Jūrmala Travel Guide 2026: Beaches, Wooden Villas, Spas, Best Time to Visit, Costs & Tips

Jūrmala is Latvia's favourite seaside resort, stretching for about 33 km along the Gulf of Riga, just 25 km west of the capital. Squeezed between the sea and the Lielupe River, this long, narrow town is famous for its wide white-sand beach, pine forests and more than 4,000 historic wooden buildings, many of them elegant Art Nouveau and National Romantic summer villas with carved verandas and turrets. Since the 19th century, Jūrmala has attracted holidaymakers to its healing mineral springs and therapeutic mud, and during the Soviet era it was one of the most prestigious resorts in the USSR. Today, it's a relaxed destination with spa hotels, cafés, cycling paths, music festivals and the pedestrian street Jomas iela. Nearby, Ķemeri National Park offers boardwalks through peat bogs and forests. Jūrmala is perfect for a day trip from Riga or a longer beach and wellness break. This Jūrmala travel guide covers the best time to visit, top places, where to stay, how to get there and around, costs, entry rules and practical tips.

Best Time to Visit Jūrmala

Summer (June–August): The best time to visit, with temperatures of about 20–25°C, warm sand and sea water around 17–21°C. July and August are the busiest months, with concerts and events.

Spring (May) and early autumn (September): Quieter beaches and lower prices, ideal for cycling, walking and spa breaks.

Winter (November–March): Cold, often snowy and peaceful. Spa hotels are popular, and the frozen beach can be beautiful.

Events:

• Midsummer (Jāņi, 23–24 June): Latvia's biggest celebration, with bonfires, flower wreaths, singing and beer.
• Summer concerts at Dzintari Concert Hall: Classical and popular music in a historic wooden hall in the forest.
• Jūrmala Festival and beach events (July–August).

Top Places to Visit in Jūrmala

1. Jūrmala Beach

A wide, sandy beach with Blue Flag sections at Majori, Dzintari, Bulduri and Jaunķemeri. The shallow water is ideal for families, and there are cafés, beach volleyball and lifeguards in summer.

2. Jomas iela

Jūrmala's main pedestrian street in Majori, lined with cafés, restaurants, shops and historic buildings. It's lively in summer evenings.

3. Historic Wooden Villas

Walk or cycle through Dzintari, Majori and Dubulti to see beautifully restored wooden villas. Some are protected as architectural monuments.

4. Ķemeri National Park

Explore the Great Ķemeri Bog Boardwalk, a 3.4 km trail through a raised bog with an observation tower, especially beautiful at sunrise or sunset. The park also has forests, lakes and sulphur springs.

5. Dzintari Forest Park

A pine forest park with a 33-metre observation tower, playgrounds and skate parks.

6. Jūrmala City Museum and Open-Air Museum

Learn about the resort's history and the life of local fishermen in Lapmežciems and the open-air museum in Bulduri.

7. Ķemeri Resort Area

Explore the historic spa park, the Ķemeri Water Tower and the restored Ķemeri Hotel, known as the "White Ship".

Also worth visiting: Dubulti Lutheran Church, the Aspazija House museum, Lielupe yacht harbour, and the Livu Akvaparks water park.

Suggested 2-Day Jūrmala Itinerary

Day 1: Stroll along Jomas iela, relax on Majori beach, and cycle past the wooden villas of Dzintari and Bulduri.

Day 2: Visit Ķemeri National Park and the Great Ķemeri Bog Boardwalk, then enjoy a spa treatment in the afternoon.

Jūrmala Food Scene

Try Latvian specialities such as grey peas with bacon (pelēkie zirņi), smoked fish (especially flounder and sprats), rye bread, cold beet soup (aukstā zupa) in summer, pīrāgi (bacon buns), and Riga Black Balsam, a herbal liqueur. Beach cafés serve grilled fish and local beer, while Jomas iela has a range of restaurants.

Practical Planning Notes

Jūrmala is also a good base for exploring the wider region. Riga's UNESCO-listed old town and Art Nouveau district are just half an hour away by train, while the fishing villages of Lapmežciems and Engure, and the wild beaches of Cape Kolka, where the Gulf of Riga meets the open Baltic Sea, are an easy drive west. In summer, consider staying in Jūrmala and visiting Riga on day trips, which gives you beach evenings and quieter nights.

