Jūrmala, Resort town on the Baltic Sea coast in Latvia.
Jūrmala is a resort town on the Latvian Baltic Sea coast that stretches along a long portion of the Gulf of Riga shoreline. The town consists of several connected settlements linked by pine forests, wide sandy beaches and a continuous seaside promenade.
Small fishing villages along this coast began developing into bathing resorts during the 1730s when people started using seawater for healing purposes. The construction of the railway line between Riga and Tukums in 1877 brought many new visitors and accelerated the building of hotels and villas.
The name Jūrmala means "seaside" in Latvian and reflects the town's deep connection to the coast. Visitors today see along the streets many wooden villas with carved decorations that wealthy Riga families once used as summer homes.
Multiple train stations along the coast provide access to different beach sections and neighborhoods, with trains from Riga running regularly throughout the day. The main season runs from May through September, though pine forests and quiet beaches attract walkers year-round.
The local mineral water spring in Ķemeri has attracted visitors for centuries who use the sulfurous mud and healing water. Some of the old bathhouses from pre-war times still stand among the trees and recall earlier spa guests.
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