Where to go to the beach in Riga and Jurmala: where to swim and sunbathe in the capital. Jurmala: what is the best time to go? When the sea is warm in Jurmala

On the weekend of August 17-19, we decided to go for a swim in the Baltic Sea and see Old Riga. The border was a cause for concern because it was our first time crossing it in our Ford S MAX. The fears turned out to be unfounded; the border was crossed in Burachki at approximately 7 am - this is along the Riga-Moscow highway 150 km from Velikiye Luki. There were practically no cars, this procedure took about a couple of hours due to our dullness (on the way back the border took 1 hour - experience played a role) - either we stood in the wrong place, or we marked our passports in the wrong place, in Latvia we got caught in a shift change . Cars are not strictly inspected - just lift, lower the hood, open and close the doors, but there is no particular friendliness, Article 49 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation (presumption of innocence) does not apply at the border, from the strict tone of the men and women in uniform it is clear that they suspect you before they saw it. Come on, that’s their job. It even seemed that Latvians were friendlier, and not at all slower, as in jokes.
After crossing the border in Terehovo, Latvia comes, but the impression is created as if you are traveling through Russia. The ruined patch road to Rezekne and Varakljan in the EEC country, poor villages and hamlets near the border - all this is dear and familiar to our Russian eyes. The speed limits are 90 and 50, but everyone calmly drives 100 on the highway, the ride is very comfortable, no one overtakes, you You also don’t have to overtake anyone, everyone goes in the flow. The road after Jekabpils was very good, we calmly reached Jurmala, we knew that there was a fee to enter the city, we were guarding this entrance, but we still made a mistake. This happens due to the fact that many drivers cannot immediately understand how and where to pay for entering Jurmala. We look at the photo and learn how to enter Jurmala. The forest begins on the right

Another half kilometer to go


there are 2 turns here, take a left

and finally we got to the goal, long-legged Latvian beauties stood here and helped pay for the fare
We were among these many, the sign at the entrance to the city is absolutely unreadable, the top lines are in Latvian, the bottom lines are in English, the sign is large white, with small letters. A girl in uniform ran out, they stopped us, invited us into a police car, along the way the person in uniform announced the verdict - 40 lats (2400) and 2 punctures according to the European protocol (entry into Jurmala costs only 1 lat. 1 lat = 63 rubles, the coupon is valid for 24 hours and having bought it, you need to drive into the city within an hour,) an officer was sitting in the car who gave a lecture. what a malicious offender I am, I, in turn, said that we were tourists, we were taking money to Latvia to spend, I realized the gravity of the crime and was counting on leniency. Then there was a painful pause, the officer puffed and sniffled, finally pulled out a piece of paper from the folder and wrote “10 Ls for a folder”, the spelling is preserved. (630 rubles at the exchange rate). This is how we entered Jurmala at 10 times more expensive than expected. But they still thought with relief that they got off cheaply. In Jurmala, we booked an apartment through the website www.airbnb.ru, here you can rent an apartment, a cottage, an apartment, a castle in any part of the world - whatever you can afford, we rented a 1-room studio apartment, 115 euros for two nights three days for three, for the owners this apartment is not the main business, you need to google pribaltdom
We took all the phones, we were promised some discounts for the future, the prices at the time of our stay in Jurmala were announced by the owners as follows: small apartments 60 euros (2 adults + 2 children), large apartments (6 adults) 160 euros, they call apartments without breakfast,
we lived like this






everything turned out as the owners promised on the website, we were met by Vika, a hospitable hostess, a little worried because of our hour’s delay, she handed us the keys and told us where to find things in Jurmala. And we went to the sea

access to the sea
Despite the fairly warm weather (25C), the beach was not crowded




white, clean sand that blinds the eyes. In general, the beach is very clean, everywhere there are containers for collecting garbage that do not smell, toilets, changing rooms, and other signs of a higher civilization than in Russia.
Sand of Jurmala youtu.be/TBj62q0OiNo
Swimming in Jurmala (and we lived in the Dubulti area) is a rather unique event youtu.be/XM3CSZNkQ74
Two tiny figures in the background, Masha and Ira (let’s meet - daughter and wife), went into the water about 100 meters, to get in waist-deep, you have to walk another 100 meters, this is a feature of the Baltic Sea in the Jurmala area. The sea is quite cool, the temperature the water is 17-18 C, when you go waist-deep, you already forget that you wanted to swim.
I filmed the video on my phone - it’s one of a kind video - either it’s what it turned out to be, or it wouldn’t have existed at all.
Next, I wanted to see people (and show myself), the main place for walking in Jurmala is, of course, the pedestrian Jomas street with many restaurants, cafes and small eateries for every taste, a kind of calling card of Jurmala.






