Situated on the Baltic Sea coast on the mouth of the river Daugava, Riga is the largest city in the Baltic states and the capital of Latvia. Those the city isn’t exactly your typical tourist destination, throughout the past few years more and more visitors have been traveling to Riga to take absorb some of the city’s historical culture. Most well known for it’s Jugendstil (German Art Nouveau) architecture, many parts of the Riga have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites, meaning that they’re historically valuable to the world.   Because the city is located right on the Baltic Sea, Riga is an important center of trade, finance and culture in the Baltic States. Locals include businessmen, fishermen, artists, poets, students studying at the university and a variety of other ethnically-diverse people. And while the culture and excitement is what draws many visitors to the city, it’s diverse architecture that makes Riga really stand out amongst other, larger European travel destinations.

Most of this architecture can be found in the city’s historic center, the Old Town, where you’ll find styles that range from Gothic to Modernism. As you stroll through the cobblestone streets you’ll pass sites like Dome Cathedral and St. Peter’s Church, which features an unmistakable redbrick style and has a 403 foot tall steel spire that lifts tourists to an observation galley with sweeping views of the city. The most photographed religious building is the Riga Cathedral, which features both Gothic and Romanesque architectural styles as well as a world-famous organ that was crafted in the late 1800’s.   The most popular architectural style in the city is Jugendstil (Art Nouveau), which is characterized by ornate details. Often times you can identify a Jugendstil building by stucco swirls on doorways, human faces embellishing facades and large towers that seem to be growing from the tops of buildings. The most Jugendstil buildings are located in the New Town, particularly on and around Elizabetes iela.

To view ancient artifacts and works of art, visit one of the city’s many museums. The Latvian War Museum is one of the most interesting in the city and the most controversial. Displaying images and artifacts from various wars that have taken place in the country, the museum features several sections dedicated to the War of Liberation as well as World War II. Often unnoticed by tourists, the Occupation Museum of Latvia focuses more on the country’s most recent history, including the events that led to the Latvian independence in 1991. Dividing the Old Town from the more modern section of the city is Bastekalns Park, which is open 24-hours a day and features a canal, cafes and various walkways. In the middle of the park, look for Freedom Monument, which was built by the citizens of Riga in 1935 as a symbol of their nation. Theater and opera houses are also popular in the city and there’s rarely a night that goes by when a production is being put on. Nightlife is a huge part of Riga and bars can be found in both the New and Old Towns. Whether you’re looking for a lounge-style location, a cozy pub or an energetic dance club, you’ll find it in this city and most likely it will be filled with locals, all of who love to drink. Most clubs and bars are open every day of the week until 3:00am and often times the party continues in to the street or back at home.