Timeline
14:10
Pick up a warm drink or pastry to take with you. Ciemakukulis opens at 07:30 on weekdays, giving you plenty of time before the light hits.
14:20
University of Latvia Botanical Garden
Walk to the University of Latvia Botanical Garden. The garden is large and well-cultivated, offering a peaceful space to wait for the light. The walk takes about 58 minutes from the Natural History Museum, but since you are starting near the garden area, allow time to find a quiet spot among the plant collections.
15:00
University of Latvia Botanical Garden
Watch the golden light start at 15:00. The sun is setting toward the SW, casting a warm glow over the garden’s rich built heritage and plant species.
15:30
Head back inside for a proper breakfast or coffee. The garden is quite large, so use the internal paths to return to Ciemakukulis without retracing your full walk.
Local tip
The Botanical Garden is quite large. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a light layer, as January mornings can be chilly.
Check before you go
- Ciemakukulis is open Mo-Fr 07:30-20:00. On weekends it opens at 09:00, so this plan only works on weekdays.
- The Natural History Museum is closed Mon-Tue. Ensure your visit aligns with Wed-Sun opening hours if you plan to start there.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Riga (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).