🚆 Jurmala beach from Riga: train, Majori and what to see

You can get to the Jurmala beach from central Riga on a Vivi train to Majori station (Vivi schedules and fares, as of 09/2026). The sea starts a few minutes' walk from the platform.

Jurmala stretches along the Gulf of Riga for almost 26 kilometers (official Jurmala tourism portal, as of 09/2026). The city is not just one beach, but a chain of old resort villages that long ago merged into a single whole. Bathhouses, villas, and concert halls stand right at the edge of the sand.

Many people come to Jurmala just for the sand and leave after an hour. We put together a route that covers the beach, the resort architecture, and the main street of Majori.

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Jurmala: what kind of resort it is

💡 In short:

Take the train to Majori station, the closest resort area to Riga.
Stay near the shore and head west if you want quiet even at the height of the season.

Red-and-white wooden building with towers in Jurmala

Jurmala's resort history began in the 19th century. The first bathhouse on the Riga seaside opened in Kemeri, and one after another, summer cottage villages grew up along the gently sloping shore. Wealthy Baltic Germans and Russian nobles built wooden houses and Art Nouveau villas there.

In the early 20th century, more than a dozen of these villages were merged into a city whose name translates simply as "Riga seaside." From that era, the building of the former public bathhouse remains near the beach. In the Soviet years it housed a resort clinic; today it stands empty and slowly deteriorates.

Later Jurmala became a mass recreation destination, and after independence was restored, modern hotels appeared here. The resort's infrastructure is richer than that of an ordinary beach. There are restaurants and cafes, shops, playgrounds, bathhouses and day spas, and plenty of public toilets (verified on 09/12/2026 on the official website).

A walk along the Jurmala beach

From Majori station, walk along Lienes iela in the direction the train was going, then turn right onto Erglu iela. The street passes a hotel and a residential building and leads straight to the stairs down to the beach.

The beach here is very gently sloping and very long. You can walk along the water's edge for hours.

There are almost no people even during the day. But there are plenty of seagulls.

The birds stay near the water and are not at all afraid of passersby.

Nearby stands a building that looks like a cruise ship. It is easy to recognize as the Baltic Beach Hotel. During the season, tents and pavilions with food and drinks are set up along the shore, so you won't have to leave the sand for lunch.

In the off-season it is still too cold for swimming, but walking on the beach is already comfortable.

Coffee on a terrace by the shore is also part of the plan. Tables are set facing the sea, and the wind is hardly a problem.

Farther along the water's edge you will reach an elegant viewing terrace and go up to Turaidas iela.

One detail matters for swimming. The bottom near the shore is very gently sloping, so you have to walk far out to reach deeper water. On the plus side, the shallows warm up quickly, and the water there is warmer than it seems.

A walk through Dzintari and Majori

Along Turaidas iela you will enter the Dzintari neighborhood. There stands the state-protected Dzintaru koncertzale concert hall, which still operates today.

Majori station in Jurmala, pedestrian on the tracks

The street is lined with mansions, hotels, restaurants, and apartment buildings. Each one more beautiful than the last.

Very close by stands an Orthodox church in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.

The church was built quite recently, which is why it shines so brightly in the sun. In front of the entrance stands a bronze globe of Jurmala.

At the globe, turn right onto Jomas iela, and you will find yourself in Majori. Jurmala's main pedestrian street is lined with boutiques, cafes, restaurants, pubs, and arcades.

Even on a cool April day, people sit outside and soak up the sun. Old resort architecture sits side by side with new buildings without any transition, and it looks amusing.

Passersby on Jomas iela are a constant presence from morning to evening.

Shop windows, signs, and summer cafe tables stretch along the entire street. Take a look into the side lanes: quiet courtyards with benches hide there.

Cafes, pastry shops, and amber on Jomas iela

Take a break at one of the pastry shops on Jomas iela. The display cases hold cakes, eclairs, and dense honey pastries that are easy to fill up on. Coffee is brewed from Lavazza beans, and tables are set right on the sidewalk.

Jomas pedestrian street with pine trees and cafes

Order a cappuccino and an eclair if you want a snack without a long lunch. The portions are small, but after such a snack you won't feel like looking for a restaurant.

