Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia, on the Daugava river near the Gulf of Riga. Known for its UNESCO-listed Old Town, Europe's greatest concentration of Art Nouveau architecture, the vast Central Market and a growing craft-beer and restaurant scene, it blends Hanseatic, Swedish, Russian and Soviet layers into one of the Baltics' most walkable capitals.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Riga.
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- busy summer resort crowd
- Lifeguards in season
- Changing cabins
- Cafes and restaurants on Jomas iela
- Beach volleyball courts
- Toilets
Majori Beach, Jurmala
The main Jurmala beach at the end of Jomas iela, with wide fine sand and lifeguards in season.
Editor’s tip. Arrive before about 11:00 on summer weekends to find parking and a good spot on the sand.
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- relaxed, pine forest backdrop
- Lifeguards in season
- Cafes near the beach
- Showers and toilets
- Dzintari Forest Park
- Concert hall nearby
Dzintari Beach, Jurmala
Quieter than Majori, in front of Dzintari Concert Hall and the pine forest park, with wide sand and a gentle slope.
Editor’s tip. Take the train to Dzintari station; the walk to the sea is short and avoids Jurmala car entry fees.
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- calm, residential
- Lifeguards in season
- Toilets
- Beach cafe
- Dune boardwalks
Bulduri Beach, Jurmala
A quieter Jurmala beach with dunes and fewer crowds, popular with families and walkers.
Editor’s tip. Bring towels, sun protection and snacks, as facilities are simpler than at Majori.
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- quiet
- Lifeguards in season
- Toilets
- Cafes on Vikingu iela
Lielupe Beach, Jurmala
The eastern end of the Jurmala strip, with dunes, calm water near the river mouth and a quiet atmosphere.
Editor’s tip. Allow 10-15 minutes to walk from Lielupe station to the beach.
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- relaxed, local weekend crowd
- Lifeguards in season
- Cafes
- Toilets
- Sea Park and Dune Trail
- Wooden pier
Saulkrasti Beach
Broad white-sand beach with dunes, the Sea Park and the wooden pier at the end of Ainazu iela.
Editor’s tip. Confirm current train fares and times on vivi.lv before travelling.
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- busy local beach on summer weekends
- Lifeguards in season
- Beach volleyball courts
- Cafes
- Changing cabins
- Toilets
Vecaki Beach, Riga
Riga's most popular city beach, a wide sandy strip about 15 km from the centre, with a lively summer atmosphere.
Editor’s tip. Arrive before late morning on sunny weekends to avoid crowds and parking problems.
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- urban riverside
- Riverside promenade
- Cafes nearby
- Toilets
Kipsala Daugava Beach
A small city river beach on the Kipsala bank of the Daugava, with a view of the Old Town skyline.
Editor’s tip. Treat it as a place to sit and walk; check local notices before swimming in the Daugava.
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- green and calm
- Lifeguards in season
- Toilets
- Forest park paths
- Boat rental nearby
Mezaparks Kisezers Beach, Riga
A quiet lake beach on Lake Kisezers next to the Mezaparks forest park and the Great Bandstand.
Editor’s tip. Take tram 11 and walk through the forest; check current fares on the Rigas satiksme app.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Riga’s coast.
How do I get from Riga to Majori Beach?
Trains on the Jurmala line leave Riga Central Station and reach Majori station in about 30-35 minutes. From there it is roughly a ten-minute walk along Jomas iela to the sea.
From the Majori Beach, Jurmala editorial.
Is the water at Majori Beach suitable for children?
The water is shallow and slopes gently, which suits children, and lifeguards are on duty in season. The Baltic water is cool and can be brackish and slightly murky.
From the Majori Beach, Jurmala editorial.
How is Dzintari Beach different from Majori?
Dzintari is generally quieter and framed by the pine forest park and concert hall. Majori is busier and has more cafes along Jomas iela.
From the Dzintari Beach, Jurmala editorial.
How do I reach Dzintari Beach from Riga?
Take the Jurmala line train from Riga Central Station to Dzintari station, about 30-35 minutes, then walk five to ten minutes to the sea.
From the Dzintari Beach, Jurmala editorial.
Is Bulduri Beach crowded?
It is usually quieter than Majori and Dzintari, though warm summer weekends bring more local families.
From the Bulduri Beach, Jurmala editorial.
How long does it take to reach Bulduri from Riga?
Trains from Riga Central Station take about 30-35 minutes to Bulduri station, followed by roughly a ten minute walk to the beach.
From the Bulduri Beach, Jurmala editorial.
Is Lielupe Beach quiet?
Yes, it is generally calmer than Majori and Dzintari, which suits couples and walkers.
From the Lielupe Beach, Jurmala editorial.
How do I get there from Riga?
Take the Jurmala line train from Riga Central Station to Lielupe station, about 30-35 minutes, then walk 10-15 minutes to the beach.
From the Lielupe Beach, Jurmala editorial.