Ziemupe: Baltic Coast, Nature and Village Stories

Ziemupe combines a coastal landscape with unusual natural features and a vibrant village history. Here, you can follow a route from a cultural starting point to the Baltic Sea, explore a juniper heathland or engage with the stories of the people and places. When choosing a holiday apartment, it is therefore particularly important to consider which focus should shape your trip: landscape and activity, local culture or special experiences with ever-changing impressions.

From the Village Centre to the Coast

The “Iepazīsti Ziemupi” route provides a clear point of orientation. It begins at the Ziemupe Community Centre and ends at the car park on the coast of Ziemupe. By the seashore near the centre of Ziemupe, there is a well-equipped car park with information boards. Those who would first like to get to know Ziemupe through its landscape will find a useful starting point there for planning their own day, without confusing the different local stories and natural attractions.

The Ziemupe Nature Reserve is located on the Baltic Sea coast. One of the area's notable natural sites is the Ziemupe juniper heathland: it covers more than 2 hectares and contains 536 juniper trees. A meadow with purple moor-grass and sand sedge can also be seen near the heathland. The Aužuļi lime tree also has a remarkable story to tell. After its top broke off in 2005, it put down roots in the ground and formed new shoots. The Akmens krāvums in Ziemupe is more than one kilometre long and creates another striking feature in the landscape.

Village History and Local Memories

The Ziemupe Community Centre was created by converting a manor barn storage building for the local educational and cultural society “Centība”. The first performances took place in the new Ziemupe Community Centre in 1930. The building therefore represents not only a historic conversion, but also the cultural use of the site.

Jūras māja preserves local stories about fishermen's boats burned during the Soviet era, ships washed ashore, escape routes to Gotland and Inge's boat from Gotland. The exhibition on the second floor consists of objects from the homes of Ziemupe residents and conveys the history of the village. Another memorial is the Gaišais skumju akmens, which commemorates the villagers who were persecuted and oppressed by Soviet rule. Military unit No. 90450 P was located next to Ziemupe Church.

Trails and Special Experiences

There are several different formats for active days. The 530-metre barefoot trail in Dvēseles veldzes dārzs changes its surface every 10 metres and is supplemented by obstacles of varying difficulty. In the same garden, a labyrinth of ornamental shrubs extends over an area of 800 m². These two attractions offer different experiences: the barefoot trail makes the character of the path itself the main attraction, while the labyrinth has an impact through its layout.

The Dzintara Trail runs parallel to the Baltic Sea coast. Coastal Hiking Route 04 Karosta–Ziemupe ends at Ziemupe Beach. For your travel planning, this allows you to distinguish between a route following the coast and one with a fixed destination at the beach. Rūķupe is located on the coast of Ziemupe and can only be seen in December. Rūķupe is also the place where letters from Latvia addressed to Santa Claus arrive.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Ziemupe, it is worth deciding on your preferred travel rhythm in advance. Nature observation, village history, coastal trails and a seasonally limited experience do not require the same daily planning.

Discover More Places

More destinations: Saraiķi, Vērgale, Ulmale, Pāvilosta, Saka.

To the overview of the wider travel region: Pāvilostas Municipality.