girls from the Uzbekistan restaurant posed




shopping malls with all sorts of things


tired cats after a hard day of work


cute mouse family being invited to a restaurant


people are just walking


there are tired

at times it looks like Arbat

such a sky can only be 200 meters from the sea


wanted to drink coffee, but the toad won - coffee cost 270 rubles per cup


this is how the Dzintari concert hall seemed to us, there was someone singing in a retro style similar to Bravo, people just stood and sat on the benches, enjoying the free sound
I’ll tell you separately about the lat exchange rate, there are no problems exchanging any currency for lats, small points for exchange are present in Jurmala even in small shops, but at least 1 lat to enter Jurmala must be bought in Russia. The hucksters and goons from the Velikiye Luki Sberbank, with the official exchange rate of 61.535, sold me 10 lats for 740 rubles; there were no other places to buy lats in the city. On Jomas Street the exchange rate was around 65 rubles per lat, but the most profitable was a credit card, when paying with Privatbank cards rate 63.18.
After Dzintari we turned to the sea and made our way back along the beach, which at 10 o’clock in the evening was even more crowded than during the day


evening beach of Jurmala


Legs tired from the day enjoyed the cool water of the sea


and even managed to admire the sunset
Tired but happy, we barely crawled to our apartment. I periodically refreshed my waning strength with beer, I highly recommend the lively dark Bauskas, Aldaris is also quite good, the price is around 2 lats per mug. Absolutely everywhere (even market traders) accept a credit card for payment.
The plan for the next day was to visit Old Riga. In Riga, parking is quite expensive, it is zoned, in the very center where we need it (zone R), the first hour of parking costs 5 lats (315 rubles), the 2nd and further hours cost 8 lats (520 rubles). I recommend the very useful website www.prorigu.ru/, it has absolutely everything; with the help of the website, free underground parking was chosen in the Olympia shopping center near the cable-stayed bridge


by navigator - T/C Olympia, Āzenes iela 5
We parked calmly, it’s a 15-minute walk to the Old Town, on the way across the bridge we don’t forget to admire the Western Dvina (aka Daugava) and the views of the city from the cable-stayed bridge youtu.be/rG_1V3SnEuw






Cyclists in Riga prefer the road to be twice as wide
The architecture of Old Riga is a separate story, it cannot be described in a note, it requires a monumental work of 200 pages. Each building is a separate story, everything still breathes with medieval times.






















on the right is me, the only photo is of me, it looks like it turned out well



Bremen Town Musicians, it is clear that the figures of the donkey and the dog are polished, as the most accessible in height

a small Italian restaurant, which seems to contain Albano Power, when I looked in, it was playing LIBERTA www.youtube.com/watch?v=94IGca5Q0GY


sorry, please, it’s not a very fragrant topic, but Masha feels like everything is at home, it’s at the entrance to Vets Riga, there are sinks on the left, you can wash your hands
It was cool on the Town Hall Square and on the square in front of the Dome Cathedral





medieval buffoons performed a performance
youtu.be/_InYcFqI3mQ Latvians, parents and children found it funny.
Shopping arcades have opened on the square in front of the Dome Cathedral


we bought white bread with cranberries and black plain bread, ate it for 10 days, finished it in September, the bread did not lose any of its taste, did not become moldy,


gingerbread


It must be nice to eat fried fish from a plate like this



these are also plates from 0.7 wine bottles


Cats always make me happy in any form
The girls continued to pose happily






Meanwhile, an air show was unfolding over the Dome Cathedral youtu.be/9Qy9iRqCN7Y


