Saulkrasti Municipality on the Gulf of Riga

Coast and nature

Saulkrasti Municipality lies on the coast of the Gulf of Riga in western Vidzeme. It stretches 17 kilometres along the coast and 20 kilometres eastwards to the Loja River; the international Via Baltica highway crosses the area. Singing sand can be found near Lilaste. The regional division also includes Saulkrasti Rural Territory.

Piejūra Nature Park is a specially protected natural area that encompasses Saulkrasti Municipality. It protects forested dunes, grey dunes, coastal meadows and lakes with oligotrophic to mesotrophic plant communities. Twenty-four habitat types of EU importance have been identified in the park; together, they cover 84 percent of the park area.

The White Dune is an 18-metre-high sand exposure offering views of the sea, the mouth of the Inčupe River and the extensive beach. It formed when wind-blown beach sand was deposited over clay sediments of the Baltic Ice Lake. The coastal section of Zvejniekciems, located between Skulte Port and Saulkrasti Beach, is rocky and offers a coastal landscape suitable for walks and quiet nature observation. The “Centrs” bathing area in the centre of Saulkrasti has Blue Flag status.

Trails and activities

Jūrtaka is part of the European long-distance hiking trail E9; the Latvian section is 580 kilometres long. The Sunset Trail runs from the White Dune to the centre of Saulkrasti, passing sandy beaches, foredunes, the Pēterupe River and tall pines; along the way, there are views of the river valley and the sea. A 3.6-kilometre forest trail runs along the coast from the White Dune to the Sun Bridge.

Near Murjāņi, a walking trail follows the Loja River, where several sandstone cliffs and caves are located. The Ķirezers nature trail follows a 1.2-kilometre route around the lake, marked blue on the trees. At the mouth of the Aģe River, where it flows into the sea near Skulte Port, there is a promenade for walking and a marina. The different route lengths and trail types can be compared when planning your trip.

Jūras Park has play equipment, outdoor exercise equipment, a street workout area and a beach volleyball court; the park is also suitable for running by the sea. In winter, a cross-country ski trail is set up near the White Dune.

Culture and history

The Saulkrasti Bicycle Museum houses Latvia’s only collection of historic bicycles. Exhibits include an early high-wheeler, a bicycle with early pneumatic tyres and a wooden bicycle. The Nature Design Park at the White Dune features, among other objects, the Entrance Gates, Frīda the Hedgehog, Fredis the Rabbit, a beetle trail and a listening device.

The Sauna Museum in Sēja Parish presents traditional Latvian saunas and sauna traditions. It is open year-round; museum visits and guided tours should be booked in advance with the hosts.

The present-day Pēterupe Lutheran Church is the fourth church at this location and was built in 1856; the first building was erected in 1641. Sēja Manor House dates from the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries and was remodelled with Neo-Gothic decorations between 1883 and 1885.

Sēja Grand Oak is a Latvian natural monument and a significant tourist attraction in Sēja Parish. The “Murjāņi ancient burial ground” comprises around 60 burial mounds of various sizes and shows that Gauja Livonians lived in the Sēja area from the 11th to the 13th century. A mill started by Kārlis Vītols and Mārtiņš Brankšs in 1890 was operated by an undershot water wheel.

Events

Well-known cultural and leisure events in Saulkrasti Municipality include the Saulkrasti celebrations, the Zvejniekciems Harbour Festival, Saulkrasti Jazz, the Satikšanās Saulkrastos chamber music festival, a folklore festival and Ancient Fire Night.

At the annual event “Medus diena dravā 2026”, visitors can, from 22 August, taste various types of honey and beekeeping products made on site at participating apiaries under the guidance of a beekeeper, as well as learn about the beekeeper’s profession.

For the main travel overview: Latvia.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Vecpiebalgas Novads, Ikšķiles Novads, Jaunjelgavas Novads, Līvānu Novads, Krustpils Novads, Rundāles Novads, Salacgrīvas Novads.