The huge European beach resort Brits will have never heard of – with 20 miles of white sand
IF YOU want a guaranteed spot at a sandy European beach, then we’ve found the perfect destination that’s away from the crowds.
While most Brits flock to resorts in Italy and Spain, there’s another huge European beach many holidaymakers probably haven’t heard about.
The resort city of Jūrmala in Latvia is home to a stretch of beach that runs for a whopping 20 miles.
Covered in white sand, the huge beach is divided into smaller strips including places like Majori Beach, Jaunquemeri Beach, Bulduri Beach, and Dzintari Beach to name a few.
All of the beaches can be accessed for free, but holidaymakers will need to pay between €5 (£4.27) to €7 (£5.98) to hire out items like sunloungers and parasols.
Each of the beaches has its own facilities including toilets, showers, changing areas, and beach bars.
Some of the beaches are also equipped with their very own volleyball and football pitches.
Holidaymakers can also hire out things like catamarans, banana boats, water skis, canoes, paddleboards, and jet skis.
There’s also a kitesurfing school at Pumpori Beach too, and Majori and Dzintari beaches are equipped with accessible ramps.
Holidaymakers have been raving about the beach on Tripadvisor with a 4.5/5 star rating from 1,800 reviews.
One person wrote: “What a stunning beach! There’s gorgeous golden sand as far as the eye can see with plenty of facilities such as toilets and bars and cafes to hand.”
Someone else added: “Jūrmala is a must-see if you’re visiting Latvia.”
A third wrote: “Jūrmala Beach is the perfect place for families with small children.”
There are plenty of other things to do in Jūrmala too including Dzintari Forest Park, Kemeri National Park, and Jurmala City Museum.
The easiest way to reach Jūrmala is to fly to Riga, the country’s capital.
Ryanair operates direct flights from the UK to Riga, with one-way tickets starting from £30.
From the capital, Jūrmala can either be reached via a 45-minute drive or a 30-minute train ride.
For holidaymakers who want to stay overnight, there are a range of accommodation options including hotels and holiday rentals.
One of those is the Kurshi Hotel and Spa – a four-star hotel that costs £75 per night based on two people sharing a room.
Another option is the Concordia, a three-star hotel set just a stone’s throw away from the beach that costs £28o per night.
There is a two-hour time difference between Latvia and the UK, with the UK being two hours behind.
The Euro is used in Latvia with €1 worth 86p, and Brits can stay in the country for up to 90 days without a visa.
And this isn’t the only overlooked seaside spot in Europe either.
The Polish seaside town of Sopot is another option for Brit holidaymakers who are looking to escape the crowds.