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Paris is having a moment this year, for better or worse.
Better because they’re hosting the Summer Olympics, where hordes of tourists will flock to their city for a bucket-list event, and worse because Paris will surely adopt a new identity and push aside authentic cultural experiences.
In addition, France and the US Embassy simultaneously issued a new travel warning asking all tourists visiting the mega-popular country to keep their heads turned during their trip.
Riga, Latvia on the other side it becomes ‘The Paris of the Baltics‘ and has no such concerns for tourists visiting this beautiful, underrated city in Eastern Europe.
Here are 5 reasons why you should visit the Paris of the Baltics on your next trip to Europe:
1) A cheaper alternative to Paris Vibes
British author Graham Greene has called Latvia’s capital ‘The Paris of the North’, because of its beautiful terraces, new architecture and thriving art scene.
Visiting Riga is not about taking selfies with an Eiffel Tower dupe like Paris, Texas. Riga has the unmissable Freedom Monument, but tourists find that this city offers its own unique charm and attractions, which coincidentally rival France’s iconic city.
Of course, Riga is smaller compared to the sprawling ‘City of Light’ and will probably never host an Olympic event.
That said, Riga is one of the most intriguing cities in the beautiful Baltics and can be visited on a budget.
As you browse the cobbled streets, it’s hard to resist the temptation to stop by a café and visit a museum, which is often at least 30% cheaper than Paris.
Riga has also seen increased connectivity as more than 1.2 million tourists visited this city in 2023. Budget airlines such as RyanAir and airBaltic can save travelers a lot of money at dozens of airports.
2) A historic city dating back to 1201
While we all remember partying like it’s 1999, Riga has been doing it since 1201, and it shows in all the best ways.
Riga is very well maintained and fun to explore on foot, admiring its beautiful architecture and historic sights such as Town Hall Square, the 14th-century House of the Blackheads and a handful of beautiful cathedrals.
The largest market and bazaar in all of Europe, Riga’s Central Market is a must-stop on your trip and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tourists can find handmade crafts and delicious food, but what tourists love is the authentic feeling that this huge market exudes. It doesn’t seem touristy.
3) Perfect for digital nomads
Given Riga’s affordability and cultural richness, these two aspects are what digital nomads usually look for.
Add to that how small Riga is compared to other big cities, and you’ll experience a sense of community rather than just becoming another face in the crowd.
For long-term stays, apartments are easy to find under $500 and even cheaper outside the city center.
Public transport passes and internet bills are also super cheap, but if we are honest, you will find yourself using one of the many nice terraces as an office.
Moreover, Latvian visas for digital nomads are among the easiest to obtain without strict requirements.
4) Tourists Surprised by how much they love Riga
Riga led a questionnaire with departing foreign tourists and the results were better than expected.
More than half of foreign tourists felt that they had a much better impression of the city after their visit than before arrival and were delighted with what the city had to offer.
Overall, 98% of survey participants left rave reviews as Riga met or exceeded all expectations during their trip.
5) Riga is a beach destination?!
Riga continues to gain momentum as more and more tourists add this beautiful city to their wish list.
What may not be known is that the capital of Latvia is located on the Gulf of Riga in the Baltic Sea.
We’re not going to overstate Riga as a beach paradise among, say, the Maldives or Los Cabos, but it’s definitely worth a visit as an underrated beach destination.
The city offers a variety of scenic beaches, the most popular of which are Jurmala Beach, Vecaki Beach and Vakarbuļļu Peldvieta.
Riga is also a cruise port where you can choose from several cruise lines of well-known brands.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
