The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.Marcel Proust
While at Meta,I found myself in Riga, Latvia for an official work trip—travelling solo, based right in the city centre, and determined to squeeze in as much exploring as possible between meetings. It was a short visit, but Riga is the kind of city that rewards you immediately: you don’t need a perfect plan. You just need comfortable shoes and a willingness to wander.
The best way to meet Riga—on foot
After landing and checking in, I did what I love doing in a new city: walk. Riga’s Old Town is wonderfully walkable, and within a short stroll you move between castles, cathedrals, gates, and squares that feel straight out of a storybook.
Riga Castle
I started by walking toward Riga Castle, sitting calmly near the river and giving that first “you’ve arrived somewhere historic” feeling. Even from the outside, it’s a great landmark to orient yourself as you begin exploring the Old Town.
Swedish Gate
From there, I made my way to the Swedish Gate, one of those small, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it details that makes European cities so charming. It feels like a little portal into Riga’s older centuries—quiet, photogenic, and perfect for a short pause in the middle of a longer walk.
Riga Cathedral
Next came Riga Cathedral, an Old Town classic. I didn’t go inside, but just standing outside and taking in the scale of it—surrounded by cobbled streets and old façades—was enough to appreciate how central it is to the city’s identity.
Town Hall Square and the House of the Black Heads
I continued toward Rātslaukums (Town Hall Square), one of the most iconic open spaces in the Old Town. The highlight here is the House of the Black Heads, a building that looks almost too ornate to be real—decorative, bold, and instantly attention-grabbing. Even without going inside, this is one of those “must-see” Riga moments.
St. Peter’s Church
I did step into St. Peter’s Church, and it was worth it. It has that quiet, echoing atmosphere you only get in big historic churches—where the city noise drops away and everything feels slower. It was the perfect “reset” stop in the middle of a day spent walking.
Riga at night: calm, safe, and unexpectedly beautiful
One thing that surprised me: Riga felt safe to walk in the evenings. The Old Town lights up beautifully at night, and even though the architecture can feel a bit “Eastern European” (you can sense the layers of history and influence), the overall vibe felt calm and comfortable for an evening stroll.
And the best part of a work trip: I wasn’t exploring completely alone the whole time. I also had a really nice time with colleagues—those casual dinners and conversations that turn a business trip into something warmer and more memorable.
A break from the city: Jūrmala Beach
On one of the days, I went with a colleague to Jūrmala Beach, and it was such a refreshing contrast to the Old Town streets. Jūrmala has that wide, open coastal feeling—fresh air, long stretches of sand, and the simple joy of doing nothing but walking along the shore and watching the light change. It was an easy, peaceful evening and a reminder that Riga isn’t just about history—it’s also close to nature.
Ending the trip the right way: Riga Central Market
Before leaving, I made time for something I always try to do when travelling: visit a local market. Riga’s Central Market was vibrant and colourful—busy stalls, lots of variety, and that sense of everyday life unfolding around you. It felt less like sightseeing and more like getting a quick glimpse into the rhythm of the city.
Riga ended up being the perfect solo-work-trip city: walkable, atmospheric, safe-feeling in the evenings, and full of small discoveries between the “big” landmarks. Add a seaside escape to Jūrmala, a memorable Georgian meal, and a final wander through the Central Market—and it became a short trip that still feels vivid years later.
This is Aldrin and my partner Amoli. We bring you "Earths Pilgrim" - a unique insight into our travel escapades while leaving life in a cubicle. If you are looking for some inspiration to break the shackles of a regular life, then you are the right place. Read more about us- Click here.