Discover Tukuma Novads: Nature, Culture and Holiday Apartments

Tukuma Novads combines lake landscapes, historic sites, diverse trails and special culinary experiences. Between nature experiences by the water, exhibitions in historic buildings and regional workshops, it offers a travel destination with many different impressions.

Nature

In the nature park around Lake Engure, 186 bird species breed. Around Lake Engure, approximately 844 species of vascular plants have been recorded. Lake Kaņieris offers a particularly diverse landscape: the lake lies in the municipalities of Lapmežciems and Smārde, largely within the nature protection zone of Ķemeri National Park; a small part is located in the nature reserve zone. The ecosystem of Lake Kaņieris includes 68 breeding bird species.

The Kaņieris Birdwatching Tower is ideal for birdwatching and enjoying the lake landscape. The Kaņiera-pilskalns Trail is a well-equipped path offering views of the lake and the historic hillfort. Here, both the flora and fauna as well as the landscape and its history take center stage.

Culture

The historic interior of Durbe Palace conveys an impression of Baltic German culture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In Tukums, the exhibition “Rainis and Tukums” is located in the room where the first Rainis Museum operated from 1929 to 1937. The exhibition “Savējo stāsti, ne svešo” in the castle tower explores events in 20th-century Tukums through the life stories of local people.

Jaunmoku Palace was built as a hunting lodge in 1901. The Jaunmoku Palace Forest Museum offers interactive exhibitions about forests. At the “Audēju darbnīca” weaving workshop, visitors can actively participate in weaving and learn simple techniques.

Trails and Activities

The “Tukuma apkārtnes pilis” cycling route starts and ends at Tukums I railway station and is marked with bicycle signs bearing the number 574. The route is approximately 29 km long; around 11 km runs along gravel and farm roads. Those traveling from Riga can take the train to Tukums and begin the cycling tour at Tukums I railway station.

The “Apkārt Engurei” route is an approximately 14 km circular trail and can also be partly completed by bicycle. It connects to the cycling trails around Lake Valguma created by “Valguma pasaule”. Along the coast runs the long-distance hiking trail Jūrtaka (E9), which makes it possible to extend the hike into the following day. The route is suitable for trips with children. A one-day route is approximately 21 km long.

Local Delicacies

Abavas Winery offers tastings and guided tours on site. The Abava wine tasting includes six different beverages. The family-run Jaunpils Brewery is located in the center of Jaunpils, in a barn built in 1860. By prior arrangement, guided tours and tastings can be organized there.

The tavern at Jaunpils Castle offers medieval feasts prepared according to old recipes. These must be ordered at least two days in advance. The Pure Chocolate Museum in Pūre offers workshops on making chocolate. The herbal tea experience in Jaunmoku includes tasting ten different herbal teas as well as unusual jams and syrups.

Subregions

The direct subdivisions of Tukuma Novads lead to the areas of Tume, Tukums, Lapmežciems, Zentene, Slampe, Lancenieki, Rideļi, Lamiņi and Pētertāle. From here, you can continue exploring the individual areas.

To the main travel overview: Latvia.