Where To Stay In Riga Latvia: Best Neighbourhoods for Every Type of Traveller (2026)

Choosing the best area to stay in Riga is not as straightforward as it looks. The city is divided by the Daugava River, which separates the right bank home to Old Town, Centrs, Avoti and Latgale from the left bank neighbourhoods including Agenskalns. Each side has a completely different feel.

Riga has a reputation as a stag party city and while that isn’t entirely undeserved, it tells less than half the story. Behind the shot bars of Old Town is a city with one of the finest collections of Art Nouveau architecture in the world, a sobering and important Jewish history, wooden neighbourhoods and a food and bar scene that locals are rightly proud of.

This Riga accommodation guide covers the five best neighbourhoods to stay in Riga, based on time I actually spent living and travelling here. Each one suits a different kind of traveller and I’ve been honest about the downsides of each because there are always downsides.

If you’re short on time, skip ahead to the quick recommendation section. Otherwise, read on.

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Quick Summary Best Place To Stay In Riga

First timer: Old Town
Nightlife: Old Town & Centrs
Romantic Trip: Old Town & Avoti
Peace: Avoti & Agenskalns
Budget: Latgale, Avoti & Agenskalns

Getting Around Riga

Riga is easy to navigate on foot, but if you’re venturing beyond Old Town the public transport network is excellent and cheap. There is no need to hire a car in Riga the city is compact and public transport covers everywhere you need to go.

I found Riga’s bus network to be very impressive, the buses were frequent, and with 52 lines they take you to all pockets of the city. There is also a tram (6 lines) which goes outside the Old Town and many trolley buses (22 lines).

The easiest way to purchase tickets for both the bus and tram is by using the Mobilyy app which is most suited for tourists as you don’t need a Latvian number, whereas the other apps require one. You must top up your wallet before making a purchase.

You can then purchase 90 minute (€1.50), 24 hour(€5), 3 day(€8), 5 day (€10) or 30 day (€30) tickets. All ticket types require you to scan the QR code on the windows and doors when you board to activate your ticket and validate your journey. You must do this on boarding every vehicle.

You can also buy paper tickets  at Riga Transport (Rīgas Satiksme) ticket offices, public transport ticket machines, Narvesen newsstands, post office and Rimi supermarkets. Personally, I would just stick to the app, the paper tickets are much less convenient.

How to get from Riga Airport

Riga International Airport (RIX) is located 10 km from Riga Old Town. You can get a local bus number 22 to the old town in 20 minutes, it departs outside the airport terminal at this location. It goes through Agenskalns over the Daugava River to Old Town. From here you can switch to a number of different buses to reach further neighborhoods in Riga. It runs from 05:45 AM to midnight. Outside of these hours an airport transfer is the next best option.

Where To Stay In Riga

Map Of Riga Neighborhoods

1. Old Town Riga (Vecrīga)- Best for First Timers

Best place to stay in Riga for: first-timers, nightlife, convenience

When you think of Riga, Latvia, the medieval Old Town is what you imagine. A UNESCO World Heritage Site with colourful Art Nouveau buildings along cobblestoned streets, charming squares, which fun taverns and cosy cafes spill out on to. It’s truly the heart of the city and where everyone gathers.

For first time visitors to Riga, Old Town is the obvious starting point everything is within walking distance and you won’t need to think about transport once. You’ll be spending about 80% of your time here, it’s where most of the city’s landmarks are located. The convenience of staying in Riga Old Town is unmatched, there is nothing like stepping out of your hotel and being steps away from an iconic building or a cafe overlooking a square.

Another good reason to stay in Riga Old Town is due to its geographical location the west side is bordered by the Daugava River while the east is bordered with Bastejkalna Park. Both make for relaxing sunset walks.

This is my number one pick for where to stay in Riga, it allows you freedom of not depending on transport and it really is beautiful.

Things To Do In Riga Old Town

• St. Peter’s Church – climb up the spire for panoramic views over Riga’s Old Town.
• Three Brothers – oldest residential buildings in Riga.
• House of the Black Heads – Gothic-style building once used by a wealthy merchants’ guild, now beautifully restored.
• Swedish Gate – only remaining gate of Riga’s old city.
• Riga Castle – riverside castle that serves as the official residence of Latvia’s president.

