Riga Old Town (Vecriga)
Vecriga, Central District, Riga, LVA
Riga Old Town (Vecrīga) is the UNESCO World Heritage–listed historical center of Latvia’s capital city. The Old Town sits on the Daugava River and still has some major preserved landmarks from the 13th to 15th centuries. It’s home to cobbled streets, churches, and eclectic architecture, and also serves as Riga’s main entertainment district.
Hosting many of Riga’s most popular attractions, the Old Town is where you’re likely to spend a lot of time sightseeing. For panoramic views of the Riga Old Town, either take the elevator up the tower of St. Peter’s Church or venture out of the city center to the Latvian Academy of Sciences.
Walking tours are a stress-free way to explore the enclave, as they help you find popular sites such as the House of the Blackheads, St. Peter’s Church, and the Three Brothers without getting lost. You can also cover more sights in less time on a Segway tour, or experience the Old Town’s vibrant nightlife on a pub crawl.
- As a nightlife hub, the Old Town has a broad selection of pubs, bars, and restaurants to choose from.
- Accessibility is an issue in the Old Town of Riga, due to cobblestone streets and several stairs in places such as the tower of St. Peter’s Church.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes as there’s no public transportation inside the Old Town area.
The Old Town of Riga is the geographic center of the city. To reach the eastern edge of the Old Town from Riga’s bus station, simply walk across 13 Janvāra Iela, and from Riga Central Station walk across Marijas Iela and through Bastejkalns Park. Coming from Riga Airport, an airport transfer is the easiest way to get to the Old Town, but there’s also the 22 bus to the Autoosta bus stop.
Riga is a destination that you can visit at any time of the year. Come in early winter and you’ll find Christmas markets and ice skating rinks in the Dome and Livu Squares of the Old Town. Summer is the busiest time of year, so if you plan to visit in July and August it’s best to book accommodation in advance and start your sightseeing early in the day.
The Old Town of Riga isn’t the only area of the city that’ll spark your interest. Riga is also well-known for its art nouveau architecture. Although there are art nouveau facades scattered around the modern center of the city, the most interesting cluster is located north of the Old Town past Kronvalda Park on Elizabetes Iela and especially Alberta Iela.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!