Riga Daily Photo

Rail Baltica in 2026

2026-01-27T17:48:00.002+02:00

Rail Baltica project is on the way and here is my vision (LLM's vision to be honest) how it would look like if the train would pass along the coast of the Baltic sea.

Such a picturesque views, in my opinion better than a Bernina railway line connecting Italy and St. Moritz in Switzerland.

Destroying Police

2017-09-09T10:35:00.003+03:00

Today I was driving through Kliversala area and noticed that the old Tsar-style police department is being demolished...
It was the very first PD in Riga on the right coast of Daugava river.
I was hoping this eclectic building will be given a second chance to like museum or something else, but it is not.

Two Bridges

2016-09-26T22:50:00.002+03:00

Two parallel railway bridges over Jugla river in Riga's one of the most Eastern neighborhoods Jugla.

Red Bricks in Imanta

2016-09-05T22:26:00.002+03:00

This condominium is the last real estate project started in Soviet Union and eventually finished just right after USSR's collapse. At the moment of completion here were located the most expensive apartments in Riga outside of Old Town. Thick brick walls, panoramic views, great location, all these are the features of condo located on Anninmuizas bulvaris 28.

New Streets - New Buildings

2014-07-02T21:19:00.000+03:00

Nameja krastmala is one of the new streets in Riga heading from still being built Z-Towers twin skyscrapers to RISEBA University.

Where to Watch Football in Riga

2014-06-10T01:33:00.000+03:00

FIFA Football World Cup 2014 is going to start in a few days, unfortunately Latvian Natiaonal team haven't managed to get into final part, which will take place in Brazil.
Likely almost every of us, Latvians, has another or two favourite team :)
Personally, I like to watch football with friends in shot bar Spot Kafe. Spot is a good place in Old town with few large TVs always showing sport games.

Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka 2014

2014-06-03T23:52:00.004+03:00

One of the very first photos in this blog, was the picture of a place, where New Library is going to be built.
Almost 7 years has been passed, and here it is, the new Latvian National Library aka Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka.
There are still some works going on, so it is not officially open yet.
Also, there are other photographs of LNB building taken from the same spot during the 7 years.

Car Rental in Riga

2014-04-22T14:13:00.003+03:00

Probably this will be really useful information for those of You who are planing to visit Riga really soon.
Riga isn't too big city comparing to other capitals in Europe. Most of tourist attractions are concentrated in the center of Riga - Old Town.
But if you'll check my previous posts you'll see a lot of great places outside the center. How to get there? Sure, you can use public transport.
But if You can afford to rent a car - go for it!

I recommend to use www.rigacars.com car rental services. You can easily find perfect car just for your budget! You can find any small, simple and cheap car, for example, Toyota Yaris, Hyundai Getz, etc.
Or You can go for luxury class and rent SUV's or even cabrio, like, Land Rover Range Rover Sport or BMW 730.

Their office is situated just on the way from the airport to the city center. Also they can pick you up at the airport with your rental car, if you want to! Their professional staff will always try to fulfill all your needs!

The best thing about them (and that's why I made this article) is that they offer limousine rental in Riga. OK, you'll say, what's special about this limo rental service?
You can rent a really rare Cadillac Escalade Limo for some special events of your life (wedding, bachelor parties etc.).
I don't know specific price, but you can simply request the price by phone or email.

Also I've heard that they are planning to start electromobile car rental soon, I hope that they'll achieve this goal to make our planet and Riga cleaner :)

Rīgas bērnu dzelzceļš

2014-04-15T16:55:00.001+03:00

Rīgas bērnu dzelzceļš (Riga Children's railway) was opened in 1956 in Mežaparks forest. It was used mainly by young railway students for education purposes, as well as attraction for children.
In 1997 the railway was closed and few years later disasembled.
See how Komjauniešu station on Children's railway was looking in 1980s:

RER Factory

2014-04-12T20:18:00.000+03:00

Riga Electric Machine Building Works was organized in 1946 at the base of former Russian-French enterprise Provodnik, which was established in 1888 and was one of the major factories in Russian Empire.
The factory produces equipment for electrical trains and light railways.
Currently it is a workplace for more than a thousand employee.

