Walking into Riga, the capital of Latvia, is like traveling into a town full of medieval atmosphere and fairytale colors. The old town (Vecrīga) here preserves a large number of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings. Every cobblestone alley carries a century of history, and every corner can meet unexpected beauty. For travel photography enthusiasts, the old town of Riga is not only a collection of check-in landmarks, but also a source of inspiration for composition.
Ⅰ. Scenic spot recommendation
1. Three Brothers Building Complex: Riga’s oldest residential building complex
The Three Brothers Building Complex (Trīs Brāļi) consists of three adjacent medieval houses, built in the 15th, 17th and 18th centuries, and is the oldest existing residential complex in Riga. They represent architectural styles of different eras, both independent and harmonious. The cream and light green exterior walls, with mottled stone bricks and arched windows, are excellent materials for photographing architectural details and retro compositions. If you are lucky, you can also capture street artists or performers in traditional costumes to make the picture more vivid.
Location: Mazā Pils iela 17, 19, 21, Riga, Latvia
Opening hours: Open all day, internal visits must be coordinated with the opening hours of the Architecture Museum (Tuesday to Sunday 10:00–17:00)
Suggested playing time: About 30 minutes, it is recommended to shoot the best light around 10 am
Transportation route: Take the tram to 11. Novembra Krastmala station and walk about 5 minutes
Booking platform: GetYourGuide, Klook, Viator
Expense: Free shooting outside the street, the ticket for the internal visit to the Architecture Museum is about 6 euros
2. Blackhead House: King of the Square with a perfect combination of Gothic and Renaissance
The House of the Blackheads was once the hall of the Blackhead Brotherhood, and is now an important venue for the Riga Municipal Exhibition. Its red brick facade is inlaid with golden decorations, and the roof is high, which is full of ritual and power. When night falls, the building lights are turned on, and the cobblestones on the square reflect colorful colors, which is a dreamy photo time. Whether it is a single portrait with the building as the background, or a wide-angle shot of the magnificent scene of the entire square, this is a must-see for photography enthusiasts.
Location: Rātslaukums 7, Riga, Latvia
Opening hours: 10:00–18:00 every day
Suggested playing time: About 1 hour, it is recommended to shoot the magical effect of the coexistence of front light and lights before dusk
Transportation route: Take the tram to Grēcinieku iela station, about 2 minutes walk
Booking platform: Tiqets, Klook, GetYourGuide
Expense: Free external photography, internal admission ticket starts at 8 euros
3. Cat House: An architectural legend triggered by a proud black cat
This building is famous for the two black cat sculptures on the roof. They were originally a symbol of the owner’s dissatisfaction with the Chamber of Commerce, and later became one of the most distinctive symbols of the city. The building of the Cat House is in the Art Nouveau style, and the roof lines are smooth and soft, which is very suitable for shooting from a low angle to highlight the arrogant posture of the cat sculpture. It is recommended to shoot in the morning when the sun hits the front of the roof, with soft shadows and distinct light levels.
Location: Meistaru iela 10/12, Riga, Latvia
Opening hours: Open all day (the building is not accessible, only the exterior can be appreciated)
Suggested playing time: about 20 minutes, the best shooting angle in the morning when the sun is shining obliquely
Transportation route: Take the bus to Aspazijas bulvāris station and walk for about 4 minutes
Booking platform: Klook, Viator
Cost: Free (the tour fee depends on the group, and the walking group is generally about 12 euros)
4. Riga Dome Church Square: The perfect blend of church bell tower and old street atmosphere
Doma laukums is one of the most representative squares in the old town of Riga. In addition to the majestic Riga Cathedral, the surrounding cafes, street performers, and alley customs form a fairy-tale-like life scene. It is recommended to take a wide-angle lens to shoot the whole picture of the church, and then use a telephoto to capture the layered contrast between the expressions of street people and architectural details. In addition, every Christmas season, there will be a lively market here, which is one of the best places to take pictures of the festive atmosphere.
