531 KILOMETRES TO CHOOSE FROM: LATVIA’S BEST BEACHES

Summer is the time when many Latvians exchange their plastic sun beds and artificial UV rays for real ones, and head out to find their own place in the sun, on one of Latvia’s many beaches.
If you’re here to catch some sea and surf, perhaps the easiest option is Jurmala, Riga’s closest beach area, with plenty of spots to choose from. For the more adventurous, why not venture out and explore some of Latvia’s other, lesserexplored beaches? After all, you’ve got over 531 kilometres of seashore and sand to choose from!
 
 
   
JURMALA
 
At just .65 santims for a oneway adult ticket (1.25 return) on the electric train out to Majori, Jurmala is by far your best bargain for a day trip. The word Jurmala literally means "sea coast," and is the collective name for a stretch of towns located not far from Riga’s city centre. The most popular destination for beachgoers is Majori, but you can also alight the train at Lielupe, Bulduri, Dzintari, or Dubulti, and from any of those stops the beach is just a short walk north.
 
There’s much more to do in Jurmala than just suntan. If you get off the train in Majori, the Jurmala Tourist Information board is just within eyesight. Why not stop off here and learn about the area’s many museums – both indoor and outdoor ethnographic ones – nature trails, spa centres, and other fun activities that you can take part in. A walk down Majori’s pedestrian street, Jomas iela, will offer you plenty of places to eat, drink or just relax in the sun.
Take the Boat!
 
If the overcrowded trains in the height of summer are not quite your idea of relaxation, another option is to take the boat out to Majori. Enjoy a relaxing 90-minute ride on the Daugava River to Jurmala’s main town, Majori, which is strategically located between the sea and the Lielupe River, where your boat will arrive. The boat leaves at 11:00 from in front of the Liela Kristaps (Great Kristap) statue in Riga, and arrives in Majori at 13.30. If you buy a return ticket (15 Ls. adults, 8 Ls. children), then you’ll have just enough time to head to the beach and grab a quick bite before catching the 16:00 boat back to Riga. Or, stay as long as you like and take the train or a minibus back.
   

 

 
   
SAULKRASTI
 
If you’re looking for a more peaceful and relaxing spot to take in the rays, head north to Riga’s ‘other sea coast’. Train fares are just as cheap, and the trains just as crowded, but the beaches are certainly less so. You can get off at nearly any stop from Lilaste onward, and the sea won’t be but a hop, skip and jump away from the train station. If you alight in Saulkrasti, in addition to the beach there are plenty of nature trails, for example the sunset trail, which stretches over three kilometres from the White Dune to the Sun Bridge. This will take you through the forest but never too far from the nearby sea to steal a glimpse of the late northern sunset. For other museums and attractions, visit the friendly tourist information centre at 10 Ainazu iela (Mon.-Thurs. 9-18, Fri. 9-16, Sat. 9-15, closed Sun.).
   

 

 
   
THE BALTIC SEA: LIEPAJA AND VENTSPILS
 
If the Gulf of Riga is too tame for your taste, you can head out by car or bus to Latvia’s major seacoast cities: Liepaja, Ventspils, and Pavilosta. If you want to get there even quicker, Air Baltic offers flights from Riga to Liepaja for as little as 1 Ls. (special efare online), which comes out to about 17 Ls. return! There is plenty to do in each of these cities, and the beaches boast impressively massive sand dunes, and wide stretches of white, smooth sand.
 
For the adventureseekers looking for a bit more action, the small town of Jurkalne (which literally translates as "sea mountain"), located between Pavilosta and Ventspils, is apparently the best place for paragliding. The subtle combination of strong winds and high sand dunes (which is a relative term for flat Latvia), make this the perfect place for "flying."
 
Each of these Baltic seacoast cities offer much more in the way of tourist attractions than simply their gorgeous white sand beaches, which is good news, since summer in Latvia does not always guarantee beach weather. Perhaps the most unusual attraction in these parts is the Karosta Military City, located just outside of Liepaja. If the bad weather is not enough punishment for you, you can seek refuge in a Soviet prison here - a reality show that you will most certainly want to escape before the night is through (see www.karostascietums.lv).
     
 
 
 

Since 2005 Riga Out There has been providing some of the most action packed and thrilling corporate event agencies looking for something to make their trip to Riga one to remember. The best way to travel in Riga is to let Riga Out There organise it for you! Our professional and personable team is based in Latvia and because we deal directly with our activity providers on a daily basis, we are able to offer you unmatched value for money. In fact, there are so many things to do in Riga that we have a whole section dedicated to it, be sure to check out our Riga activities section!

Some of the most fun activities to do in Riga include AK Shooting, Bobsleigh and Freefall Simulator these action packed activities are sure to leave a memorable impression on your trip to Riga. If you’re not looking for adventure things to do then some of our more cultural tours and excursions in Riga provide a great alternative, the attractions in Riga are amongst some of the best in Northern Europe with the National Opera and Theatre holding performances most weekends. When you’re looking for things to do in Riga look no further than Riga Out There, our team of local experts is on hand to help you with all your questions about Fun activities to do in Riga. We promise that a weekend with Riga Out There means expert planning and execution of your activities in Riga, our service is a cost effective way to make the most of your time in this city.

There are a number of excursion in Latvia that are outside of Riga, the adrenaline capital of Sigulda is home to the Bungee Jump, Bobsleigh Track, and 4x4 Off Road experience all of these fun activities are within an hours drive of Riga and provide a perfect option when looking for adventure things to do.  As a former Soviet State, Lativa also provides some unique opportunities to see what went on behind the Iron Curtain with excursion in Riga and surrounding areas to the Nuclear Bunker and Soviet prison experience these attractions in Riga are amongst some of the most interesting soviet tours in Europe.

If you’re visiting Riga in a group of 10 or more then our group excursions in Riga are perfect for you, have you ever tried Curling? This is one on the most fun activities to do as a group in Riga; other things to do in Riga as a group are Paintballing, Go-karting and Clay Pigeon Shooting, either way Riga Out There can provide excursions in Riga for groups of 6 and up. When you book a fun activity with the Riga Out There team, we provide you with return transfers to your hotel and English speaking guide who will give you important and useful information on Riga’s famous nightlife, don’t just take our word for it, check out our testimonials from happy clients that have tried and tested all the fun activities you can do in Riga.  

So if you’re still looking for things to do in Riga look no further…send us your enquiry form or call us to discuss your weekend in Riga, we look forward to hearing from you and helping to plan a trip that you will remember forever.