Jurmala is a popular Baltic resort located on the coast of the Gulf of Riga. The famous Latvian health resort is known for its chic sandy beaches and incredibly healing air. Rest in Jurmala (Latvia) has always been considered not only useful, but also prestigious.
A little bit about the resort ...
Jurmala (Latvia) is rightly called the largest resort in the country. The city has a well-developed infrastructure and a rich cultural life. The biggest pride of the resort are beaches, which are placers of quartz sand. The coast of Jurmala annually attracts tens of thousands of tourists. The modern city is divided into 16 districts. A distinctive feature of the resort is a rich cultural life. Festivals and other entertainment events are regularly held here throughout the year.
The population of the city is approximately 50 thousand people. Jurmala is located just 25 kilometers from Riga.
History of the city
According to archaeologists and historians, people appeared on the territory of modern Jurmala not 750 years ago, according to the first written records dated 1245, but much earlier. During excavations, specialists found objects of labor that were made in 2400-1800 BC. e. (during the late Neolithic period). The fact that such finds are far from unique indicates that ancient people lived here settled. It is known that the settlement was located in the Priedain valley. Primitive settlers chose such quiet places for life, since in them they were more protected from natural disasters.
The status of the resort of Jurmala (Latvia) acquired only after the region was transferred to Russia. The starting point can be considered the year 1783, when the Sloksky district was annexed to Vidzeme, which became part of the Russian Empire. After 20-25 years (in the first half of the nineteenth century), Riga's rich and landowners came into vogue to relax in Jurmala in the summer. Initially, guests stayed in the homes of local fishermen. But the land owners decided to sell the plots at a high price for development. Since then, a real construction boom has begun. The popularity of recreation in the region grew every year.
In 1824, transport links with Riga were established. At first, stagecoaches began to run on the seaside, and then a steamboat was launched. In Dubulti in 1832, the Russian commander Barclay de Tolly built a house for himself. After the steamboat was launched between Dubulti and Riga, the resort's popularity increased even more. Nevertheless, the greatest prosperity came with the opening of the railway in 1877, connecting Riga and Tukums. Gradually, the fame of Jurmala (Latvia) spread to other Russian provinces. Wealthy people combined bathing with therapeutic procedures in equipped baths. By 1845, 3,000 such places were equipped on the coast. Until the end of the nineteenth century, gentlemen and ladies bathed on the beaches separately.
The first sanatoriums can be called summer private clinics, which were opened by doctors. The most famous healers were Til, Maximovich and Nodström. After the revolution, medical facilities began to be built on the seaside.
Jurmala areas
The indigenous inhabitants of Jurmala in Latvia (photo is given in the article) divide the resort into many microdistricts - by the number of villages included in its composition. But not every region boasts attractions, so holidaymakers do not look into many of them.
In terms of places of interest, travelers should pay attention to the Majori, Dubulti, Dzintari and Melluzhi areas.
Resort beaches
The beaches and the sea of Jurmala (Latvia) is the main attraction of the resort. The entire Jurmala coast is free for relaxation, which can be considered an exceptional phenomenon for Europe. Local services closely monitor the cleanliness of the coastal zone, so you can not find dirt and garbage here. As places for a beach holiday, tourists usually choose Majori, Bulduri, Jaunkemeri and Dzintari. The coast of these areas is ideal for taking marine procedures and meets quality standards. From time to time, Jurmala beaches even receive a prestigious award - the Blue Flag.
The peculiarity of the Riga seaside is surprisingly white sand, fairly cold water and a gentle slope. To plunge into the bay, sometimes you have to wander in shallow water for about five minutes. But such a coast is convenient for families with children.
The beaches of Jurmala are equipped with changing cabins, and sunbeds and umbrellas can be rented if desired. The most developed beach infrastructure in Majori. There are always a lot of tourists. On the coast of Dubulti and Bulduri people are much fewer. If you want to go windsurfing or kite, it is better to visit Pumpuri. You can go on a rented yacht or water ski on the coast of Lielupe.
Dzintari Concert Hall
One of the main attractions of Jurmala (Latvia) is the Dzintari Concert Hall. It is very popular not only in Latvia, but also abroad. It is in this complex that all concerts in the country are held. Until 1910, representatives of different genres performed within the walls of the institution.
But later the hall became so popular that the Mariinsky Theater, the Edinburgh Symphony Theater, and the Warsaw Philharmonic performed there. World-famous opera singers regularly come here. The hall reached its greatest prosperity during the USSR period. The most famous singers of the country performed within its walls.
emeri park
The sights of Jurmala (Latvia) include Kemeri National Park. Its area is 38 hectares. Most of the territory is located on the Gulf of Riga. The park was organized in 1997, but it appeared much earlier. The story tells that the forester Kremer lived in this region, who not only watched the forest, but also acted as a guide for all those tourists. The forester built the first house around which the village of Kremer subsequently emerged, where people still go on excursions to this day.
