Jelgava

It is useful to understand that although from 1940 to 1991 Latvia was a constituent republic of the USSR, the official language is Latvian. However, a significant minority (up to 40% nationwide and possibly just over 50% in the capital Riga) is Russian-speaking. The majority of ethnic Latvians living in the city, not only those old enough to have attended school during Soviet times, can also speak and understand Russian. However, many prefer to converse in Latvian. English and also German are widely understood at places regularly visited by tourists and foreigners but you may be out of luck when leaving the city centre or visiting places off the beaten track.

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Jelgava Regional Tourism Centre

The tourist information centre is located inside the Holy Trinity Church Tower.

By bus

A bus line departs from Riga coach station, takes 45-50 min and the fare is €2.30 (as of February 2019). The buses are frequent and depart roughly every 10-15 mins. They arrive at .

By train

Train service from extends to all parts of the country as well as other big cities like Saint Petersburg. However, the tickets do not include information about the time and place to catch the train, that information must be looked up on the train departures info table.
Electric train line from Riga takes 50 min, the fare is €1.90 and the train departs every 30-60 minutes as of February 2019.

By boat

Jelgava is on the bank of river Lielupe, which is connected to the Baltic Sea. It is possible to dock at Jelgava Yacht Club on Pils Island or next to Mītava Bridge on Pasta Island.

By car

You can travel by taxi from Riga or Riga airport.

You can get around by foot, taxi or bus. There is a very good bus line. Line 1 will take you from one part of the city to another.
Checkout this website for route planner and timetables.

• Jelgava Palace

  phone: +371 63005617
  address: Lielā iela 2
  Similar palace to Rundales and Winter Palace in St. Peterburg, created by Bartolomeo Rastrelli.

• Academia Petrina

  phone: +371 63 023 383
  address: Akadēmijas iela
  A museum with several interesting churches.

• Victory ParkA memorial park. Once called Hyde Park because of the rallies of the Awakening. Hosts many concerts and international festivals, including the largest annual ice sculpture festival in the Baltics.

• Jelgava branch of the Latvian Railway History Museum

  phone: +371 63 096 494
  address: Stacijas iela 3
  A small museum with extensive collection of artifacts, photographs and diagrams documenting the history of railway in Jelgava and Latvia

• Latvian FreeFly PeppersParachute jumps. You can do tandem or solo skydives at Jelgava airfield.

"Brainstorm", probably the most popular rock-band from Eastern Europe, has emerged from a cradle called Jelgavas 1. vidusskola (Secondary School No 1), where also such National talents as A. Skrastins, A. Vaznis, E. Radzina, A. Skele, E. Repse have made their first steps in the world of fame.
Latvijas Lauksaimniecibas Universitāte — University of Agriculture of Latvia is a well recognized university.

• Karamelu darbnica

  phone: +371 29 851 426
  address: Rūpniecības iela 1A
  Buy candies directly from the manufacturer. The store carries many types of candies and with many flavours. It also has daily live demonstration of candy making

What

Jelgava's special dishes are Duke’s sail and Charlotte's kiss that remind of the town's history as the capital of Courland Duchy. Duke's sail is a main course, made of oven-baked pork that has been prepared in a special marinade. It is served with caramelized sauerkraut, a variety of roasted vegetables and roots, red bilberry sauce and horseradish. Dessert Charlotte's kiss is made of egg-curd cream and jelly mousse sorting made of two kinds of juice. Its mild taste is refreshed with fruit-berry mash sauce. The dishes are available at most popular restaurants in Jelgava.

Where

• Kafe PicerijaDelicious and great variety of local dishes and foreign improvisations. Great reviews, check. Free Wi-Fi.

Bars

• Chocolatte & PepperA cafe/cocktail bar with a wide choice of alcoholic and nonalcoholic cocktails and drinks and offer tasty dishes.

• KlondaikaA popular bar and gambling place.

Nightclubs

• TonussA night club playing the latest dance music for a younger public. There are several dance floors and bars in the night club.

• Jelgavas krekliA popular night club for university students on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Friday nights are those who no longer study with popular Latvian music.

There are two main hotels in Jelgava and several smaller hotels and motels.

• Hotel Jelgava

  address: Lielā iela 6
  Can accommodate up to 66 people and is in the center of Jelgava by Driksa River. Jelgava Palace, Holy Trinity church tower Academia Petrina and many other tourist attractions are within a five-minute walk. There is a bar and restaurant Plate on the first floor.

• Hotel Zemgale

  phone: +371 63007707
  address: Skautu iela
  Can accommodate up to 53 people. It is next to sports complex Zemgale and is a favourite for athletes. Next to the hotel is bowling Zemgale with a bar.

There is free Wi-Fi at the Jelgava train station.