Amber is considered the main local souvenir, and kiosks and shops with jewelry line all of Jomas iela. Get a pendant or beads: they take up little space in a suitcase and won't break in transit.

Returning to Majori station

The street runs straight and after about a kilometer (on the map) brings you back to Majori station.

Near the station there is a monument to Saint George and the dragon. The knight looks slightly bewildered, and the dragon looks more frightened than scary.

While you wait for the train to Riga, the platform offers a view of the Lielupe River. Arrive at the station early so you can take it in at a relaxed pace.

When to go and how much time you need

In the off-season, in late April, Jurmala is still quiet. The town is getting ready for summer, not all cafes are open yet, but the beach is almost empty.

High season starts in mid-June. Tents, pavilions and bicycles fill the shore, and Majori gets crowded. Whether it feels too busy depends on where you go: the farther west you walk from Majori, the fewer people you will see.

Half a day is enough for the route from Majori station through the beach, Dzintari and Jomas iela. If you are planning a long walk along the sea, set aside a full day and bring water with you.

Swimming is comfortable from late June to late August. There are eleven official swimming spots, and ten of them have excellent water quality (Jurmala beach guide, as of 09/2026).

How to get there from Riga and from the airport

The Vivi train to Majori leaves from Riga Central Station (Vivi fares, as of 09/2026). You can pay at the ticket office, at a ticket machine, or with a contactless card.

Majori station sits right by the river, so you meet and see off the train with a view of the water. From the platform to the beach is a few minutes on foot.

How	What you need to know
Vivi train	every half hour from Central Station, about 25 minutes, ticket 1.30-3.80 EUR (as of 09/2026, fares)
Car	Jurmala entry pass 5 EUR from 01/01/2026 (as of 09/2026, Jurmala tourism portal)

If you are flying into Riga and heading straight to Jurmala, a pre-booked transfer will save you a trip through the city center. Compare options and confirm the travel time when booking.

Tours and tickets in Jurmala

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

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⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does a trip from Riga to Jurmala cost?

A single ride on a Vivi train costs from 1.30 to 3.80 € depending on the zone; fares are valid from 15.01.2026 (as of: 09/2026, vivi.lv). Trains leave Riga Central Station every half hour to Majori station, and the trip takes about 25 minutes. You can buy a ticket at the ticket office, from a machine, or with a contactless card right on the train.

Do I need a permit to enter Jurmala?

Yes, but only if you are driving. From January 1, 2026, an entry permit for the special zone of Jurmala costs 5 € (as of: 09/2026, official Jurmala website). The machines accept only bank cards; cash is no longer accepted. The train will be cheaper and comes with no extra fees.

Is one day enough for Jurmala?

Yes, half a day is enough for the route from Majori station through the beach, Dzintari, and Jomas iela. If you want to walk further west along the sea or go to Kemeri, take a full day. Combining Jurmala with a tour of Old Riga on the same day is not worth it; it would be too many impressions at once.

Where can you swim in Jurmala?

You can swim anywhere along the shore; there are no separate enclosed beaches here. Keep in mind that the bottom is very gradual: you have to walk far out to reach deeper water. There are eleven official swimming spots, and ten of them have excellent water quality (as of: 09/2026, Jurmala tourism portal).

What to see in Majori besides the beach?

The Dzintaru koncertzale concert hall in Dzintari, the pedestrian Jomas iela with boutiques, cafes, and amber stalls, and the Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God with a bronze globe of Jurmala in front of the entrance. Near Majori station there is a monument to Saint George, and the platform offers a view of the Lielupe.

In short: what to book

If you have one free day in Riga, Jurmala covers two things at once: the sea and resort architecture. The beach here is gentle and long, and Majori offers an urban stroll with cafes and shops.

If you only have half a day: take the route from Majori station to Jomas iela and back.
If you are traveling with children: choose the morning and a spot west of Majori, where it is quieter and less crowded.
If you want to save money: the train will be cheaper than a car once you factor in the entry permit.

A hotel in Jurmala is worth booking in advance, especially for high season. See hotels in Jurmala on Trip.com.

What to see in Jurmala: a walk from Majori to the beach