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No minimum number of attendeesNo minimum number of attendees is required for the tour
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Free booking and cancellationFree payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free
Free tour
Jurmala free walking tour
I'm a writer, translator, and tour guide based in Riga, Latvia. I was born in Australia in a Latvian migrant family, then moved to Riga in 1994. So I have seen the country emerge from communism to become the fascinating, beautiful European city of today. I love architecture, good food, hot saunas, and winter ice hole plunges. And showing people around Riga!
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Tour description
Literally meaning "the seaside" in Latvian, Jurmala is a wonderful escape just minutes from Riga.
On the Jurmala free walking tour, we explore the history of Jurmala, from ancient amber trading to the 19th-century sea bathing boom and its bubbling life today.
We visit genteel timber cottages, beautiful churches, Soviet sanatoriums, legendary prewar mansions, and of course the pine-fringed beach. We delve into the Jurmala life of the great poets Aspazija and Ranis, hear seafaring stories, and learn how swimming etiquette has changed over the years.
And I'll play some music which encapsulates this enchanting shore!
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Highlights
What will we visit on this tour?
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View on mapMeeting point:Jomas iela 47, Jurmala, LV-2015, LatviaJomas iela 47, Jurmala, LV-2015, Latvia
I will meet you in front of Hotel Jurmala Spa on Jomas iela, Jurmala's pedestrian boulevard. I will be wearing an orange hat. If you are coming from Riga, take the train to Majori Station then walk 10 minutes to the starting point. The tour concludes near Majori Station.
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1Outside visitKazaņas Dievmātes ikonas Dzintaru pareizticīgo baznīca
Our Lady of Kazan is a beautiful Orthodox church which was destroyed by the Soviets and superbly rebuilt a few years ago. We take a look inside its stunning interior.
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2Outside visitGlobe
This iconic sculpture of a globe shows us Jurmala's sister cities around the world and is a favourite place for holiday photos.
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3Outside visitDzintari Concert Hall
At this legendary concert hall, I'll tell you about Jurmala's rich musical history.
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4Outside visitMajori Beach
We stroll down this pine-fringed shore, discovering pre-war bathing pavilions and hefty Soviet sanatoriums. And I'll share stories of dramatic mutinies and disastrous shipwrecks in the sea beyond...
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5Outside visitBronze statue "The Turtle"
Meet one of Jurmala's most eye catching visitors, who has a fantastic view of the beach!
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6Outside visitSkulptūra «Lāčplēsis»
This famous sculpture blends Latvian mythology with exotic influences, just like Jurmala itself!
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7Outside visitEmīlijas Benjamiņas vasaras rezidence
We discover Jurmala's most famous mansion! Built as a modernist masterpiece in the 1930s by Latvia's richest woman, it was used as a summer retreat by top communist officials, and was the place where Baltic independence was finally achieved in 1991.
How much does this tour cost?
Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).
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Who is this tour for?
Accessibility
Non suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Does not accept large group reservations.
Pets
Suitable for carrying pets.
What should you know?
Minimum of attendees
There is no minimum number of people required for the tour.
Additional costs:
The tour does not require the payment of entrance fees or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you will not be able to attend the tour, please cancel your booking, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Only cash payment is accepted.
When do you want to go?
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