Riga/Vecrīga

The central railway station and the bus station are right at the southeastern corner of the old town. From anywhere in Centrs, it's around a kilometer to anywhere in the old town, wherefore walking can also be an option.
If you're coming from the airport can get in by bus 22, going along the southern rim of the old town and terminating near the railway station. The city's main transport hub, there's a bus, trolleybus or tram going here from almost anywhere in Riga, have a look at the network maps to see which line you should take.
If you travel by car, better leave it outside Vecriga; most streets are pedestrianized and parking is next to impossible to find.

Old Town Square & surroundings

The Old Town (Vecrīga) is both a place of historical tourism sites, as well as the centre of night-life for locals. The area around Old Town was mostly built between 1860 and 1914 and has many buildings that resemble Berlin, Paris, or Rome.

Viewpoints near Old Town Square

• Triangula Bastion

  address: 11 Novembra Krastmala iela #17
  A modern building with an excavated fragment of the historical Riga fortification wall system along the river. The building has the best view terraces in Riga.

Monuments and historic buildings near Old Town Square

• Statue of RolandStatue of St. Roland, the patron of Riga. The original statue erected in 1897 was destroyed in World War II; now a replica stands there.

• House of the Blackheads

  phone: +371 670 44300
  address: Kalku iela 1
  The House of Blackheads is where the merchants-to-be had their guild. Part of this building is the tourist information office, the rest is a fascinating museum. The upper levels house grand ballrooms while the basement has a wine cellar and several exhibits relating to trading in Riga.

• Town HallPretty to look at, but not open for visitors.

• Bremen Town MusiciansAmazing sculpture based on a fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm.

• 1905 Bloody Sunday Monument

  address: 11. novembra krastmala 35
  This monument remembrance of the events of Bloody Sunday 13 January 1905.

• House of Dannenstern

  address: Mārstaļu iela 21
  The house was built by and is named after Ernst Metue von Dannenstern.

• Riga monument to Christmas tree

  address: Tirgoņu iela 17
  First Christmas tree in Riga was in 1510!

• The Large Guild

  phone: +371 67224850
  address: Amatu iela 6
  Housed the guild of the tradesmen, who would join after being a member of the Blackheads (see House of Blackheads). Home to the Latvian Philharmonic, but you can't just walk inside. It's the exterior that's worth seeing though.

• The Small Guild

  phone: +371 67223772
  address: Amatu iela 5
  Another pretty building just behind the Big Guild, this one housed the craftsmen's guild. Like the Big Guild, you can't go inside except for a performance.

• The House of the Black Cat

  address: Meistaru iela 10
  This building (also housing a pub of no particular note) is most famous for the two statues of black cats on the roofs. The legend has it that a disgruntled tradesman who was not accepted into the Big Guild, built this house and put the cats on it with their tails pointing towards the Big Guild, thus expressing his scorn.

• Wagner Concert Hall

  address: Vāgnera iela 4
  Wagner once lived in Riga, on the street now named after him. This hall where he performed occasionally holds concerts.

Museums near Old Town Square

• Museum of the Occupation of Latvia

  phone: +371 67212715
  address: Strelnieku laukums 1
  This noticeable and austere black building is clearly out-of-place. In the Soviet days, this housed a museum to the Red Riflemen, a group of Latvians who volunteered for the service to Russia during the Russian revolution of 1917. Now it houses a museum of Latvia's time under the Nazi and Soviet occupations. Very long, but very moving – essential for anyone interested in the history of the USSR or Nazi Germany. Outside the building away from the town square stands the Soviet-era Monument to the Riflemen.

• Museum of Decorative Arts and Design

  phone: +371 67830900
  address: Skārņu iela 10/20
  The Museum of Decorative and Design Art is located in the former St. George’s Church building (1204), which is the oldest stone building in Riga. It features seven collections of decorative and design art work.

• Riga Film Museum

  phone: +371 67358873
  address: Peitavas iela 10 (Entrance from Mazā Peitavas Street)
  This museum holds various exhibitions that display different aspects of cinema art, actors and film history.

• Porcelain Museum

  phone: +37167012944
  address: Kalēju iela 9/11
  Covers the history of porcelain in Riga through the 19th and 20th centuries.

• Latvian Sports Museum

  phone: +371 67225127
  address: Alksnāja iela 7
  Historic sports equipment and sportswear, photographs from a variety of sporting events.

• Latvian artists union museum

  phone: +371 29138952
  address: 11. Novembra krastmala 35
  The collection covers the period from 1945 to 1991 in Latvia.

