Where to Stay in Riga → 4 Top Areas (+ Hotels W. Prices)

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Aerial view of a city with colorful buildings, a large church with a clock tower, and a river in the background under a blue sky.

Latvia’s capital is pretty incredible, and to help you have the best time there, I’ve made this guide on where to stay in Riga!

After thorough research, I’ve found the 4 top areas for tourists in the city and the best hotels in each of those neighborhoods for all budgets (as always).

In short, Old Town is the best area to stay in Riga as that’s where you’ll find the main attractions and some of the most amazing hotels in town. But if you’d prefer something different, just scroll down and you’ll find more options.

As the capital city, Riga gets lots of tourists all year round so I’d recommend booking your accommodation here in advance.

Quick Picks for Your Stay

Want to book your holiday ASAP? Then check out this short list of hotels with the top options, all located in the Old Town:

Check out this map, it will help you visualize all the areas where to stay in Riga that I will talk about in the post:

1. Old Town – where to stay in Riga for the first time

A historical European square with ornate buildings, including House of the Blackheads, and a tall church tower under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

The beating heart of the city, the Old Town is perfect for those who are visiting Riga for the first time!

Also known as Vecrīga, this area has cobblestone streets, a lovely atmosphere, and a great location right on the Daugava River, meaning you’ll get some stunning views, especially at sunset, so make sure to go on a stroll along the river banks!

The architecture is so beautiful here that you’ll want to spend the whole time exploring its streets so you can admire everything! Of course, there are plenty of attractions around too!

Some that you shouldn’t miss out on are the House of the Black Heads museum, Riga Cathedral, which is located in the Dome Square (map), St. Peter’s Church (map) and Riga Castle.

The Old Town is always humming with energy thanks to the flocks of tourists who are around visiting the attractions or eating and drinking in all the amazing restaurants. Ogle (map) is a great one, perfect for a nice dinner after a day of running around town!

Riga is a pretty affordable city, so luckily the hotels in the Old Town don’t cost as much as in other European capitals. Now let’s check them out:

Luxury hotel

Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga

Set near the main attractions this fabulous hotel has stylish, spacious rooms with a seating area. You’ll also find a fitness center, a swimming pool (make sure to pack your swimsuit) and a restaurant where you can enjoy some drinks after a day out on the town.

Other accommodation options in Old Town

Mid-range

Dome Hotel

Set in a 400-year-old building, this hotel comes with custom-made furnishings and a restaurant

Budget

Kungu Apartments

An affordable studio apartment that offers a flat-screen TV, a kitchenette, and a city-view

Airbnb

Cool Apartment

This modern apartment has room for 2 guests, amazing furnishings, a kitchen and a tub

Things to do in Old Town

Visit the House of the Black Heads museum
Admire the beautiful Riga Cathedral
Go for a walk around the Dome Square
Check out St. Peter’s Church
Shop for souvenirs in the Riga Central Market (map)
Learn new things at the Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation
Travel back in time at Riga Castle
Try the famous black balsam cocktail at B Bārs Restorāns (map)

2. Central District – best place to stay in Riga for culture

Aerial view of a cityscape at dusk showing rows of buildings with varied architecture, a mixture of modern and older structures, and a main street running through the center.

Set right near the Old Town, the Central District is a pretty big area known for its Art Nouveau architecture!

In fact, this area’s Albert Street (map) is known as the home of the world’s largest collection of Art Nouveau buildings!

Make sure you head there and check them out, even if you’re not staying in the Central District!

Unlike the Old Town, this neighborhood is a bit more residential. Although it still has its fair share of attractions and things to see like the Art Nouveau buildings, the city parks, Esplanāde (map) is perfect for a midday stroll. You can also check out the Old Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Gertrude (map) and the Olympic Voodoo Casino (map).

I think the best way to see everything that the Central District has to offer is to just explore its streets on foot. That way you’ll get to see all the Art Nouveau buildings as well (although most are on Albert Street) that are a couple spread around the area too.

Another important landmark that you can see in the Central District is the Freedom Monument (map) which is located near the University of Latvia and that is dedicated to those who fought for the country’s independence.

