Jurmala Beach

For those visiting Riga in the summer, don't let its northerly location discourage you from a trip to the beach. Though the Baltic is no Caribbean, the beach itself in Jurmala makes for a fun day out, even if you only dip your toes in the sea. 33 km of white sand beach means you'll never feel crowded, while its location 20 km from Riga's city centre means you can spend the day there and still make it back to the Old Town for a nightly pub crawl. In addition to being the largest beach resort in the Baltic States, Jurmala meets the EU's water quality and safety standards, which is more than can be said for most post-Soviet sludge-filled rivers in Eastern Europe. The beach is accessible by car, train from the Central Train Station, or ship leaving from Riga Castle. For more on Jurmala see our guide to Jurmala!

Cold water, hot girls!