Jurmala literally means seaside. It is a lovely cluster of nine towns on the shore of the Gulf of Riga (promotionally known as the Baltic Riviera). The most popular points are
Majori and
Dzintari.
A number of international music festivals are held in Dzintari regularly. Majori, in turn, is a perfect place for a stroll, with a nice pedestrian walkway lined with small souvenir shops, ice-cream parlors and sidewalk cafes. The area abounds with wide beaches, dunes and elegant cottages near piney woods. Latvians go there to enjoy the area's spas, mineral springs and therapeutic mud. The sea is partly polluted, so swimming is an option only in certain areas. On the upside, you can sometimes find amber on the beach after a storm.
10 mi/15 km west of Riga.