True, experts could not explain how the name of the forester was changed and the name of the Kemeri park appeared. Tourists come to it for sulfur baths and for walks. There are several routes laid in the park that travelers can choose for themselves. Of greatest interest is the peat bog. As for the sulfur baths, they appeared under the influence of dolomite deposits. For this reason, people began to come to the park in the 18th century to improve their health.
Jurmala City Museum
In the city of Jurmala (Latvia) it is worth visiting the Jurmala City Museum. In his collection you can see many exhibits telling about the development of the city from the beginning of the nineteenth century to the present day. There are no ancient artifacts in the exposition of the institution, but there is an extensive collection of old postcards, bathing suits, items raised from the seabed. In general, the exhibits tell about the city as a resort.
Open-air museum
According to reviews, in Jurmala (Latvia) it is worth visiting the Open Air Museum, on the territory of which you can get acquainted with the life of a fishing village. It is no secret that many years ago the resort did not exist, and in its place there was only a small fishing village. The museum has collected traditional utensils and household items. Here you can see real fishing huts. It is better to visit the museum with a guided tour, during which tourists learn a lot about the life of ordinary fishermen in ancient times.
Treatment
Holidays in Jurmala (Latvia) are not only the sea, beaches and attractions, but also a great opportunity to get healthier, because the region is famous for its healing climate, good sanatoriums and mineral springs. Of course, nowadays there are much less health resorts than in Soviet times. But the local air is still healthy and filled with iodine and volatile. From sources in the region, water is produced that has a different degree of mineralization. In addition, there are sapropelic and peat mud, as well as hydrogen sulfide water.
The cost of rest in sanatoriums is quite moderate. Accommodation in a double room is 90 euros (6800 rubles) and more. This amount already includes nutrition and treatment.
In Jurmala sanatoriums they treat diseases of the kidneys, nervous system, heart, respiratory organs, metabolic disorders. Based on the diagnosis of the guests, different procedures can be prescribed - pearl and hydrogen sulfide baths, lymphatic drainage, mud therapy, paraffin therapy, massage and therapeutic nutrition. Some resorts even have their own mineral springs. The most famous sanatoriums are Yaunkemeri and Amber Coast, located in the territory of the Kemeri National Park.
Hotels
The choice of hotels in Jurmala (Latvia) is great. Here you can stay in resort hotels with spa centers, boutique hotels, private apartments and even hostels. The latter can be a great option for a budget holiday. A day in a hostel costs from 25 euros (1900 rubles). Prices for renting rooms largely depend on the distance from the sea. The best and most expensive hotels are located in Dzintari and Maiori on the first line. In such establishments, the cost of rooms per day reaches 900 euros (68,200 rubles). On the outskirts of the villages you can find apartments for 30-60 euros (2200-4500 rubles) per day.
In addition, the resort has a wide selection of villas and cottages to accommodate large families or groups of friends. The range of housing prices is very wide and ranges from 50-1000 euros (3500-75800 rubles).
If you are interested in hotels with star status, then there are not so many of them. The resort has a total of four three-star hotels. They rent a room will cost from 70 to 90 euros (5300-6800 rubles). The four-star complex in Jurmala is slightly larger - eight. Living in them costs 60-160 euros per day (4500-12100 rubles). The most expensive establishments are five-star hotels. The cost of rooms in them starts from 150 euros per day (11,300 rubles). If you are not averse to cooking yourself while relaxing, you can rent apartments with a kitchen.
Interesting places to relax with the whole family
It is difficult to find someone who would not hear about a resort like Jurmala in Latvia. What does the name of the region mean? Translated from Latvian Jurmala - it is a seaside. As you already understood from our story, the Jurmala resort is not one city, but a whole string of villages along the sea coast located not far from each other. Experienced tourists say that the region is good for families. In addition to various museums, beaches and architectural objects, there are interesting parks in which young guests will definitely not be bored.
In the center of Jurmala is the largest water park in Northern Europe called Livu. The institution is located in a three-story building and works around the clock. The park is divided into four zones, which are equipped with 40 slides. Here you can find the simplest and most extreme water activities. The smallest can go to the game complex called "Captain Kid's Island", which has water cannons, ladders and fountains. Adults can ride on buns along the “traveling wave”, swim in the wave pool, visit the sauna or jacuzzi.
Another attraction of the resort is the Dzintari Forest Park. It will be interesting for children to try their hand at rope tracks stretched between pine trees. Such entertainment can be afforded by older children, since it is necessary to climb to a height and move from one tree to another along thin ropes and swinging logs. Well, for the youngest guests in the park there are playgrounds with familiar carousels and swings.
On Jomas Street you can visit the recreation park called "South Park". It has a lot of all kinds of attractions, from simple carousels to more extreme attractions. There are also trampolines, a race track, prize shooting galleries and a space stimulator.
Tourists reviews
According to tourists, the city of Jurmala in Latvia is the place that everyone should visit. The cold seaside and beautiful nature cause invariable delight for each guest. The genuine beauty of the local nature is noteworthy. The greatest interest among travelers is the cultural life of Jurmala. Tourists recommend planning a trip for the festivals. During such periods, the resort is most interesting.