The best family-friendly hikes and walks around Babītes ezers

This is a real cycling beach. You can cycle for kilometers here.

The overall structure stands 38 metres tall, with the main panoramic viewing deck positioned at 33.5 metres

Dzintari Forest Park is a popular, free-admission nature and adventure park located in the center of the seaside resort town of Jūrmala, Latvia.

This is the main pedestrian street of Jurmala. It is home to shops, restaurants, banks, and other amenities. It is truly the heart of the city.

The Lielupe estuary offers a striking scenery that perfectly captures the tranquility of the Latvian coast. Here, where the Lielupe River meets the vastness of the Baltic Sea, freshwater and sea merge to create a unique natural landscape. In sunny weather, the sky is dramatically reflected in the water, creating a feeling of vastness. Small sailboats and kayaks can often be seen floating in the estuary, gently moving with the current - a popular subject for photography enthusiasts. The Lielupe, whose name translates as "big river", meanders through an area known for its pristine nature and picturesque coastal forests. The banks are lined with sandy stretches that invite you to walk or have a picnic. A visit here feels like being transported to another time, far from the urban hustle and bustle - a small oasis for nature lovers and those seeking peace and quiet. The history of this place is also interesting: the region around the Lielupe has always been an important waterway for trade and fishing and played an important role in local culture. Today it is mainly a refuge for the residents of Riga, who enjoy a short trip into nature and the fresh breeze of the sea.

The Ragakāpa Nature Park in Latvia, especially near Jūrmala, is not only known for its beautiful coastal landscapes and pine forests, but also contains relics from the Second World War. Here you will come across small bunkers and other concrete structures built during the war years. They served as defensive fortifications and strategic observation posts along the coast to protect the Baltic coast. These remnants of the military past add an interesting historical dimension to the nature park. During the occupation by the German Wehrmacht and later under Soviet control, such positions were used strategically to secure control over the Baltic region. Today they are colorfully painted and partially overgrown, making them seem like hidden works of art in the forest.

The Ragakāpa Nature Park near Jūrmala offers an impressive mix of nature and tranquility, especially when you walk along the wooden paths that gently meander through the dune landscape. Characteristic pine trees grow here, which give the dune hills support and give the whole thing an almost enchanted atmosphere. The winding paths are well maintained and invite you to explore the area at your own pace. What is special about this nature park is the diverse flora and fauna that can be experienced here, not far from the city. The park also serves as a protected area for the coastal dunes, which were formed by the wind and represent a typical landscape for the region. In summer, when the vegetation is in full bloom, the park appears lively and colorful, while in winter it surprises with a barren, almost meditative silence. The Ragakāpa Nature Park offers you a relaxing break from the hustle and bustle of Jūrmala and brings you closer to the untouched nature of the Latvian coast. Perfect for a walk away from the city - here you can breathe in the fresh sea air and enjoy the silence of nature.

Tucked away behind the pine trees, the Bulluciems Lighthouse rises above the dunes of Jūrmala in its simple red-orange form. Although it may not have the charm of historic lighthouses on the European coast, it still has an atmosphere all its own. Originally built to serve shipping on the Baltic Sea, it stands here today as a silent witness to decades gone by when lighthouses were still indispensable landmarks. The route here leads through sandy paths and is ideal for a relaxing bike ride or a stroll through the natural landscape. Surrounded by the typical coastal pines of Jūrmala, it offers a quiet retreat that contrasts with the otherwise busy seaside promenade. Although the lighthouse cannot be climbed, the visit is worth it just to see this well-preserved landmark, gently embedded in the coastal landscape. The surrounding vegetation and the rough Baltic breeze create an almost meditative mood that is rarely found amidst the dunes.