Photo Friday: Weird & Quirky Sights Around Riga

While writing my main Riga blog post, I had a problem. I had sooooooo many photos to use. How on earth was I going to narrow it down from an already shortlisted 100 to an acceptable amount for a blog post?

Well, it soon became apparent that a chunk of my photos were… silly.

Even throughout the trip, I put a post up on social media about how ridiculous the trip had been. I mean, playing with bunnies, seeing the Latvian president on stage, and accidentally being blessed in an Orthodox church? Never mind the fact I then had to add a photo in the comments of me with a giant garlic.

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Then all the absurdities were completely overshadowed by the nightmare we had getting home, and I slowly forgot about them, unable to bring myself to write about the trip because it was “too soon”.

I started editing the photos to spur myself on in the writing process, and all the memories came flooding back of the ridiculous signs outside souvenir shops, the insane antiques store that I fell in love with, and the café we ate in called This Place Doesn’t Need A Name.

And when I found myself having to choose between a huge collection of photos, most of which I genuinely love, the ones I was knocking out of the shortlist all had a theme: they are ridiculous.

So then the decision was easy – concentrate on the “proper” post, and save all the insanity for a dedicated photo post.

Seriously, wtf is this hahaha.

I absolutely loved this quirky shop, called D.E.B.C, Vecrīga! The owner was lovely, and I bought my mum a small version of a hilarious poodle after she sent me this message.

(I was tempted to buy one of the ducks too, not gonna lie!)

No witches, I’m afraid. No word on wizards, but you also can’t cycle into the shop either.

This bird-house tree, next to the Orthodox church. Even the tree itself is painted??

A more popular sight in Riga – the Town Musicians Of Bremen! This statue is located behind St Peter’s Church.

Okay, less quirky as such, but these kiosks were on loads of street corners which I found pretty unique!

Eating brunch at a place with a silly name, because of course! Our food was delicious too.

…and then eating lunch in a zeppelin hangar.

Which is even better when your food is also unique! That’s right, soup in a bread cup.

Speaking of weird food & drink…

We got drinks in an ice block at the Christmas markets! This unique drink wasn’t cheap, but it was worth it for a fun experience. Plus it was fun watching one of the guys get a drill out to make the blocks!

There was also a stall selling hot pina coladas, which I’m not sold on, if I’m honest.

However my favourite thing at the markets was obviously the bunnies:

Petition for all Christmas markets to have bunnies!!

I also loved the signs outside souvenir shops. The thing is, this wasn’t a one-off. If anything, I didn’t take enough photos of mad souvenir shop signs.

Not to mention what they sold in them! Also spotted: insane handcrafted Dobby dolls (yes, Dobby from Harry Potter, or at least I think so), and a horse that looked like it had lost every part of its plot.

We also went past this art gallery. To be honest it would have been cool to go in, but it was 10€ so it’s not somewhere I would have wanted to pop into quickly if we had to pay.

If anything, their website is just as mad. Plus I love metal art like this, and especially upcycled art.

Considering we were only in Riga for the best part of two days, I think their collection of madness is impressive!

I absolutely loved Riga as a whole too, so while you’re here, feel free to check out my full Riga winter weekend guide!