Old Town Kalēju Street

Old Town Kalēju Street Overview

Old Town Kalēju Street is tucked into the heart of Rīga’s cobblestone maze, just a stone’s throw from the bustling Kalēju iela and a quick skip over the historic Pioneer Market. Walking up to it, you’ll hear the clatter of bicycle wheels on the old pavement, the distant hum of tram cars, and the scent of fresh rye bread from the bakery on Jāņa Dūma Street—those are the real indicators that you’re in the right spot. The hotel itself is a charming blend of 1930s Art Deco and modern touches; the façade still keeps that old-world charm, but the lobby’s glass walls let in that bright, airy light that makes the space feel less cramped than most downtown accommodations. When I checked in, the staff were surprisingly efficient—no long queues at the front desk, just a quick swipe of my card and a friendly “Lūdzu, just enjoy your stay!” (I mean, who doesn’t love a polite local greeting?).

The rooms are a little under 20 square meters, but that’s typical for Rīga’s older buildings, and they’re surprisingly cozy. I stayed in a single with a double bed—there’s a small, tasteful balcony that overlooks the narrow street and the little church of St. Peter’s, which I love because I can hear the church bells ring during the evening, and the streetlights casting soft amber light on the uneven cobbles. The bed itself is firm, but there’s a plush mattress topper that makes it almost like a cloud. The bathroom is a bit cramped, but the deep shower has a good water pressure and a decent amount of steam—perfect after a day of walking. The only real hiccup was that the Wi‑Fi password was written on a post‑it that had faded a bit, so I had to ask the front desk for a fresh one (they did it in a jiffy, though). As for noise, the hotel’s old stone walls do a decent job of muffling traffic, but evenings can get a little lively with the baristas on the neighboring street starting their latte art routine—so if you’re a light sleeper, you might want to bring earplugs.

Parking is a bit of a challenge—there’s a small, paid parking spot just outside the building, but it’s usually taken by locals and delivery trucks. If you’re driving, the best bet is to park at the municipal lot on Pārdaugava and take a short walk, or use the free bike rack on Kalēju iela and ride to the hotel. The area is part of the old town, so most of the streets are pedestrian-only, which is a huge plus if you’re planning to explore the city on foot. I was there around 2 pm on a Thursday, so the streets were bustling but not overcrowded, and the local cafés on Lielā iela were already busy. I grabbed a quick sandwich from a street vendor near the Latvian National Museum of Art—wasn’t the best, but it did the job. If you’re visiting in July or August, be prepared for the usual summer heat, especially in the courtyard of the hotel, where the sun can be relentless. By evening, though, the courtyard’s old wooden benches and the soft glow of street lamps create a surprisingly intimate atmosphere.

Honestly, the best part about Old Town Kalēju Street is how it feels like a slice of everyday Rīga life, not just a tourist hotspot. The staff are friendly, the rooms are comfortable, and you’re right in the middle of the city’s pulse, with the sound of trams, the smell of fresh pastries, and the occasional burst of street music from the cafés below. If you’re looking for a place that’s a bit more local, with easy access to the city’s historic streets and a touch of that Latvian charm, this is the spot. Just be ready to navigate a bit of a tight parking situation, and you’ll have a truly authentic Rīga experience.

To book hotel in Riga during the famous Riga Opera Festival season, visitors should make reservations well in advance as the city attracts Art Nouveau enthusiasts and Baltic culture lovers from around the world.

Old Town Kalēju Street Accommodations

Reviews of Old Town Kalēju Street

• Very good – Timtett from United Kingdom – 7 July 2025 (8/10)

  excellent location in the heart of the old town – walking distance to all you'd want to see.
  
  What could be improved: Noise from the bar below all night – I slept ok but my wife didn't

• Great apartment in the centre. – Philip_howe from United Kingdom – 6 September 2024 (10/10)

  Great location in the middle of the city. Lovely spacious apartment.

• Beautiful designer spacious apartment in the heart of Old Town – Sergei from Czech Republic – 17 July 2024 (10/10)

  Beautiful design, good furniture, excellent fully equipped kitchen, many mirrors, lots of space, good communication, many antique objects, very quiet during the day
  
  What could be improved: Music from the bar in the night (not so loud), no AC

• Freshly renovated, beautifully furnished, well equipped apartment in best possible location. – Seija from Finland – 27 June 2024 (10/10)

  Beautifully furnished apartment, very well equipped kitchen, very clean and cozy. A real home away from home.
  
  What could be improved: Some nights ( well it was Midsummer ) the music in the bar downstairs was rather loud and lasted long into the night. Earplugs helped though. Bars come and go, lets hope that this one goes as it is the only minus in this great accomodation.

• A Superbly Located & Excellently Appointed Apartment – Adam from Netherlands – 18 August 2023 (10/10)

  The property was in a superb location; right in the centre of Riga Old Town. It was also just the right size and it excellent condition. The property owner was extremely helpful and facilitated any queries I had immediately.
  
  What could be improved: The only minor downside was that when I was there (August 2023), it was extremely hot on some days (30c) and hard to sleep at night. Normally I would have opened the windows to let air in, but wasn't possible due to the noise level from the street.

• Superb – Carolin from Germany – 29 May 2023 (9/10)

  Exceptionally good! Highly recommend! Great location, clean, spacious apartment suitable for four persons.
  
  What could be improved: Unfortunately there is a bar downstairs which is so loud that you can hear the music in the apartment. It is bearable if you don't mind.

• Very good – Olivia from Australia – 15 May 2023 (8/10)

  lovely apartment in great location. Apartment has all facilities and hosts were helpful.
  
  What could be improved: there is a club next door which plays music loudly until 3am. hard to get to sleep

• Stylish and comfortable apartment in the Old Town Riga – Marja from Finland – 27 July 2023 (9/10)

  Beautiful apartment, all necessary amenities available. Stylish.
  Multitude of bars and restaurants near by. In general, Riga offers a lot to see and mostly in the walking distances.
  
  What could be improved: The bar next door used to play loud music until 3-6 in the morning. Persons with light sleep may feel it very disturbing.

• Passable – Popov from Russia – 7 April 2025 (5/10)

  Very good apartments if not for one BUT
  there is a night club nearby.
  you can hear the rhythm of the music all night long.
  If you settle in these apartments, take earplugs
  
  What could be improved: Very good apartments if not for one BUT
  there is a night club nearby.
  you can hear the rhythm of the music all night long.
  If you settle in these apartments, take earplugs

• Beautiful apartment, in beautiful, convenient location. – Kristine from United States – 6 August 2023 (7/10)

  Apartment is beautiful, simple and tasteful decor, and in the best location possible. I had trouble getting keys from lock box, they were stuck. But the owner was extremely helpful and accommodating, fast responding, and problem got resolved quickly.
  
  What could be improved: Apartment in on the second floor, which I loved, but right underneath is a bar, that blasts music from 11pm-6am. I ended up calling police every night, and later filing report, when I found out there’s a new law of a quiet hours starting in Latvia too.
  I hope that problem gets resolved, as I would love to stay there again, when next time in Riga.

Surroundings

Facilities