Where to stay in Riga — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia — and the biggest city in the Baltics — sitting on the Daugava River where it meets the Gulf of Riga. Its heart is the UNESCO-listed Old Town (Vecrīga), a walkable maze of cobbled lanes packed with medieval churches, the soaring Riga Cathedral, the photogenic House of the Blackheads, and St Peter's Church, whose 123-metre tower has a 360° viewing platform. Just beyond it lies the city's other headline act: the densest concentration of Art Nouveau architecture in Europe — roughly 800 buildings, with the most ornate clustered on Alberta iela and Elizabetes iela. Riga is compact, flat, easy to walk, and noticeably cheaper than Western Europe. Pick from three angles — stay in the Old Town to reach every landmark on foot, in Centrs for the Art Nouveau streets and Bastejkalns Park, or in the Quiet Centre for calmer, better-value nights minutes from the sights. RIX airport is about 10 km out; Bus 22 reaches the Old Town in 30 minutes for €1.50.
Why stay in Riga
A walkable UNESCO Old Town
Vecrīga is a UNESCO World Heritage site — cobbled streets, medieval churches and centuries-old Hanseatic merchant houses, all within a compact, pedestrian-friendly core you can explore without ever boarding transport.
Europe's Art Nouveau capital
Riga holds the largest concentration of Art Nouveau buildings in Europe — around 800 of them — with the grandest façades, carved faces, lions and floral details lining Alberta iela and Elizabetes iela.
Europe at a gentler price
Hotels, meals and coffee cost far less than Paris or London, so you can land a boutique stay in a historic building or a genuine five-star without the Western-Europe price tag — the smartest base for a Baltic trip.
A market in Zeppelin hangars
Riga Central Market has run since 1930 inside former Zeppelin hangars beside the Daugava — one of Europe's largest indoor markets, where you can graze on smoked fish, cheese and local pastries.
Pick an area first — where to stay in Riga
Location is the single most important thing about a hotel — choose the right area first, then pick the hotel
Old Town (Vecrīga)Steps from every landmark — Riga Cathedral, the House of the Blackheads and St Peter's Church. Medieval atmosphere and boutique stays inside old merchant houses; ideal for first-timers.
Coming soonCentrs / Art Nouveau DistrictAround Alberta iela and Elizabetes iela, lined with Art Nouveau façades, plus Bastejkalns Park and the Freedom Monument. A 10–15 minute walk into the Old Town.
Coming soonQuiet Centre (Klusais centrs)A calm residential pocket next to parks and museums, with better rates and a relaxed pace — great for couples, and still only minutes on foot from the Old Town.
Coming soonNear Central Station + Central MarketAround Rīgas Centrālā stacija and the market, the best-connected base for trains, coaches and the airport Bus 22 — handy if you're continuing on to other Baltic cities.
Coming soonRanked reviews — find your ideal stay in Riga
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then explore food and sights
Find the right Riga hotel for you
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Local dishes to try in Riga
- 1🫛
Grey peas with speck (Pelēkie zirņi ar speķi)
Latvia's national dish — grey peas simmered with fried pork belly and onion, hearty and savoury. Found in traditional restaurants across the Old Town.
📍 National dish - 2🍞
Rye bread (Rupjmaize)
A dense, hearth-baked whole-grain rye loaf with a distinctive sweet-sour flavour — a national staple for centuries, served with soups or turned into dessert.
📍 On every table - 3🥟
Pīrāgi
Small crescent-shaped buns stuffed with bacon and onion — flaky outside, rich inside. A classic Latvian snack you'll find at markets and cafés.
📍 Local snack - 4🥧
Sklandrausis
A sweet rye-pastry tart filled with mashed potato and carrot and seasoned with caraway — an old Livonian recipe with EU protected-food status.
📍 EU-protected - 5🥃
Riga Black Balsam
A jet-black herbal liqueur made to a secret recipe since the 18th century — sip it neat, in coffee or in cocktails, famously at the Black Magic Bar.
📍 National liqueur - 6🐟
Smoked fish & market fare
The Baltic is known for smoked fish — herring and salmon — best sampled at the Central Market alongside local cheese, honey and pickles.
📍 Central Market
- 1🏰
Old Town (Vecrīga)
The medieval heart of Riga — a walkable warren of cobbled lanes, squares, churches and centuries-old Hanseatic merchant houses, listed by UNESCO.
