Spilve

Dominated by the vast Spilve meadows and the historic former airport, this district offers a unique sense of scale and emptiness rare in a European capital. It's a landscape of wide-open fields, industrial zones, and decaying Soviet-era relics, appealing to explorers and those who appreciate raw, undeveloped spaces. Spilve is less a residential neighborhood and more a canvas of history and nature on the city's western edge.

vastaviation-historyindustrialundevelopedopen-space
Stay here if you like…
  • You're an urban explorer or photographer drawn to abandoned architecture and vast, empty landscapes.
  • You are an aviation historian fascinated by the impressive, albeit decaying, Stalinist-era Spilve Airport terminal.
  • You need access to industrial land or large open areas and prioritize space over residential amenities.
Map notes

We’re collecting points of interest for this neighborhood.

Good to know
Aviation Ghost

Spilve Airport was Riga's primary airport until 1974. Its grand terminal building is a protected architectural monument, though it remains largely derelict and is a popular spot for urban explorers.

Important Bird Area

The Spilve meadows are a nationally important nature area, providing a crucial habitat for various bird species, especially during migration.

Services and residential housing are extremely limited here. It's not a practical choice for daily living unless you work in one of the local industrial enterprises.
Essentials
  • Access is primarily by car, as the area is sprawling and public transport is sparse.
  • Bus route 38 provides a connection to the city center, but services can be infrequent.
  • The area is not pedestrian-friendly; expect long walks between any points of interest with no sidewalks in many parts.

Highlights to plug in

Spilve Airport Terminal

Plot a stop at Spilve Airport Terminal while exploring Spilve.

Spilve Meadows (Spilves pļavas)

Plot a stop at Spilve Meadows (Spilves pļavas) while exploring Spilve.

Things to do

Aviation Ghost

Spilve Airport was Riga's primary airport until 1974. Its grand terminal building is a protected architectural monument, though it remains largely derelict and is a popular spot for urban explorers.

Important Bird Area

The Spilve meadows are a nationally important nature area, providing a crucial habitat for various bird species, especially during migration.

Services and residential housing are extremely limited here

Services and residential housing are extremely limited here. It's not a practical choice for daily living unless you work in one of the local industrial enterprises.

Where to stay

Stay here if

You're an urban explorer or photographer drawn to abandoned…

You're an urban explorer or photographer drawn to abandoned architecture and vast, empty landscapes.

Stay here if

You are an aviation historian fascinated by the impressive, albeit…

You are an aviation historian fascinated by the impressive, albeit decaying, Stalinist-era Spilve Airport terminal.

Stay here if

You need access to industrial land or large open areas and prioritize…

You need access to industrial land or large open areas and prioritize space over residential amenities.