A Comprehensive Neighborhood Guide To Riga

Riga is a wonderful city where you can do whatever your heart desires, from visiting informative museums and partying till dawn to walking through historic streets and relaxing in nature. Every neighborhood in Riga is special and unique, so it is important to do your research before visiting this historic city.

The Old Town

Without a doubt, Riga’s Old Town is the place that must be first on your list during your visit to Riga. The historic center of Riga belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage List because of its importance and historic value. The best bars and restaurants are located here, so be sure to try traditional Latvian food after you have finished walking through the delightful and narrow streets and taking pictures of Riga’s architectural heritage.

Old Town Riga, Riga, Latvia

Āgenskalns is located on the left bank of Daugava River. This old neighborhood was built for the most part in the 19th century, and you can still see an abundance of small wooden houses in this area. Also, Āgenskalns is an extremely popular neighborhood to visit because of its old and lively market, where you can purchase many different things from fresh produce to clothes. On top of that, there are some wonderful parks in the Āgenskalns neighborhood you can visit to escape from the city lights.

Āgenskalns, Riga, Latvia

Mežaparks

The Mežaparks, or “forest park,” neighborhood is the best place to stay in Riga during the summer. It is located in Northern District of Riga near Ķīšezers Lake and many green areas, so if you love jogging in the morning, you will also love Mežaparks. That said, Mežaparks is also absolutely gorgeous during the winter, when snow paints the streets in white. Many lovely cafés add even more flavor to this neighborhood. Also, you can visit the Riga Zoo and meet many well-treated animals. The traditional Latvian Song and Dance Festival is hosted in this neighborhood once every five years in early July.

Mežaparks, Riga, Latvia

Miera Iela in Brasa

People who enjoy hipster culture must visit Miera Iela (Peace Street) at least once in their lifetime, because it is often named the most hipster neighborhood in the world. Modern art galleries, funky cafés, vintage and boutique shops, and green areas make Miera Street a true hipster’s heaven. At night, the street comes back to life as many young people gather there to have some fun and meet new people.

Miera Iela, Riga, Latvia

Teika

The Teika neighborhood might be similar to many other “sleepy neighborhoods” of Riga, but it is definitely worth a visit. You can see many old brick buildings left from the Soviet Union era. Today, those buildings are still an inherent part of most Riga’s neighborhoods. Also, there are a lot of student dorms in Teika, making it one of the liveliest areas in Riga.

Teika, Riga, Latvia

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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