in the evening on the beach it turned out that we were in Riga for City Day and in the evening there would be a grand fireworks display in the city near the cable-stayed bridge.
Then we returned to Jurmala, here our paths diverged, Masha was sick in the sun, sea, beach, she went there, Ira and I planned a visit to Kemeri in advance. Kemeri is located 25 km from Jurmala, the place positions itself as a national park, it is not easy to find, coordinates 56.975502, 23.429375 and is... just a swamp. It is of course landscaped


walkways


signs


very beautiful at times


but the essence of the matter does not change - it’s still just a swamp. 100 years ago I tried to pick cranberries and I saw a lot of such swamps, only without bridges. I even saw a swamp, when you step on the grass and hummocks, a big wave goes through the grass and hummocks, as if on water. Moreover, the walkways are laid very cleverly - it’s like the observation tower is close, 200-300 meters, and then the walkways abruptly change direction, and you stomp, moving away from the tower. It took an hour to walk to the tower, my wife quickly realized this temptation and left me after 20 minutes, and I finally made it to the tower.


approximately 3 floors high, people climbed onto it and drank Riga Champagne with pleasure
and took a few pictures of Kemeri National Park from above




Far on the horizon you can see a forest, there is a car parked there, decide for yourself whether you should visit Kemeri National Park
After Kemeri we returned to Jurmala and went to the beach to visit Masha. A young couple was sunbathing nearby, and the girl was topless youtu.be/cGfJIw0k8UI , no one paid much attention, only a pensioner with ski poles (it’s fashionable there to walk along the beach with ski poles and imitate skiing) came up and reprimanded the girl for a long time, probably about the decline of morals and the decay of morality. The young lady stuck to her guns and delighted the eyes of those around her for a long time. After calmly sunbathing until sunset, we went home, since the next day was the departure day, but plans were also made for it, and we needed to have a good rest.
The plans for the next day were to visit a couple of shopping centers, have lunch, preferably to try Latvian cuisine, and then go home. Among the shopping centers, I chose SPICE www.spice.lv/ru because there is RIMI www.rimibaltic.com/ (I wanted to buy Latvian food products and souvenirs like Riga balsam for friends) and LIDO www.lido.lv/rus/ , it was planned to have lunch on the road. I won’t write anything about the SPICE shopping center, the center is like a center, only very large, it instantly stole 5 hours of time, despite the fact that we didn’t go to SPICE HOME - everything for the home and interior is there. It's time to eat on the go and we immediately visited LIDO on the 2nd floor. LIDO is a chain of affordable budget restaurants built on the principle of self-service. You walk around with a tray and pick up everything you like, then go to the cash register. Calm interior, stylized like under the old Latvian village






The dishes are prepared right in front of you, everything is hot, delicious, everything is piping hot




We took, in order to try as much as possible, 2 or 3 types of cutlets, pork ribs, shish kebab, salmon or trout steak, 3 types of salads, first course. Very tasty homemade food, large portions, for everything we paid 1200 rubles, large portions. After all I barely got up from the table with what I ate, my stomach was dragging along the ground before the car, and this lunch at LIDO was enough for us for the entire 8-hour journey. I will definitely come back when I’m in Riga, very decent food for a good price.
For finances - overnight stay in a one-room studio apartment, booked through www.airbnb.ru - 115 euros x 44.15 = 5077 rubles
travel along the route Velikie Luki - Jurmala - Velikie Luki + trips in Latvia - only 1170 km. Our 220-horsepower car showed an average consumption of 8.6 l/100 km, i.e. we burned 100.6 liters of A95 gasoline x 31.5 = 3170. But not all the gasoline was purchased in Russia, 10 liters had to be purchased in Latvia at a deserted Neste Oil gas station, the difference between gasoline prices is 33 rubles (in Latvia A95 costs approximately 1 lats or 64 rubles), so we feel free to add another 330 rubles to the travel costs, total travel 3460 RUR
This also includes the not entirely “successful” entry into Jurmala (see above) 740rub
meals with LIDO using store receipts amounted to 2400 . My girls are smart in this sense, they really liked the cheap Latvian milk, they leaned on it, but I liked the local beer and I... guess for yourself. Total mandatory expenses (overnight, food and accommodation) amounted to approx. 12000 rub. Well, we won’t say how much we spent on our loved ones, since this is an individual matter and depends on the thickness of the wallet that you take on the trip.
Latvia, Riga, Jurmala - it seemed to me a place where I wanted to return. Three days flew by like three minutes, we came home tired but happy. The sea, the quiet streets of Old Riga, the friendly, friendly people - we will remember this on the long autumn evenings.

