Why Riga and Latvia

Art Nouveau, Medieval, Wooden, Soviet architecture in Riga

Riga is a living illustration of European history:

• the relatively well-preserved medieval core in the Historic Centre
• the 19th century semi-circle of boulevards with a green belt on both sides of the City Canal
• later-period urban planning structure, as well as the quantity and quality of Art Nouveau architecture, which is unparalleled anywhere in the world
• wooden architecture of the 18th and 19th centuries (former suburbs)
• Central market
• Soviet suburbs
• The Ethnographic Open–Air Museum (old rural houses)

Along with the Riga Old Town and Art Nouveau architecture, the wooden architecture of Riga has been included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Outside Riga

Everything in and around Riga (also in rest of Latvia) are relatively close and you can considerably save time and money on travelling between filming locations.

Travelling outside Riga will lead you to:

• Castles and Manors of different styles and times (and Rundale Palace)
• Small towns
• Villages and farmsteads

• Mature local industry producing world-class products 
• Good value for money, competitive rates, no unions

“Clean, safe, peace of mind and free wifi” impression quote about Riga by a traveler

• stable economic and political situation
• safe shooting guidelines in place for filming crews shooting in Latvia
• green and clean

Riga International Airport connects more than 100 destinations.

Arrival in Riga

Everything in and around Riga (also in the rest of Latvia) are relatively close and you can considerably save time and money on travelling between filming locations.

It is easy trough Riga to access the rest of wealth of Latvian locations, for example:

Cinevilla backlot - only filming backlot in Baltic region ~1,5 h car drive from Riga. Large-scale scenery covers about 15 hectares, plus over 100 hectares of adjoining land, specializing in the early 20th century buildings, but can be adjusted to other older periods, vintage steam locomotive and passenger railcars, 60 m long railway platform, canal and historic bridge.

Continuous sandy seaside (500 km of it) - You can have a shooting in the city center and within 30 min car drive reach beach and forests. There are no paid or private beaches in Latvia. Latvia is one of the rare places in the world where you can ski on the beach in winter.

Jurmala - the largest resort town in the Baltic States with beautiful wooden summer villas ~ 50 min drive from Riga city center. Nicknamed Saint-Tropez of Latvia, Jurmala stretches for 26 kilometers along the sea displaying the 20th century art nouveau wooden architecture heritage and wealthy middle-class villas from earlier centuries.

Rundale Palace - one of its kind in the Baltics – can double for Winter palace in St.Petersburg or even Versailles ~ 1 h car drive from Riga. Built in the mid-18th century in baroque style.

Aerodium vertical wind tunnels - Aerodium vertical wind tunnels can be used to capture true to life skydiving action scenes for the next blockbuster or commercial. Tried and trusted by Jackie Chan and Tom Cruise. Allows you to shoot realistic free-fall episodes, thus replacing expensive and risky jumps from an airplane.~ 1 h car drive from Riga.

Kuldiga town - Kuldiga town has preserved its medieval appearance and charm. Kuldīga has maintained not only the urban layout, but also the city scape and significant architectural fabric dating back predominantly to the 17th and 18th century ~ 2,5 h car drive from Riga.

Riga and Latvia are a part of a bigger filming region – North Star Film Alliance 

Perhaps it is strange to hear about nature when talking about a capital city, however Riga is a well-matched representative of one of the greenest countries in Europe.

Distinct four seasons. 17 hours of sunlight in summer. 4 hours of magic light in summer

Water 

Riga has always been related to the waters (city canal, river, lakes, seaside), and therefore it is no wonder that this capital city has nine public swimming places approved for use, ranging from lakes to rivers and even the shores of the Gulf of Rīga, all within Riga city limits. 

Splendid views

Riga is a fine spot to witness some of the most beautiful sunsets and sunrises in the world, as well as epic clouds. Certain weather conditions could cause the sky to render itself into a variety of vibrant colors (hues and shades of yellow, orange, red, pink, violet, indigo explode in the sky above Riga – especially in winter and early spring).

Parks and gardens

Some say Riga is one giant park. Well, it is definitely very green city. For example, the city canal that was established after the demolition of the medieval fortifications of the old city was gradually turned into the continuous park zone around the Old town. While Riga’s oldest park is already 300 years old, not only parks and gardens, large tracts of the city are covered in open spaces and forests.