Where to Stay in Riga: My Top Areas and Hotels in 2026

I’ve been to Riga three times, and I’ve stayed long enough that I’ve experienced the city as more than just a tourist passing through. My first visit was as a backpacker traveling through the Baltics, and the other two were completely different — I was working as a flight attendant and based in Riga for about a month each time.

So if you’re trying to figure out where to stay in Riga, I’m not basing this on a weekend visit or just looking at a map. I’ve spent more than two months in the city altogether, stayed in different parts of the Riga area, used the buses, walked around constantly, and had enough time there to figure out which locations actually make sense for different types of trips.

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Where to Stay in Riga: Quick Answer

Best overall / first time: Old Town
Best for budget travelers: Old Town / City Center
Best for nightlife and being central: Old Town
Best for a quieter stay: City Center
Best if you want to combine Riga with the beach: Jūrmala
Best for an early flight: Near Riga Airport

The Best Areas to Stay in Riga

1. Riga Old Town — Best for First-Time Visitors

If you’re trying to figure out where to stay in Riga for your first trip, I’d pick Old Town. It’s the easiest base because you’re right in the middle of the part of Riga most people come to see, and you can walk to most of it without thinking about transportation.

It’s also the obvious choice if you’re only staying for a day or two. You have plenty of accommodation, restaurants, bars, and the main sights all around you, so you’re not wasting your limited time getting back and forth across the city.

Why stay in Old Town:

Central location
Walkable
Close to the main sights
Easy for a short trip
Lots of accommodation, restaurants, and bars

I’d recommend Old Town if: it’s your first time in Riga, you’re only staying a few days, or you want to be right in the middle of everything.

2. Riga City Center — Best Alternative to Old Town

The city center is a good option if you want to stay central without being right inside Old Town. You’re still close enough to walk to the main sights, but the atmosphere is a little different from the historic streets of Old Town.

I’d consider the city center if you’re staying longer, want a quieter base, or simply don’t care about being directly in the Old Town. You still get the convenience of being central without having to stay right where most visitors are concentrated.

I’d recommend Riga City Center if: you want a central location but prefer being slightly away from the busiest tourist area, or you’re staying for longer than a quick city break.

3. Riga Airport Area — Best for Early Flights

I wouldn’t choose the airport area because I wanted to explore that part of Riga. I’d choose it for one reason: airport logistics.

I’ve stayed near Riga Airport myself, and it worked well when I needed to be close to the airport. I used the bus to get into the city, so staying out there didn’t mean I was completely cut off from Riga.

I’d recommend the airport area if: you have an early flight, a late arrival, or your priority is making the airport part of the trip as easy as possible.

For a normal Riga city break, though, I’d stay in Old Town or the city center instead.

4. Jūrmala — Best for a Beach Stay

Jūrmala is different from the other options on this list because you’re not really choosing another neighborhood in Riga — you’re choosing a separate beach destination outside the city.

I stayed in Jūrmala during one of my longer Riga work stays, and it made sense because I was there in summer and could actually use the beach. If you’re planning a warm-weather trip and want to add a few days by the Baltic Sea, it’s a good option.

I wouldn’t choose Jūrmala as your base for a first visit to Riga, though. If your main goal is sightseeing in Riga, stay in Riga and visit Jūrmala separately.

I’d recommend Jūrmala if: you’re visiting in summer, specifically want beach time, or have enough time to split your trip between Riga and the coast.

Where to stay in Riga as a Backpacker

Blue Bird Boutique Hostel – Riga Old Town

If you’re traveling to Riga on a backpacker budget, Blue Bird Boutique Hostel is a good option if you want to stay right in the middle of the city. It’s in Old Town, so you’re close to the main sights, restaurants, bars, and everything else you’ll probably want to see during a short stay.

Book Here: Blue Bird Boutique Hostel – Riga Old Town

Cinnamon Sally Backpackers Hostel

Cinnamon Sally is another option for backpackers who want to stay centrally in Riga. I actually stayed here during my first trip to Riga, when I was traveling through the Baltics, so this is one of the hotels on this list that I can recommend from personal experience.

Book Here: Cinnamon Sally Backpackers Hostel

Where to stay in Riga on a Budget

Ibis Riga Centre

Ibis Riga Centre is a good budget option if you want a private hotel room while keeping the cost reasonable. Its central location makes it convenient for exploring Riga without needing to spend your time or money getting around the city.

Book Here: Ibis Riga Centre

Eurostars Metropole

Eurostars Metropole is another good choice if you’re looking for a comfortable hotel in central Riga without moving into the higher-end price range. It’s a convenient option for a short city break when you want to stay close to the main areas of Riga.