Of course, I live in Moscow, but when traveling around the Baltic countries in the summer, I certainly couldn’t help but visit Jurmala and swim in the Baltic Sea. I spent three days there and spent all three days exploring the beaches of Jurmala, I was wondering if there was a big difference between them, and whether there was such a long increase in depth everywhere. Having rented a room in the private sector from ordinary people for 8 units of Latvian currency (unfortunately I forgot what it is called exactly, but at an exchange rate of twice the dollar), I had a short distance to the shore. But the distance did not play a particularly big role, because anyway, I went to a new beach every time. And now, having found out what they are like here, I want to tell you about the beaches of Jurmala.

And so is Majori beach, one of the most famous in Jurmala. It is all strewn with white quartz sand, it looks beautiful and useful, as they say, and it’s comfortable to walk on it. A blue flag flies over this beach. This flag is confirmation that the beach meets all the highest international standards. By the way, the same flag flies over Jaunkemeri beach. What I really liked here is that the beach is equipped with special equipment for the disabled and people with special needs. There are always a lot of people here and it’s always fun, these two beaches are the most popular in Latvia, there are always a lot of young people here who play volleyball, swim, ride jet skis, but at the same time there are also plenty of families with children who just came to sunbathe and swim. There are also a lot of people sitting in coastal cafes and restaurants. The entrance to the water here is very shallow, and to get somewhere up to my neck, I had to walk for about five minutes. Also, despite the fact that it was summer, the water was cool, although relatively normal for swimming, but you shouldn’t wait for warm sea on the local beaches, you’ll only be disappointed in vain.

In general, Jurmala itself has a coastline length of twenty-six kilometers. All beaches of Jurmala are covered with white quartz sand, so the previous beaches that I mentioned are not unique in this regard. Another nice feature is that all beaches are free and equipped with all the necessary attributes of a beach holiday.

In general, the coast of the Gulf of Riga is considered an excellent place to come and relax on these beaches with children. After all, here they can calmly run and swim in the water, and you won’t have to worry all the time that they will go to depth, because here you need to try very hard to do this. Various beach sports games are also often held here, especially in Dubulti and Dzintari, so you can even catch the games of professional teams.

Pumpuri Beach is suitable for water sports enthusiasts. Here they practice windsurfing and kitesurfing; everything is conducive for this, the waves, the wind. I was only windsurfing and, having already had a little experience before, I had a lot of fun riding here.

Jaunkemeri already has calmer beaches, there are no special waves or noise, and you can calmly sit on the shore enjoying the sunset, which is emerald here, read a book or just listen to the sea, if you are a person who likes that. The beaches are full of restaurants, and their cuisines are very diverse: Ukrainian, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Latvian, Italian and many others.

But in general, I can say that all the beaches in Jurmala are good, there is clean water everywhere, sand too, and by the way it is cleaned here every day, so you won’t find bottles or any garbage on the beaches of Jurmala. This city is suitable for all age groups. You can come as a group of young people, or as a couple, or as a family with small children, or even just drag yourself to Jurmala on your own, as I did and did not regret it in the end.

Jurmala is the largest resort in the Baltic states, located on the shores of the Gulf of Riga and stretching along the coast for 30 km. It consists of 15 villages, the most famous of which are Bulduri, Majori, Dubulti, Dzintari, Jomas, Vaivari and Jaunkemeri. Since its founding, Jurmala, without any exaggeration, was considered the best resort on the Riga seaside and received the richest Lithuanian nobles, the highest military echelon and representatives of bohemia. Today it has become much more accessible, but has not lost its charm at all.

Jurmala is unique due to the combination of three recreation areas - sea, forest and cultural. Those who are attracted by the mild climate, healing sea air, and a combination of ample opportunities for restoring health with a lot of entertainment relax here.

