The trendy capital of Latvia, Riga is compact enough to walk around and cool enough to meet the approval of any hipster. With a modern art and music scene bursting from its old cobbled streets, Riga is a cosmopolitan city that deserves to be explored on foot.
From cool bars to contemporary galleries, there’s a lot to do and see – plus a lot of hiking in its surrounding natural landscape.
Known for being a haven for stag dos and party animals in general, Riga can be a bit of a drunken place. So it might seem difficult to choose the right hostel for you – don’t wanna be overrun with lads on tours, right?
But don’t you worry! We’ve sorted through the best hostels in Riga (and put ’em into handy categories, too) to make life easy for you when you’re trying to choose a hostel that’s right for you.
So here are our choices for the top hostels in Riga – have a read below!
Quick answer: The Best Hostels in Riga
- Best Overall Hostel in Riga – The Naughty Squirrel
- Best Party Hostel in Riga – Riga Old Town Hostel & Backpackers Pub
- Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Riga – Tree House Hostel
- Best Cheap Hostel in Riga – Riga Hostel
- Best Hostel for Couples in Riga – Bunka Boutique Hostel
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Riga – Liberty
- Best Hostel with a Private Room in Riga – Central Hostel Riga
Best Hostels in Riga
Need help deciding where to stay in Riga? Then read on!
Best Overall Hostel in Riga – The Naughty Squirrel
- $$
- Bar
- Foosball
- Self Catering Facilities
Why is it that hostels have to call themselves an adjective and then an animal? But, what’s in a name – this place is literally award-winning. Literally. And it shows to be fair. Situated in the old town, this is a super clean place that’s fun to stay at. No stag parties here.
The staff at this best overall hostel in Riga are super hardworking and kind, and they arrange all sorts of weird and wonderful activities, like husky dog sledging and shooting AK47s (not at the same time) if that’s your thing.
Best Party Hostel in Riga – Riga Old Town Hostel & Backpackers Pub
- $
- Bar
- 24 Hour Security
- Outdoor Terrace
Well, for starters, this place has a pub. And it’s advertised in the name. So it must be a big part of it. And it is. Staying here means going to bed at 2AM every night STANDARD so you better be ready for the lively bar and lively characters it attracts.
Um, so, yeah, make sure to bring your earplugs because this is the best party hostel in Riga and it really is about partying. It could be just a tiny bit cleaner, but you’re not here for cleanliness. Probably. The location is also awesome. Everything in the old town is walkable.
Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Riga – Tree House Hostel
- $
- Free Breakfast
- Female-only Dorm
- Book Exchange
Everything you want when you’re travelling solo you can get when you stay at this Riga backpackers hostel. Yes, we really mean it: the staff will welcome you with open arms and involve you in loads of activities like exploring the city, cooking organic meals and a bit o’ yoga.
This is not only the best hostel for solo travellers in Riga, no. It’s also (and maybe more so) the best hostel for female travellers in Riga. There’s a female-only dorm and it feels like a very secure place to stay. Also, no creepy staff.
Best Cheap Hostel in Riga – Riga Hostel
- $
- Free Tea & Coffee
- Cable TV
- Laundry Facilities
This boasts probably one of the cheapest beds you’re ever going to get in town. So for that alone we’d say this is the best cheap hostel in Riga. But obviously, it’s not JUST cheap. It’s good too.
Yep, it’s clean, it’s in a good location for exploring – plus it’s right in front of the railway station, meaning you can get in and out very easily. The communal kitchen at this top hostel in Riga just helps keep costs down even further. Great stuff!
Best Hostel for Couples in Riga – Bunka Boutique Hostel
- $$
- Communal Kitchen
- Late Check-out
- No Curfew
Run by a really friendly pair of people, this recommended hostel in Riga feels less like a hostel and much more like a homely homestay. You’ll get to learn local knowledge – e.g. the best places to eat – and have good chats with the staff and other guests.
It’s been decorated with a very nice eye for detail, so we’d say it’s the best hostel for couples in Riga. Couples like details, right? Plus there’s loads of bars and restaurants nearby so you can head out with your partner for some food and drink. Private rooms here are great.
Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Riga – Liberty
- $$
- Bar & Cafe
- Security Lockers
- Cable TV
Liberty is an excellent hostel (EXCELLENT we say) located right in the middle of Riga so you get to see all the sights you wanna see. It’s called Liberty because it’s right near the Freedom Monument, which makes sense.
