Jurmala

Walking tours

Embark on a personal and immersive adventure on a private van tour from Riga to Sigulda and Turaida. Customize your itinerary to your preferences and visit sights such as Gauja National Park, Sigulda Manor and Castle, and Turaida Castle. Sit back and relax in the comfort of your private vehicle and watch the landscape change from city streets to lush greenery as you head out of Riga. Make your way to Sigulda, a town near the river Gauja that is also known as the Switzerland of Latvia by locals. Marvel at the Gauja valley with its dense forests, meandering river, and the Gauja National Park. Stop to stroll through the park before seeing the Sigulda Medieval Castle ruins, the new Sigulda Castle, the Turaida Castle museum with its watchtower peering above the trees, and Gutman's Cave, the widest and highest cave in the Baltic countries. Cross the river on the optional cable car ride for a different perspective of the region or enjoy a glass of local wine made in the Cremon Winery at Krimulda Manor. See local craftsmen and women at work to gain an insight into local and cultural life before heading back to Riga. This half day tour is a must for those who have visited Riga and Jurmala before and is especially recommended for bloggers and social media fans.

Only a short drive from the center of Jurmala is Latvia's third largest national park, Kemeri National Park. This trail is perfect for nature-lovers and covers seven or eight total kilometers. You'll walk along a beautiful raised boardwalk, so you can easily observe the awe-inspiring landscape. The trail leads you to picturesque scenes and a viewing tower. The wooden footbridge gives you an easy and safe pathway into the amazing world of moss, bog pine trees, pools, dark ponds, cranberry bushes, and Labrador tea. On the way back, you can stop at Kemeri, a well-known mineral water resort since the 19th century. A nearby hotel is an architectural monument of interest too.

Start your morning with a convenient, pick-up service from your accommodation in Riga. Here, your friendly driver and guide will be waiting to meet you. After a quick chat with one another, you'll be hopping aboard your vehicle and setting off for your destination of the day - the Kemeri National Park.  Attractions you will visit: Great Ķemeri Bog: Enjoy the benefits of a day beginning with physical activity and experience a picturesque hike on the famous Great Ķemeri Bog boardwalk upon arrival at the National Park. · Unique Lagoon Lake Kaņieris: After the inspiring morning improv-hike in Kemeri boglands, you will visit the amazing Kanieris Lake and one of its bird watching towers. This big shallow lake is an amazing former lagoon of the prehistoric Littorina Sea. It is very close to the Gulf Of Riga. Kanieris Lake is an important stop-over place for migratory birds. During migration periods (April-May and August-October) it becomes a paradise for birdwatchers as it hosts more than 190-species of birds. It’s also an important breeding place for the local birds. Nature trails along the banks of this lake go through various unique protected ecosystems (habitats) and can be a great place for you to spot wildlife. · Ķemeri forests: Now it is time to have glimpse on the unique wet forests of Ķemeri National Park and their natural values including the famous Sulphur springs. · Sandy beach of the Gulf of Riga: Before heading back to Riga you will enjoy the fresh air of the stunning sandy seaside and costal pine forests of the Gulf of Riga · Soak up the energy of this unique pristine Latvian location before heading back to your accommodation in Riga for an evening of rest.

During this tour, you will visit Kemeri National Park, one of Latvia’s natural treasures. After experiencing Latvia’s most extensive wetland bog, your guide will take you to Kemeri town, where the emperor Nicholas I of Russia gave this land for building the first bathhouse with mineral water. After the visit to Kemeri town, you will have a drive-through tour of the seaside city of Jurmala, stopping for leisure time at the beach, with an option to take in the treetop views from a tower in Dzintari Forest Park. Additionally, you will be provided with a choice of excellent places to have lunch with traditional Latvian or modern cuisine during this tour.

! Do not book this tour if You would like to sit on the beach and eat ice cream and do not need info about this interesting, diverse Sea Resort. Visit Jurmala, the largest resort in the Baltic states, on a half-day tour that departs from Riga. The city of Jurmala is known for its mild climate, healthy sea air, curative mud and mineral waters. Admire the city’s natural features, including the white sand beach that stretches for nearly 33 kilometers, the pine forest and the Lielupe River. The typical architectural style of Jurmala is seen in its private houses built of wood. Discover the charming wooden homes constructed in the early 20th century and note also the modern resort buildings.

Start your day by breathing in the fresh morning air on a sunrise hike with bog shoes in one of the Riga marshes. And when the happiness hormones are pumped up during the walk and the eyes sparkle brightly, let's enjoy a delicious breakfast right there on the picturesque shore of the marsh lake at the 'pop-up bog restaurant'. It promises to be exciting! Let's meet before sunrise to arrive in the middle of the marsh in the twilight and mystical morning mist, where the most mystically beautiful sunrise pictures are created among the glowing pine trees and warm morning light. During the adventure, it is necessary to wear water-resistant boots (can be booked) or waterproof trekking half-boots to keep your feet dry and warm throughout the hike. Bog shoes are attached to the ankle of the boots. The hike is relatively easy and incredibly picturesque. Children can also participate in the adventure if accompanied by a parent. Route length: 3 - 5 km *The adventure start time may vary depending on the season and month.