Location: Doma laukums, Riga, Latvia
Opening hours: The church is open from 10:00 to 17:00 from Monday to Saturday, and the square is open all day
Suggested playing time: about 1 hour, it is recommended to take pictures of the golden light of the sunset falling on the bell tower in the afternoon
Transportation route: Take the tram to 11. novembra krastmala station and walk for about 7 minutes
Booking platform: Tiqets, GetYourGuide, Viator
Expense: Free photography in the square, church admission ticket is about 10 euros (including bell tower)
5. Swedish Gate and Purgatory Street: A cold fairy tale in the historical alleys
Swedish Gate (Zviedru vārti) is the only surviving city gate relic of Riga City Wall. The Purgatory Street (Pērses iela) connected to it is famous for its medieval-style alleys. It is an ideal place to shoot “European secret style” composition. The stone walls here are mottled, the street lights are dim, and the arched doorways and wooden window sills are full of oil painting feeling at any angle. It is recommended to bring a macro lens to capture the details of window sill flower pots and wood carvings to create atmospheric photography works.
Location: Torņa iela, Riga, Latvia
Opening hours: Open all day
Suggested playing time: about 30 minutes, it is recommended to shoot in the early morning or dusk to create a mysterious atmosphere
Transportation route: Take the bus to Autoosta Station and walk for about 8 minutes
Booking platform: GetYourGuide
Cost: Free (about 10-15 euros for a walking group)
Ⅱ. Tips for photography: Make your Riga photos more colorful
Walking into the old town of Riga, every cobblestone road, every colorful eaves, and every weathered wall seem to be the backdrop of a fairy tale world. To take photos that are both beautiful and full of stories in such a city, you need not only a good eye, but also photography skills and detail control.
1. Seize the “blue hour” and “golden hour”
The morning before and after sunrise (blue hour) and the evening before and after sunset (golden hour) are the best times to take photos of Riga. The natural light in these two time periods is soft and transparent, which can cleverly set off the texture and color of the building, and is especially suitable for photographing church towers, arched corridors and street reflections. It is recommended to check the sunrise and sunset times of the day in advance, arrange the route reasonably, and reserve enough time to set up the scene and wait for light.
2. Avoid the peak of tourists
Popular attractions such as the House of the Blackheads, the Three Brothers and the Dome Church are often “occupied” by tourists between 10 am and 3 pm. If you want to take pictures of empty and quiet scenes, it is recommended to arrive at the shooting location before 8 am, or visit again after 4 pm when the light becomes softer. Taking pictures at off-peak times is not only more comfortable, but also avoids the interference of crowded scenes.
3. Respect public space and artistic etiquette
The old town of Riga is full of street art, graffiti walls and cultural installations, but you should avoid using strong flash when shooting to avoid destroying the artistic atmosphere or causing discomfort to others. If you encounter street performers or residential areas, you can politely signal or ask for consent before taking pictures to show the photographer’s professionalism and respect for culture.
4. Carry light equipment
The old town is full of cobblestone roads and alleys, and it is not recommended to carry heavy camera boxes. It is recommended to use high-pixel micro single, full-frame mirrorless or flagship mobile phones, with lightweight tripods, small polarizers and ND filters, which not only reduce the burden, but also can quickly respond to light changes and flexibly compose.
5. Use color contrast and composition lines
Riga’s buildings are rich in color, such as red brick walls, yellow eaves, green copper roofs, etc. You can use the principle of “color contrast” to make the characters’ clothing contrast with the background. For example, wearing dark clothes and standing in front of a bright church can create a visual impact. In terms of composition, you can use more elements such as symmetrical lines, arches, window frames, etc. in the alleys to guide the line of sight and create a fairy-tale-like depth of beauty.
In this small town listed as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, every brick, every tile, every window and every door reveals the beauty of time. Taking photos is not only a record, but also an exploration – the architectural details, color matching, and even the reflections of a ray of light are all gentle echoes of this city.
Use the camera to record your steps and discover the photography poem in your heart in this fairy-tale town, the old town of Riga.