Featuring spacious rooms with high ceilings that come complete with desks and city views, this is a great – no, the BEST hostel for digital nomads in Riga. It’s simply just a chill place to be able to get some work done. Big common room with communal kitchen, too, also featuring tables.
Best Hostel with a Private Room in Riga – Central Hostel Riga
- $$
- Free Shisha
- Free Laundry
- Free Tea & Coffee (& Hot Chocolate)
This place is all, like… pastel colours with colour pop furniture. It’s one of the coolest hostels in Riga for the design alone. A little bit kitschy, sure, but we think it works. The private rooms here steal the show because they’re spacious and cutely decorated.
Located down a quiet street in the centre of the city, we say this is the best hostel with a private room in Riga, not only for the big private rooms but also for the calm atmosphere and the fact that it’s located in a cool old building. Also very clean. Good for those who like to wander down backstreets away from tourist sights.
Psst! Heading to a hostel? Don’t forget to pack a padlock! It’s well worth having one so you can secure your locker and protect your stuff!
More Best Hostels in Riga
Brivibas Hostel
- $
- Free Coffee
- Bicycle Hire
- Laundry Facilities
This top hostel in Riga is located right next to St Gertrude’s Church, which is a pretty historical location (and also means pretty views), but what really excites us about this place is the fact that it’s got a REAL coffee machine. That’s FREE TO USE in the morning!
Dorms here are spacious with high ceilings. And, a great thing, there are no bunk beds. The single beds are separated by your own little bookshelf, which is better than that tiny little shelf they usually give you in hostels to put all your various stuff on. Love it.
Two Wheels
- $$$
- Bar
- Free Parking
- Free Breakfast
This place says it’s a boutique hotel, but it’s got dorm rooms. And we’re sure their private rooms are pretty nice too. But generally, this is quite a cool Riga hostel. It’s got a shabby chic kinda style to it and literally stunning old wooden stairs. If you like stairs and history.
The name, you may have been wondering, refers to this place being geared towards motorbike enthusiasts. However, they obviously accept anybody – they’re not gonna kick you out ’cause you didn’t bust through the doors on a Triumph. Don’t worry.
Tiger Hostel
- $
- Heritage Building
- Luggage Storage
- Communal Kitchen
Their claim? That they’re 100 steps (EXACTLY) away from the train station. We’ll leave it up to you and your own steps to decide on that one. But aside from controversial measurements, this place is also pretty close to the old town and all the food and drink you can get there.
Set in a big old cool building, you’re guaranteed huge windows at this budget hostel in Riga… but don’t be expecting style. The tenuous link to the name is that some of the duvet covers are animal prints – and not just tiger either. We don’t know. But if you need a clean, basic, cheap place to stay, here’s the Riga backpackers hostel for you.
Avitar
- $
- Free Breakfast
- Airport Transfers
- Elevator
Hmm, definitely more like a budget hotel than a Riga backpackers hostel, this is a good place to stay if you’ve picked up a few mates on your European travels. They’ve big old multi-bed rooms that aren’t sold as dorms but could work just like them… we think.
The staff are super helpful here and they offer up a free breakfast, which is always appreciated. But basically, if you don’t mind missing out on the hostel atmosphere (no common room, for example), but wanna stick to your budget, this is a solid option.
Chomsky Residence
- $
- Communal Kitchen
- Looks Cool
- No Curfew
If you were looking for some connection to the great Noam Chomsky, um, it’s only that this place is above the Chomsky Bar… which is only named after Chomsky. So… there. Anyway, this is basically a Riga backpackers hostel inside a big apartment.
It’s decorated in a shabby style, purposefully run down and stuff, but with some interesting Latvian art on the wall. It’s actually quite cool in an intellectual squat-kinda way. Not everyone’s gonna love it though. But if you wanna be near Riga’s creativity, then here’s a pretty good place to start. The bar downstairs sounds fun, too.
Mr Hostel
- $
- Board Games
- Laundry Facilities
- Security Lockers
Mr Hostel is such fun, he makes treats (well, beds) for everyone! Mr Hostel… honestly. Anyway, it has a great location inside a cool Art Nouveau building and is pretty close to the historic centre, too. Arriving by train? Great, it’s 2 mins away by foot. Arriving by bus? Even better, that’s also close.
