- Address: Jurmala, Latvia;
- Formed: at the end of the XIX century;
- Length: 1.1 km;
- Sightseeing: the national house of Jurmala, the monument to Rainis and Aspazia.
If tourists in Jurmala do not rest on the beach, then they walk around Yomas. This is an ideal place for a spa promenade. Soaked with fresh air, breathtaking aromas, exciting appetite, which come from local cafes, tempting counters of souvenir shops. All this is supplemented by a magical atmosphere of serene rest and hospitable Latvian hospitality.
The history of Jomas Street
Jomas Street is one of the oldest in the city. It was formed in the middle of the XIX century. The building was very fast. Literally in a dozen years, a small lane, framed by an impenetrable forest and boundless fields, has turned into a busy shopping street. But there were no shops on it. The fact is that the owner of the local lands, Baron Firks, imposed a strict ban on the opening of any commercial objects in the streets. But this did not extinguish the commercial spirit of the local merchants - they filled the whole of Jomas with their portable trays.
In 1870, the baron, tired of fighting "street entrepreneurs", lifts taboos to open stores. After 15 years, Jomas Street was not recognized. No bazaars and improvised kiosks, perfectly clean pavement, pretty shops, a pharmacy for the townspeople and the aroma of freshly baked pastries, coming from a brand new bakery. At the same time, the first hotel appears here.
In 1899 the street changes its name (it becomes Pushkin Street), but it does not last long, and after a short time it is again renamed Jomas.
Unfortunately, many authentic buildings of the 19th and 20th centuries have been lost due to the numerous fires in the city and events related to the two World Wars, but the people of Jurmala have always responsibly approached the reconstruction of their legendary street, the buildings were quickly reconstructed and rebuilt.
Since 1987, Jomas Street has become a pedestrian street. For almost 30 years, the rumbling of engines has not been heard here, and the air is crystal clear due to the absence of exhaust gases. The only exception is the motofestival. Only brave bikers are allowed once a year to drive along the great street. In general, Jomas is a street-holiday! She is always filled with laughter, joy, smiles and good mood. Various city processions, festivals and concerts are held here. And in July all the residents of Jurmala and guests of the city celebrate the traditional holiday - the day of Jomas street.
Things to do?
The street Jomas in Jurmala is known all over Latvia and far beyond its borders. Residents of the city like to walk around here, being distracted from everyday worries. And tourists, having traveled 1,1 km (this is the length of Jomas street), get all "33 pleasures". Here you can choose an institution for every taste: just drink coffee with a delicious dessert in a cozy pastry shop, taste national dishes of almost all cuisines in the thematic cafes, order an elegant dinner in a chic restaurant, eat ice cream or sweet cotton.
Inquisitive tourists will quench their information hunger, studying on the way local attractions. Among them:
- beautiful hotel Majori , designed by the architect A. Medlinger and built in 1925 (the building combines several styles, the most outstanding of which are Neo-Baroque and neoclassicism, attics and towers of the building can be seen from almost anywhere in Jurmala);
- The People's House of Jurmala , erected in the late nineteenth century (it also has a hotel, a cinema and a concert hall);
- the globe of Jurmala ;
- monuments of Aspazia and Janis Rainis , located in the square of Jomas street;
- the building of the Jurmala City Council .
Just a couple of hundred meters from Yomas is the famous concert hall "Dzintari . " Not only all important city celebrations are held here, but also international events - "New Wave", "Jurmala", music festival of the Club of Merry and Resourceful "The Voice of the Kivin".
In addition, Jomas Street is the ideal place for shopping lovers and bona fide tourists who do not come from abroad empty-handed. Here is concentrated a huge number of different shops and souvenir shops.
Restaurants and cafes on Jomas Street
You will not stay hungry on Yomas. Here flashes in the eyes from the signs of cafes and restaurants. We selected only a few that deserved an excellent rating from the guests of Jurmala:
- Grill-bar "Mayak" (street Jomas 63);
- sushi-restaurant "Tokyo" (Jomas street 65/67);
- cafe "53" (street Jomas 53);
- Restaurant Majorenhoff (42, Jomas Street);
- Grill-bar Gabriela Pie (Jomas street 31);
- cafe of Ukrainian cuisine Spotikaсs (Jomas str. 70/72);
- a restaurant of Armenian cuisine Zangezur (Jomas 80 street);
- wine restaurant GG (Jomas street 86);
- ice cream parlor Pingvіns (Jomas str. 46/48);
- Asian restaurant Sue's Asia (Jomas street 74);
- cocktail bar Atikva (Jomas street 92);
- Lounge-restaurant "Clouds" (street Jomas 81);
- cafe of Caucasian cuisine Kazbeks (39, Jomas street);
- restaurant of Japanese cuisine Il Patio + Planeta Sushi (Jomas street 63);
- European restaurant with live music Senators (Jomas street 55).
Also on Jomas Street there are many pizzerias, fast-food restaurants and bistros where you can taste delicious and inexpensive snacks.
How to get there?
From Riga to get to Jurmala it is more convenient and cheaper all on the train. Travel time is 30 minutes. The fare is from € 1,05 to € 1,4. If your goal is exactly Jomas Street, then you should take a ticket to Majori station. In the schedule, do not look for a train to Jurmala, there are no stops with such a name. You can take the train to Tukums , Sloka or Dubulti. They all stop at the two ends of Yomas: at the station of Majori and Dzintari.
You can also get to Jurmala from the capital by bus or minibus. They follow every 10 minutes from the bus station (near the Riga railway station). The cost of tickets from € 1,5 to € 1,65.
If you travel by car, it will take you only 20-25 minutes to get on a perfectly smooth route from Riga to Jurmala. Just remember that for entering the resort city you will need to pay about € 1.5.
Well, the most original and impressive way to get to the Jurmala coast is a boat trip on the boat. The ship runs between the capital of Latvia and Jurmala in the warm season - from May to September. This mini trip will cost you € 20-30.