Luxury hotel

Grand Poet Hotel and Spa

You’re going to love this hotel, which has such amazing decor and rooms with large windows that overlook the city. The accommodation also comes with a fitness center and a spa where you can relax in the hot tub and sauna.

Other accommodation options in Central District

Mid-range

Aston Hotel Riga

This modern hotel has rooms with city views, a restaurant, a bar and a fitness center

Budget

Stabu Sēta Residence

A hotel with simple yet cozy rooms that offers a yummy breakfast, a gym and a great location

Airbnb

Stylish Apartment

Super cozy place that comes with a kitchen, a desk area and a courtyard view

Things to do in Central District

Catch a show at the Latvian National Opera
See all the Art Nouveau buildings on Albert Street
Go for a stroll in Esplanāde park
Explore the Brasa area
Visit the Old Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Gertrude
Try your luck at the Olympic Voodoo Casino
See the Freedom Monument
Grab dinner at Whitehouse Restorāns (map)

3. Avoti – best place to stay in Riga for tranquility

A stone monument inscribed with "1905" stands in a lush park, surrounded by various plants and flowers, with trees in the background.

Located right near the Central District and not too far from the Old Town (around a 30 min walk), Avoti is the perfect place in Riga for those of you who’d trade any minute the loud and busy streets of the central part of the city for something more tranquil.

What makes Avoti great is that it’s still close to all the attractions but far enough that you won’t have to face the tourist crowds all day long.

This is a residential area so you won’t find as many attractions, bars and restaurants. However, another perk is that the train station (map) is located here, so if you want to take any day trips to places like Jurmala, a cute resort town known for its beach and Art Nouveau villas, or Cēsis, you can easily do so.

There are a couple of parks in Avoti like the lovely Grīziņkalns Park (map) and Ziedoņdārzs Park (map) some shops and also the Zuzeum Art Center (map).

Luxury hotel

Bright Designer Apartment

I love this apartment! It has such a great design, it’s super spacious, bright and it has modern furnishings. The accommodation has room for up to 4 guests, a fully-equipped kitchen and a flat-screen Tv.

Other accommodation options in Avoti

Mid-range

Designer Loft

A spacious apartment with a kitchen, a flat-screen TV, a great location, and a terrace where you can chill

Budget

The Pearl

This stunning apartment has amazing furnishings, an indoor fireplace, and a kitchen

Airbnb

Design Apartment

Feel at home in this cozy place that comes with a kitchen, free parking, and a washing machine

Things to do in Avoti

Go for a stroll in Grīziņkalns Park or Ziedoņdārzs Par
Head to the Old Town to visit the attractions
Check out the Zuzeum Art Center
Take the train and go on a day trip

4. Agenskalns – where to stay in Riga for budget

Aerial view of a city park with a winding river, surrounded by trees and grassy areas, under a partly cloudy sky during sunset. Buildings and cityscape are visible in the background.

Located on the left bank of Daugava River, just across from Old Town Riga and connected to it by the Vanšu Bridge, this area is perfect for those of you traveling on a budget.

The Old Town is around a 30 min walk away from Agenskalns but don’t worry, if you don’t feel like walking as you can use public transport to get around (the capital has lots of buses, trams and trolleybuses).

You don’t really need to rent a car in Riga as the town is pretty compact and the tourist attractions are within reach, but if you’re planning to do a road trip thing around the country or Europe then definitely go for it!

Agenskalns offers a more relaxed atmosphere and lots of affordable accommodations (mostly apartments) making it perfect for families and those traveling on a budget.

The area is pretty big and there are a couple of parks and gardens where you can relax. Check out Victory Park (map) and the beautiful Sakura Garden (map) which looks amazing during the months of April and May when all the flowers are blooming.

You’ll also find 2 amazing markets here that you should definitely check out especially if you want to mingle with the locals.

The Agenskalns Market (map) is open daily and is the perfect spot to buy some yummy local fruits and vegetables. I also highly recommend the Kalnciema Quarter Market (map). It is only open on Saturdays and here you’ll find different things from clothes, artisanal food and they even have live music!

Luxury hotel

Park Inn by Radisson

This modern hotel is equipped with everything you need for your stay in Riga! The accommodation has rooms that boast panoramic views of the Daugava River, an on-site restaurant, a fitness center, and a terrace.