Riga: city map, main districts and tourist places

On a tourist map of Riga in Russian, typically only the center, Vecriga, is marked. This is where you'll find the main cathedrals like St. Peter's Church and the Dome Cathedral, along with other interesting sights.

Vecriga is compact, covering approximately 500 meters by 1.5 kilometers. Its boundaries are defined by January 13 and Krisjan Valdemar streets, Aspasia and Siegfried Anna Meyerowitz boulevards, as well as the November 11 embankment. Public transportation is prohibited in this area, except for small tourist buses.

A Riga map with hotels displays the most popular establishments in Old Town, including Vecriga, Hotel Justus, Avalon Hotel, Astor Riga Hotel, and others.

Officially, the city is divided into three districts: Riga's Central District, Ziemelski District (on the right bank of the Daugava River), and Kurzeme District (on the left bank of the Daugava River). For tourists, it's often preferable to stay on the right bank of the Daugava River.

Vetsriga is a charming area with its festive squares, 16th-century sidewalks, cathedrals, and restaurants. It includes attractions like Kronvalda Park, Esplanade, Vidzeme suburb with Art Nouveau monuments, and Vermansky Garden. It's perfect for those who want to experience the atmosphere of an old European city.

Riga's dormitory districts of Plavnieki and Purvciems, as well as the Mežaparks neighborhood adjacent to the zoo, offer a more modern living environment for those who prefer it.

On the other hand, areas like Maskavas or Maskačka Street, which was a former neighborhood of Russian merchants and artisans, are considered gloomy and sparsely populated, so it's not recommended to stay there. Similarly, the Lubanas neighborhood is characterized by typical clustered paneled houses and may not be the ideal choice for tourists.