Districts · Riga
Riga by district
A first visit fits inside a 3 km box: the Old Town on the river’s east bank, the boulevard ring and the Freedom Monument north-east of it, the Art Nouveau quarter a 20–25 minute walk north, and the Central Market south-east by the railway. Most sights are flat and walkable; the Art Nouveau quarter and the market are easy by tram or a short ride.A first visit fits inside a 1.9 mi box: the Old Town on the river’s east bank, the boulevard ring and the Freedom Monument north-east of it, the Art Nouveau quarter a 20–25 minute walk north, and the Central Market south-east by the railway. Most sights are flat and walkable; the Art Nouveau quarter and the market are easy by tram or a short ride.
About these names
- Old Riga (Vecrīga)VecrīgasleepseeeatSuits: First visit, medieval streets, churches, barsCobbles, steps and late bar noise; touts around some bars; hotels here have small lifts (check).3 sights · 4 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Centrs and the boulevardsCentrssleepseeeatSuits: A quieter base, a short walk to the Old Town and the Art Nouveau streetsWide streets and parks; better sleep than the Old Town, and many restaurants.1 sights · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Art Nouveau QuarterJūgendstila kvartālsseeeatSuits: Architecture walks and a museum stopAlberta iela and Elizabetes iela have the ornate facades; quiet outside tour hours.1 sightsDistrict guide →
- Central Market and the RiversideCentrāltirgusseeeatSuits: A market morning and a river walkFive pavilions by the station; go before 11:00; watch bags.Five pavilions by the station; go before 11:00 AM; watch bags.1 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- Miera iela and Čaka ielaČaka ielaeatsleepSuits: Cafés and a local eveningNorth-east of the centre; a working neighbourhood with a growing café scene.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Āgenskalns and PārdaugavaPārdaugavaseeeatSuits: Saturday market, wooden houses and local lifeAcross the river; a tram from the centre; Kalnciema Quarter market on Saturdays (check).Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- MežaparksseeSuits: A forest park and lakeside walksNorth of the centre by tram; the zoo and the big song-festival stage.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Riga International Airport (RIX) (25–40 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Miera iela and Čaka iela, Āgenskalns and Pārdaugava, Mežaparks. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Old Riga (Vecrīga) (Vecrīga): Cobbles, steps and late bar noise; touts around some bars; hotels here have small lifts (check). Suits: First visit, medieval streets, churches, bars. Price band $$$.
- Centrs and the boulevards (Centrs): Wide streets and parks; better sleep than the Old Town, and many restaurants. Suits: A quieter base, a short walk to the Old Town and the Art Nouveau streets. Price band $$.
- Art Nouveau Quarter (Jūgendstila kvartāls): Alberta iela and Elizabetes iela have the ornate facades; quiet outside tour hours. Suits: Architecture walks and a museum stop.
- Central Market and the Riverside (Centrāltirgus): Five pavilions by the station; go before 11:00; watch bags.Five pavilions by the station; go before 11:00 AM; watch bags. Suits: A market morning and a river walk.
- Miera iela and Čaka iela (Čaka iela): North-east of the centre; a working neighbourhood with a growing café scene. Suits: Cafés and a local evening.
- Āgenskalns and Pārdaugava (Pārdaugava): Across the river; a tram from the centre; Kalnciema Quarter market on Saturdays (check). Suits: Saturday market, wooden houses and local life.
- Mežaparks (Mežaparks): North of the centre by tram; the zoo and the big song-festival stage. Suits: A forest park and lakeside walks.
- Sleep area Centrs (north of the boulevards): suits A quieter base, a short walk to the Old Town and the Art Nouveau streets, price band $$.
- Sleep area Old Riga (Vecrīga): suits First visit, medieval streets, churches, bars, price band $$$.
- Riga International Airport (RIX), 25–40 min by the usual route.