• Sun Museum

  phone: +371 67225587
  address: Valnu iela 30
  One of Riga's weirdest museums, it covers the history of sun mythology and its role in Latvian culture.
  Guillaume Speurt

• Latvian National Museum of Art

  phone: +371 67226467
  address: 1 Janis Rozentāls Square, Riga
  Latvian National Museum of Art is the most significant depository in the nation for works of art.

• National History Museum of Latvia

  phone: +371 67221357
  address: Brīvības bulvāris 32
  The History Museum is interesting, however there is little English (every room has its exhibits summarized on a single plaque). However, the museum does give a very good idea of Latvian history, and will give you a good understanding of the area.

• Latvian Photographic Museum

  phone: +371 67222713
  address: Marstalu iela 8
  Contains photos of Latvia since 1839, with focuses on the World Wars and 1905 Revolution.

• Riga Photonics Center

  phone: +371 27862021
  address: Skunu iela 4
  Riga Photonics Center is part of University of Latvia. Occasional events.

• Riga Fashion museum

  phone: +371 20033450
  address: Grēcinieku iela 24–1
  Only fashion museum in the Baltics, created in one of the most popular tourist attractions in Old Riga opposite to the House of the Blackheads.
• Boerkevitz

  Museum of Ancient Baltic Jewellery

  phone: +371 67220270
  address: Grēcinieku iela 11/2
  The Museum of Ancient Baltic Jewellery was established by two well-known Latvian jewellers.

Art galleries near Town Square & surroundings

• LUMAS Riga

  phone: +371 67 272777
  address: Audeju iela 6
  LUMAS Art Gallery offer latest movements in the young art scene.

• Art Gallery Bastejs

  phone: +371 67225050
  address: Alksnaja iela 7
  Contemporary art from Baltic states. Solo and group exhibitions.

• Art Gallery Putti

  phone: +371 67214229
  address: Peitavas iela 5-31
  Riga art gallery since 2000.

Religious buildings near Old Town Square

• St. Peter's Church

  phone: +371 67037861
  address: Skarnu iela 19
  St. Peter's Church, dating to 1209, is Riga's oldest church. Besides its ensemble of architecture, the church has an elevator to the tower from where you can see all of Riga (service not available on Mondays).

• St. John's Church

  phone: +37129632455
  address: Jana iela 7
  A smaller, less spectacular church near Saint Peter's. There is a nice altar inside, and unlike most Riga churches, this one is free. The altar is from the Renaissance period and depicts the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. The ceiling is from the Gothic period, and has 5 separate vaulted compartments. There is also a huge pipe organ, and many stained glass windows. This church dates back to the mid 1200s.

• St. Saviour's Anglican Church

  phone: +37126531409
  address: Anglikanu iela 2a
  Riga's only Anglican church has English language services every Sunday at 11:00, and free concerts every Wednesday.

• St. Jacob's Catholic Church

  phone: +3717326419
  address: Jēkaba iela 9
  Dating to 1226, this is one of the few Catholic churches left in Riga. At one point, it housed one of Riga's first schools.

• Reformed Church

  phone: +371 22436891
  address: Mārstaļu iela 10

Cathedral (Doma) Square & surroundings

Monuments and historic buildings near Cathedral Square

• Riga Castle

  phone: +37167092106
  address: Pils laukums 3
  Riga Castle on the bank of the River in Riga Old City is one of the medieval castles in Latvia.

• Great Kristaps

  address: 11. Novembra krastmala
  Great Kristaps is popular with film industry people.

• Peter I house

  address: Palasta ielā 9
  House what was gifted to Peter I and house he visited during his travels.

• The Three Brothers

  phone: +37167220779
  address: Mazā Pils iela 17, 19, and 21
  The oldest dwelling houses in Riga. One of them has a small architecture museum inside, along with changing exhibits about Latvia.

• Latvian Parliament

  phone: +37167078321
  address: Jekaba iela 11
  A rather plain building housing the Saeima, Latvia's parliament. It has had a number of usesincluding as a Soviet-era museum. Not open to visitors.

• Swedish GateThe last remaining gate from the old city walls.

• Woman with amphoraStatue of woman with amphora on a building.

Museums near Cathedral Square

• Art Museum Riga Bourse

  phone: +371 67223434
  address: Doma laukums 6
  The Art Museum Riga Bourse stores the largest collection of foreign art in the Baltic states.

• Museum of the Barricades of 1991

  phone: +371 67 213525
  address: Krāmu iela 3
  Covers the dramatic events that occurred in the tumultuous final year of the USSR, when Soviet authorities sent troops into Riga to overthrow the elected Latvian government.

• Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation

  phone: +371 67356676
  address: Palasta iela 4
  Actually two museums plus a number of special exhibits, though you pay one price. English, German and Russian descriptions of each permanent collections are provided in a booklet inside each exhibit hall. Both of the main museums are quite interesting, and they provide a good idea of what Riga was like in the past.

• Arsenal Museum of Art

  phone: +371 67357519
  address: Torna iela 1
  Arsenal Museum of Art is one of the largest exhibition halls in Riga. It is located in an important architectural monument – a customs warehouse or arsenal built at the beginning of the 19th century in the late Russian Classicism style. It was adapted for museum use in the second half of the 1980s.

• Literature and music museum

  phone: +371 67227782
  address: Pils laukums 2
  For about 50 years it was a large union of memorial houses devoted to a range of writers. The latest reorganisation in 2009 has resulted in more simple and recognizable establishment – Literature and Music Museum.

Religious buildings near Cathedral Square

• Riga Cathedral

  phone: +371 67 227573
  address: Herdera laukums 6
  Dating to 1207, it is one of Riga's symbols. The 6768-pipe organ inside is particularly spectacular. Besides the organ, however, the interior is rather Spartan, and may not be worth the entrance fee (even the organ is being restored, though).

• St. Mary Magdalene's Catholic Church

  phone: +371 29127456
  address: Klostera iela 2
  St. Mary Magdalene's Church was made of stone in late 13th century. You can find perpetual worship nearby.

• Our Lady of Sorrows Church

  phone: +371 67227177
  address: Pils iela 5
  First stone church built in Riga after the Reformation had reached Livonia.

Art galleries near Cathedral Square

• Gallery Makslas Banka

  phone: +371 67226690
  address: Jauniela 14
  Individual and group fine art gallery.

Powder Tower & City Wall

Monuments and historic buildings near Powder Tower & City Wall

• St. Jacob's Barracks

  address: Torna iela 4
  The primary attraction here is the last remaining stretch of city wall directly opposite the barracks.

Museums near Powder Tower & City Wall

• Museum of War

  phone: +371 67223743
  address: Smilsu iela 20
  22 collections of Latvian and Soviet military equipment starting from World War I until today.

• Latvian Museum of Pharmacy

  phone: +371 67213008
  address: Riharda Vagnera 13-15
  In a renovated 18th-century house. The museum showcases pharmaceutical equipment, traditional medicine and herbs and what pharmacies looked like a century ago.

• Mentzendorff House

  phone: +371 67212951
  address: Grecienieku 18
  Former residence of a wealthy merchant built in 1720, now a museum dedicated to life in Riga in the 17th & 18th centuries.

Near the Freedom Monument

• Laima ClockLaima is a Latvian chocolate manufacturer and means good luck in Latvian. The Clock is a traditional meeting place for people in Riga.

Art galleries near Powder Tower & City Wall

• Art gallery "Jekabs"

  phone: +371 29528684
  address: Jekaba iela 26/28
  Jekabs art gallery offer exhibitions and fine art auctions.

Theatre

• Latvian National Opera

  phone: +371 67073777
  address: Aspazijas bulvaris 3
  A pretty building in its own right, this is also a nice place to see an opera or ballet.

• Latvian National Symphonic Orchestra

  phone: +371 67 224850
  address: Amatu 6
  It is a team of highly professional musicians with strong traditions, generous sound and devoted performance.

• Theater-Club "Hamlets"

  phone: +371 26595843
  address: Jāņa sēta 5
  Riga Theater-Club in heart of old city.

• Mikhail Chekhov Riga Russian Theater

  phone: +371 67225 395
  address: Kaļķu iela 16
  Oldest Russian theatre in the world outside Russia.

Parks and gardens

• Bastion Hill

  address: Between Raina Bulvaris and Basteja Bulvaris
  A small, pleasant park surrounding Brivibas Bulvaris. Sites in the Bastejkalns include a Chinese and a Japanese building, and the Bridge of Love over the Pilsetas Canal. The Bridge of Love has several locks on the railings put up by recently married couples. There is also a memorial to the two people killed here in the tumultuous events of 1991.

• Taste Latvia

  phone: +371 67104540
  address: shopping center Galerija Centrs, 4th floor
  Despite the slightly misleading name, Taste Latvia is a "Latvian fashion concept store", selling mostly clothes, but also accessories and items for the home, such as wooden kitchen and cooking utensils, hand-made ecological candles, and other items. The items are all from contemporary Latvian designers. If you want to take home some contemporary Latvian design, Taste Latvia is one of the best places to look.

• Convent Yard

  address: Behind St. John's Church
  A former convent courtyard that now contains several touristy shops.

