Where to stay in Riga: 4 districts and hotels in each
Riga is compact: the center is genuinely walkable. But your choice of neighborhood changes the trip more than it seems: it determines how long you spend getting around, what you pay per night, and what you wake up to outside your window.
The Vivi train gets you to Jurmala in about 30 minutes (as of 09/2026, carrier's official website). That's a different kind of vacation: pine trees, the sea, and none of the city bustle. There are four practical places to stay: Old Town, the Central District, and Agenskalns in Riga, plus Jurmala by the sea. Below we break down each one and name specific hotels, hostels, and apartments.
The short answer: for a first trip, go with Old Town or the Central District. If you want the sea and pine trees, look at Jurmala. If you're driving and value peace and quiet, Agenskalns works well.
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How to choose a neighborhood in Riga
💡 In short:
- Old Town: sights right outside your window, the best choice for a first two-to-three-day trip.
- Central District: Art Nouveau architecture, cafes locals go to, and lower prices than Old Town.
- Jurmala: the sea, pine trees, and spas, but you need to take the train to central Riga.
- Agenskalns: a quiet left-bank neighborhood for those traveling by car.
- Prices and opening hours: checked on 09/12/2026 on the St. Peter's Church website and the House of the Black Heads website.
Neighborhood | What's nearby | Travel time to the center | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|---|
Old Town | Riga Cathedral, House of the Black Heads, St. Peter's Church | Step outside and you're there | A first two-to-three-day trip |
Central District | Nativity of Christ Cathedral, Art Nouveau, cafes | 10-20 minutes on foot (per map) | Those who don't like tourist crowds |
Jurmala | Beach, Majori, Kemeri National Park | About half an hour by train | Summer, with kids, for three to four days |
Agenskalns | Parks, wooden architecture, markets | 20-30 minutes on foot (per map) | Those traveling by car |
Don't focus on hotel stars, focus on the route. If you only have two days, every extra kilometer eats into your sightseeing time. In Old Town, it's a couple of minutes from your door to Riga Cathedral. In the Central District, the walk takes 10-20 minutes per map, but you pay less and see a lived-in city rather than a tourist showcase.
The second criterion: a car. With one, Agenskalns is more convenient, since you can quickly head out toward Jurmala and the national park. Without a car, that same neighborhood means extra trips and waiting for transport.
The third criterion: season. In summer, Jurmala fills up fast. Demand in Riga is steadier, but before weekends, Old Town hotels also get booked up.
1. Old Town: sights within walking distance
If this is your first trip and you only have a couple of days, Old Town saves the most valuable thing: time. The House of the Black Heads, Riga Cathedral, and St. Peter's Church are all a few minutes' walk from each other. The House of the Black Heads is open every day from 10:00 to 17:00 (as of 09/2026, official website).
© Richardmaackphotography · CC BYPhoto: Richardmaackphotography, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe tower of St. Peter's Church is open from 10:00 to 18:00, and until 22:00 on Fridays and Saturdays (as of 09/2026, church's official website). Climbing to the observation deck is paid; check the current price on the website before your trip. In the morning and closer to evening, there are noticeably fewer people on the deck.
Along the cobblestone streets you'll find remnants of medieval Riga: the Powder Tower and the Swedish Gate. The paving is uneven in places, so wear comfortable shoes.
The catch with this neighborhood: in the middle of the day, tour groups move along the main streets. See the key sights early in the morning or after 18:00, when you'll catch the lull between crowds.
Hotels in Old Town
Forums Boutique Hotel is a few minutes' walk from the main sights. The rooms are classic, and breakfast is included in the rate.
- Who it's for: if you want a boutique hotel and don't want to cook.
- Not for: if you need a kitchen in your room.
Greystone Suites & Apartments suits those who prefer to cook for themselves. It has its own kitchen, breakfast is also included in the rate, and the apartment size can be matched to your group.
Old Riga Hotel Vecriga occupies a historic building in the very center. Inside there is an art collection and the hotel's own restaurants.
