Sightseeing in Jurmala - what to see. Complete travel guide

Jurmala is the largest and the most popular resort in Latvia. Ideal infrastructure and rich cultural life are among the advantages of this city. However, beaches of fantastic beauty with crisp white quartz sand remain the main attraction point for numerous tourists. Every year, tenths of thousands of travelers arrive in Jurmala to relax and have fun. Currently, the city is separated into 16 districts. Each of them has its own beaches with different peculiarities and advantages. Various events, celebrations and festivals are so frequent in Jurmala that they have already become an essential part of the city’s life. Naturally, they draw a big number of visitors to the picturesque resort. Jurmala is a regular location of international music festivals and humor festivals, and absolutely everyone will find it very entertaining to attend them.

At the beginning of the 19th century, a small fishing village was located on the site of the modern city. First beaches for swimming and sunbathing appeared in the region of Dubulty settlement. These days, Dubulty has become one of the most famous and populated parts of the region. Starting from the mid-19th century, all coastal settlements slowly transformed into one large resort area. Kemeri village deserves a separate mention. In 1838, it got the status of the Russian Empire’s royal resort. Thanks to mineral springs and mud with healing properties, the resort quickly became popular in the 19th century and attracted many royals and aristocracy.

In 1920, these separated small resorts formed a united recreation area. At that time, it was famous under the name of “Riga Strand”. In 1959, Jurmala became the official name of the resort city. Modern Jurmala is an incredibly beautiful and hospitable resort that is famous for its elegant and romantic atmosphere. The inimitable culture and diverse heritage of the resort is the result of its multinational population. The share of Latvians in the demographics is a bit more than 50%. In Jurmala, there are many Russians, Belarusians, Poles, and Ukrainians. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Naturally, such a multinational city has a diverse culture. Gastronomic traditions, perhaps, are the best reflection of this peculiarity of Jurmala. In this resort, you can find restaurants of different cuisines of the world. However, foodies are usually particularly interested in the national cuisine restaurants. As a rule, they have a historical design similar to an old tavern. Many popular restaurants have been serving their guests for decades.

Outstanding fish dishes remain the top choice for many tourists. Beer fans might be thrilled to try a new delicacy – traditional beer soups. Hearty meat dishes are the basis of the national cuisine, with cabbage being the most typical garnish. There are also popular restaurants that offer traditional Russian and Belarusian cuisines.

Jurmala is a fantastic place for a family vacation. Guests of this resort have a magnificent opportunity to combine beachside relaxation, walking in incredibly beautiful forests, and exploration of unique historic landmarks of the region. Just like many years ago, the resort is famous for its excellent wellness centers. Every year, new entertainment venues and shopping centers appear in Jurmala. The resort city has changed significantly in latest decades, but it hasn’t lost its main attraction point – hospitable and aristocratic atmosphere.

All beaches available to vacationers in Jurmala are free to enter and have a well-developed infrastructure essential for a comfortable stay. Bulduri and Jaunķemeri Beaches are among the most popular ones. Thanks to high ecological standards, these beaches are regularly awarded the Blue Flag label. Both the beaches are sandy and flat, but they share a common problem – the temperature of the water is quite low compared to the beaches in the south. In this region, water becomes the most comfortable for swimming only in July and August.

The beach located at the Majori district is usually the most crowded and noisy. It is an ideal place for all young travelers. The spacious beach has numerous sports grounds, beach gear rental offices, bars, and restaurants. Dubulti Beach is a calmer place perfect for peaceful relaxation. This beach also has a developed infrastructure. Fans of surfing usually head to another beach, Pumpuri, as this coastal area has waves nearly all the time. In summer, banks of the Lielupe River are transformed into comfortable relaxation areas. There are also several prestigious yacht clubs there.