Jūrmala – Beach, Nature and Culture on the Gulf of Riga

Jūrmala forms a 24-kilometre stretch of coastline on the Gulf of Riga. The beach consists of golden-shimmering quartz sand, is shallow and is suitable for barefoot walks and cycling. Jūrmala is also known for its healing mud, mineral waters and pine forests.

Geographical location

Jūrmala lies about 20 kilometres west of Riga on the A10/E22 motorway. Via the A10 motorway, the city is about 15 minutes by car from Riga Airport. Jūrmala is classified as the direct subregion of Jūrmala. Other destinations at the same regional level are Kalmar, Leningrad Oblast, West Pomerania, Jelgavas Novads, Ålands landsbygd and the South Danish Islands.

Nature

Ragakāpa Nature Park is a specially protected natural area. A path about two kilometres long runs through the pine forest there, consisting mostly of wooden boardwalks. Jūrmala’s tourist attractions 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 the safe exploration of an inaccessible area with mosses, small bog pines, acacias, dark lakes and wild rosemary. Its short loop section is about 1.4 kilometres long. The long loop section measures about 3.4 kilometres and offers the opportunity to climb an observation platform with an elevated view over the bog. Different trail lengths help visitors plan their nature experiences according to their preferred timeframe.

The Ķemeri resort has a network of winding paths interrupted by architectural objects. Ragakāpa Nature Park is also home to seven biotopes protected in the European Union. Dzintari Forest Park has a 200-year-old stand of pine trees.

Culture and history

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

The Jūrmala Museum has Latvia’s largest swimwear collection and covers the history of the Riga-Jūrmala and Ķemeri resorts from the 18th to the 21st century. The Jūrmala Open-Air Museum has nearly 2,000 exhibits depicting the work and lives of fishermen in 19th- and 20th-century Jūrmala.

Jomas Street and local life

Jomas Street is a pedestrian street about 1.1 kilometres long. It is home to numerous restaurants and pubs. Over the course of many days, residents and visitors have the opportunity to attend concerts, theatre performances, festival markets, workshops, parades and sporting events.

At the Jūrmala Open-Air Museum, visitors can watch traditional fish smoking, take part in the preparation and sample hot-smoked fish.

Leisure

Līvu Water Park is divided into areas for active recreation, family recreation, and spa and sauna use. It has a wave pool with waves up to 1.5 metres high. The observation tower in Dzintari Forest Park has a total of 12 platforms.

The White Liner can currently only be viewed from the outside.

More about the destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Jurmala.