Jurmala travel guide

Jurmala means “seashore” in Latvian. Once upon a time there were numerous fishing villages, which were sometimes visited by curious tourists. Gradually – from the middle of the 18th century – bathing houses and small cafes started to appear on the shore of the bay. The seashore of Riga was slowly but surely turning into a resort.

It was only in 1920 when Latvian government united the scattered villages and towns into one city – Jurmala.

And thus began the big crusade of tourists – crowds rushed here for some sea air and to wander between pine trees.

How to get to Jurmala

Jurmala is 30 km away from Riga.

There are several ways to get here: the most popular and convenient ones would be by car or train.

Taking an electric train from Riga railway station will take you half an hour. On the way there will be several stops: Majori, Bulduri, Dzintari and others. Don’t wait for the station called Jurmala because it simply doesn’t exist. Find yourself on a map of Jurmala and get out where you prefer to. Either way, stations are quite close so you can quickly get from one to another along the shore or through pine trees.

By car the trip from Riga to Jurmala takes around the same time – half an hour. But beware that during the season (from May 1 to September 30) there is a fee for cars for entering the city – 2 euros.

The main tourist spots on the map of Jurmala

According to statistics, tourists visiting Jurmala are most often spotted at three points in the city: Jomas Avenue, near the Dzintari Concert Hall or somewhere on the endless beaches.. 

Jomas Avenue

This is the main street of the resort. The easiest way to get there is to get off at one of the two stations – Dzintari or Majori (assuming you took the train).

Jomas Avenue looks like an endless fair: cafes and restaurants alternate, scattered among souvenir shops and other tourist attraction points.

It’s always crowded, loud and smells like cotton candy, especially on a summer day off.

Dzintari Concert Hall

Most Russian-speaking tourists associate Jurmala, of course, with the Dzintari Concert Hall. Russian festivals used to be held here: “New Wave” and “Singing KiViN”. However, since 2015 these festivals have returned to Russia.

The concert hall continues to operate successfully and gather a huge number of spectators and curious people – because the hall, by its architectural design, is built without walls.

Beach vacation

The beaches of Jurmala stretch for kilometers. Clean white sand, wide beach with cafes and restaurants – it seems like a weekend’s dream.

The most popular beach is Majori. There are always a lot of tourists here, especially families with children.

If you’re looking for quieter beaches, then Bulduri and Dzintari will be more suitable.

Less popular, but just as interesting locations in Jurmala

If Jomas Street is walked through, up and down, and the beaches have been studied from one end to another – then it is a good idea to pay attention to less popular, but certainly just as quirky attractions of Jurmala.

The observation tower in Dzintari Park

Thirty-eight meters straight up towards the sky – and you have a bird’s eye view over Jurmala.

This wood and metal observation tower by ARHIS Architects is located in Dzintaru Mežaparks. Most of the structure is made of lattices: climb up and see the ground disappearing from under your feet. Another thing about the tower is its smooth swaying motion. The higher you go, the more you feel it. But don’t be intimidated: that’s the way it was designed!

Kemeri National Park

Kemeri National Park is one of the most popular parks in Latvia. And it is absolutely justified: it’s simply beautiful here. In the park, you can walk through nature trails, observe birds and breathe amazingly fresh and clean air.

By the way, the film about the English detective, Sherlock Holmes – “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson: The Hound of the Baskervilles” – was shot here. But the park is built around and over a swamp – Great Kemeri Bog.

There is a walking trail through the Great Kemeri Bog: narrow wooden paths winding through thicket of reeds.

Morberg Holiday Complex

The turquoise-colored palace with towers and stained-glass windows was built by an architect Kristaps Morberg, for himself and his wife.

It happened in the beginning of the 19th century. The Neo-Gothic castle created a public outburst several centuries ago – and still draws attention from crowds of tourists. You can go inside the house as part of a tour group.

