprise, given Latvia’s history with the Soviet Union, that support for Ukraine is strong and visible.
Yesterday, we joined a food tour — a great excuse to sample local flavors and explore the Central Market. The market is huge, filled with stalls selling local meats, vegetables, dairy, seafood, and flowers, along with a few vendors offering odds and ends. Some vendors take credit cards, but cash is still common here. Most Latvians we’ve met speak very good English, which makes daily interactions easy, though all signage in the market is in Latvian, so having a translation app handy is helpful.
Walking around Riga, you see a fascinating contrast: ornate historic architecture alongside utilitarian, Soviet-era facades. Just a few minutes from our apartment is Kronvalda Park, a peaceful green space with a surprising landmark — a section of the Berlin Wall. When the wall fell, it marked the beginning of the end for the Soviet Union, giving Latvia and its Baltic neighbors, Estonia and Lithuania, the chance to reclaim their independence.
Our time here is just beginning, but Riga has already made a strong impression — a city where history, beauty, and resilience are woven into every street.
