Lapmežciems: Coast, Fishing History and Nature

Lapmežciems combines the coast, a lake landscape and the history of Latvian fishermen and seafarers. The village lies directly on the coast on a narrow strip of land between the Gulf of Riga and Lake Kaņieris. At the same time, the entire area of Lapmežciema pagasts lies within Ķemeri National Park. For planning your holiday, this creates an interesting mix of nature experiences, regional culture and excursions with a historical connection.

Discovering Fishing History

Lapmežciems has always been home to fishermen and seafarers. The Lapmežciems Museum offers an engaging introduction to this tradition. It is dedicated to preserving the district’s cultural and historical values, with a particular focus on the history of fishing, the everyday life associated with it and the physical surroundings of the village.

A visit to the museum is not limited to a purely observational experience. Wearing 3D glasses, visitors can step into the role of a fisherman and take part in fishing interactively. The museum also offers activities relating to historical place names and the environment around Lapmežciems. Those travelling with children can thus learn about regional history through concrete impressions, names and interactive elements, without limiting their stay to beach days alone.

Historical Traces in the Village and National Park

One of the notable memorial sites is a memorial stone near the houses known as “Tuteņi”, at the ninth kilometre of Talsu šoseja. It commemorates Augusts Muižulis, a Knight of the Lāčplēsis War Order. Muižulis fought in the First World War in the 7th Bauska Rifle Battalion and in the Latvian War of Independence.

The settlement of Siliņupes apmetne takes you even further back in time. It is considered the oldest known human settlement site in Ķemeri National Park and dates from the 3rd to the 2nd millennium BC. This means that the history of the landscape extends far beyond the more recent fishing tradition. For a trip with an interest in culture and the past, Lapmežciems can therefore be connected with various historical themes: from life by the sea to the earliest known traces of settlement.

Boardwalk, Birdwatching and Water

The Kupskalnu nature trail follows a wooden boardwalk along the Siliņupe and leads to the sea. There, the old pier of Lapmežciems can be seen. The trail was created in 2005 and renovated in 2020. Those who enjoy walking can combine a nature-oriented route here with a tangible reminder of the local coastal history.

During the spring and autumn migrations, the mouth of the Starpiņupe where it flows into the Gulf of Riga, as well as an approximately 1 km stretch to the northwest, are suitable for observing waders, gulls and various species of ducks. The unofficial Lapmežciems–Bigauņciems bathing area, also known as “Kupskalnu Beach”, lies on the border between Lapmežciems and Bigauņciems and can be reached via the Kupskalnu nature trail. Another bathing area is Starpinupe on the bank of the Starpinupe River, about 200 metres from the Starpinupe dam. There is a changing room, two benches and waste bins there.

Regional Cuisine and Suitable Accommodation

The “Gardo zivju namiņš” fish kiosk in Lapmežciems also complements the local atmosphere. It offers various smoked fish, salmon sandwiches and coffee; fish platters can also be ordered. This is a practical way to experience the village’s fishing tradition through its cuisine as well.

When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore consider which focus should shape your trip: the museum and local history, walks by the water, birdwatching during the spring or autumn migration, or a combination of nature and historical discoveries. A holiday apartment in Lapmežciems is particularly suitable if you want to combine these different interests in a coastal holiday destination. For further destinations to compare, you can also look at Ragaciems, Apšuciems, Klapkalnciems, Radziņciems, Bigauņciems, Bērzciems, Plieņciems and Ķesterciems.

For the wider travel overview: Engures Novads.