Jūrmala

Art Nouveau Riga, forests and Baltic beaches

• Passport strength: ≈188 visa-free destinations
• Language: Latvian · ~65% speak English
• Free-trade agreements: ≈45

Jūrmala — Baltic seaside spa town

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Jūrmala Beach Beach

A 25-km ribbon of fine white sand along the Gulf of Riga.

Best time: Jun–Aug — Summer brings warm shallow water and beach crowds.

Things to do:

• Swim in Baltic Sea waters June through August
• Rent beach loungers and umbrellas for the day
• Stroll pristine sandy shore for 23 kilometers
• Sunbathe on wide beaches with minimal crowds

Jomas Street Historic street

The resort's lively pedestrian spine of cafés, ice-cream and boutiques.

Best time: Jun–Aug — Summer is best for the open-air café promenade.

Things to do:

• Browse boutique shops selling Baltic amber jewelry
• Dine at beachfront restaurants and seafood cafés
• Visit galleries exhibiting contemporary Latvian art
• Photograph tree-lined promenade during evening hours

Wooden Villa Architecture Architecture

Whimsical 19th-century wooden dachas and Art Nouveau summer villas.

Best time: May–Sep — Fine weather suits strolling the leafy villa streets.

Things to do:

• Photograph ornate 19th-century timber mansion facades
• Tour museum villas showing period interior design
• Walk residential streets documenting architectural styles
• Attend guided architecture tours explaining styles

Dzintari Forest Park Park

Pine-forest park with a lookout tower, trails and a concert hall.

Best time: May–Sep — Warm months are best for the forest park and concerts.

Things to do:

• Hike shaded pine forest trails along coastline
• Climb Dzintari Tower for Baltic Sea panorama
• Picnic in clearings overlooking sandy beaches
• Observe seabirds and small forest mammals

Jurmala Open-Air Museum Museum

Heritage village showcasing traditional Latvian coastal architecture and crafts.

Best time: May–Sep — Authentic glimpse into traditional Baltic seaside life and cultural practices.

Things to do:

• Tour traditional wooden houses from 19th-century Latvia
• Attend cultural performances in outdoor amphitheater
• Browse artisan crafts and local heritage exhibits

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Latvia?

It depends on where you go: every place has its own ideal season on this page. For example, Riga Old Town is best around May–Sep. Latvia has 5 featured cities and areas to plan around.

Is English spoken in Latvia?

Roughly 65% of people speak English. The main language is Latvian.

How strong is the Latvia passport?

The Latvia passport gives visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to about 188 destinations.

Is Latvia expensive to travel in?

This page lists indicative traveller costs for Latvia — medical, insurance, connectivity and education ranges — and the interactive travelogue holds the full breakdown.

What is there to do in Latvia?

Riga Old Town, Art Nouveau District, Riga Central Market, House of the Blackheads, Three Brethren Houses, Turaida Castle — each with the best time to visit, why it is worth it, and specific things to do.