Old Town Riga Travel Guide

Riga

Old Town showing heritage architecture and street scenes
Old Town showing street scenes
St. Peter\'s Church featuring a bridge, landscape views and a river or creek
Old Town showing heritage architecture, markets and street scenes
House of the Blackheads featuring street scenes and a square or plaza

Ancient churches, a presidential home and the remains of a medieval defensive wall make a stroll through the historical centre of Riga a stimulating adventure.

Riga’s Old Town, known as Vecrīga in Latvian, is an enchanting maze of cobbled streets and brightly colored buildings that date back as far as the 13th century. Although it exudes an aura of centuries past, the Old Town is no living museum. This vibrant neighbourhood buzzes throughout the day and night with sightseers, shoppers and diners. It is also where the country’s laws are made.

Begin your tour at the remaining section of the defensive wall that used to surround the Old Town. Nearby, walk through the 17th-century Swedish Gate, the only surviving gate to the old city. Stop by the 15th-century Riga Castle, the official residence of the President of Latvia. See more of Riga’s historic structures when you visit the Three Brothers. Constructed between the 15th and 17th centuries, these are the oldest stone residential buildings in the city. Each property has its own architectural style, reflecting the different era in which it was built.

The Old Town is also a place where you can see a number of historic churches. Find St. George’s Church, an early 13th-century church in white dolomite. This is the oldest building in Riga and is now home to the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design. Also worth seeing is the Gothic-style St. Jacob’s Cathedral, which is next door to the Saeima, the Latvian parliament.

When you need a break from walking, enjoy a coffee at one of the many open-air cafés found throughout the neighbourhood. In the evening, the Old Town is a lively place to grab a drink or dine on some traditional Latvian dishes like rasols, a potato salad or karbonāde, breaded pork chops.

One of the best times of year to visit the Old Town is during the annual Christmas fair. Learn about Latvian holiday customs, sample specialty Christmas foods and shop for local handcrafts. The Old Town is located on the east side of the Daugava River. This area is a popular spot for strolling, dining and shopping year-round.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Old Town Riga

Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel

Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel

5 out of 5
11. Novembra Krastmala, 33, Riga
The price is Rp1.610.880 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
Rp1.610.880
Rp1.837.991 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Riga. Enjoy a full-service spa, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,014 reviews)
Great location, comfy bed, quiet room.
"The staff were helpful and the room was fine for a short overnight before catching an early flight. It is easy to reach on foot when arriving by bus and is well placed on the edge of OldTown very near the Central Market."

Reviewed on 4 Aug 2025

Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel
Wellton Centrum Hotel & Spa

Wellton Centrum Hotel & Spa

4 out of 5
33 Kaleju Street, Riga
The price is Rp1.522.035 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
Rp1.522.035
Rp1.738.734 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Riga. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"City center location, very good breakfast. Excellent hotel for the price."

Reviewed on 22 Jul 2025

Wellton Centrum Hotel & Spa
Wellton Riga Hotel & SPA

Wellton Riga Hotel & SPA

4 out of 5
Valnu street 49, Riga
The price is Rp1.644.794 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
Rp1.644.794
Rp1.875.974 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Riga. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
Thank you.
"Everything was lovely.Especially the service in the reception."

Reviewed on 13 Jun 2025

Wellton Riga Hotel & SPA
Avalon Hotel & Conferences

Avalon Hotel & Conferences

4.5 out of 5
13.Janvara str. 19, Riga
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp1.491.287 per night from 11 Aug to 12 Aug
Rp1.491.287
Rp1.704.297 total
11 Aug - 12 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Riga. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, room service and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,008 reviews)
"The hosts was very nice and helpful , thank you"

Reviewed on 30 Jul 2025

Avalon Hotel & Conferences
Konventa Sēta Hotel Keystone Collection

Konventa Sēta Hotel Keystone Collection

4 out of 5
Kaleju Str 9/11, Riga
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Riga. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (516 reviews)
"All good!!! Excellent hotel, best location for sure and great value! Excellent breakfast. I will not stay anywhere else in Riga!"

Reviewed on 1 Aug 2025

Konventa Sēta Hotel Keystone Collection
Eurostars Metropole

Eurostars Metropole

4.5 out of 5
Aspazijas Boulevard 36/38, Riga
The price is Rp1.695.663 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
Rp1.695.663
Rp1.932.948 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Riga. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (993 reviews)
5 days in Riga
"Had a lovely stay in Riga. Beautiful city. Hotel is very conveniently located on the edge of the old town and near the bus and train stations One minor disappointment was that the website list laundry facilities and laundry service. There are no laundry facilities at the hotel. However we were referred ..."

Reviewed on 30 Jul 2025

Eurostars Metropole
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Old Town Riga

Latvian Art Museum showing a statue or sculpture

Centrs

4.5/5(135 area reviews)

Centrs is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Cathedral of Christ's Nativity and Skonto Stadium while in the area.

Centrs
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Kipsala

3.5/5(2 area reviews)

Spas, historical sites and river views highlight some of the notable features of Kipsala. Make a stop by Kipsala International Exhibition Centre while you're exploring.

Kipsala
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Agenskalns

4/5(8 area reviews)

Unique features of Agenskalns include the river views and historical sites. Make a stop by Uzvaras Park or Victory Monument while you're exploring the area.

Agenskalns
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Avoti

Avoti is noteworthy for its historical sites, and you can plan an outing to Galleria Riga Shopping Center and Cathedral of Christ's Nativity while you're in town.

Avoti
Riga Central Market showing interior views and shopping

Maskavas Forstate

Historical sites, bars and shopping are just a few things travellers enjoy about Maskavas Forstate. Check out Riga Central Market or Latvian Academy of Sciences while you're exploring the area.

Maskavas Forstate
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Tornkalns

You'll enjoy the museums and shopping in Tornkalns. You might want to make time for a stop at National Library of Latvia or Riga Plaza Shopping Center.

Tornkalns

Old Town Riga Travel Guide