Riga is small – all of these photospots are within walking distance of each other. You could complete this photo spot list in 1 day.

Best viewpoints in Riga (Free and paid)

See this post for my favorite viewpoints in Riga.

Best photo spots in Riga

House of Blackheads

What’s so special about this building? It’s 700 years old and was where the upper class dined back in the day. it was damaged during the second world war with the restoration finished in 1999.

This was a very popular photo spot. I waited around 10 minutes for people with selfie sticks, red pants (really?!) etc… to clear out so i could get this photo. The longest I had to wait in what was an otherwise deserted Riga.

It looks good illuminated at night too!

Address: Rātslaukums 7, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia

The square outside Colonel Pub

This little cluster of cafe’s actually ended up being one of my favorite photos I took in Riga. Variety of builders so colorful and nicely maintained.

Search the Colonel Pub in Google maps to find this square.

Walk across the stone bridge

You’ll get a good view of the new highrises and looking back at the old town, the Vanšu suspension bridge as well as the trains on the railway bridge.

The Park behind the Freedom Monument

Krāmu iela Street

Where you can get that iconic alleyway shot with the Riga Cathedral Tower in the background and the 1221 Restorans building with the pretty painting on the front.

I didn’t realise this nicely painted facade on the blue building was such as Instagram ‘thing’ until I returned home from my trip and all the Instagrammers I follow were posting photos of it covered in snow while they were in Riga for the Christmas markets. The great thing about Riga is that it’s one of the least visited countries so if you did want to get that photo you won’t have to wait long for people to clear out of the shot.

The Three Brothers

These 3 houses are famous for being the oldest houses in Riga.

Address: Mazā Pils iela 17, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia (or just search The Three Brothers, Riga in Google).

Art Nouvea Buildings

I love pretty buildings with unique facades. Along these streets you can find plenty of Art Nouvea buildings:

• Elizabetes iela
• Albert iela
• Strēlnieku iela

iela just means ‘street’

Freedom Monument

I really like this photo I took with quintessential Riga: the freedom monument, the Laima clock (Laima is a well known chocolate brand in Latvia) and a tram:

Cat House

The Cat House is on Meistaru Street (near the freedom monument). Apparently legend says the 2 cats on the rooftop are facing away from the street as the owner wanted their asses to face towards the Riga Council Building who the owner was in dispute with!

Get lost in the side streets

So many little alleyways to stumble upon

Old with the new

If you’re heading to Riga market hall (old airport hangers), the Lux express bus station and the Latvian Academy of Sciences end of town, there are some modern shopping centres where you can go underground a ginormous road & tram intersection, visit the grocery shop for some chocolate and see the the Riga sign.

More Riga posts

• Best viewpoints in Riga, Latvia
• Guide to visiting Riga, Latvia
• Day trip from Riga, Latvia – Rundale Palace, Bauska Castle and Mežotne Palace
• Lux Express Bus Review (best way to travel between the Baltic countries)

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