Not such a long time ago I thought that botanic gardens, including Riga’s botanical garden, were boring, meant only for lovers of herbs, scientists, and enthusiasts. But I was so wrong!

The first time I was in Riga’s Botanical garden was in autumn, with all the richness and beauty of dahlias and other autumns flowers. Then I returned in the beginning of summer, when the gorgeous rhododendrons were in full bloom and everybody was taking colorful pictures. And I was there also in the early spring, when the pink and white azaleas looked like heaps of snow.

Each time and each season I would discover Riga’s botanical garden from a totally different viewpoint and I realized it’s such a good place to have a nice walk, sit down for a small picnic, or enjoy the very special corner of nature not so far from the city center. By tram 5, it takes around 20 minutes to reach the botanical garden and experience some nice rest.

Riga’s Botanical garden is the oldest botanical garden in Latvia, and its activities are concentrated not only in research and study but also in the development of public environmental awareness. Therefore, little plaques with attractive explanations are placed all around the garden and guided tours are also available. It is an open-air 15-hectare garden and greenhouses with around 5,600 plants, offering visitors a beautiful walk, photo session opportunities, cultural recreation, as well as the chance to explore the diversity of plant life and visit the tropical butterfly house.