How to get to Jurmala

The easiest and most convenient way to Jurmala lies through Riga (read how to get there). The resort is located just 20 km from the international airport, which receives daily flights from many cities in Russia and Europe. Trains, buses and taxis run from the Latvian capital to the coast.

Suburban trains of the Latvian Railways depart from the Riga-Passenger railway station to Jurmala 1-3 times an hour (office site). The city stretches along the coast, and the train makes 10-12 stops there. The first platform is called “Priedaine”, the last one is “Sloka”, the station is in the historical center near the main attractions - “Majori”. Trains run from 6:00 to 23:30, a ticket costs 1.05-1.40 EUR (more expensive during rush hour and high season), the journey takes about half an hour. Prices on the page are for October 2018.

Buses No. 22 and minibuses No. 222 and 241 run between the airport and the railway station. They depart every 10-30 minutes from parking lot P1 opposite the airport. The fare is 2 EUR or 1.15 EUR (if you buy a ticket in advance at the information desk, press kiosks or vending machines).

Buses and minibuses of the Nordeka (office site.) and Talsu Autotransports companies depart from the Riga-Passenger station and the bus station from 7:30 to 21:00. During the season they go very often, you can easily find a seat and pay for the fare when boarding. The journey takes about 30 minutes, the fare costs 1.50-2 EUR.

Near the airport there is a parking lot for the official taxi companies Baltic Taxi Lidosta and RedCab (office site). A trip to the center of Jurmala will take approximately 20 minutes and cost 15 EUR.

Search for air tickets to Riga (the nearest airport to Jurmala)

Districts of Jurmala

Jurmala not so long ago became an entire resort city. Once upon a time it was a chain of villages stretching along the coast, and even earlier - fishing villages. Then they turned into districts, each with its own history and atmosphere.

The most active tourist life is in full swing in Maiori. This part of the resort attracts guests with ancient buildings, restaurants, shops and souvenir shops on Jomas Street. In neighboring Dzintari there is a concert hall of the same name, where significant musical events take place, and previously the KVN summer festival, which moved to Svetlogorsk. It is also worth visiting for the wooden buildings from the beginning of the last century. And in the Bulduri area there are historical quarters built in the Art Nouveau style popular in Europe.

Most hotels are concentrated in Maiori, but prices are quite high. You should look for cheaper housing away from the center.

In the areas of Priedaine in the east of the city and Kemeri in the west, you can relax calmly and profitably in the fresh air. In the first there is the natural monument White Dune, which offers views of the Lielupe River, in the second there is a national park and several balneological sanatoriums. You can also get treatment in Jaunkemeri, Vaivari and Pumpuri, which are remote from the center.

Fans of active recreation and tourists with children should pay attention to the areas of Asari and Lielupe. The first has a large recreation park - rides, rental of sports equipment and other entertainment. In the second there is a water park and yacht clubs, where you can rent a boat, yacht or water skis.

Transport

One of the main types of public transport in Jurmala is trains from Riga. They run frequently, go through the entire resort and stop in almost every area. The fare costs 0.80-1.50 EUR. You can also get around the city by minibuses and buses. There are 8 regular routes on the schedule (another one is launched in the summer), but they cover all areas of the city. Transport runs from 5:30-6:30 to 20:00-23:30; during the season, additional late flights are added on some routes; one trip will cost 0.70-1.40 EUR.

Private taxis have been completely eradicated in the country; all taxis are official.

There are several taxi companies operating at the resort, but the prices are practically the same. The fare consists of tariffs for landing (2 EUR) and each km (0.64 EUR). Payment is strictly according to the meter, but it is better to check with the driver the amount before the trip. You can catch a car on the street or call by phone. In the first case, the taxi driver may try to inflate the price; in the second, no additional payments are provided.

Almost all historical areas, parks and natural recreation areas in Jurmala are equipped with bicycle paths. It’s not difficult to find a rental point; there are many offices in the city, including the international NextBike. Rental cost is 2-3 EUR per hour and about 10 EUR per day.