📍 UNESCO site - 2🏛️
House of the Blackheads
A lavishly decorated Gothic guildhall with Dutch Renaissance gables, first built in the 14th century, destroyed in WWII and faithfully rebuilt in the 1990s — Riga's signature photo spot.
📍 City symbol - 3⛪
St Peter's Church
A medieval church whose roughly 123-metre Gothic tower has a lift up to a viewing platform with sweeping views over the Old Town's red rooftops.
📍 360° viewpoint - 4🌸
Art Nouveau District (Alberta iela)
Riga's most spectacular Art Nouveau street — façades crowded with carved faces, lions and flowing ornament, with the Art Nouveau Museum nearby.
📍 Densest in Europe - 5⛪
Riga Cathedral (Dome Cathedral)
The largest medieval church in the Baltic region, begun in 1211, blending Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque, and home to one of Europe's most famous organs.
📍 Largest in the Baltics - 6🗽
Freedom Monument
A 42.7-metre granite column unveiled in 1935, topped by a woman holding three stars for Latvia's three regions, with a ceremonial changing of the guard.
📍 National icon - 7🍅
Riga Central Market
An indoor market open since 1930 inside former Zeppelin hangars by the Daugava — smoked fish, cheese, honey, pastries and souvenirs under one vast roof.
📍 Zeppelin hangars - 8🌳
Bastejkalns Park & City Canal
A central park created from the old city ramparts, threaded by the Pilsētas Canal and little bridges, beside the Latvian National Opera — boat rides on the canal in summer.
📍 Green city break
Things to do in Riga
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Riga — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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3 Riga hotels our team picked for you
Selected from real reviews — one per budget tier, each with a score and instant 3-site price comparison
★ 9.3Luxury
★ 9.2LuxuryDome Hotel & Spa
#3 Luxury boutique · inside a 400-year-old building beside the cathedral
★ 9.1LuxuryGrand Palace Hotel
#4 Luxury boutique · historic 1877 building in the Old Town
โรงแรมแนะนำทั้งหมดในRiga
ครบทุกระดับงบ — คัดจากคะแนนรีวิวจริง พร้อมเทียบราคา 3 เว็บ
Grand Poet Hotel by Semarah
#1 luxury · where Old Town meets the Art Nouveau District
Neiburgs Hotel
#6 Art Nouveau boutique · heart of the Old Town
Pullman Riga Old Town
#2 historic building · beside a park in the heart of the Old Town
Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel
#9 Great value · biggest spa in Old Town
Radisson Blu Latvija Conference & Spa Hotel
#7 Icon tower · Old Town views
Haven't found the one? Search all 3 sites yourself
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🚆 Getting around Riga
RIX airport → city
Riga International Airport (RIX) is about 10 km from the centre. The cheapest option is Bus 22 to the 11. novembra krastmala stop opposite the Old Town, taking 30–45 minutes.
Transit fares
A Bus 22 ticket bought in advance (Rīgas satiksme app, Narvesen kiosks or machines) costs €1.50; bought from the driver it's €1.81, card payment only.
Trams, trolleybuses & buses
The city runs three networks — tram, trolleybus and bus, all under Rīgas satiksme — covering the whole city, easiest paid via the app or an e-talons card.
Walking is best
The Old Town and Art Nouveau district are within easy walking distance on flat ground, and almost every landmark is clustered in the centre — you'll rarely need transport.
Money & payments
Latvia uses the euro (€); ATMs are everywhere and Visa/Mastercard are accepted almost universally in restaurants, shops and hotels. Latvia is in the Schengen Area.
Where to go next near Riga
Frequently asked — where to stay in Riga
Where should I stay in Riga?+
First-timers should pick the Old Town (Vecrīga) for walking access to every landmark. Architecture lovers should choose Centrs / Art Nouveau near Alberta iela, while the Quiet Centre offers calmer, better-value nights still minutes from the Old Town.
What's the cheapest way from RIX airport to the centre?+
Take Bus 22 to the 11. novembra krastmala stop opposite the Old Town — 30–45 minutes, with an advance ticket at €1.50 (or €1.81 from the driver, card only). It's far cheaper than a taxi.
Do I need a visa, and what currency does Latvia use?+
Latvia is in the Schengen Area and uses the euro (€). Many nationalities enter visa-free for up to 90 days, and cards are accepted almost everywhere — always check the latest entry rules for your passport before you travel.
Ready to book your Riga stay?
Start with the 3 hotels our team picked, or search all 3 sites — always compare before booking