Spend a day in one of the biggest nature parks in Latvia, Ķemeri National Park. This park is great to visit because it combines so much of the local nature including bogs, forests, seaside, lakes, and wildlife (most of the bird species in Latvia are found here).  Journey along a boardwalk trail through a beautiful bog that has been formed over thousands of years and now is a true natural treasure of Latvia. The Ķemeru Lielais Tīrelis is only a 1-hour drive from the Latvian capital city of Riga. During the walk, you will learn about how the bog is created and about its usage and value. You will also see the gorgeous bog sights with many small and large lakes which reflect the world in its calm and dark waters. You will have the opportunity to sample some local snacks and drinks.  Then, head to the unique trail of Kaņieries Lake that is nearby. Experience a bit of the local fisherman's way of life by casting an eye over their fishing boats and tools on the coast of the Baltic Sea. Be shown the biggest seaside resort city in Baltics, Jūrmala before you return to Riga.

The first stop and walk is Lake Kanieris with wooden path and Bird watching tower. The tower allows enjoying some truly spectacular views over the lake. From the tower it is possible to take a short walk along the wooden boardwalk, which sometimes floats on pontoons, allowing to observe the beauty of the lake landscape with dry legs. Kanieris Lake is a lagoon-type lake and is a protected nature object located in Ķemeri National Park. The lake is one of the richest in Latvia in bird and plant diversity; therefore it is favored to nature lovers and ornithologists. The “Sulfur nature trail” is only 830 meters in length, located in a marshy area. The trail makes a loop around Ragana (A witch) Lake, which has a red bed. Therefore, all the water in the lake appears to be copper in color. The entire trail smells of hydrogen sulfide. Sulfur ponds are a rare natural phenomenon in Latvia. It is a place where sulfurous water flows from springs on the surface and accumulates in several ponds. The sulfuric water is the reason for the peculiar flora and the color of the pond water. The scent of the Bog-myrtle growing there adds to the pleasure of the senses. Historical Kemeri Health resort park with sulfur mineral water spring. Kemeri is an area of the Jurmala seaside town where a resort was set up already in the 18th century due to the therapeutic qualities of sulfur water in the many springs in the neighborhood. Only architectural monuments are left to speak of the former glory of the Kemeri resort, although sulfur water and mud are still available. The park was created in the middle of the 19th century and features a network of winding paths interspersed with architectural objects – pavilions, rotundas, bridges across the artificial canals fed by the Versupite River that flows through the park. The Sulfur Water Pavilion, built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, stands in the south-eastern part of the park. Next to it, you will find the Kirzacina (Little Lizzard) sulfur spring, one of the most popular in Latvia. Its water can be used both internally and externally. Other interesting objects in the park include the Love Islet Pavilion, a rotunda built in 1928 in the Classicism style; the Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, the oldest of the churches in Kemeri which was built in 1893 in the style of wooden churches typical for Northern Russia; monuments to the founders of the Kemeri resort, the first physicians, who worked there, and soldiers fallen in World War I and World War II. The hotel was designed by the outstanding Latvian architect of Baltic German descent, Eizens Laube (1880–1967). The white building is a brilliant example of Neo-Classicism in the Latvian architecture.

You will walk Jurmala, the most Fancy beach in the Baltics & its town. Also, you will explore Kemeri National park and walk its Bog boardwalk of 1.4 & 3.4 km length, where you could see vastness of ponds, lakes & flora. After this, you will go the ancient city of kuldiga, in the western of Latvia, where you will explore the ancient Latvian architecture, the widest waterfall in Europe and the longest brick bridge in Europe, built in 1874. Moreover, we will start our return towards to the Baltic Sea, where you will be stopping for a Picnic in a majestic beach with withe sand, located in Regaciema beach ( Baltic Sea ), here you could enjoy swimming, tanning or just enjoy a variety of Latvian food and drinks that we will provide you. Closing this tour, you will be drive to your place, meeting point or anywhere else on the route to Riga.

Only 50 minutes drive from Riga there is Kemeri national park with untouched nature. In the beginning you will be introduced with the historical health resort park and traditions there in XIX -XX centuries. Further road will lead through the swamp, but no worries about wet legs, surface is from gravel. We will get to know what are the natural sulfur ponds in the Raganu ( Witches ) swamp and then we will continue too hike along Zala (Green) dune, which is a part of European Ramblers Association route E11 sometimes called Forest trail. Indeed You will enjoy different forest types. Beautiful views of nature and charming landscapes will be along the way. Be sure You have a appropriate shoes.