With a base in the Old Town, it's easy to reach the main sights early in the morning or late in the evening, when tour groups have already left.
Apartments and hostels
BARTA Apartment is on the edge of the Old Town. It's a studio with modern furniture and a terrace for morning coffee.
The Naughty Squirrel hostel offers dorms and common areas. They regularly organize activities so guests can get to know each other.
Tree House Hostel is quieter than the others. It has a large kitchen, a shared lounge, and friendly staff. Choose it if you want rest rather than parties.
© karel291 · CC BYPhoto: karel291, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia Commons2. Central district: Art Nouveau and lower prices
The Central district is chosen by those who don't want to live inside the tourist showcase. It remains within walking distance of the main sights, and a night here usually costs less than in the Old Town.
© Virtual-Pano · CC BY-SAPhoto: Virtual-Pano, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsShops, cafes, and bars here cater to locals, so the quality is higher and the bill is more modest. The streets are full of Art Nouveau: the facades in this district rival Paris, Prague, and Budapest. You can stroll here without a ticket or a queue.
The Nativity of Christ Cathedral in Esplanade Park is considered the largest Orthodox church in the Baltics. Step inside, admission is free.
© Hans A. Rosbach · CC BY-SAPhoto: Hans A. Rosbach, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe buildings are decorated with stucco, turrets, and stained glass, so you'll want your camera at every step. For the evening, the side streets around Brīvības iela are a good choice: fewer tourists and more locals there.
Hotels in the Central district
Hotel Edvards is family-run. The rooms are inexpensive and tidy, suitable for couples and solo travelers. A hearty breakfast buffet is included in the price.
Gertrude Hotel occupies a classic Art Nouveau building. The rooms suit couples and families, breakfast can be added to the rate, and there is a bar in the lobby.
If your budget allows, check out Grand Poet by Semarah. It's a five-star hotel with a fitness center, pool, and spa. Breakfast is included, and an airport shuttle can be arranged on site.
- The catch: the price is higher than at neighboring hotels in the district.
Apartments and hostels
ANNA Riga Apartment suits a family or a group of friends. Two bedrooms, a city view, and everything you need for a longer stay.
The Cinnamon Sally Backpackers hostel is on the border of the Central district and the Old Town. There are mixed dorms and female-only dorms, plus tours and evening activities.
Central Hostel Riga is quieter and closer to the train stations. There are dorms, private rooms, and a large kitchen.
3. Jurmala: beaches, pine trees and spas
Jurmala is technically not Riga, but many people head here anyway. The sea, pine trees and spas are half an hour from the capital, so you get two different vacations in one trip.
In summer, Jurmala is very popular and accommodation sells out quickly. If you're planning July or August, book in advance, otherwise the only options left will be on the outskirts of Majori. Outside summer, swimming in the Baltic is only for the hardy, but spas, walks through the pine forest and quiet are available year-round.
The main part of Jurmala is in Majori, with the pedestrian street Jomas iela, shops and restaurants. Take a stroll there in the evening, when the heat subsides and the shop windows light up. Resort life runs along the sea, and the pine neighborhoods begin right behind it.
Further from the sea is Ķemeri National Park. The Great Ķemeri Bog trail runs across a raised bog on wooden boardwalks: the long route is 3.4 km, the short one 1.4 km (as of 09/2026, Tukums tourist office). In Ķemeri itself, the former sanatorium building has been preserved and is worth seeing at least from the outside.
© Raul Cortez999 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Raul Cortez999, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsWhere to stay in Jurmala
Kurshi Hotel & Spa is about 400 meters from the sea (according to the map). It has spa access and a children's playground, so it's convenient with kids.
Hotel Jūrmala Spa is chosen for its wide range of spa treatments and spacious rooms. There are separate saunas and pools for children, and a bar nearby.
Greenhouse Apartments studio is popular with couples: the beach is within walking distance, surrounded by pine trees and quiet.