This cool hostel in Riga definitely suits the more quiet backpacker. If playing some chess, or reading a book, or other such quiet pursuits are the sorta thing you like to get up to when you’re travelling, this is the place for you. Dorms are bright and modern.
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Mosaic Hostel
- $$
- Daily Housekeeping
- No Curfew
- Free Breakfast
Situated in the embassy district (handy if you get into trouble), this top hostel in Riga is another one that’s set inside an Art Nouveau building. Sounds cool, right? But inside it… sorta looks like a renovated office block.
Don’t let that put you off though. It’s super clean, super tidy and there are colourful mosaic patterns all over the place (hey, we’ve found the connection to the name). Honestly, it’s actually quite stylish. Nice place.
Cinnamon Sally Backpackers
- $
- Communal Kitchen
- Laundry Facilities
- Tours & Activities
So. This place is pretty social, making it a great hostel for solo travellers in Riga. It’s also a comfy place where you can feel safe and secure, knowing your sheets are freshly laundered and the bathrooms are clean is always nice.
It’s relaxed and there are various activities and tours that the staff take you on. Location wise? It’s set in a good central area that’s also pretty close to the train station – great for day trips or heading out onto your next destination. Feels very much like a classic backpackers hostel. Pub crawls and ting.
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View on AERWhat to Pack for your Riga Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear… Here are some other items you might not have thought to pack.
1. Active Roots Microfiber Towel: Having your own towel is a must when traveling since most hostels don’t provide them. Plus as a backpacker, use of a towel will extend further than just showers, it’s a minimalist yoga towel and a great beach blanket/towel combo! The Active Roots Microfiber Towel is really the best solution for backpacking.
2. Power Bank: Everyone knows the mini heart attack when your phone is about to run out of power. Surviving long bus rides without charging stations can be agonizing, which is why every backpacker should have this Anker Power Bank. You can charge your phone up to 5 times, or plug in two devices simultaneously. With high-speed charging and enough power to keep you going for days, you can conquer even the biggest adventures without a problem.
3. Padlock: Keep your stuff safe, guys. Unfortunately not all dorm lockers share the same security standard. You’ll want a lightweight lock that can fit all the various dorm lockers you’ll clip it to. Having a padlock that is flexible and can fit a variety of locker styles is the best way to make sure none of your belongings wander away while you are out.
4. Playing Cards: These waterproof cards are essential kit for every backpacker. Play by the pool, beach or at your hostel after a long day with travel buds, without your cards breaking or getting soaked. And once you pull out those cards, the chance that you’ll be the hero of the night is pretty high (no promises though).
5. Active Roots Toiletry Bag: Keep your bath-and-beauty items organized and in the right place with this water-resistant bag. With large compartments, mesh and enclosed clear sections, you can fit everything you might need inside. Hang it up or let it stand on its own – this bag is a must-have for dorm-lifers.
6. TRTL Travel Pillow: Nothing is worse than a sleep-deprived and grumpy backpacker. Do yourself a favour and get some decent rest with this comfortable TRTL travel pillow. The ergonomic design (fancy!) makes it possible to sleep upright, which can be a real struggle with normal neck pillows. Having this cool pillow makes long bus rides or flights way more enjoyable – and who knows, maybe you’ll even be looking forward to it next time. If so, leave those guys a good review.
Why you should travel to Riga
And those were the best hostels in Riga. Now you know, eh?
From typical hostels where people jam with guitars and stuff like that, to more sophisticated hostels for couples and flashpackers, there’s something for everyone in this hip capital city.
And thankfully if you want to avoid the party crowds in your hostel, you can! But if you wanna party, you can!
Still can’t decide even after reading our handy list of Riga’s top hostels?
That’s ok. We’d say you should go for a bunk (or room) at the best overall hostel in Riga, The Naughty Squirrel!
Travel Safety Tips for Riga
Pack your coolest garms – or get ready to party: Riga, here we come!
And don’t forget Travel Insurance! We’ve put together a roundup of Travel Insurance for backpackers – check it out here, or if you’re low on time, get a quote from World Nomads, our favorite travel insurance provider.
Getting an estimate from World Nomads is simple – just click the button or image below, fill out the necessary info, and you’re on your way!
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Riga has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!
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