Maps of Jurmala

Communications and Wi-Fi

In Jurmala, it is worth buying a local SIM card - communication with Russian companies will cost more. There are 3 main Latvian cellular companies operating here - LMT, Tele 2 and Bite. The first has excellent coverage, but communication is expensive, so tourists usually choose from the last two. On Tele 2, the cheapest SIM card costs 6 EUR, a minute of conversation with Russia is 0.56 EUR. The tariff includes unlimited calls and SMS within Latvia and 100 MB of Internet. When you sign up for a prepaid tariff plan Bite 1 (2 EUR per month), you can call home for 0.29 EUR per minute, send an SMS for 0.07 EUR.

Packages are sold in mobile operator stores and other retail outlets. No documents are required to connect.

There will be no problems with access to the Internet - there are many free access points installed here - in Bulduri, Majori, Dubulti, Dzintari and Sloka. You need to find Lattelecom in the list of available networks and watch a small advertisement in your browser. Internet at good speed will be available within 30 minutes. To extend the session by half an hour, you will have to watch another commercial.

Beaches of Jurmala

It is comfortable to sunbathe and swim in almost every district of Jurmala. The beaches in Majori, Dzintari, Bulduri and Jaunkemeri periodically receive the Blue Flag, confirming their cleanliness and safety. The shore is covered with fine white sand, and garbage is removed every day. The water is clean and clear, but much cooler than in the southern seas. It’s convenient and safe to relax with children - the entrance to the water is very smooth; to get to a decent depth, you need to walk for about 5 minutes. The entire coastline is equipped with changing cabins, showers and toilets, and benches are installed here and there. There are many parking lots along the beach area, and wooden paths for bicycles and wheelchairs lead to the sea.

There are no paid beaches at the resort; rental of umbrellas and sun loungers costs 5-7 EUR.

The nature of recreation differs in different areas. The coastline in Maiori is always crowded, noisy and fun. For those who want to kick the ball, football goals have been installed, and there are rental shops for sports equipment. Those who want to sunbathe in silence should choose the beaches of Dubulti, Bulduri or Jaunkemeri. The latter has a well-developed sports infrastructure - pedal boats, motorcycles and other equipment are available for rent. Those who kite and windsurf or want to try their hand at these sports should check out the coastline in Pupuri. You can play beach volleyball in almost every area, but you will have to take care of the net yourself.

The resort has not only sea beaches. There are several yacht clubs on the Lielupe River, and rental of yachts, water skis and other equipment is available.

Treatment

Jurmala attracts vacationers with its healing climate, mineral springs and good sanatoriums. Now there are not as many health resorts here as in Soviet times, but the air is still saturated with phytoncides and iodine. Water of varying composition and degree of mineralization is obtained from local sources. In addition to mineral water, hydrogen sulfide water is used here, as well as peat and sapropel mud.

Prices in wellness centers are moderate - a double room costs from 90 EUR per night. This amount includes accommodation, three meals a day and a whole range of procedures.

Among the diseases for which treatment in Jurmala sanatoriums is indicated are diseases of the kidneys, heart, nervous system, respiratory system, metabolic disorders and others. Depending on the diagnosis, the patient is prescribed special nutrition and procedures - hydrogen sulfide and pearl baths, massage, mud therapy, lymphatic drainage, paraffin therapy. Some health resorts have their own mineral springs right on the premises. The most famous sanatoriums of Jurmala - "Amber Coast" and "Jaunkemeri" - are located in the Kemeri National Park.

Jurmala Hotels

The choice of accommodation options in Jurmala is large - resort hotels, spa centers, boutique hotels, hostels, apartments and even mobile homes. The latter are perfect for budget-conscious tourists - prices per day start from 25 EUR. The cost generally depends on the area and proximity to the sea. The most expensive hotels are located in Majori and Dzintari on the first coastline - up to 900 EUR for two per night. On the outskirts you can find a hotel near the coast for 30-60 EUR.

Cottages and villas for 4-6 people are widespread at the resort. The price range is large - 50-1000 EUR per day.

There are not many “star” hotels here. Only 4 hotels have 3*, a night in a double room costs 70-90 EUR. You can stay in one of the 8 “fours” for 60-160 EUR per day. Prices for a double room in 5* hotels start from 150 EUR. Most upscale hotels include breakfast in the price. For those who prefer to cook on their own, there is a large selection of apartments with a kitchen.

