🇱🇻 Riga | One-Day "Paris of the North" Citywalk

👉Riga, the capital of Latvia, is the country's largest city and one of the Baltic region's major hubs, often called the "Beating Heart of the Baltic" and "Paris of the North." 👉Its UNESCO-listed Old Town dazzles with preserved Baroque, Neoclassical, and medieval charm. 👉Highlights ⛪ St. Peter’s Church 🧡A 123m Gothic landmark (Riga’s tallest!). Rebuilt in metal after a 1721 fire. 🧡Don’t miss: The 70m-high observation deck (elevator access) for panoramic views. 🐓 Bremen Musicians Statue 🧡A gift from Bremen, Germany, based on Grimm’s fairy tale. 🧡Local lore: Rub each animal’s nose (donkey, dog, cat, rooster) for luck! 🏰 House of the Blackheads A 14th-century guildhall with 300 years of ornate facade upgrades—Riga’s most lavish building. 🐈 Cat House ✅While most spires sport golden weathervanes, this one flaunts a black cat (a quirky symbol of defiance). 🛒 Riga Central Market ✅Housed in repurposed Zeppelin hangars—Europe’s largest market! ✅Budget win: Meat, produce, and pelmeni (Latvian dumplings) cost a fraction of Finnish prices. ✅Pro tip: Cheaper souvenirs (like magnets) here than in the Old Town. 📚 Latvian Academy of Sciences & National Library 🌷The Academy is Latvia’s sole surviving Stalinist skyscraper. 🌷The Library’s rooftop offers stellar views (sadly missed on our layover!). #LatviaTravel #EuropeTrip #Riga