Budget

• LIDO Alus Seta

  phone: +37167222431
  address: Tirgoņu iela 6
  Literally Beer Yard. Serves huge portions of excellent meat and two veg from a grill at the front of the tavern, as well as an excellent choice of beer. Probably the best value place in town, with two courses easily costing less than €7.

• Pelmeni XL

  phone: +371 67 222728
  address: Kalku iela 7
  Russian-style dumplings filled with whatever is available. Cafeteria style. Pay by weight.

• Šefpavārs Vilhelms

  phone: +371 67 228 214
  address: Šķūņu 6
  Delicious stuffed pancakes/crepes at great prices. Self-service, but they have English signs.

• Smilšu Pulkstenis

  phone: +371 26494777
  address: Kalku iela 7
  Cheap & tasty Latvian food.

• Wok to Walk

  phone: +371 67220196
  address: Aspazijas bulvaris 30
  The Latvian location of the international chain of stir-fry restaurants. Choose your ingredients and watch them being cooked in a giant wok.

Mid-range

• Alus Arsenals

  phone: +371 67322675
  address: Pils laukums 4
  A nice, cozy restaurant in the Riga old town serving various meat and fish oriented dishes with quality local beer. Located right next to the Riga castle so it's easy to find. The actual interior of the restaurant is in a cellar, but in summertime, the restaurant features a spacious outdoor terrace.

• Fat Pumpkin

  phone: +371 67 304 069
  address: Grecinieku Iela 30/25
  Delicious vegan food.

• Gardenia @ Hotel Garden Palace

  phone: +371 29122331
  address: Grecinieku iela 28
  Mediterranean and European cuisine. Cozy and elegantly casual restaurant.

• Vecmeita ar kaķi

  phone: +371 67 325 077
  address: Mazā Pils iela 1
  This restaurant and bar is a more upmarket option than Lido, serving very good Latvian food.

Splurge

• Pinot

  phone: +371 28881889
  address: Grecinieku iela 26
  The restaurant next to the Museum of Latvia occupation offers a continental take on Baltic food. Menus are seasonal; check the website for the latest. The wine list is extensive, and the staff speak Latvian, Russian and English reasonably well. Menus are in all three languages.

• Rozengrāls

  phone: +371 25769877
  address: Rozena iela 1
  An authentic medieval restaurant in a real medieval basement in the Old Town. Serves tasty medieval foods and beverages.

• Steiku Haoss

  phone: +371 67222419
  address: Meistaru iela 25
  As is evident from the name, the restaurant focuses on steaks. There are steaks of every kind of beef cut imaginable, and the price depends on the cut. The quality of the steaks is pretty much close to the best in Riga. The meat is tender, juicy and extremely tasty. Note however that by ordering a steak, you only get the actual meat. Side dishes, such as potatoes, cost extra, as do sauces. Combining all these, you can easily run up to €50 per a single meal. But it's worth trying at least once.

Cafes

• Mārtiņa Beķereja

  phone: +371 67 213 314
  address: Vaļņu iela 28
  Traditional Latvian café, popular amongst locals. Always fresh pastry. Cash only sales. There are five Mārtiņa Beķereja cafés in Riga. Vaļņu iela 28 is located in Old Town Riga.

Bars

• Aussie Backpackers Pub @ Riga Old Town Hostel

  phone: +371 67223406
  address: 43 Valnu Iela
  Riga’s first Aussie pub promises to provide plenty of authentic down under atmosphere, but thankfully without any stuffed koalas, Fosters beer posters or, God forbid, any portraits of Paul Hogan. Spread out across three floors, the pub offers 12 local beers on draught for affordable prices served from a bar that’s actually an old VW combi van. Live bands play frequently in the basement and if the cheap happy hour prices are too much for you to handle you can always crash at its hostel upstairs.

• Cuba Cafe

  phone: +371 67 22 43 62
  address: 15 Jauniela
  Cozy bar with DJs in the evenings. Salsa dancing on Tuesdays starting at 21:00. 2-for-1 drinks during happy hour (17:00-19:00).

• FolkKlubs Ala Pagrabs

  phone: +371 27796914
  address: Peldu 19
  Huge beer selection with 28 beers on tap, folk dancing, live music performances, and great authentic food.

• Kiwi Bar

  phone: +371 27705466
  address: Skarņu iela 7
  Sports bar with karaoke nights.

• Paddy Whelans Irish Pub & Sports Bar

  phone: +371 67 210 150
  address: Grecinieku iela 4
  A popular Irish bar.

Clubs

• I Love You

  phone: +371 67 225 304
  address: Aldaru iela 9
  Meeting place of the young and creative crowd.

