Jūrmala Hotels: Beach, Nature and Culture on the Gulf of Riga

Jūrmala combines a 24-kilometre stretch of coastline on the Gulf of Riga with golden-shimmering quartz sand. The shallow beach is suitable for barefoot walks and cycling. The characteristic landscape also includes pine forests, healing muds and mineral waters, for which Jūrmala is known.

Nature

In the specially protected Ragakāpa nature area, an approximately two-kilometre-long path runs through the pine forest and consists largely of wooden boardwalks. The nature park also encompasses seven biotopes protected by the European Union. Jūrmala’s tourist offerings also include several nature trails in Ķemeri National Park and the surrounding areas: the Great Ķemeri Bog Boardwalk, the Black Alder Swamp Boardwalk, the boardwalk to the sulphur ponds, the Forest Trail, the hiking trail along Lake Sloka and the Green Dune.

The Great Ķemeri Bog Boardwalk enables visitors to safely explore a difficult-to-access area with mosses, small bog pines, acacias, dark lakes and wild rosemary. Its short circular section is approximately 1.4 kilometres long. The long circular section measures approximately 3.4 kilometres and offers the opportunity to climb an observation platform with an elevated view over the bog. In the Ķemeri resort, a network of winding paths leads through the grounds; the paths are interrupted by architectural objects.

The Dzintari Forest Park also combines forest and views. It is home to a 200-year-old stand of pines. The observation tower has a total of twelve platforms.

Culture

At approximately 1.1 kilometres long, Jomas Street is a central public space in Jūrmala and is a pedestrian street. It is home to numerous restaurants and pubs. Over many days, residents and visitors have the opportunity to attend concerts, theatre performances, festival markets, workshops, parades and sporting events there.

A prominent cultural building is the historic enclosed Dzintari Concert Hall. It was built in 1936 based on a design by architects Viktors Mellenbergs and Aleksandrs Birzenieks. The complex comprises an elegant 1930s concert hall and a concert garden from the 1960s used during the summer. The Dzintari Concert Hall hosts concerts featuring folk music, classical music, rock and pop.

The Jūrmala Museum covers the history of the Riga–Jūrmala and Ķemeri spa resorts from the 18th to the 21st century and has Latvia’s largest swimwear collection. The Jūrmala Open-Air Museum has nearly 2,000 exhibits depicting the work and life of fishermen in Jūrmala in the 19th and 20th centuries. Visitors can watch the traditional smoking of fish there, take part in the preparation and taste hot-smoked fish.

Activities

Līvu Water Park is divided into areas for active recreation, family recreation, and spa and sauna use. Its facilities include a wave pool with waves up to 1.5 metres high.

Another special attraction is the White Liner, which can currently only be viewed from the outside. Access to this object therefore remains limited to viewing it from the exterior.

Location

Jūrmala is located approximately 20 kilometres west of Riga on the A10/E22 motorway. Via the A10 motorway, the town is approximately 15 minutes by car from Riga Airport.

Other destinations: Jūrmala, Jēkabpils, Durbes Novads, Ropaži Municipality, Valmiera, Burtnieku Novads, Jaunpiebalgas Novads.

To the higher-level travel overview: Latvia.

More about the destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Jurmala: Baltic Sea beach, spa resort and day trip from Riga.