If you are renting a car to explore beyond Riga (to the beaches of Jūrmala or the castle in Sigulda), driving through Riga itself is a chore. Google Maps handles the one-way systems and confusing river crossings (over the Akmens or Vanšu bridges) adequately. Real-time traffic data is surprisingly accurate, especially during the 5:00 PM rush hour when the city gridlocks.
Riga, the capital of Latvia, is a city of stark contrasts and harmonious blends. It is where the medieval meets the modern, where Art Nouveau masterpieces stand tall beside Soviet-era blocks, and where the winding cobbled streets of the Old Town open up into the vast, futuristic landscape of a Baltic metropolis. For the modern traveler, navigating this UNESCO World Heritage site is best done with a digital co-pilot. google maps riga