What’s The Catch

Riga has gotten the name as a “stag party destination” (this guide summarises it as beer, babes and bullets) which isn’t hard to see why, I was shocked to see the large number of bars in Old Town, there is a proper party vibe here. Every hour or so we’d see both stag and hen parties alike rowdily pedalling round the Old Town on a beer bike. There are also many shot bars with deals like 20 shots for €10. Friday and Saturday nights are chaos, but if you don’t mind noise this shouldn’t bother you. But for those looking for a more upscale evening, Old Town might not hit the mark for you.

This is an expensive part of Riga, there is no shortage of hotels but if you’re on a budget it’ll be difficult to find one within your price range. That isn’t to say they don’t exist but they just aren’t as plentiful as mid-range or luxury hotels. Also, given the party nature of this city you cannot guarantee if you stay in a hostel you won’t be sharing a dorm room with a stag or hen party.

Find out the best Latvian food to try during your time in Riga.

2. Riga Centrs – Best for Art Nouveau Architecture

Best place to stay in Riga for: architecture lovers, value for money

10-15 minute walk / 8 minute tram to Old Town

Where Riga Old Town is the beating heart of the city, the Riga city centre district known as Centrs is actually the geographic centre. It is less touristy, less glitzy and more modern than Old Town, it feels like people live here. There is a more balanced mix of tourists and locals. It’s quieter than Old Town but close enough to easily reach on foot.

Riga reportedly has one of the largest collections of Art Nouveau architecture in Europe and the Riga Art Nouveau district is based here specifically Alberta iela and Elizabetes iela. The facades are elaborate and slightly theatrical, your neck will be sore from the amount of time spent looking up.

There are also many parks here with Kronvalda Park, Bastejkalna Park and Vērmane Garden offering a place to unwind. Bastejkalna Park was my favorite with its Love Bridge and boat tours departing from here.

Hotels are mostly high end and mid-range, you won’t find many hostels here. However, the prices are better than Old Town and offer more for the price.

Things To Do In Centrs

• Freedom Monument – powerful national symbol honoring Latvia’s independence, topped by the iconic statue of Liberty holding three stars.
• Bastejkalns Park – green park with canals, walking paths, and scenic bridges right next to the Old Town.
• Riga Nativity of Christ Orthodox Cathedral – largest Orthodox church in the Baltics, known for its grand golden domes and ornate interior.
• Galleria Riga – modern shopping center.
• Canal Boat Tour – a relaxing way to see the city from the water as you glide along the canal and Daugava River.

What’s The Catch

Centrs is a large, spread-out neighbourhood and not all of it is equal. The area around the central train station and central market can feel a bit rough around the edges, particularly after dark. I’d avoid staying too close to that end of the district it’s not somewhere I’d feel comfortable walking alone at night, and solo female travellers especially should factor this in when choosing a specific hotel.

It’s also worth knowing that Centrs lacks the charm factor of Old Town. The streets are wider, the buildings more utilitarian, and there isn’t really a focal point to the neighbourhood it’s functional rather than pretty. If you want to step outside and feel somewhere, Centrs might leave you a little cold.

Getting to Old Town is easy enough, but it does mean you’re relying on a short bus / tram ride or a 20-minute walk every time you want to sightsee. That adds up over a few days.

3. Avoti – Best Neighbourhood in Riga for Local Life

Best place to stay in Riga for: long term stay, peace, local culture

30 minute walk, or 10 minute bus, or 10 minute tram to Old Town

Located east of Old Town, Avoti is a lesser chosen neighbourhood to stay in Riga. It is actually where we stayed for our month in Riga. We loved it. It is a local area, there aren’t a great number of hotels so it feels more like real life than the Old Town. We were here in autumn and found it so picturesque with tree lined streets, small parks and independent cafes. If you’re wondering where to stay in Riga on a budget without sacrificing character, Avoti is the answer.

Being off the tourist trail doesn’t mean compromising on food though, some of the best meals we had in Riga were in Avoti. Places like Oak’A Burger and Lokāls Karbonādes are a must visit along with trendy bars Nurme Brewery & Taproom, Alus Rūme Trofeja and Laska V21 take you away from the stag culture in Old Town to the real nightlife of Riga. Food and drink are also cheaper.

