How Riga is laid out
Riga sits on both banks of the wide River Daugava. Almost everything students need is on the right bank: the medieval Old Town by the water, and the larger 19th-century Centre wrapped around it, ringed by a green belt of parks and the city canal. The left bank, Pārdaugava, is greener and more residential and holds several university campuses. The whole core is flat, safe and easy to cross on foot, by bike or with a single tram ride, so no student area ever feels far from the action.
1. City Centre (Centrs)
The heart of modern Riga and its liveliest district. The Centre holds the world's finest Art Nouveau architecture, the main shopping streets, the Central Market, parks and the biggest concentration of cafés, restaurants and nightlife. Everything is within walking distance, trams and buses are frequent, and most universities are close. It is the natural choice if you want to be in the middle of everything. Our Miera, Stabu, Theatre and Park residences are all in or on the edge of the Centre.
2. Old Town (Vecrīga)
Riga's UNESCO-listed medieval core, a maze of cobbled streets, churches and squares by the river. It is the tourist and cultural heart, packed with sights, bars and restaurants, and just a short walk from our central residences. Beautiful to live beside and unbeatable for a night out, though the very heart of it leans more towards nightlife and visitors than quiet everyday living, which is why we keep our residences a few calm minutes away.
3. Miera iela and Grīziņkalns
Riga's creative and hipster quarter, just north-east of the Centre. Specialty coffee (Rocket Bean Roastery), vintage shops, small galleries and a relaxed, local feel, quiet at night but lively by day. It combines an easy walk into town with a strong neighbourhood identity of its own, ideal if you want character without the crowds. This is the home of our Miera and Stabu residences, and we have a full guide to the street.
4. Quiet Centre (Klusais centrs)
The elegant, leafy embassy district around Elizabetes and Alberta iela, home to the densest and most spectacular Art Nouveau streets in the city. Calm, safe and green, with grand facades and wide pavements, yet only minutes on foot from the shops, parks and cafés of the Centre. A lovely, refined area to live in or simply to walk through between classes.
5. Pārdaugava and Torņakalns
The left bank of the River Daugava, greener and quieter, with wooden architecture, parks and river views. Torņakalns is a genuine student hub, minutes from the universities LU, Turība, RSU and RTU, and well connected back to the centre by tram and train across the bridge. If being close to campus and paying a little less matters most, this is your area. It is home to our Tower Hill Residence.
Which area is right for you?
If you want to be where it all happens, choose the Centre or near the Old Town. For creative, laid-back streets with the best coffee, pick Miera iela. For quiet, elegant surroundings that are still central, look at the Quiet Centre. And if being a short walk from campus is your priority, Torņakalns is hard to beat. Whichever you choose, our residences put you within easy reach of the whole city, and Liv can help you find the right room in the right area in minutes.