Where to stay in Riga: areas and hotels

If you're visiting Riga for the first time, the best base is the Old Town, Vecrīga, because all the major attractions are within a few minutes' walk, and you won't need to bother with public transport at all. If you're looking for something more affordable without losing proximity to the centre, look towards the area around the central railway station and the Central Market, where prices drop considerably without having to venture far.

For couples wanting something more atmospheric than the typical Old Town, the Art Nouveau district around Alberta Street offers a quieter, elegant side of the city, while those seeking a stroll in a more alternative, artistic atmosphere will feel more at home in the area around Miera Street. Families with children usually do well either in the city centre, near Vērmanes Garden, or slightly outside the Old Town's hustle and bustle, in areas with more greenery and tranquillity.

Generally speaking, Riga is a city that is easily explored on foot in its centre, so whichever area you choose among those listed below, you'll never be too far from something interesting.

A few words about Riga before you decide

Riga is the capital of Latvia and the largest urban centre of the three Baltic countries, with a history dating back to 1201, when it was founded as the seat of the German Livonian Brothers of the Sword and soon developed into an important port of the Hanseatic League. Its location in the Daugava River delta, near the Baltic Sea, helped it become a trade hub between Western Europe, Russia, and Scandinavia, a history detailed in our tribute to Riga as the crown of the Baltics, which is still evident today in the architecture of the Old Town, dominated by buildings with German, Swedish, and Russian influences. In the 20th century, the city went through Soviet occupation, Nazi occupation, and Soviet occupation again, until Latvia regained its independence in 1991, a history you can trace through the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, one of the city's most important museums.

The first thing to see is the Old Town itself, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with the Dome Cathedral, St. Peter's Church with its tall bell tower offering views of the entire city, and the so-called Three Brothers, a series of old houses considered among the oldest residential buildings in the Baltics. A special chapter is dedicated to the Art Nouveau district around Alberta Street, where Riga boasts the largest concentration of buildings in this style in all of Europe, primarily the work of architect Mikhail Eisenstein, father of director Sergei Eisenstein. Also worth a stop is Riga's Central Market, housed in former Zeppelin hangars, where you can sample local products, from smoked fish to black rye bread.

Riga also stands out among the cheapest European city break destinations, which partly explains its growing popularity. The best time to visit is from May to September, when temperatures typically range from 15 to 23 degrees Celsius and days are long, ideal for strolls. Winter is cold, with temperatures often dropping below zero, but the city takes on a charm of its own, similar to other European cities that become beautiful in winter, with the Christmas market in Dome Square, one of Europe's oldest Christmas tree traditions, which has placed it among the most Christmassy cities in Europe. For getting around the city, the Old Town and surrounding districts are easily covered on foot, while for longer distances, there's a dense network of trams, buses, and trolleybuses operating with a single ticket card. The historic centre is largely restricted to private cars, so if you're staying there, you won't need a vehicle.

Old Town, Vecrīga: the classic choice

The Old Town is the natural choice if you are in Riga for the first time or if you have only a few days and want to see everything without travelling. Narrow cobbled streets, churches, museums, cafes and restaurants are all within walking distance, and in the evening the area comes alive around the squares. The downside is that rooms here are generally more expensive than in the surrounding districts, and in some spots, especially near Dome Square, there can be quite a bit of noise on weekend evenings.

It's ideal for couples seeking a romantic atmosphere, for first-time travellers to Riga who want everything close by, but less convenient for those on a very limited budget.

1. Hotel Gutenbergs

Located right on Dome Square, inside a historic building with distinct décor in each room. Its rooftop terrace with views of the Old Town is one of the most popular spots in the area for an evening drink.

• Average cost: 140 to 210 € per night
• Ideal for: couples

2. Boutique Hotel Justus

One of the most popular boutique hotels in the Old Town, on Jauniela Street, with brick walls and rooms combining old architecture with modern amenities. You're just a few metres from the cathedral.

