It finally hit 25 degrees, and the entire city of Riga had the exact same idea: “Let’s go to Jūrmala.” The result? Absolute gridlock on the Lielirbes iela and the highway heading to the coast.
The Baltic summer is notoriously short, so you can’t blame people for trying to squeeze every drop of vitamin D out of the weekend. Majori and Dzintari were packed, the cafes were overflowing, and good luck finding a parking spot anywhere near the sand. The entry fee scanners were working overtime.
What a lot of drivers don’t realize is that the Jūrmala entry pass system is heavily enforced now with automated cameras. Forget to pay that €3 toll, and you’ll find a nice little fine waiting in your mailbox. It’s just another reason why sitting in a hot car for an hour might not be the best play.
If you’re planning to hit the coast this coming weekend, here’s a pro tip from the locals: take the Vivi train. The 30-minute ride from Riga Central Station drops you right in the action without the stress of burning clutch in stop-and-go traffic. Beach season is officially here—may the odds of finding a clear spot on the sand be ever in your favor. Check out more local news here.
