Barefoot Baltic · Knowledge Base
Everything you need to explore Latvia
Daiga has been guiding visitors around Riga and Latvia for years. This is where she writes it all down — the routes, the context, the tips that don't appear in guidebooks.
Want the Full Experience?
These guides help you explore Latvia on your own terms. But if you'd like a local who knows the stories, the shortcuts, and the best lunch spots — Daiga would love to show you around.
See My Excursions →Self-Guided Tours
Explore on Your Own
Full walking guides with routes, maps, landmarks, and Latvian pronunciation — everything you need to explore at your own pace.
Self-Guided Riga Old Town Walk
54 acres, 800 years, 12 stops. A complete walking guide through the medieval heart of Riga — with map, landmarks, churches, photo spots, and a printable PDF.
Read the full guide → Live nowRiga's Art Nouveau Walking Guide
The streets, the details, and what to look for — a complete self-guided route through Europe's finest concentration of Art Nouveau architecture.
Read the full guide →Rundāle Palace on Your Own
How to get there by bus, what to see room by room, garden tips, best time to visit, and how to combine with Bauska Castle.
Articles Written by Daiga
History & Context
The stories behind the buildings and the people — written by a local guide who has been explaining Latvia to visitors for years.
Rundāle Palace — Hubris, Exile, and the Sweetest Comeback in European History
A man who had everything, lost everything, spent twenty years in Siberia, came back at 72, and finished his palace anyway.
By Daiga · 2 min read → HistoryThe Baltic Germans — 700 Years of Castles, Power, and a Very Sudden Exit
For seven centuries they ran Latvia. Then in six weeks in 1939, they were gone. About 60,000 people. Gone.
By Daiga · 2 min read → HistoryWhat Did the Baltic Germans Actually Call Themselves?
A question of identity, language, and belonging — from a group that ruled Latvia but never quite belonged to it.
By Daiga · 3 min read →What's On in Latvia
Local Events & Happenings
Festivals, concerts, markets, exhibitions, and seasonal celebrations happening in Riga and across Latvia.
Last updated: 23 March 2026
March 2026
Latvian National Symphony Orchestra — Spring Concert
The LNSO performs Dvořák and Vasks at the Great Guild concert hall. One of the highlights of the spring season.
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5 Apr
Spring Flower Show at Rundāle Palace
The annual spring flower exhibition in the palace orangery. A wonderful reason to visit the palace even before the gardens are in bloom.
April 2026
Kalnciema Quarter Saturday Market
The beloved weekly farmers' market in Riga's wooden architecture quarter. Local produce, artisan food, live music, and a wonderful atmosphere every Saturday.
Easter Celebrations at the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum
Traditional Latvian Easter activities for families — egg painting, folk games, craft workshops, and seasonal food. A lovely day out in the pine forest.
Money-Saving Tips
Get More for Less
Honest, practical guides to making your budget go further in Latvia — no sponsored recommendations.
Budget Latvia — A Realistic Guide
What things actually cost, where to eat well for under €10, free museums, transport passes, and the honest truth about tipping.
Getting Around Latvia Without a Car
Buses, trains, and the tricks locals use. How to get to Sigulda, Rundāle, Jūrmala, and Cēsis by public transport.
Eating Like a Local in Riga
The Central Market, Lido self-service restaurants, where to find real Latvian food, and the dishes you absolutely must try.
Practical Information
Before You Arrive
Everything you need to plan a visit to Riga and Latvia — from the airport to the countryside.
First Time in Riga? Start Here
When to come, what to pack, how to get from the airport, safety, weather, and the basics.
Visiting Latvia from a Cruise Ship
You have 8–10 hours in Riga. Here's exactly how to use them — whether you want the city or the countryside.
Latvian Phrases That Will Make People Smile
A dozen essential Latvian words and phrases — with pronunciation. Even "paldies" (thank you) goes a long way.