• Average cost: 130 to 190 € per night
• Ideal for: couples

3. St. Peter's Boutique Hotel

A small, welcoming hotel next to St. Peter's Church, in one of the most picturesque spots in the Old Town. The rooms are small but tasteful, suitable for a short stay in the heart of the city.

• Average cost: 100 to 150 € per night
• Ideal for: couples, solo travellers

4. Rixwell Old Riga Palace Hotel

A larger hotel in a pink building near the Central Market and the entrance to the Old Town, with comfortable rooms and a good breakfast buffet. A good choice for those who want the Old Town but with greater room flexibility.

• Average cost: 90 to 140 € per night
• Ideal for: families, couples

Centre, Centrs: a balance between comfort and price

The wider city centre area, just outside the Old Town walls but within a few minutes' walk, combines access to attractions with more reasonable prices and more spacious rooms, as many buildings here are newer or have been more recently renovated. It's also closer to modern shopping centres and restaurants catering more to locals than to tourists.

It suits travellers who want to combine business commitments with tourism, and couples who prefer larger rooms than the usually cramped ones in the Old Town, but less so for those who want to be literally immersed in the picturesque atmosphere of cobbled streets.

5. Radisson Hotel Old Town Riga

A large, modern hotel on Zigfrīda Annas Meierovica Boulevard, a five-minute walk from the Old Town. It features a restaurant, bar, and spacious rooms, ideal for those seeking the reliability of a large chain.

• Average cost: 110 to 170 € per night
• Ideal for: couples, business trips

6. AC Hotel by Marriott Riga

Located on the quieter side of the city centre, also known as Klusais Centrs, with modern design, a gym, and a restaurant with glass walls. A good starting point for those who want to be close to Arena Riga and the Old Town without staying in the crowded areas.

• Average cost: 100 to 150 € per night
• Ideal for: couples, business trips

7. Elizabetes Apartments

Apartments in a quiet building on Elizabetes Street, next to embassies and a few minutes from the Old Town. A good choice for those wanting a kitchen and more space, especially for longer stays.

• Average cost: 80 to 130 € per night
• Ideal for: couples, small groups

Art Nouveau district, around Alberta Street: for architecture lovers

The area around Alberta Street and Alfreda Rūmbas Street is located slightly north of the Old Town, about a fifteen-minute walk away, and is known for its impressive Art Nouveau buildings with decorative faces and fantastic designs on their façades. It's a much quieter area than the Old Town, with wide, tree-lined streets and less tourist traffic.

It suits couples and travellers who want to combine strolling and photography with evening tranquillity, but less so for those who want nightlife or to be right next to every attraction, as it requires a bit of walking to reach the Old Town.

8. Stay in Art Nouveau district

An apartment in one of the iconic buildings on Alberta Street, with traditional period features and a full kitchen. Ideal for those who want to literally stay within the architecture they came to see.

• Average cost: 90 to 140 € per night
• Ideal for: couples

9. Albert Studio in Art Nouveau building

A studio apartment on Krišjāņa Barona Street, in an Art Nouveau building, with air conditioning and modern amenities, close to both the architectural district and the Old Town.

• Average cost: 75 to 120 € per night
• Ideal for: couples, solo travellers

Miera, in the Avoti district: for a bohemian mood

Miera Street, in the Avoti district, is Riga's most alternative neighbourhood, with independent cafes, vintage shops, and a more relaxed, everyday image of the city, away from the tourist traps of the Old Town. It's about a twenty-minute walk from the centre, or a few minutes by tram.

It's a good choice for travellers who have been to Riga before or want to see a more authentic side of the city, but less convenient for those who want to be within a stone's throw of the main attractions.

10. Self check in Miera Art Apartment

A comfortable apartment with a distinctive decorative character, on Miera Street, next to cafes and parks, with easy tram access to the centre. Self check-in, ideal for those arriving late.

• Average cost: 70 to 110 € per night
• Ideal for: couples, small groups

11. Miera iela studio apartment

A studio apartment with a garden, a few minutes from Arena Riga, suitable for those who want independence, their own kitchen, and a quiet neighbourhood without being far from public transport.

