When you enter a destination (say, from Central Station to the Open Air Ethnographic Museum), Google Maps will present you with 3-4 options.

Riga is split by the Daugava River. The historic city is on the west bank (Pārdaugava), while the downtown center is on the east. Google Maps is excellent at calculating walking routes across the bridges, but it sometimes underestimates the wind chill. A "15-minute walk" across the Stone Bridge in November feels like an arctic expedition—something the algorithm fails to mention.

Latvian cuisine is hearty, seasonal, and surprisingly diverse. From the legendary "Grey Peas with Bacon" to fresh Baltic seafood, Riga is a foodie destination. is your best friend for separating the tourist traps from the local gems.

So go ahead. Type in "Latvian National Opera" into Google Maps, put your headphones in, and let the blue dot guide you. Just watch out for the cobblestones.