• Kalku Varti

  phone: +371 67830702
  address: Kaļķu iela 11a
  Ground-level restaurant with nightclub in the basement.

• Shot Café

  phone: +371 26433549
  address: Torņa iela 4
  Popular with young Latvians.

• Pūce

  phone: +37125714192
  address: Peldu iela 26
  A trendy place popular with a younger crowd. The main floor has a dance floor with rock and pop music while the basement has a room with techno and/or alternative sounds. It is a very busy place on Thurs/Fri/Sat and is closed on Sun/Mon.

Budget

• Doma Hostel

  phone: +371 67213101
  address: Maza Jaunavu iela 8
  Clean, safe, cheap, and in a great location. Friendly and helpful staff. Free coffee and tea.

• Dome Pearl Hostel

  phone: +371 67212161
  address: Tirgonu iela 4
  Friendly, English-speaking staff.

• Naughty Squirrel Backpackers Hostel

  phone: +371 67220073
  address: Kaleju Iela 50
  Comfortable beds with curtains for privacy and darkness. Offers adrenalin tours, pub crawls, hockey game excursions, and other communal activities. 24-hour reception. Reception sells beer. Free shot of Riga Balsams upon check-in. Friendly staff.

• Red Nose Hostel

  phone: +371 27721414
  address: 14 Jana Iela
  Red Nose hostel is on a quiet and narrow cobbled backstreet of Old Town, just behind St.Jana church.

• Riga Old Town Hostel & Backpackers Pub

  phone: +371 67223406
  address: Valnu Iela 43
  En suite rooms, very popular bar, sauna, and 24-hour reception.

• Wicked Weasel Hostel

  phone: +371 20323462
  address: Valnu Iela 41

Mid-range

• Kolonna Hotel Riga

  phone: +371 67087516
  address: Tirgoņu iela 9
  41 rooms.

• Metropole Hotel

  phone: +371 66010300
  address: Aspazijas bulvaris 36
  Not quite as central as some other hotels, but still quite near Old Town. All rooms have satellite TV and minibar.

• Old City Boutique Hotel

  phone: +371 67356060
  address: Teātra iela 10
  The Old City Boutique Hotel is a 4-star hotel and has a central location in Riga’s Old Town.

• Old Riga Hotel Vecriga

  phone: +371 67216037
  address: Gleznotāju iela 12/14
  Old Riga Hotel Vecriga is located in the historical and cultural centre of Riga, on an ancient Gleznotaju street (Painters’ and Goldsmiths’ Street).

• Rixwell Old Riga Palace Hotel

  phone: +371 67259925
  address: 8 / 10 Minsterejas Street
  In a quiet street in Riga’s Old Town, within walking distance from all the main attractions.

• Wellton Centrum Hotel & Spa

  phone: +371 67259989
  address: 33 Kaleju Street
  The Central Train Station and the International Bus Station are 5 minutes’ walk away from the hotel.

Splurge

• Grand Palace Hotel

  phone: +371 67 044 000
  address: Pils iela 12
  Grand Palace Hotel is in the heart of Riga’s Old Town, 100 m from Riga Castle.

• Rixwell Centra Hotel

  phone: +371 67212012
  address: Audeju iela 1
  In a historic building.

• Hotel Roma

  phone: +371 6749 1500
  address: Kalku iela 28
  Hotel Roma is in the heart of Riga’s Old Town, 200 m from the Freedom Monument.

• Hotel Garden Palace

  phone: +371 29 122 331
  address: Grecinieku iela 28
  Elegant boutique 4

* hotel in the heart of historic centre with 65 comfortable guest rooms.

• Neiburgs Hotel

  phone: +371 67115522
  address: Jauniela 25/27, LV-1050
  55 suites. Large, clean, modern rooms.

• Royal Square Hotel & Suites

  phone: +371 67 214 555
  address: Kaļķu iela 3a
  On Riga’s main pedestrian street, which connects the Town Hall Square with the Freedom Monument.

• Pullman Riga Old Town

  phone: +371 67815444
  address: Jēkaba Iela 24
  Opened in 2016 and housed in a complex of buildings including what is said to have been Baron Muenchhausen's stables, the Pullman carries the equine theme in its decor, while adapting Pullman's modern feel and standards to the historic construction. The top-floor pool with views over the area is certainly a highlight. The hotel wins glowing reviews with high service and accommodation standards and location very close to the heart of Vecriga, but can a bit hard to find if you are looking for a typical steel-and-glass Pullman skyscraper - the hotel is in fact hidden behind a bright red historic facade.