Jūrmala

Latvia's premier seaside resort stretching along a long white-sand beach lined with wooden art nouveau villas and spa hotels. Visit for the Jomas Street promenade, forested dunes and a genteel resort atmosphere just west of Riga.

Things to do

• Stroll Jomas Street — Wander Jūrmala's lively pedestrian promenade lined with cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops in the heart of Majori.
• Relax on Majori Beach — Sunbathe or swim along the wide white-sand Blue Flag beach that defines the resort.
• Admire art nouveau villas — Explore the Dzintari and Bulduri neighborhoods to see ornate wooden summer villas from the early 20th century.
• Climb Dzintari Forest Park tower — Ascend the 38-meter observation tower for panoramic views over pine forest and the Gulf of Riga.
• Attend a concert at Dzintari Concert Hall — Catch classical, jazz, or pop performances at this historic open-air and indoor venue.
• Soak in a spa hotel — Indulge in mineral baths, mud treatments, and saunas at one of Jūrmala's renowned wellness resorts.
• Visit Ķemeri National Park — Walk the Great Ķemeri Bog boardwalk trail through sulfur springs and wetlands at Jūrmala's western edge.

Food to try

• Smoked fish from the coast — Buy freshly smoked flounder, herring, or eel sold near the beach and local markets.
• Rye bread and sprats — Try open-faced sandwiches topped with tinned Riga sprats and dense Latvian dark rye bread.
• Cold beet soup (aukstā zupa) — Cool off with this summer specialty of chilled kefir-based soup with beets, cucumber, and dill.
• Grey peas with speck — Sample the hearty Latvian staple of grey peas cooked with fried bacon and onions.
• Black Balsam — Taste Riga's herbal liqueur, often mixed into cocktails or coffee, at a Jomas Street bar.

Local customs & good to know

• Pay the resort tax — Cars entering central Jūrmala in summer must pay a daily fee, so check signage or take the train from Riga instead.
• Take the electric train — Frequent trains from Riga reach Majori and Dzintari in about 30 minutes, the easiest way to arrive.
• Respect the dunes — Stick to marked paths through the protected forested dunes and avoid trampling the fragile vegetation.
• Peak season is brief — The resort buzzes in July and August but many venues quiet down sharply outside the warm summer months.

Nearby

• Kalnciema Quarter (Riga) — 18 km
• Ķemeri National Park — 18 km
• National Library of Latvia (Riga) — 19 km
• Riga Castle (Riga) — 19 km