Jūrmala Located 25 km from Riga, Jūrmala is the largest seaside resort in the Baltic States. With its 33 km long white sandy beaches, pine forests and elegant buildings, Jūrmala has been recreation and tourist center since the 19th century. From its inception, Jūrmala has been closely linked with ‘health industry’ thanks to the mild climate, sea, fresh air, healing muds (peat and sapropel) and mineral water springs (sulphur, bromine and natrium-chloride). The first spa was built in 1870; shortly after several spas and resort clinics were founded and climate therapy became very popular activity among aristocrats. Today, modern spa hotels continue the tradition. Walking in Jūrmala, a combination of charming wooden houses, built in the beginning of the last century, and modern resort buildings can be discovered. There is a train service every 20 minutes and minibus service every 10 min from the center of Riga. The town of Jurmala was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 2005.  Beach near Jurmala Tags: Riga Jurmala seaside resort Baltic States |