Discover Kuldīga: Old Town, Venta and unique experiences

Kuldīga combines an exceptionally well-preserved traditional townscape with riverside scenery, history and a wide range of experiences. The town developed from a small medieval settlement into an important administrative centre of the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia. For planning your trip, this means you can combine culture, walks by the water and a day at the beach, while choosing the focus of your trip when searching for a holiday apartment.

Old Town between history and water

Kuldīga Old Town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the historic centre, narrow streets, single-storey houses with centrally positioned chimneys and red-tiled roofs preserve the town’s distinctive character. The unusual proximity of the water adds to this: the Alekšupīte flows directly alongside the walls of many buildings. Kuldīga’s landscape is also shaped by the confluence of the Venta and the smaller Alekšupīte stream.

The Venta itself is also one of the town’s impressive features. Kuldīga has well-maintained walking paths along both banks. The Venta rapid is Europe’s widest waterfall; it is approximately 100 to 110 metres wide and 1.8 to 2 metres high. This gives Kuldīga a clear contrast to its narrow historic streets: here, you can experience the town either as a place of cultural history or as a riverside landscape.

Castle, museum and unusual perspectives

Kuldīga Castle was built between 1242 and 1245 on the left bank of the Venta as the main fortress of the Livonian Order during the subjugation of the Couronian territories in Courland. Archaeological remains from the castle period have been preserved at the site, including a room on the first floor of the inner castle. An augmented-reality installation overlays a theoretical reconstruction onto the present-day site in real time. This makes it possible to connect the historic site with a contemporary form of interpretation without losing sight of the remains that have survived.

At Villa Bangertu, the Kuldīga District Museum presents an interior exhibition about the home of a wealthy Kuldīga resident in the early 20th century. The villa also hosts temporary art and history exhibitions. For families and other travellers who prefer to discover historical details through specific rooms, images and exhibitions, this museum visit is a programme highlight in its own right as part of a cultural stay.

Water, activity and experiences for different daily itineraries

Mārtiņsala is Kuldīga’s only official bathing area. It has beach volleyball courts, children’s playgrounds, picnic and campfire areas, as well as changing rooms and toilets. There is also a health trail around Mārtiņsala with signs for health-promoting exercises. The area is accessible to people with reduced mobility and parents with pushchairs. This makes it possible to combine time by the water with exercise and a family-friendly break.

Visumnīca offers a different kind of experience: it is an experience space in Kuldīga Old Town that combines light, sound and illusion. Visits take place in individual sessions of 15 to 20 minutes each and are designed for up to six people. This fixed duration can be helpful when planning your day if you want to alternate between longer walks, culture and a short shared activity.

Finding the right accommodation in Kuldīga

When choosing accommodation in Kuldīga, you can first decide which rhythm suits your trip: the Old Town and architectural history, walks along the Venta and Alekšupīte, time at Mārtiņsala bathing area, or a mix of all three focuses. A holiday apartment in Kuldīga can thus fit into a travel plan that takes into account both shared discoveries and different interests during the day. As you continue your search, pay particular attention to which location within Kuldīga best matches the experiences you have selected.

For further trip planning, you can also visit Padure, Ķimale, Renda, Vilgāle, Veldze, Vārme and Īvande.

To the higher-level travel overview: Kuldīgas Novads.