Jūrmala: Beach, Nature and Culture

Jūrmala has a 24-kilometre-long beach with 12 official bathing areas. A railway line runs along the entire length of Jūrmala and connects 14 stops from Priedaine to Ķemeri. From Riga Central Station, the journey takes between 20 and 50 minutes, depending on the destination stop.

Ragakāpa Nature Park is a 150-hectare protected area. Its main features are dunes with old pine forest and the biodiversity of the seashore. A nature trail approximately 2 kilometres long leads mainly over wooden footbridges through the park. Information boards, benches and stairs are among its facilities. This makes it possible to explore the protected landscape along a clearly defined route, rather than viewing the park’s various elements only from the beach.

Another landmark is the observation tower in Dzintari Forest Park. It is 33.5 metres high and has 12 viewing platforms. Those who want to combine walks with nature observation will therefore find in Jūrmala both a nature trail in a protected area and a distinctive tower in a forest park.

The Jūrmala Museum devotes its permanent exhibitions to the city, life by the sea, resort life and the history of bathing. They also cover the history of the Riga Jūrmala and Ķemeri resorts from the 18th to the 21st century. The collection includes old postcards of Jūrmala and Latvia’s largest swimwear collection. The topics therefore range from the development of the town to specific images of everyday life and holidays.

History is also documented in the townscape: Jūrmala has 385 architectural monuments of state, regional or local importance, as well as 700 buildings of cultural and historical value worthy of preservation. The Dzintaru Concert Hall is a separate focal point for music and stage events. It hosts classical, jazz and popular music concerts, festivals, competitions and other international cultural events.

For a day of cycling, there are planned one-day bicycle routes with scenic and cultural stops. Most of these routes are designed as circular routes. This makes them a separate way to combine different facets of Jūrmala in one route without limiting your trip planning to a single excursion destination.

Līvu Akvaparks has more than 20 different slides and 10 swimming pools. Alongside the beach, forest and culture, this provides an independent water park as an excursion destination. The various options allow you to organise your stay around your interests instead of choosing the same travel focus every day.

Jūrmala’s tourist information centre is located in the centre of Majori. The choice of stop can therefore be linked to the particular part of the town you plan to visit.

Where are designated areas for kitesurfing and windsurfing?

On Jūrmala’s beach, designated areas for kitesurfing and windsurfing are located in Kauguri, Asari, Pumpuri and Lielupe.

What does the Ķemeri National Park Nature Centre show?

The Ķemeri National Park Nature Centre at Meža māja offers an interactive exhibition about the park’s natural assets and its main ecosystems.

Where does the “Labsajūtas dabas taka” run?

The approximately 2-kilometre-long “Labsajūtas dabas taka” runs between Baznīcas iela and Amatas iela through coastal dunes. It is suitable for walking, Nordic walking and running.

What can visitors experience at Jūrmalas Brīvdabas muzejs?

Jūrmalas Brīvdabas muzejs presents a coastal fishermen’s farmstead from the late 19th and early 20th centuries with characteristic buildings. Visitors can observe the traditional smoking of fish, take part in preparing the fish and then taste hot-smoked fish. There is also a workshop where ropes can be made and nets repaired.

To the overall travel overview: Jūrmala.

Jūrmala on the Baltic Sea: Beach, Spa Tradition and Riga | poezdka.de.