World City Guide

Excursions

For a Half Day

Salaspils: About 18km (11 miles) southeast of Riga, lies the site of Latvia’s Nazi tragedy. Between 1941 and 1944, an estimated 100,000 innocents (including 55,000 Jews from Riga) were murdered at the concentration camp at Salaspils. Today, the camp is preserved as a reminder to those dark days and there is also a museum. The poignant inscription at the entrance reads ‘Behind this gate the earth groans’. Salaspils is easily accessible by electric commuter train and by car and is open daily, 24 hours. Free admission.

Riga Motormuzejus (Riga Motor Museum): This truly bizarre museum (tel: 709 7170), located 8km (5 miles) east of Riga’s Old Town, at first glance looks just like a car showroom. Closer scrutiny reveals a collection of over 100 vehicles, which includes the former wheels of such renowned car buffs as Stalin, Khrushchev, Brezhnev and East German dictator Erich Honecker. A nice touch are the wax figures, which create the surreal sight of the late Brezhnev sitting proudly in his Rolls Royce or Stalin in his specially modified armoured car. The museum can be reached by bus 15 or 21, or trolley bus 14 or 18 and is open Monday 1000-1500, Wednesday to Sunday 1000-1800. Admission charge.

For a Whole Day

Jurmala: Once a favourite holiday destination of Communist Party members, this string of small seaside towns and resorts stretches 30km (19 miles) west along the coast from Riga. The attractions are sweeping sandy beaches, sand dunes, pine trees and old wooden houses. The only drawback is the incessant forest ticks. Jurmala is now being developed with foreign tourists in mind with new hotels and spa complexes being opened. Jurmala is served by regular trains on the Kemeri–Tukumus train line from Riga’s central station. All trains stop at Majori. The Jurmala Information Centre, Jomas 42 (tel: 772 4276/2167) is open daily 0900-2100 and provide further information.