DZINTARI FOREST: A perfect family day trip for autistic / adhd children
- sunshinelayla
- Jun 18
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 26
WHERE IS THE DZINTARI FOREST, RIGA?
The Dzintari Forest is only a 25 minute drive from central Riga and is very autism friendly. Easy to get to by train or bus, this coastal park really does offer the basis for a perfect day trip for all the family.
For more information on visiting Riga in Latvia you can read our articles:
WHY VISIT THE DZINTARI FOREST PARK?
It 2010 the Jurmala municipal council transformed this 13 hectare nature reserve of 200 year old pine trees (and the now protected billberry plant) from a rough and ready beach cut-through to a magical year round space for families and people of all ages to enjoy.
The Dzintari Forest Park now offers carefully laid out all-weather paths and activities for all ages explicitly designed to encourage local inhabitants and visitors to come and spend time in this beautiful space during all months of the year. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and were impressed with its facilities. It was very autism / adhd friendly and the boys had a wonderful time.
THE BEST THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN THE DZINTARI FOREST PARK
DZINTARI OBSERVATION TOWER
Our favourite part of the forest park was the Dzintari observation tower. It stands 33.5m tall and their is a viewing platform at the top, as well as 11 other platforms where you can take a break on the walk up. That's right - there is no lift AND it has been constructed out of see through metal grille. I am not afraid of heights but even I found it a bit challenging for my vertigo!
Literally as soon as the boys saw it they wanted to race straight to the top - they absolutely loved the whole experience and the views of the Baltic sea in the distance are worth the climb.
DZINTARI FOREST WALKWAYS AND PLAYGROUND
There is a fun elevated boardwalk connecting the two sides of the Forest Park, which means the park is useable whatever the weather. There are also dedicated in-line skating and bike paths which have been designed to avoid the pedestrianised walkways.
There are three different playgrounds. We decided to have our picnic by the main woodland playground; it was a huge, long open space filled will fun equipment and PLENTY of seating for grownups - I was really impressed by how much thought and attention had gone into the playground's design both in terms of flow and how visitors might want to use it.
There were lots of sensory friendly play equipment options for spinning, jumping, crawling and climbing. We noticed how much the boys enjoyed being able to play and move in different ways, and they were really well regulated when it came time to leave.
There is also a skate park nearby, which was being well used.
SPORTS FACILITIES
The Forest Park had a little cabin where you rent skates to use on the purpose made paths, a fun looking high ropes course (which was a reasonable 10 euros per person), basketball / netskills courts and a café / cart selling hot drinks, snacks and ice-cream.
There were also what I can only described as possible the NICEST free public toilets I have ever been in, they even included an entrance hallway that was hung with actual art prints! So much pride and care have gone into the forest park, it was so inspiring to see.
JURMALA BEACH
Just outside the forest park is an entrance way onto a lovely stretch of beach. We all found it very relaxing to walk by the sea, and the beach was nicely sandy and with good facilities and playgrounds for the boys enjoy. They have even installed self contained changing pods at intervals along the beach for people who would rather not trust their modesty to a towel on a windy day!
There are a number of nice looking seasonal cafes / restaurants on the beach, some with private sun lounger access. At the top of the beach is a handy boardwalk for people pushing buggies or wheelchairs.
If you walk left along the beach (as you stand looking out to sea) then you will eventually join up with the stretch of beach called Majori. Here you can meet the famous Majori turtle and leave the beach to go and visit Jomas St, Jurmala's famous pedestrianised thoroughfare.
GETTING FROM RIGA TO DZINTARI FOREST PARK
Dzintari Forest Park is very accessible from Riga. Although you can easily drive between the two, it is just as easy and much more fun to get the train from Riga Central Station to Dzintari station - which is what we did. The journey took just less than 30 minutes and cost around 2 euros each way per person. For more information on using public transport read our Riga Roundup blog post.
Dzintari station is literally opposite the forest park so it is impossible to get lost!
FINAL THOUGHTS
At first we were a little nervous about attempting a day trip to the Dzintari Forest with our autistic children, particularly navigating the public transport system. But is was extremely straightforward and in the end we shouldn't have worried.
The forest itself was well signposted so we couldn't get lost, the facilities were good and there was lots for to keep the boys busy and active. Being so close to the beach was a real bonus and turned the day into something really special. I would definitely recommend a day trip to Dzintari for all families, if you ever find yourself in Riga!