• Average cost: 60 to 95 € per night
• Ideal for: families, small groups

Around the railway station and Central Market: the budget-friendly option

The area around the central railway and bus station, south of the Old Town, offers the most affordable accommodation prices in Riga, with access to the Old Town walls in a ten-minute walk. It's a more bustling and less picturesque area, with large shopping centres and a lot of traffic, ideal for those who want to save money without losing proximity to the centre.

It suits students, budget travellers, and those arriving or departing by bus or train, but is less suitable for couples seeking a romantic atmosphere or quiet evenings.

12. Dodo Hotel

A simple, functional hotel near the Central Market, with easy tram access to the centre. Good value for money for those who just want a clean room to sleep in.

• Average cost: 45 to 75 € per night
• Ideal for: budget travellers

13. Central Hostel

A hostel near the bus station, with a shared kitchen, free coffee and tea available 24/7, popular with young travellers looking to meet people.

• Average cost: 20 to 35 € per night per bed
• Ideal for: solo travellers, students

14. Viktorija

An affordable hotel on Aleksandra Čaka Street, on a street with many restaurants and cafes, with simple but comfortable rooms. A good choice for a short stay without high demands.

• Average cost: 40 to 65 € per night
• Ideal for: budget travellers

Comparison table of areas

Area	Ideal for	Price range/night	Distance from centre
Old Town (Vecrīga)	First visit, couples	100 to 210 €	0 minutes, it is the centre
Centre (Centrs)	Comfort, business trips	80 to 170 €	5 to 10 minutes on foot
Art Nouveau district (Alberta)	Architecture, tranquillity	75 to 140 €	15 minutes on foot
Miera, Avoti	Bohemian atmosphere	60 to 110 €	20 minutes on foot, 5 by tram
Railway station	Budget accommodation	20 to 75 €	10 minutes on foot

Practical information for your stay

Riga International Airport is about ten kilometres south of the city centre, and transfer is easy by bus or by tram, which has been extended to the airport, with the journey taking around twenty to thirty minutes depending on traffic. Taxis and transfer services are also available for pre-booking, which is useful if you arrive late at night. If you're packing your bags, some tips for packing your suitcase before the trip can save you a lot of stress. Within the city, the network of trams, buses, and trolleybuses covers all the neighbourhoods mentioned above, with a single ticket that can be bought from vending machines or via SMS.

Riga often appears on lists of Europe's top summer destinations, which is why accommodation prices in Riga rise significantly during the summer months, especially June and July, and around the Christmas period when the market in Dome Square operates. In spring and autumn, you can find better prices while still enjoying mild weather, while deep winter, outside of holidays, is the most affordable period if you don't mind the cold. Generally, a room in a good location can be found for 60 to 150 € per night, with luxury options exceeding 200 €.

If you're considering combining Riga with another Baltic destination, it's a good idea to check out our guide on where to stay in Tallinn, as the two cities are easily connected and often included in the same travel itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best area to stay in Riga for the first time?

The Old Town is the most practical choice for a first visit, as all the main attractions are within a few minutes' walk.

Where to stay in Riga on a budget?

The area around the central railway station and the Central Market offers the most affordable prices, about a ten-minute walk from the Old Town.

Which area suits couples looking for something more romantic?

The Art Nouveau district around Alberta Street offers a quieter, more elegant atmosphere, ideal for strolls without the noise of the Old Town.

How far is Riga Airport from the city centre?

Approximately ten kilometres, with the journey by bus or tram taking around twenty to thirty minutes.

Do I need a car to stay in Riga city centre?

No, the Old Town and neighbouring districts are easily covered on foot or by public transport, and car traffic is restricted in many parts of the centre.

What is the best time to visit Riga?

The period from May to September has the mildest weather, while December has its own charm due to the Christmas market, though accommodation prices are higher then.

Which area suits families with children?

The city centre, near Vērmanes Garden, or the area around Miera with its apartments and gardens, offers more space and tranquillity than the dense Old Town.