Holiday apartment in Ventspils on the Baltic Sea coast

Ventspils is located in northwestern Latvia, in the Kurzeme region on the Baltic Sea coast. The administrative district has a coastline of around 97 kilometers, while forests cover 64 percent of its area. Between the sea, river mouths, lakes and bogs are protected and historically significant places.

Landscape

Significant natural areas include the Moricsala Nature Reserve. It encompasses Moricsala, covering 83 hectares, Lielā Alkšņu Island, covering 33 hectares, and Luziķērte Bay in Lake Usma, covering 702 hectares. Moricsala is home to more than 100 rare and protected species as well as a distinctive, rare primeval forest landscape. The Usmas Elkrags nature trail offers a view of Moricsala; the island belongs to the Moricsala Nature Reserve, established in 1912.

The Ance Bogs and Forests Natura 2000 nature reserve in the parishes of Ance and Tārgale also preserves largely unaltered forest, bog and lake habitats. These habitats are important for rare and endangered breeding bird species. The Stiklu purvi bog complex is the largest bog complex in western Latvia and is of particular importance for breeding and migratory birds.

At the mouth of the Irbe where it meets the sea, a two-kilometer-long sandbar forms. Between Jaunciems and the mouth of the Irbe, the Baltais kalns dune rises 23.6 meters high. On the steep coast of Jūrkalne, the coast reaches up to 20 meters above sea level in places; there is an observation platform, benches and stairs. Near Rīva, there is also a scenic spot with a waterfall and a fish passage built in 2020.

A special landscape feature is the avenue at the Zūri manor, considered the longest double-row avenue in Latvia. In the same area, the local history exhibition in Zūri presents old tools and work processes and offers guided tours and master classes.

Trails and coast

The Usmas Elkrags nature trail is 700 meters long and located on Lake Usma. It is specially adapted for people with reduced mobility, senior citizens and families with small children. The approximately six-kilometer-long “TAK-Ugāle” walking trail is designed as a paved loop. It leads through Ugāle, a century-old forest and ravines formed during the Ice Age.

The Jūrkalne Nature and Recreation Park includes a wind park, a fire pond and two nature trails; the paths lead to the central beach. The “Rīvas loki” hiking trail begins at the Ulmale-Labraga Lutheran Church in the parish of Jūrkalne and offers views of river bends and steep coastal outcrops. A boardwalk runs through Vasenieki Bog, where visitors can learn about the flora and fauna of a peat bog.

The pedestrian bridge over the Irbe was renovated in 2020. It is intended to make travel easier and safer for pedestrians and cyclists along the former narrow-gauge railway line and to connect Miķeļtornis with routes for active tourism.

Culture and history

Zlēku Karātavu kalns is a state cultural monument with a recreation park, the environmental objects “Fēnikss” and “Visuma acs,” and a landscaped walking trail. Nabeļkalns is a state-protected archaeological monument and marks the historic boundary between the territories of the Livonian Order and the Bishopric of Courland.

The Oviši Lighthouse is considered Latvia’s oldest surviving navigational structure. The cylindrical brick tower is 33 meters high. Tours of the lighthouse should be booked in advance. One of the three historic churches in the Suiti region is part of the Suiti cultural space, which has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The local history museum “Vētru muzejs” in Jūrkalne tells of victims of the Baltic Sea’s natural forces as well as antiquities found on the beach and recovered from the depths. In this way, the coastal landscape is connected with memories of the sea and archaeological traces.

Regional specialties

The Pasiekste windmill is a place where families can enjoy a meal together. An agricultural business offers slowly raised, fresh poultry meat as a 100 percent Latvian regional product. In addition, a small family business maintains the tradition of home-smoked products and prepares them according to recipes passed down through generations.

Ventspils, Jūrkalne, Lielirbe, Pope, Užava, Miķeļtornis, Usma, Dzirnavas, Ziras, Ventava, Leči, Liepene, Ugāle, Vārve, Pasiekste, Zūras, Akmeņdziras and Vendzavas are available.

To the overarching travel overview: Latvia.