Kipsala Beach was opened for swimming this year. It's located between Cable Bridge and newly created yacht park.
The summer is ending, so don't miss the last chance to enjoy the most urban beach in Latvia :)

Labels: beaches, bicycles, center, daugava, hobby, kipsala, people, rivers, summer

According to my own tradition, every August, when Riga celebrates its birthday, I do collect stats about Riga's population to see how well the city lives.
In my understanding, the population is the main factor of economic and cultural activity of the cities.
So, please check below the statistics for the recent 3 years and the most recent change:

Region	2013	2012	2011	Diff from 12 to 13
Riga City	696,618	699,203	706,413	-0.37%
Riga Metro	1,018,295	1,081,137	1,098,523	-5.81%
Latvia	2,041,763	2,217,053	2,245,357	-7.91%

As long as I publish those stats I see decrease in Riga's population and it seems that there are no plans or support by government to inverse that trend.

Photo of Fireworks at Riga Festival in 2013 by Andris Jenerts
Check also photos of Riga 2012, Riga Festival in 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

Labels: birthdays, daugava, events, fire, lights, night, people, records, riga, rivers, skyscrapers

Tall Ships in Riga are busy all day... and all night

Labels: events, harbours, lights, night, people, ships, sports, writings

The most latest days of the winter 2012-2013. The Dome and the Restaurant 13 kresli

Labels: churches, lights, night, people, restaurants, snow, squares, vecriga, weather, winter

Since a couple of years it is illegal to drive through Dome Square, but many drivers still don't know it and get caught by police, which always is very helpful and show you the right direction, especially if you are sitting behind the wheel of the new expensive car.

Labels: cars, jobs, life, night, people, police, snow, squares, vecriga, winter

A lovely sunny day in the winter is the perfect opportunity to improve your cross-skiing skills in Victory Park. Hundreds of semi-pro, amateurs and children are skiing for fun from dawn till dusk.

Labels: agenskalns, children, pardaugava, parks, people, sports, tornakalns, winter

Sad news, Riga became 1 year older and since today Riga is 811 years old officially.
Although this year City Festival was celebrating 730 years since Riga joined Hanseatic League.
Why this is sad news? 1 year ago I've been forecasting that Riga's population will go under 700,000 in a few years, but it happened earlier.
Here below are statistics and changes:

Region	2012	2011	Change
Riga	699,203	706,413	-1.02%
Riga Metro	1,081,137	1,098,523	-1.58%
Latvia	2,217,053	2,245,357	-1.26%

Check also photos of Riga Festival in 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008. Statistics of Riga in 2005.

Labels: birthdays, daugava, events, fire, lights, night, people, records, riga, rivers, skyscrapers

A decorated horse-drawn carriage for bride and groom in Mālpils, one of the best towns for wedding ceremonies.
Photo is taken by wedding photographer Mārtiņš Plūme.
Maybe some of you know and can recommend other good wedding photographers in Latvia?

Labels: animals, events, jobs, malpils, people, transport

A regular wedding photo session turned into something chaotic when the huge ship appeared on the background.
It was the largest cruise ship ever visited Riga Harbour - Aurora with almost 3000 people on board.

Labels: boats, events, mangalsala, people, records, ships

More than 18,000 runners and even more supporters have participated Riga Nordea Marathon this Sunday, which is absolute record for Riga.

Labels: events, people, records, sports

This weekend Kipsala Expo Center hosted a regular exhibition Erots.

Labels: culture, girls, kipsala, people, show

Artelis is a new (1 week old) night and performance club on Blaumana between Caka iela and Barona iela.

Labels: art, club, music, nightlife, people, theaters

Vecdaugava is one of Riga neighbourhoods, located close to the Sea. It is named after old bed of Daugava river.

Labels: children, daugava, entertainment, neighbourhoods, people, rivers, water

Krisjana Barona iela in morning fog.
Photo has been taken by Panagiotis Lianos

Labels: buildings, center, morning, people, streets, weather

I guess McDonald's started rebranding strategy worldwide :)
McCafé is a new child chain of McDonald's, which makes more revenue than the parent one.

Labels: food, people, restaurants, streets, writings

Spring snow and hailstorm on Raiņa bulvāris (Rainis boulevard) this morning.

Labels: cars, center, people, snow, spring, streets, trees, trolleybuses, weather

Last weekend walking in Galerija Centrs shopping mall, I was a witness of the real TV show recording.
Maybe they got kicked out from their studio because of extremely beardly guest? :)

Labels: media, people, shopping, show, tv

I suppose here is no need for translation or explanation what kind of service you can get by visiting this shop.

Labels: ads, buildings, design, grizinkalns, people, windows, wooden

Recent years Poker is gaining a massive popularity in all parts of the world, including Riga.
In some countries Poker has been recognized as sport, but in Latvia it is still gambling.
Photo has been taken legally in Olympic Voodoo Casino in Hotel Latvia.

Labels: casinos, entertainment, games, interior, people, sports

Coffee Nation is the second café chain in Riga, the competitor of Double Coffee chain.

Labels: airports, cafes, design, interior, people