Jūrmala
A resort town with about 33 km of white sandy beaches and pine forests along the Gulf of Riga, preserving many 19th- and 20th-century wooden villas. It is Latvia's most famous seaside spa destination.
Jūrmala lies about 25 to 30 km west of Riga. It is a long, narrow city between the Gulf of Riga and the Lielupe River, made up of a dozen resort villages linked together. It has about 33 km of continuous fine white sand beach, backed by pine forests and dunes. Since the 19th century it has been a spa destination for Russian nobility and wealthy merchants, and in the Soviet era it was famous across the USSR as a holiday resort. The liveliest area is Majori. The pedestrian street Jomas iela is lined with cafés, restaurants, and souvenir shops, and the sea is only a few minutes' walk away. In the nearby Dzintari district you will find a concert hall and a forest park with an observation tower. Jūrmala has about 4,000 wooden villas, many with fine openwork carvings and towers, and strolling its streets is a pleasure. The sea is shallow and cool, with water temperatures around 18-20°C in midsummer. Getting there: take a train toward Tukums from Riga Central Station. The trip takes about 30 to 35 minutes to Majori station, and the fare is about 2 euros. If you drive into Jūrmala between April and September, you must pay a city entry fee. The beaches are free, with changing rooms and showers available.
Opening hours
Open all day
Nearby sights
- Kalnciema Quarter
- National Library of Latvia (Castle of Light)
- Riga Castle
- Three Brothers & Swedish Gate
- Latvian National Opera
- Riga Cathedral
- Art Museum Riga Bourse
- Museum of the Occupation of Latvia