Cuisine and restaurants of Jurmala

The national cuisine of Latvia is simple and satisfying. Cabbage, potatoes, beans and gray peas are used in everyday dishes. The latter, cooked with smoked meats, is also served at Christmas. In Latvian restaurants in Jurmala you can try this dish at any time of the year. The most popular meat is pork - it is used to make jellied meat, bake it, and add it to vegetable dishes and soups. Fish occupies an important place in the national cuisine, and thanks to its location on the Baltic coast, the choice of fish delicacies here is very large. You should definitely try “silkyu pudiņš” - herring casserole with potatoes. Of the desserts, the most famous is “bouberte” with semolina, whipped cream and cranberry sauce.

Latvian cuisine is famous for soups made from rather unexpected ingredients and their combinations - beer, bread with dried fruit or whipped cream and others.

There are many catering establishments at the resort - coffee shops, pizzerias, sushi bars, cafes and restaurants of different cuisines of the world. There is also the notorious fast food - the best option for budget tourists - a snack for one will cost 2-4 EUR. Breakfast in a modest cafe will cost 15-20 EUR for two. You can dine in middle-class restaurants for 40-80 EUR. The most expensive fashionable establishments are concentrated on the street. Jomas, the average bill for dinner for two persons can reach up to 150 EUR.

Guides in Jurmala

Entertainment and attractions

Jurmala has several areas with interesting buildings from an architectural point of view. In Dzintari there are many wooden buildings from the early 19th century, built in Art Nouveau, Neo-Gothic and Romanticism - with turrets, balconies, openwork carvings and other decor. The most famous of them is the holiday complex of Kristaps and Augusta Morberg - a blue castle made of wood and metal. Now it belongs to the University of Latvia, and excursions are conducted around the territory and the adjacent garden of rare plants. It is also worth visiting central Maiori for the beautiful architecture.

Those who want to get acquainted with the history of the resort should look into the Jurmala City Museum. There are practically no antiquities or archaeological finds there, but there is a large collection of antique ladies' swimwear. Among the exhibits are also objects recovered from the bottom of the Baltic Sea. The exhibition “Ships in the Deep” is dedicated to sunken merchant and military ships and the history of Latvian shipping.

The Jurmala Open Air Museum contains many items from fishermen's everyday life. Entire houses and huts from all over the country were brought here. Their walls are covered with nets, hooks and other gear. Also here you can see fishing boats, smokehouses, anchors and much more. There is practically no props here - all things were used for their intended purpose, and the buildings were transported entirely. It is better to come here with a group excursion - in addition to viewing the exhibits, you will be able to learn how to tie sea knots and mend nets, and at the end - try smoked fish with beer and listen to folk songs.

The exhibition at the Yantarny Bereg health resort is dedicated to the history of sanatorium-resort treatment in Jurmala. It displays photographs, documents and antique medical equipment.

Near the Gulf of Riga in the Kemeri region there is a national park of the same name. Tourists are attracted here by the unique nature - swamps, sand dunes, river and sea coast get along well with each other. There are several routes throughout the territory, you can walk along the lake or swamps, watch birds, ride a canoe or take a sulfur bath.

Jurmala for children

The resort is great for families with children. In addition to beaches, museums and architecture, there are several interesting parks where young travelers will definitely not get bored.

In the center of Jurmala there is the largest water park in Northern Europe - “Livu” (office site). The attractions are located in a three-story building and operate around the clock. The territory is divided into 4 zones, which house more than 40 slides - from the smallest to the extreme. Kids will enjoy frolicking in the Captain Kid's Island play complex with ladders, fountains and water cannons. For adults there are wave pools, a “running river”, jacuzzi, saunas and other relaxation.

Fans of active recreation should go to the Dzintari forest park. There are rope routes stretched between the pine trees. This kind of entertainment is more suitable for older children - you need to climb to a great height and move from one tree to another along swinging logs and thin ropes. For kids there are playgrounds with swings and carousels.

July

August

September

October

november

December

The climate of Jurmala smoothly transitions from maritime to continental. Summer is warm and mild, there is no extreme heat, and the water may even seem cool compared to the southern seas. The short beach season begins in mid-June and ends in the second half of August. It often rains at the beginning and end of summer.