Book Here: Eurostars Metropole

Where to stay in Riga for Mid-Range

Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel

Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel is a good choice if you want to stay close to Old Town while having a more comfortable, higher-end hotel experience. The location makes it easy to explore Riga on foot, while the spa gives you somewhere to unwind after a day of sightseeing.

Book Here: Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel

Radisson Blu Elizabete Hotel, Riga

Radisson Blu Elizabete Hotel is another strong mid-range option in central Riga. I’d consider it if you want a comfortable, full-service hotel in a central location without staying directly inside the busiest part of Old Town.

Book Here: Radisson Blu Elizabete Hotel, Riga

Where to stay in Riga for Luxury

Grand Palace Hotel – Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Grand Palace Hotel is a great option if you want a luxury stay right in the heart of Riga Old Town. It’s a good choice if you’re looking to make the hotel part of the experience rather than simply having somewhere to sleep.

Book Here: Grand Palace Hotel – Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga

Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga is another luxury option in a central location, right by Old Town. I’d look at this one if you want a high-end hotel with everything you need on-site while still being able to walk straight out into the center of Riga.

Book Here: Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga

Where to Stay in Riga for a Beach Vacation

If you’re planning your Riga trip around the beach, I’d stay in Jūrmala rather than Riga itself. Jūrmala is Latvia’s main beach resort area, and staying there means you can actually enjoy the coast instead of treating it as a day trip from the city. I stayed in Jūrmala during one of my longer periods based in Riga, and summer is when I’d recommend making it part of your accommodation plans.

Lielupe Hotel SPA & Conferences by Semarah

Lielupe is a good option if you want a proper resort-style stay in Jūrmala, with the beach, spa facilities, and more space than you’d typically get from a city hotel. This is the kind of place I’d look at if you’re turning your Riga trip into a few days of beach vacation rather than just sightseeing in the city.

Book Here: Lielupe Hotel SPA & Conferences by Semarah

Jūrmala Spa Hotel

Jūrmala Spa Hotel is another option if you want to stay in Jūrmala and make the beach part of the trip rather than commuting from Riga. The spa setup makes it a good choice if you want your accommodation to feel like part of the getaway rather than simply somewhere to sleep.

Book Here: Jūrmala Spa Hotel

Baltic Beach Hotel & SPA

If you want a more upscale beach stay, Baltic Beach Hotel & SPA is the option I’d look at. It’s right in the heart of Jūrmala and is much more of a destination hotel, so it makes sense if the point of your trip is combining Riga with a proper Baltic Sea getaway.

Book Here: Baltic Beach Hotel & SPA

FAQs

Is it better to stay in Riga Old Town or the city center?

Old Town is the better choice if you want to be as close as possible to Riga’s main sights, restaurants, bars, and nightlife. The city center is a good alternative if you want to stay central but prefer a slightly quieter base.

Is Riga Old Town a good place to stay?

Yes. It’s the area I’d choose for a first visit, especially if you’re only in Riga for a few days. You can walk to most of the places you’re likely to visit, which makes the location particularly convenient for a short trip.

What is the best area to stay in Riga for nightlife?

Old Town is the easiest choice if nightlife is a priority. You’re surrounded by bars and restaurants, and you won’t have to worry about getting transport back to your accommodation after going out.

Where should I stay in Riga for a weekend?

I’d stay in Old Town. With only a couple of days, being central means you can spend your time exploring rather than traveling between your accommodation and the main sights.

Where should I stay in Riga for the Christmas market?

Old Town is the obvious choice if you’re visiting Riga for the Christmas market. The market is in the historic center, so staying nearby means you can walk there easily and be close to the rest of the Old Town throughout your trip.

Can you stay in Jūrmala instead of Riga?

You can, but I’d only do it if the beach is a significant part of your trip. Jūrmala is a separate destination from Riga, so if your main goal is sightseeing in Riga, I’d stay in the city and visit Jūrmala separately.

Where to Stay in Riga: Final Thoughts

If you’re trying to figure out where to stay in Riga, I’d choose Old Town for a first visit or a short city break. It’s the easiest base for seeing the city, especially when you only have a few days and want to be able to walk to most of the places you’re there to see.

The city center is a good alternative if you want somewhere central but a little quieter, while the airport area makes sense purely for flight logistics. And if you’re specifically looking for a beach stay in the warmer months, Jūrmala is worth considering — just think of it as a separate part of the trip rather than a replacement for staying in Riga.

After spending more than two months in the Riga area across three very different stays, Old Town is still where I’d tell most first-time visitors to stay.