Cinnamon Sally Backpackers Hostel

First Impressions

Walking up to Cinnamon Sally Backpackers Hostel on Merķeļa Street, you’ll immediately notice this isn’t your typical backpacker crash pad. The building itself has this charming old-world vibe that fits perfectly with Riga’s historic character, but there’s something distinctly modern about how they’ve approached the whole hostel concept. I mean, the name alone tells you they’re doing something different — and honestly, they deliver on that promise.

Location & Getting Around

Here’s what I love about the location — you’re right in the heart of things without being stuck in tourist chaos. The Old Town is literally a five-minute walk away, which means you can stumble back after exploring those medieval streets without breaking the bank on taxis. What’s even better is that you’re close enough to the Central Market to grab fresh pastries for breakfast, and the train station is nearby if you’re planning day trips to other Baltic cities.

The trams run right past here too, so getting to Jurmala beach or other parts of the city is actually pretty straightforward. You know what I really appreciated? The staff knows all the local transport tricks — like which buses to take to avoid the tourist markup on certain routes.

The Room Experience

The room setup surprised me in the best way. Sure, it’s a hostel, but they’ve managed to create spaces that feel more like a boutique hotel than your typical bunk bed warehouse. The beds are solid (no squeaking when your roommate climbs up), and each bunk has its own reading light and power outlet — small details that make a huge difference when you’re actually living there for a few days.

Storage is well thought out too, with proper lockers that can fit a full backpack. The bathrooms are clean and there’s usually hot water, which honestly can’t be said for every place in this price range in Riga.

Social Atmosphere

What really sets this place apart is the social dynamic they’ve cultivated. The common areas actually encourage conversation without feeling forced — there’s a cozy kitchen where people end up chatting while making their meals, and the lounge area has this relaxed vibe where you might find yourself in a three-hour conversation about travel routes through Eastern Europe.

They organize walking tours and pub crawls, but it’s not that aggressive party hostel energy. It’s more like staying with friends who happen to know the city really well. The other guests tend to be a mix of solo travelers and small groups, mostly people in their twenties and thirties who want to explore but also appreciate a good night’s sleep.

Why Guests Keep Coming Back

The staff genuinely cares about making your stay work for you. They’ll give you honest recommendations about which restaurant to try in the Old Town versus where locals actually eat, and they’re not getting kickbacks from tour companies, so their advice feels authentic. Plus, the whole place has this relaxed efficiency — check-in is smooth, the WiFi actually works, and small problems get sorted quickly.

At the end of the day, Cinnamon Sally strikes that perfect balance between being social enough to meet people and comfortable enough that you’re not constantly thinking about upgrading to a hotel.