Jūrmala Private Walking Tour

Literally meaning "the seaside" in Latvian, Jurmala is just minutes from Riga but a wonderful world of its own! On this tour, we explore the history of Jurmala, from ancient amber trading to the 19th century sea bathing boom and the resort's bubbling life today. We visit genteel timber cottages, beautiful churches, Soviet sanatoriums, legendary pre-war mansions, and of course the pine-fringed beach. This day at the beach will be richly rewarding!

The tour starts on Joma's iela, Jūrmala's main pedestrian boulevard. After an introduction to the area's history, we proceed to the summer cottage of legendary writers Rainis and Aspazija. Their house is a fine example of Jūrmala's traditional timber architecture and was the centre of rich cultural life in the early 20th century. We then visit lovely Our Lady of Kazan Orthodox Church, demolished by the communists but beautifully restored in 2019. Next door is the famous Dzintari Concert Hall, with a rich musical heritage. We then head to the beach for some seafaring stories and encounter legendary pine trees, old-time bathing pavilions and Soviet sanatoriums. The tour concludes at the Art Deco masterpiece mansion of Emīlija Benjamina, Latvia's pre-war press queen, whose meteoric career and tragic end mirrored that of Latvia itself in the 20th century.