Discover Saka

Saka can be discovered from two perspectives: as a place on a distinctive river landscape and as the setting for a long history spanning village, castle and harbour. Saka forms at the confluence of the Tebra and Durbe. Which of these aspects you want to shape your stay is a useful question to consider when planning your trip: would you like to make the river your focus, or explore the historic sites?

Rivers and paddling route

The Saka is 6.8 kilometres long and is considered Latvia’s shortest river. When planning, it is worth distinguishing between the river itself and the designated paddling route: the route is 7 kilometres long and described as a one-day route. The two figures therefore describe different things—the length of the river and the length of the paddling route.

The connection to the neighbouring rivers is also part of the route description: a trip on the Saka usually concludes a paddling tour on the Tebra or Durbe. This makes it possible to view the Saka as the final stretch of a longer river itinerary, while the designated day route sets its own timeframe. If water activities are your main focus, these details provide a practical starting point for planning your trip.

Traces of the village and castle

Saka is mentioned as a village in written sources as early as 1230, under the names Saccze or Sacese. The settlement developed near the former Sackenhausen Castle. These early references to the place and the monuments that followed reveal different chapters of its history, rather than just a single era.

Saka’s medieval castle was destroyed in 1660 during the Second Northern War and was never rebuilt. It stood near Lejaszemnieki on the right bank of the Tebra. Saka Hillfort is on the opposite bank, at the confluence of the Tebra and Durbe. A distinctive spit of land forms there. Both the castle and the hillfort are archaeological monuments of national importance; their positions on opposite banks give the landscape a historical point of reference.

Church and harbour history

Sakasleja Evangelical Lutheran Church is also an architectural monument of national importance in Saka. It was built around 1560 on the site of the former harbour of Saka. The church houses a ship model more than 170 years old—a maritime detail that adds a distinctive dimension to the area’s historical character.

During the reign of Duke Jacob, from 1642 to 1682, Saka had a harbour used by merchants from Aizpute. Between 50 and 150 merchant ships called there each year, mostly from Holland. A historic warehouse from the harbour has survived to this day. Together with the church, this history shows that Saka’s past was shaped not only by castles and settlements, but also by trade along the river.

Choose the right focus for your trip

When looking for a holiday rental in Saka, you can start by considering which of these themes you want to shape your stay. The paddling route is designated as a day route and offers a clearly defined focus on the water. The castle, hillfort, church and harbour history, by contrast, lead through different historical contexts. If you are travelling with people who have different interests, you can consider this contrast when choosing where to stay: should the water be the deciding factor, or the history of the monuments?

This way, Saka is not reduced to a single attraction. The short river, the designated paddling route and the historic sites each offer a different starting point for planning your trip.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Ziemupe, Ulmale, Pāvilosta, Vērgale, Saraiķi.

Go to the regional travel overview: Pāvilostas Novads.