© Diego Delso · CC BY-SAPhoto: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe catch with Jurmala: outside the season, not everyone will be up for swimming.
4. Agenskalns: a quiet neighborhood on the left bank
Agenskalns is not on the tourist routes, and that's the point. Houses stand among parks and traditional wooden architecture, and groups with flags are a rare sight.
© Misters32 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Misters32, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe neighborhood lies on the other bank of the Daugava, but you can walk to the Old Town. So you get a quiet evening and a short route to the sights at the same time.
A separate plus for drivers: it's easier to head out toward Jurmala and Ķemeri from here, which saves travel time. If you're traveling by car, the neighborhood deserves attention.
Among local points of interest, Kalnciema kvartāls is worth a visit. The market there runs every Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00 (as of 09/2026, official website), and a Christmas market opens in December. There's also Āgenskalns Market with grocery aisles, farm stalls and a flea market spread over several floors. There are fewer international tourists here than at Riga Central Market.
Where to stay in Agenskalns
There are fewer options than in the center, so book in advance.
Bellevue Park Hotel is next to a park, and it's about a 20-minute walk to the Old Town (according to the map). The rooms are modern, and restaurants with panoramic views operate on the top floor.
Riga Luxury Loft with Terrace suits a family or a group. These are modern apartments with a private rooftop terrace. In summer, the terrace becomes the main selling point of this option.
© karel291 · CC BYPhoto: karel291, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe catch with Agenskalns: there are few hotels here, and evening life happens in the center.
How to get there and when to book
The most convenient way to get to Jurmala is by Vivi train from Central Station: about 30 minutes and you're at the sea (as of 09/2026, vivi.lv). Trains run regularly, but on summer weekends the cars fill up, so it's better to buy a ticket in advance.
Book accommodation in Jurmala for July and August several months ahead: the season is short and demand is high. Riga has more options, but popular Old Town hotels also get booked up for weekends.
Getting between neighborhoods is easy on foot, by tram, or by taxi. Inside the Old Town, a car only gets in the way: the streets are narrow and cobblestoned, and finding parking takes longer than walking to your hotel.
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⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to stay in Riga on a first visit?
For a first trip, choose the Old Town or the Central District. In the Old Town, you're steps away from the Dome Cathedral and the House of the Blackheads. The Central District is a bit cheaper and quieter, but you can still walk to the main sights.
Does closer to the sights mean more expensive?
Usually, yes. The Old Town is more compact and convenient, so rooms here cost more than in the Central District. If your budget is tight, look at hostels and apartments in the center: the same locations within walking distance, but for less money.
Is it worth staying in Jurmala if you're visiting Riga?
It is, if you want the sea and quiet. You can take the train to central Riga any day. For a short two-day trip, Jurmala is less convenient.
Where is the cheapest place to stay in Riga?
The cheapest options are the Central District and hostels on its border with the Old Town. Apartments with a kitchen also save money: you make breakfast and dinner yourself. In Jurmala, summer demand is at its peak, so prices there are higher than in the city.
Can you see Riga and Jurmala without a car?
Yes. Trains run between Riga Central Station and Jurmala, and the trip takes about half an hour. A car is more useful for Kemeri National Park: getting to the bog boardwalks is easier with one.
When should you book a hotel in Jurmala?
For July and August, book in advance, ideally several months ahead. Seaside accommodation sells out quickly, and in high season available rooms run out long before your arrival date.
In short: what to book
Your choice of neighborhood determines what your trip becomes. If you have two days and it's your first visit, book a hotel in the Old Town. If you want to save money and live like a local, the Central District works well. For the sea and spa, choose Jurmala, and for quiet with a car, Agenskalns.
The matrix is simple. Short on time: Old Town. Tight budget: Central District and hostels. Traveling with kids in summer: Jurmala. Traveling by car: Agenskalns.
Check prices for your dates in advance: see hotels in Riga on Trip.com.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.