30 km of White Sand Beach
One of the longest sandy beaches in Northern Europe. The sand is fine and white, the water is shallow and safe for families. Peak season is June-August when water reaches 18-22°C.
Day Trip
Jūrmala — Latvia's Baltic Beach
30 kilometres of white sand, pine forests, wooden Art Nouveau villas, and spa hotels — just 25 minutes by train from Riga. The perfect day trip or overnight escape.
Pine Forest & Kemeri Bog
Jūrmala is surrounded by ancient pine forests. The Kemeri Great Bog boardwalk (free) is one of Latvia's most spectacular nature walks — a 3.4 km loop over a misty, otherworldly landscape.
Wooden Art Nouveau Villas
Jūrmala has hundreds of ornate wooden villas from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Many are now boutique hotels and guesthouses. The Dzintari Concert Hall is a masterpiece of wooden architecture.
25 Minutes from Riga
Trains run every 30 minutes from Riga Central Station. The journey costs €1.80 and takes 25 minutes. Get off at Majori (main town) or Dzintari (quieter, near the concert hall).
Best Beaches in Jūrmala
Majori Beach
The main beach, closest to shops, restaurants, and the pedestrian street Jomas iela. Lifeguards in summer. Can get busy on weekends.
Best for: Families, first-time visitors
Dzintari Beach
Slightly quieter than Majori, next to the Dzintari Concert Hall and forest park. Good facilities, beach volleyball courts.
Best for: Couples, active visitors
Bulduri Beach
Quieter and more local. Less infrastructure but more space. A short walk from Bulduri station.
Best for: Peace and quiet
Vaivari Beach
The most remote and least crowded. Wild, natural, backed by dunes and pine forest. No facilities.
Best for: Nature lovers, solitude
Practical Information
How to get there: Trains run every 30 minutes from Riga Central Station (platform 3-4). Buy tickets at the station or on the train. Get off at Majori for the main beach area.
When to go: Beach season is June-August. Kemeri Bog is stunning year-round but especially in autumn mist. The town is quiet in winter but spa hotels operate all year — see our Jūrmala in winter guide for how to plan an off-season spa trip.
Entry fee: Jūrmala charges a €2 city entry fee for cars (Apr-Sep). Arriving by train is free.
Where to eat: Jomas iela (the pedestrian street in Majori) has dozens of restaurants and cafés. For fresh fish, try the small restaurants near the beach.
Combining Jūrmala with other day trips? See our full day trips guide for Sigulda, Rundāle, and Kemeri bog options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Jūrmala from Riga?
About 25 minutes by train from Riga Central Station, with departures every 30 minutes. It costs €1.80 each way.
Is Jūrmala worth visiting?
Yes — it's one of Northern Europe's longest sandy beaches (30 km), backed by pine forest and hundreds of wooden Art Nouveau villas, and easily doable as a half-day or full-day trip from Riga.
Can you swim in Jūrmala?
Yes, from roughly June through August, when the Baltic Sea reaches 18-22°C. Outside that window the beach is still worth visiting for a walk, just not for swimming.
What is Kemeri Bog?
A free, 3.4 km boardwalk loop through an otherworldly raised bog landscape near Jūrmala — one of Latvia's most distinctive nature walks, worth visiting in any season.
Stay in Jūrmala
Spa hotels, beachfront guesthouses, and wooden villa apartments — from €50/night.