The best city hikes and walks around Juglas ezers

Built in 1912 as an Art Nouveau upscale apartment building with ground-floor shops. Converted into a terrifying prison and interrogation facility by the Cheka/KGB in 1940. A paid, 45-to-60-minute tour takes you deep into restricted areas. You can book tickets online.

This work can be found almost everywhere in the city and even the country.

In a somewhat hidden place. Nearby there is a market and even a Banksy museum where you can see his works.

The Old St. Gertrude Church in Riga is a neo-Gothic Evangelical Lutheran church, built from 1864 to 1869 from red brick. Its 63-meter-high tower dominates Gertrude Street. The church dates back to a 15th-century parish and was long a center of the Baltic German population. Today, it serves as a place of worship and concert venue and is an important architectural monument in the New Town.

Matīsa iela is a roughly 2-kilometer-long street in Riga that connects the city center with the Avoti district. It is characterized by Art Nouveau and Historicist buildings, including two historic water towers. Along the street are residential buildings, cafes, small shops, and the Vidzeme Market. Matīsa iela combines urban life with historic buildings and is a typical example of Riga's diverse architecture.

A little hidden away from the bustling city center lies the bright yellow Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Even from the outside, it stands out with its bold color and elegant white columns - a clear contrast to the typical brick and wooden buildings in the area. The cathedral shows an interesting mix of Russian Orthodox style and classicist elements, which makes it unique in Riga's cityscape. As you enter, a solemn silence surrounds you, the tall columns and the magnificent dome enhance the atmosphere. The interior is lavishly decorated: golden elements, artistically painted walls and an impressive chandelier immediately catch the eye. Here it is easy to leave everyday life behind and find a moment of peace. The believers who light candles and pray devoutly reinforce the impression that this place is not only architecturally but also spiritually significant.

Mežaparks, one of Riga's oldest garden city districts, is a sprawling and diverse park on the shores of Lake Ķīšezers. Originally known as the Emperor's Park, the area became an exclusive residential area in the early 20th century for Riga's wealthier society seeking to escape the city's noise. Today, the well-preserved Art Nouveau villas still exude this nostalgic charm and are among the city's most sought-after properties. The park offers much more than just architecture. For nature lovers, Mežaparks is a paradise: miles of walking paths, quiet forest trails and the opportunity to practice water sports on Lake Ķīšezers. The impressive amphitheater, designed for the famous Latvian Song Festival, exudes the special energy of this place. The surrounding recreational facilities, such as playgrounds, cafes and bicycle rental, make the park particularly diverse. In addition to the zoo, there are also hidden corners that invite you to explore, and the famous "Mežakaķis" climbing park provides variety. Mežaparks is a place that invites you to linger and explore, not only because of its history, but also because of its lively and at the same time relaxing atmosphere that attracts both locals and visitors. A visit is particularly worthwhile for a leisurely day trip or active recreation in the countryside.

The wall art was commissioned by a coffee shop "King Coffee Service" that occupied the building before the coffee shop "Es mīlu kafiju" took its place. The artwork's style resembles the look of charcoal on the wall although it is created with long-lasting color. The artwork touch upon the story of coffee's origin and its road to Europe. As it is known the coffee culture in Europe originated in Italy, Venice in 1645 and it spread throughout Europe and the new world via merchants and trades. However, during colonial times as coffee raised in popularity amongst the European population, the coffee beans were grown in colonies by slave labour mainly on the continent of Africa and then exported to the metropolitan state and traded for other goods.