Mežaparks

This large forest park north of central Riga combines pine woods, a lake and one of Europe's earliest planned garden suburbs. Laid out around 1900, it offered spacious villas among the trees for the growing city's wealthier residents. Today the park holds walking and cycling paths, a zoo, playgrounds and an open-air stage that hosts the mass song festivals. Families gather at the beach along Lake Kisezers in summer. The blend of wildwood, recreation and elegant early housing makes it a favourite green escape for the capital.