Riga is compact, and almost every sensible base puts the Old Town within a fifteen-minute walk. The choice is really about atmosphere, budget and what you want on your doorstep: medieval lanes, the boulevards of the modern centre, or the river and the Central Market. Here are the three areas that work best for a first visit, and the hotels we would pick in each.
The Old Town: for atmosphere
Staying inside Vecrīga means waking up to church bells and walking home under lit spires after dinner. It is the obvious choice for a short break, a winter trip or a special occasion. The downsides are higher prices, limited car access and some noise from bars on weekend nights in the busiest lanes. Our splurge is the Grand Palace Hotel on Pils iela, a classic five-star on the quiet castle side of the Old Town, with the Michelin-recommended Seasons Restaurant and, rarely for the area, secure parking. For Art Nouveau style, Neiburgs occupies a 1903 building right beside the Cathedral, with apartment-style rooms, two-storey suites and a respected restaurant. For a spa at a mid-range price, Wellton Centrum Hotel and Spa sits in the lanes near the Town Hall Square, with a pool, sauna and steam bath to come back to after a cold day.
The City Centre: for space and views
Across the city canal, the Centrs district of boulevards and parks holds the big modern hotels, the best Art Nouveau streets and many of the city’s best restaurants. It is a short walk to the Old Town but quieter at night, and rooms are usually larger for the money. The Radisson Blu Latvija on Elizabetes iela is the landmark here: a tower with 571 rooms, an ESPA spa with an 18-metre pool and the Skyline Bar on the 26th floor. It suits families who want a pool, couples who want the view, and anyone who prefers reliable international comfort.
The river and the market: for value and transport
On the southern edge of the Old Town, where it meets the Daugava, hotels are often cheaper, and the Central Market, the train station and the bus station are on the doorstep. The Avalon Hotel on 13. janvāra iela is our value pick, with river views, rooms renovated in 2020 and breakfast included. It suits budget-minded travellers, rail and bus arrivals and food lovers who want the market halls a few minutes away.
Matching base to trip
For a romantic weekend, choose the Grand Palace Hotel or Neiburgs. For a winter break, a spa matters: Wellton Centrum in the Old Town or the Radisson Blu in the centre. For families, the Radisson Blu’s pool and space, or a suite at Neiburgs, work best. For a budget trip, the Avalon gives you a proper hotel at a lower price with the Old Town a short walk away. If architecture is the point of your trip, Neiburgs or the Radisson Blu puts you closest to the Art Nouveau streets.
Practical tips
Rates rise in summer and around Christmas and New Year, so book early for those periods. Ask about parking if you are driving, since much of the Old Town is closed to traffic. Check whether breakfast is included, and in winter favour a hotel with a sauna or spa: in Latvia, the sauna is part of the culture, not just an amenity.