You can also find excellent accommodation for much better value than Old Town and Centrs, our apartment was huge for the price we paid.

The Avoti neighbourhood is bordered by both Old Town and Centrs so you can reach the main landmarks with relative convenience. Many buses go through here, along with trams 1,7,11,14. On a cool Autumn day I enjoyed the 30 minute walk into the Old Town.

Things To Do In Avoti

• Grīziņkalns Park – laid-back neighborhood park.
• Local nightlife – growing alternative scene with cozy bars, live music spots, and a more authentic, local feel than Old Town.
• Concerts in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church – Neo-Gothic church that occasionally hosts intimate concerts with excellent acoustics.
• Miera Street area – indie cafes, vintage shops, and creative spaces (there’s a very nice KALVE here).

What’s The Catch

The location is both a blessing and a curse, if you are only in Riga for 2-3 days then it will feel like you are too far from the action. However, for those staying longer it’s a nice break from the Old Town. Another downside we found was that due to the lack of tourists we really stood out, it didn’t really matter for most things, but we found we received unfriendly treatment in the local gym, which we couldn’t put down to anything else other than we weren’t from there.

4. Agenskalns – Best Left Bank Neighbourhood in Riga

Best place to stay in Riga for: bohemian atmosphere, architecture, local life

15 minute tram to Old Town

Just west of Riga Old Town, across the Daugava River, is Agenskalns, one of the most underrated neighbourhoods in Riga. Of all the neighbourhoods I explored in Riga, this one surprised me the most. It has a completely different character to anywhere else in the city quieter, scrappier and interesting to just wander around.

It’s best known for its wooden architecture, which sounds unassuming until you actually see it. The streets around Kalnciema Quarter are lined with ornate timber houses in faded blues, greens and yellows, some beautifully restored, some pretty much crumbling. The Kalnciema Quarter itself hosts a popular Saturday market where locals come for food, crafts and live music, you won’t find many tourists here.

One standout feature of Agenskalns is the Holy Trinity Church (also known as the pink church), dating back to the 1890s, it’s the oldest Orthodox church on this side of the river. Painted in gold, pink, lilac and turquoise it catches your eye from miles away. Don’t just stay outside though, inside there is an elaborate three-tiered iconostasis carved from lime wood.

There’s a student energy here, largely thanks to the Latvian Academy of Culture being based in the neighbourhood. That brings with it good coffee shops and independent bars. If you’re a remote worker you will not stand out in the cafes, as lots of students work away on their laptops around here.

The number 22 bus also goes through Agenskalns to the airport, this means you don’t even need to go into the city centre when heading to/from the airport.

Things To Do In Agenskalns

• Holy Trinity Church – distinctive pink Orthodox church.
• Kalnciema Quarter – cultural hub known for its beautifully restored wooden houses and popular Saturday market.
• Arcadia Park – peaceful green space with canals, bridges, and scenic walking paths just outside the city center.
• Žanis Lipke Memorial – museum honoring a local hero who rescued Jews during World War II.
• National Library of Latvia – iconic modern building known as the “Castle of Light”.

What’s The Catch

Crossing the river creates more psychological distance than the tram journey suggests it can feel like a commitment to get back into the centre, especially late at night. If you’re only in Riga for a few days and want to be in the thick of it, Agenskalns will frustrate you. It rewards slower, more curious travellers rather than those trying to tick off landmarks.

It’s also still developing as a place to stay accommodation options are limited, and the neighbourhood can feel a little sparse in parts outside of the Kalnciema area.

5. Latgale (North) – Best Area to Stay Near Riga Central Market

Best place to stay in Riga for: history, local life, budget travellers

20 minute walk / 8 minute tram to Old Town

Latgale is a large district and not all of it is suitable for tourists staying in Riga, but the northern end, closest to the river and the Central Market, is a different story. It’s one of the oldest parts of Riga, with a history shaped by Russian, Belarusian and Jewish migration that still shows in the streets with wooden houses and elaborate Orthodox churches.

