Jūrmala – Beach, Nature and Culture on the Baltic Sea

Jūrmala combines a 24-kilometre Baltic Sea beach with designated areas for water sports, Ragakāpa Nature Park with its dunes, and a diverse cultural history. Those looking for accommodation here can choose to focus their stay on the beach, nature, maritime history or events. A railway line runs through Jūrmala along its entire length and connects 14 stops from Priedaine to Ķemeri.

Beach and water activities

Jūrmala’s coastal character includes 12 official bathing areas along the 24-kilometre beach. Designated areas for kitesurfing and windsurfing are available in Kauguri, Asari, Pumpuri and Lielupe. In addition, Līvu Akvaparks offers more than 20 different slides and 10 swimming pools.

Dunes, forest and nature trails

Ragakāpa Nature Park is a 150-hectare protected area. Its main features are dunes with old pine forest and the biological diversity of the seashore. A nature trail approximately 2 kilometres long runs through the park and consists mainly of wooden walkways. Information boards, benches and stairs are among its facilities.

Another way to experience the coastal dunes is the approximately 2-kilometre-long “Labsajūtas dabas taka”. It runs between Baznīcas iela and Amatas iela and is suitable for walking, Nordic walking and running. Dzintari Forest Park also has a 33.5-metre-high observation tower with 12 viewing platforms. The Ķemeri National Park Nature Centre at Meža māja complements the nature attractions with an interactive exhibition about the park’s natural assets and its most important ecosystems.

Maritime history and Latvian culture

Jūrmalas Brīvdabas muzejs presents a coastal fishermen’s farmstead from the late 19th and early 20th centuries with characteristic buildings. Visitors can also watch traditional fish smoking, take part in preparing the fish and then taste hot-smoked fish. A workshop offers the opportunity to make ropes and repair nets.

The permanent exhibitions at Jūrmala Museum cover the city, life by the sea, resort life and the history of bathing. They also address 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 surviving architectural heritage also makes the history of the place visible: Jūrmala has 385 architectural monuments of national, regional or local significance, as well as 700 buildings of cultural and historical value worthy of preservation. Dzintari Concert Hall hosts concerts of classical, jazz and popular music, festivals, competitions and other international cultural events.

Orientation, railway and cycling routes

The railway line provides a clear axis for getting around Jūrmala. It extends from Priedaine to Ķemeri and serves 14 stops; Jūrmala’s tourism information centre is located in the centre of Majori. From Riga Central Station, Jūrmala can be reached in 20 to 50 minutes, depending on the stop selected.

For active days, planned one-day cycling routes with scenic and cultural stops are available. Most of these routes are designed as circular routes.

For the general travel overview: Jūrmala.

More about the destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Jurmala.