After yesterday's more challenging day, today we are going to relax a bit more on the beaches of the
seaside resort known as Jūrmala. It is the largest spa town in Latvia. It is 32 km long and stretches along the Gulf of Riga and the Lielupe River.
Jūrmala - Endless sandy beaches
The morning is calm again. The train to Jurmala runs every half an hour again, and you have to wait until it gets a little warmer to get into the sea with a little less self-denial. We again buy our tickets directly at the main station to Dubulti station, which is the closest to the beach. Dubulti is in zone B, which means we buy 2 zones with a price of 1,5 Euro/person. Since we buy a return ticket as well, we get a few cents off this price. The ride takes 35 minutes and we get off at a stop with an architecturally interesting station building.
Dubulti - Railway station
Let's not take any extra time and take the shortest way to the beach. There's plenty of room, so we have our pick of the best. The water's not the warmest, but you can hang in there. As the temperature rises, the beach starts to get more crowded and by the afternoon it's pretty full. However, compared to the beaches in Sopot or Odessa, it's crowded.
Jūrmala - Beaches
We'll lounge in the sun like this until 4 pm. Then we walk along the beach towards Riga and leave the beach at the Baltic beach hotel. In front of it we came across a couple of dilapidated buildings, clearly showing that the place has seen its greatest glory. In Soviet times, Jirmala was the most sought-after seaside resort.
Jūrmala - A relic from a better era
From the hotel, we walk to the nearest train station when we come across the Jomas Street promenade, which is full of shops and restaurants. So the decision to walk down this street falls. Such a highlight of this street is the Jurmiiala Kazanas Dievmates Church, located at the end of it.
Jūrmala - Promenade Jomas iela
Jūrmala - Church of Jurmiiala Kazanas Dievmates
From the church we go straight to Dzintari station, where we wait for the next train back to Riga. There we will go to the Kļavas lapa canteen, located in the underpass, and have lunch and dinner there again. The main advantage of this canteen is that, unlike Lido, they have a wider choice of food. They also have the cheapest draft beer we've come across in Latvia. Still, don't expect Czech prices. I have borscht and sausage with home fries.
Riga - Restaurant Kļavas lapa
Riga - Kļavas lapa - Feast
After dinner, a classic visit to Rimi and an evening cocoa at the hostel. Tomorrow we will visit Sigulda.
Useful links:
Latvian Railways
Scheme of tariff zones of Latvian Railways
Restaurant Kļavas lapa
Central Hostel Riga
Hotels around Riga
Hotels around Jūrmala
Flights to Riga