You’re just a 20 minute walk from Old Town but the prices drop noticeably and the streets feel completely different. When choosing accommodation here, stay north between the river and the Central Market.

Riga Central Market (one of the largest markets in Europe) is right on your doorstep and is one of the most remarkable things in the city. The five enormous pavilions were built from the frameworks of WWI German Zeppelin hangars, each hall originally named after figures from German mythology. The scale inside is hard to believe. Each pavilion covers a different category: meat, fish, dairy, produce and the fish section in particular is something else. Come early, eat breakfast from a stall, and wander. It’s one of those places that makes you feel like you actually know a city.

A short walk away is the Riga Ghetto and Holocaust Museum. The area around it has barely changed in decades, which gives it a quiet, unsettling weight that no other part of Riga has. A memorial wall carries the names of over 70,000 Latvian Jews killed during the Holocaust, alongside approximately 25,000 brought to Riga from other parts of Europe. It’s free to enter and worth every minute.

Things To Do In Latgale

• Riga Central Market – One of Europe’s largest markets, set in former zeppelin hangars and packed with local food and produce.
• Latvian Academy of Sciences– Stalinist-era building with an observation deck offering sweeping views over the city.
• Giant Fox – colorful urban mural that’s become a quirky symbol of Riga’s street art scene.
• Riga Ghetto and Holocaust Memorial – a moving site preserving the memory of Jewish life and tragedy during World War II.
• Great Choral Synagogue Memorial – a solemn monument marking the site of a synagogue destroyed during the Holocaust.
• Grebenstchikov Old Believers’ House of Prayer – largest Old Believer church in the world, known for its ornate interior and religious significance.

What’s The Catch

Latgale is a big district but around the train station it can be rough. The area around the central station warrants more attention to your belongings and at night it loses its charm quickly.

There’s also very little in the way of restaurants or bars here. You’re staying for the history, the market and the walk into Old Town — not for evenings out.

Where To Stay In Riga FAQ

Where to avoid in Riga?

Nowhere in Riga is truly off limits, but there are parts of the city where you should keep your wits about you. The area immediately around the central train station is the one I’d flag most, it can feel rough, particularly at night, and petty theft is more common here than elsewhere. The southern end of Latgale district shares that energy, so if you’re staying in that area make sure you’re on the northern end closer to the river. I wouldn’t say avoid these areas entirely, just don’t be wandering around them alone at 2am. The rest of the city is genuinely fine.

How many days are enough to visit Riga?

Three days gets you through the highlights comfortably, Old Town, the Art Nouveau streets, the Central Market and a day trip to Jurmala if the weather plays along. Five days let you actually breathe, explore the neighbourhoods beyond the tourist trail and eat well without feeling like you’re rushing. We spent a full month in Riga and never ran out of things to do, so if you have the flexibility to stay longer, take it.

Is Riga Old Town walkable?

Yes, Riga Old Town is very walkable, most landmarks are within a 10 to 20 minute walk of each other.

The Old Town is compact enough that you can cover it end to end in about twenty minutes on foot, and most of the major landmarks are within a short walk of each other. Comfortable shoes are a must though the cobblestones are charming to look at and punishing to walk on for hours. The wider city is also very walkable, with Centrs and Avoti both reachable on foot from Old Town without much effort.

Is Riga in Latvia worth visiting?

Honestly, yes, and more than most people expect. Amazing food, fun nightlife, interesting architecture, and excellent value.

Riga tends to get written off as a cheap stag party destination, which does it a serious disservice. The Art Nouveau architecture alone puts it among the most visually interesting cities in Europe. Add in the medieval Old Town, the wooden neighbourhoods, the Central Market, the food scene and the history including one of the most sobering Holocaust museums I’ve visited anywhere and you have a city that has a lot more going on than its reputation suggests. Flights are cheap, hotels are good value outside of Old Town and it works equally well as a long weekend or a longer stay.

Is Riga good for solo female travellers?

Riga is a safe and manageable city for solo female travellers. The Old Town and Centrs are well lit, well populated and easy to navigate alone. The main area I would flag is around the central train station at night, it can feel unsettling and I would not walk through it alone after dark. Outside of that, I travelled and lived here without any issues. The usual common sense applies.