Jūrmala, Latvia

Majori Beach, Jūrmala
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Majori_beach_J%C5%ABrmala.jpg
Author: Roquai


Jūrmala (German: Riga-Strand, Russian: Юрмала) is a resort town in Latvia. Its name means "seaside" in Latvian. It is on the southern coast of the Gulf of Riga, between the gulf and the Lielupe River. Located 25 km from Riga, it covers a 33 km stretch of the gulf, with fine white-sand beaches. The town covers 100 sq km (38.6 sq mi) and has a population of 56,000 people (2011 estimate), making it the fifth largest town in Latvia.

Jūrmala comprises a string of holiday resorts facing the Gulf of Riga. During the Soviet period, it was a favorite resort for high-ranking Communist Party officials, with Leonid Brezhnev and Nikita Khrushchev regularly holidaying there. It has a number of Art Nouveau-style holiday bungalows, some of which have fallen into disrepair since the fall of Communism.

Jūrmala's reputation as a resort goes back to the late 18th century, when Russian army officers began to use it as a retreat. At that time Latvia was part of the Russian Empire. The completion of the Riga-Tukums railway line significantly boosted the development of Jūrmala as a resort town.

Church in Jūrmala
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jurmala,_kostel.jpg
Author: Dezidor


Park in Jūrmala
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jurmala_(13).jpg
Author: Dezidor


Right now Jūrmala is left behind in the rush to modernize. While Riga has received a growing number of Western tourists, this does not trickle down to Jūrmala. On the other hand, Russian tourists who were traditionally the name patrons to the resorts here are now subjected to tighter visa requirements, so only the well-off Russians find their way here, a situation little different from the Communist era.

Visiting Jūrmala

Jūrmala is just 25 km from Riga. If you're coming here direct from Riga Airport, you can take a taxi. If you're in Riga itself, you can take a commuter train on the Riga-Tukums line.

Majori Hotel, Jūrmala
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jurmala_(25).jpg
Author: Dezidor

Places of Interest in Jūrmala

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