Artists apartment next to Gertrudes church inspired by Mexico

You know what caught me off guard about this place? The second I walked into this artist’s apartment on Ģertrūdes street, I felt like I’d somehow teleported from Riga’s cobblestone charm straight into a vibrant Mexican casa. I mean, the owner clearly has a thing for bold colors and Day of the Dead artwork – there’s this incredible sugar skull mural that dominates one wall, and honestly, it works way better than it sounds on paper.

The location is actually pretty genius if you know Riga at all. You’re literally steps from St. Gertrude’s Church (which, let’s be real, most tourists walk right past without noticing), but here’s the thing – you’re in this perfect sweet spot where you can walk to Old Town in about ten minutes, yet you’re tucked away from all the bachelor party chaos that hits the main tourist strips. Ģertrūdes street itself has this lived-in neighborhood vibe where you’ll see locals heading to work in the morning, and there’s a decent little café around the corner where the barista actually remembers your order after a couple days. Parking can be a bit tricky – I ended up using the paid spots on nearby streets, but it’s not impossible like some parts of the city center.

What really sets this place apart is how the Mexican inspiration isn’t just thrown together randomly. The artist-owner (and I’m pretty sure they actually live art, not just dabble in it) has curated everything from the handwoven textiles to these gorgeous ceramic pieces that look like they came straight from Oaxaca. The kitchen has this amazing talavera-style backsplash, and surprisingly, it’s actually functional – I made breakfast there several mornings and everything you need is there. The bed is comfortable enough, though the room can get a bit warm in summer since the building is old and doesn’t have modern AC. But honestly, opening the windows at night brings in this nice cross-breeze, and you’re far enough from the main roads that traffic noise isn’t really an issue.

I stayed here during shoulder season in September, and the whole experience felt more like crashing at a creative friend’s place than staying in typical tourist accommodation. The check-in was refreshingly personal – no corporate script, just genuine recommendations about where to grab the best black balsam in the neighborhood (trust me, skip the tourist shops). The 8.8 rating makes total sense once you’re there; it’s not trying to be a luxury hotel, but it delivers something way more interesting than your standard three-star place. If you’re the type who gets excited about staying somewhere with actual character rather than generic hotel vibes, and you don’t mind being a short walk from the main tourist bubble, this spot really delivers something special.