House of Aspazija

The owner of this snow-white house with azure-colored carvings was the famous poetess and playwright Aspazija. Aspazija was her pseudonym while married name – Elza Pliekšāne. The wife and loyal associate of the Latvian poet and playwright Jānis Rainis (Pliekšāns). She was both his muse and critic.

In her works she also criticized public morality and urged women to fight for their rights. Aspazija bought this house after the death of her husband and it was used for creative evenings, poetry readings and music.

Today, Aspazija’s house continues to live with vases, dishes, books, paintings, clothes, furniture and dolls preserved there as if the mistress had never left. Tours of Aspazija’s house are accompanied by a very enjoyable tea gathering.

Lutheran Church in Dubulti

This beautiful stone church has been gathering followers for more than a century. The building is considered to be a typical representative of the Art Nouveau style in Riga.

There are no icons inside; only boards with numbers decorating the walls. These boards indicate the verse numbers from collections important to all believers.

The only impressive decoration of the church is the organ. There are frequent concerts played on it, which are open to all who’s interested.

White dune in Lielupe

There is a huge White Dune near the Priedaine station.

Researchers claim that its formation took 150-200 years. In 1757, the Lielupe River broke through. Many years later, the riverbed was restored, but the high sandy strip remained.

This white dune is a very beautiful place. Traditionally, with white sand and tall pine trees.

Ragakāpa Nature Park

The park, which has grown over a ridge of sand dunes, is covered by a pine forest – with trees aging up to 300 years.

Several hiking trails with observation points have been created here: the Nature Trail, the Pine Trail, the Plant Trail, and even the Insect Trail.

In Ragakāpa Park, you can also check out the open-air museum. Here, everything will tell you about the life of an old fishing village. Fishermen’s houses, barns, sheds, boats, nets and anchors are collected on the shore.

Where to eat in Jurmala

Looking ahead, we say that the prices in Jurmala restaurants are quite spicy – majority of places are designed for tourists, and the number of interesting stylish places are closer to zero.

However, this does not mean that you must leave Riga seashore hungry.

Kafijas stūrītis

Quiet spacious cafe near the beach. A huge selection of coffee, delicious pastries and breakfast. In the warm season there are tables outside – it is especially pleasant to sit there, wrapped in a blanket.

Address: Bulduri prospects 35

Il Sole

Il Sole is an aristocratic restaurant at Baltic Beach Hotel & SPA. There is a beautiful terrace overlooking the sea and Italian cuisine. Pizza, pasta, fish and meat dishes.

Address: Jūras iela 23/25

Faces

Mediterranean, European and Spanish cuisines are served here: fresh oysters, caviar, assorted seafood, grilled calamari, paella and tapas as well.

Address: Bulduru prospekts 52

RestBar MO

A very tasty restaurant offering Japanese cuisine or, in other words, Asian fusion: rolls, sushi, noodles, salads, poke.

Address: Viestura iela 31

36 LINE

One of the most prestigious and fashionable restaurants in Jurmala. Once upon a time, the entire Latvian and Russian nobility gathered here.

There is a huge amount of seafood on the menu: oysters: tartare, sushi, fish steaks cooked on coals.

Restaurant is located on the coast with sea on one side and pine forest on the other.

Address: Baznīcas iela 2B

Majorenhoff

Majorenhoff is located on the most touristy of all tourist streets – Jomas.

Italian, Mediterranean, European and Central European cuisines successfully coexist in the menu of this restaurant. There are both popular and familiar dishes, interesting combinations that reveal the flavors of food in a new way.

Address: Jomas iela 42

Light House

A restaurant with panoramic windows (view, of course, over bay), classic cream tablecloths and luxurious armchairs.

Here you can try classic Mediterranean dishes and complement them with a glass of good wine of the Old World.

Address: Gulbenes iela 1a

Choice

Choice is a popular spot in Bulduri, just a few steps away from the coast.

Rich menu offering breakfasts, main courses, snacks, desserts and drinks. Restaurant is especially proud of their specialty – Sushi. Overseen by their chef Elvg, who has 17 years of experience in this art.

Address: Bulduri prospects 33