In early autumn and late spring the weather is good. Although swimming is not yet allowed, tourists come here to admire nature and enjoy the peace and quiet. There are few people at this time, and prices are lower than in high season. Winter lasts from mid-November to March, with severe frosts and snowfalls.

Mezhapark It only takes about twenty minutes to get to Jurmala by train. If you get off at Dzintari station, then in just five minutes you will find yourself near the entrance to the luxurious Mezaparks. Mezapark This is a tall pine forest with paths, playgrounds and numerous benches. There (in season) you can pick blueberries and wild strawberries, breathe delicious air, and just relax. Mezhapark And there you can climb a huge tower, the observation deck of which is located above the tall pines... Mezhapark Mezhapark View from the tower towards the sea Mezhapark I call this place “Park of the Jurmala period”. Mezapark In addition to pine trees, there are many flowering shrubs. A fountain on the square near the Dzintari Concert Hall. Having finished our walk through the forest, we go out to this famous place. Dzintari Concert Hall - entrance. The entrance to the Baltic Coast concert hall looks so inconspicuous. From the concert hall to the beach there are literally a couple of steps. Baltic coast If you have time, you can sunbathe, and if you are seasoned, then you can swim. At the end of June, the water was only +18, and by the time you reach a depth at least waist-deep, your feet are already freezing...)) Jurmala houses Having shaken off the sand, we will walk along one (or two, or three) of the three streets, running through the city parallel to the sea. For what? Then, to admire the famous Jurmala mansions... Jurmala houses Jurmala houses Jurmala houses Not a bad dacha... Jurmala houses Sites under the incorruptible gaze of video cameras... Jurmala cars Here you can find very non-standard cars. Jurmala cars You look at them and immediately understand that a car is not a luxury, but a means of transportation...)) Majori train station Any of the three streets takes us to Majori The station is located right on the banks of the Lielupe River - our goal in this area Lielupe River There is nothing special here, except for the beautiful panoramas... Lielupe River Lielupe River Lielupe River Many yellow egg capsules grow near the shore. Lielupe River However, athletes... Monument to Lachplesis - the Latvian dragon slayer In Latvian folklore there is a national hero named Lachplesis, who is also called Lachausis (the bear-eared one - this nickname was given because of his bear ears, a mysterious source of supernatural power). Among his exploits is the victory over a dragon, which is depicted on a monument located in Majori Park. Jomas Street This is the central street of the city. As you can see, it is pedestrian, and it is on it that almost all the shops, cafes, restaurants and other establishments are located. Jomas Street Walking along it is as necessary as sitting on the beach.

It was not for nothing that I was going to Jurmala in August. After all, the weather this month is pleasing with sunny days and relative daytime warmth. Although the nights are already cold... Yes, I managed to complete the maximum program. I managed to see and visit everything I had planned. And most importantly, I finally swam in the sea here!

Jurmala in August: warm, sunny, but rainy

Yes, friends, even August is rainy here! But precipitation only took me by surprise twice during the vacation week. Plus the rains turned out to be not cold and short-lived. There is no comparison with the May ones. Summer and spring weather are, of course, radically different. Upon arrival, the city greeted me with moderate warmth (up to +22 degrees), slight wind and cloudiness. But the clouds cleared by midday. The sun came out to replace them. I chose the right time to explore the historical part of the city. Not hot, and most importantly not cold. By this month the sea warms up to +19. I can’t call the water warm, but I forced myself to take a dip once. Water is great for invigorating! It gets unusually late in the evening in Jurmala. The sun sets just after 21:00. Impenetrable night falls at 22:00. It's cool here in the evening. The temperature drops to +12.

Crowd of holidaymakers at the end of summer

The top season continues here! Visitors, I will say without exaggeration, are visible and invisible. There are even plenty of sunbathers on the beaches. Finding a place in a cafe in the evening is problematic... People are walking and relaxing! The price tag for everything has gone up. It is not possible to rent accommodation upon arrival.

How to dress for an August trip

Even in August, weather conditions do not allow you to come here with only things from your summer wardrobe. A jacket or pullover is a must. Sample list of clothes:

• swimsuit;
• tennis shoes;
• breeches;
• dress;
• sweaters;
• jeans.

There is no need to take a headdress. The sun is barely warm.

It turned out to be much better here in August than in May!