Jūrmala is very easy to reach from Riga, so many travellers combine it with a stay in the capital. Trains stop at several stations along the coast; for the beach and Jomas iela, get off at Majori or Dzintari. In summer, renting a bike is the best way to explore, as the town is long and flat, with cycle paths. Drivers entering Jūrmala usually have to pay a small daily entry fee in the warmer months, which can be paid at entry points or online. Book spa treatments and hotels in advance for summer weekends, when Riga residents head to the coast.

Wellness and Spa Tradition

Jūrmala's spa heritage goes back to the 19th century, when visitors came for sea bathing, mineral water and therapeutic mud from the Ķemeri area. Today, spa hotels offer mud wraps, mineral baths, saunas and massages, often in combination with beach walks and pine forest air. Traditional Latvian pirts (sauna rituals), with birch and oak whisks and herbal steam, are a unique experience offered by several spas and countryside guesthouses.

Latvian Culture in Brief

Latvia regained its independence in 1991 and joined the EU and NATO in 2004, adopting the euro in 2014. Latvian culture is deeply rooted in nature and folk traditions. The country has more than a million dainas, short folk songs, and the Song and Dance Festival, held every five years in Riga, is listed by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. Latvians love their forests, mushroom and berry picking, saunas and the summer solstice, when people stay up all night around bonfires. Latvian is the official language, while Russian is widely understood, and younger people usually speak good English.

Where to Stay in Jūrmala

• Majori and Dzintari: Central, close to Jomas iela, the beach and restaurants.
• Bulduri: Quieter, with spa hotels and villas.
• Jaunķemeri and Ķemeri: Near the national park and quiet beaches.
• Lielupe: Near the river, golf and water park.

Compare hotel prices and availability in Jūrmala here.

Getting There & Around

Flying to Jūrmala

The nearest airport is Riga International Airport (RIX), about 20–30 minutes by car, with flights across Europe. Search and compare cheap flights to Riga for Jūrmala to find the best fares.

By Train

Frequent trains run from Riga Central Station to Jūrmala, taking about 30 minutes to Majori.

By Bus and Minibus

Buses and minibuses connect Riga with Jūrmala and the airport.

Getting Around

• Bikes: The best way to explore the long coastline.
• Walking: Along the beach or Jomas iela.
• Local buses and taxis.
• Car: Remember the seasonal entry fee for vehicles.

Travel Costs in Jūrmala

Latvia uses the euro (€).

Visa & Entry Rules

• Schengen Area: Latvia is part of the EU and Schengen. Many visitors, including citizens of the US, UK, Canada and Australia, can stay visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
• EES: Non-EU travellers have their fingerprints and facial images registered at the external Schengen border.
• ETIAS: Expected in the last quarter of 2026 at €20 for visa-exempt travellers, though the date could change. Check the official EU website.
• Documents: Passport valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure.

Local Tips for Jūrmala

• Sea water is cool: Even in summer, the Baltic Sea can feel chilly.
• Bring mosquito repellent for Ķemeri.
• Visit the bog at sunrise or sunset.
• Cards accepted widely: Latvia is card-friendly.
• Staying connected: EU roaming applies for EU SIM cards; others can buy a local SIM or use a travel eSIM. Get your Latvia eSIM here.

Tours & Experiences

• Jūrmala day trips from Riga.
• Ķemeri bog walks.
• Cycling tours along the coast.
• Spa and wellness packages.
• Latvian pirts sauna rituals.

Browse and book the best tours in Jūrmala here.

Frequently Asked Questions about Jūrmala

How do I get from Riga to Jūrmala?
By train in about 30 minutes to Majori, or by bus or car.

Is Jūrmala worth visiting?
Yes, especially in summer for its beach, wooden villas, spas and Ķemeri National Park.

Is there a fee to enter Jūrmala by car?
Yes, a small daily fee usually applies to vehicles in the warmer months.

Can you swim in Jūrmala?
Yes. The beach is shallow, and the water is warmest in July and August.

What is the Ķemeri bog boardwalk?
A 3.4 km wooden trail through a raised bog in Ķemeri National Park.

Jūrmala's long white beach, wooden villas and spa tradition make it the perfect counterpart to Riga — stay for the sea air, cycle past the Art Nouveau cottages, and don't miss the Ķemeri bog boardwalk.