Located about 30 minutes from Riga by train, you’ll find the resort seaside town, Jurmala. To get here get off the train at the Majori stop. It’s a beautiful journey to this cute little town and an easy nice day trip to Jurmala from Riga.
FYI make sure you are ready to get off before it stops. I had a bit of an issue getting off with my luggage. My rolling luggage is about 30 pounds and I had a purse and backpack on. The steps off the trains are very steep and I couldn’t really get down so I was putting the luggage first when suddenly I heard the whistle blow that the train was leaving. It had only been stopped about 30 seconds! The doors shut hard and my backpack (which was on my back) was on the inside. I was on the outside! I tried to pry them open as the train started moving and literally couldn’t they were totally unmovable. I had to throw my luggage down and twist out and jump off the train. It was actually scary and I cut my thumb. So standing on the platform, bleeding, in freezing weather, I decided I was not going to go check out the beach as I thought I would but instead was going to the hotel and relax a bit.
Day Trip to Jurmala
While it’s a great day trip town, I stayed over and think that if you have time in your travels it’s a good place to hang out and relax (or detox if you’ve been partying in Riga!).
I stayed at Jurmala Spa Hotel which is a 4-star hotel that focuses on spa treatments and has over 200 types of massages. They also have saunas, pools, and steam rooms you can use for free as a guest. Rooms were spacious and had ocean views. I got there just in time for sunset. You do have to wear a swimsuit in the saunas, etc. You can walk around in your bathrobe. The robes are only supplied in premium rooms. If you don’t have that type of room you can rent a robe.
At Jurmala they actually do full week-long health programs and have doctors there so you can use it as a health retreat as well as a spa.
The main promenade is a cobblestone street that goes out toward the sea. There are shops, hotels, and restaurants on it. Off this road are mostly residential houses.
The sea was stunning but with the high wind, I couldn’t even go out as the sand was flying everywhere. I took these images with my eyes shut, literally.
My last day here I went to Baltic Beach Hotel a 5-star property on the beach as you might have guessed. The rooms are really nice, the spa is stunning. I had a water treatment called zero gravity. Basically, it’s like laying on a water-bed, then having another water-bed on top of you. Or being inside a water-bed burrito. OR an infant in the womb lol. It was crazy. Then they turn on the jets so you can relax and they leave you there. The therapist didn’t speak English and just looked at me and said “shhh” as she put her hands to the side of her head motioning “sleep”. I couldn’t sleep but it was relaxing. I finished it off with an oxygen juice. Apparently good for the health.
This is a beach resort town and is seasonal. You can find more people here in the summer until about September. It is known for its spas and they are very affordable. Some went for about $20 for a 30 minute or about $40 for an hour massage at the Jurmala Spa. It was $13 for a manicure here. At Baltic Beach Hotel you can average about $1 per minute so $60 for an hour massage. I would want to come back and see it in the summer when the beach bars are open as well
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