Kipsala Beach

2013-08-27T16:29:00.002+03:00

Kipsala Beach was opened for swimming this year. It's located between Cable Bridge and newly created yacht park.
The summer is ending, so don't miss the last chance to enjoy the most urban beach in Latvia :)

Riga 2013

2013-08-22T15:27:00.002+03:00

According to my own tradition, every August, when Riga celebrates its birthday, I do collect stats about Riga's population to see how well the city lives.
In my understanding, the population is the main factor of economic and cultural activity of the cities.
So, please check below the statistics for the recent 3 years and the most recent change:

Region	2013	2012	2011	Diff from 12 to 13
Riga City	696,618	699,203	706,413	-0.37%
Riga Metro	1,018,295	1,081,137	1,098,523	-5.81%
Latvia	2,041,763	2,217,053	2,245,357	-7.91%

As long as I publish those stats I see decrease in Riga's population and it seems that there are no plans or support by government to inverse that trend.

Photo of Fireworks at Riga Festival in 2013 by Andris Jenerts
Check also photos of Riga 2012, Riga Festival in 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

Tall Ships' Races

2013-07-27T12:13:00.000+03:00

Tall Ships in Riga are busy all day... and all night

Agent Vinod

2013-04-01T13:51:00.000+03:00

This is not April Fools' Day Joke, but a screenshot from Indian movie called Agent Vinod, which was released last year.
Few parts of the movie were filmed in Riga in the 2011 summer and it is worth to see just because of that.
Hot pursuits through Riga streets, epic explosion of Riga Hotel and many other scenes involving Riga sights.

Sveriges Ambassad

2013-03-18T15:35:00.001+02:00

Embassy of Sweden in Riga is located on a small little-known street Andreja Pumpura iela in Quiet Centre.
The building itself is as modest as everything Swedish, including the King Carl XVI Gustaf, who usually is driving Volvo S60 himself.
By the way, his beaituful wife Queen Silvia (of Latin origin) is coming to Riga this Wednesday, so many Latvians have a chance to see a queen with own eyes

Good Night

2013-03-09T23:02:00.000+02:00

The most latest days of the winter 2012-2013. The Dome and the Restaurant 13 kresli

Gates to Buckingham Palace

2013-03-07T00:31:00.005+02:00

These dinky gates is a doorway to the embassy of the United Kingdom in Riga at 5 Jura Alunāna street
In case UK citizens will decide to quit European Union during the referendum next year, this place will be surrounded by queues as many Latvian people live and work in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and other countries of the the Foggy Albion.

Police Officer

2013-03-06T00:14:00.001+02:00

Since a couple of years it is illegal to drive through Dome Square, but many drivers still don't know it and get caught by police, which always is very helpful and show you the right direction, especially if you are sitting behind the wheel of the new expensive car.

Frozen Bay

2013-03-03T23:56:00.000+02:00

The view of Agenskalna licis (Agenskalns Bay) is one of the most famous place for winter fishing.

Tirgoņu iela

2013-03-02T21:30:00.000+02:00

Wet snow falls all over Riga today, including scenic Tirgoņu iela (Traders street) in Old Town.

Five Minutes before Sunset

2013-02-27T23:17:00.000+02:00

The sun in the winter is like a miracle, even if you notice it for a couple of minutes before sunset.

Cross-country skiing

2013-02-26T00:47:00.001+02:00

A lovely sunny day in the winter is the perfect opportunity to improve your cross-skiing skills in Victory Park. Hundreds of semi-pro, amateurs and children are skiing for fun from dawn till dusk.

Back to Riga

2013-02-23T16:26:00.001+02:00

Riga is changing as every living creature does and so do I. After many months of wandering around the world I am coming back to Riga.
Brand new photos taken with brand new camera and new untold short stories about Riga are on its way.
On the picture is the same railroad from to Jurmala to Riga, but this photo is taken 5 years later.

Riga 2012

2012-08-20T13:55:00.000+03:00

Sad news, Riga became 1 year older and since today Riga is 811 years old officially.
Although this year City Festival was celebrating 730 years since Riga joined Hanseatic League.
Why this is sad news? 1 year ago I've been forecasting that Riga's population will go under 700,000 in a few years, but it happened earlier.
Here below are statistics and changes:

Region	2012	2011	Change
Riga	699,203	706,413	-1.02%
Riga Metro	1,081,137	1,098,523	-1.58%
Latvia	2,217,053	2,245,357	-1.26%

Check also photos of Riga Festival in 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008. Statistics of Riga in 2005.

Wedding Carriage

2012-08-04T11:42:00.000+03:00

A decorated horse-drawn carriage for bride and groom in Mālpils, one of the best towns for wedding ceremonies.
Photo is taken by wedding photographer Mārtiņš Plūme.
Maybe some of you know and can recommend other good wedding photographers in Latvia?