Jūrmala, nicknamed the Baltic Riviera, stretches for 25 km of fine sand beach along the Gulf of Riga, about 30 minutes from the Latvian capital. Its coastal promenade and small roads lined with wooden villas make it one of the country’s most pleasant family rides.
A flat ride along the coast
From Majori, the resort’s lively center, the paved promenade follows the beach toward Dzintari and then Jaunķemeri for about 24 km round trip, through a landscape of coastal pine groves and the wooden Art Nouveau villas typical of Jūrmala. The route is entirely flat, with no difficulty at all.
How to approach the ride with kids
With barely 30 m of total elevation gain, this ride suits children pedaling on their own perfectly well. The beach, wide and shallow for long stretches, offers plenty of chances for a swimming break along the way.
When to go
May to September, with a peak in July and August when residents of Riga flock there on weekends. Spring and early autumn make for a noticeably quieter ride, well suited to taking in the villa architecture.
Good to know
Jūrmala is reachable from Riga by train in about 30 minutes, with several stations spread along the resort. The Dzintari concert hall, an open-air modernist structure from the Soviet era, still hosts concerts in summer.
