Tropical Butterfly House
While you’re in Riga, one place you should definitely visit is the Tropical Butterfly House, nestled away in the picturesque Botanical Gardens of the University of Riga. If you’ve been rushing around a little too much lately, and you’re in the mood for a fun yet relaxing day out, this is the perfect choice.
Take an afternoon and wander through a kaleidoscope of jewel-coloured wings, some the size of your hands! Of course, the butterflies are the main attraction, but you will also find curious caterpillars, rare birds and stunning exotic vegetation. If you are lucky, you may even have the chance to see some butterflies hatching (viewed through the incubator windows), which is a mesmerising sight!
The butterfly enclosure is small but beautifully formed, and the space is densely packed with fascinating sights. If you don’t know your Red Admiral from your Blue Morpho, help is close at hand! The information points scattered here and there are a brilliant guide to the creatures fluttering around you. The best idea is to take your visit at a leisurely pace and lose yourself in the sights, sounds and scents of this tropical microclimate.
While the Botanical Gardens are open year-round, the Tropical Butterfly House closes each year for the winter, so you only have until the end of October to get acquainted with its fascinating inhabitants. Entrance to the Butterfly House is included in the price of the ticket for the gardens (a very reasonable €4.50 for adults and students). During September, the butterfly enclosure is open between 11:00 and 19:00 each day, whereas in October, doors close at 16:00.
For more information about the Tropical Butterfly House, please see the official website:
