Jūrmala

Jūrmala, located about 25 kilometres west of Riga, is a resort town with a long stretch of white-sand beaches.

Jūrmala's reputation as a spa destination began in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Wealthy landowners began the tradition of relaxing at the seaside, and Russian army officers came here to rest after the Napoleonic Wars. The opening of the railway in 1877 gave a boost to the number of visitors. The sea breeze, pine aroma, mineral springs, and sandy beaches encouraged many sanatoriums to develop within the city.

In Soviet times Jūrmala was popular with the Communist officials. It became one of the most popular holiday destinations in the whole Union. Since the independence Jūrmala seems to recover, many of the old houses are under renovation.