Discover Ventava: Culture and Cycle Route 561

Ventava brings together the history of the former Zūru Manor and a diverse cultural life. The “Mazā Vinda” community centre, an amateur theatre group and a women’s vocal ensemble offer different ways for culture-minded travellers to connect with the area. A local pastry shop and the 85-kilometre circular cycle route 561 add further specific points of interest. If you’re looking for a holiday rental, consider whether local history, community culture or cycling will shape your stay.

Local history and community culture

Ventava developed on the grounds of the former Zūru Manor. The “Mazā Vinda” community centre can host up to 50 people at a time, and its rooms can be rented for private events. In Vārves pagasts, the centre serves as a venue for a variety of events and activities for different generations. Amateur arts groups rehearse there, and themed gatherings are also held there. The “Vāruve” dance ensemble, made up of members of the middle generation and based in Vārves pagasts, rehearses at the community centre on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m.

The ensembles also give cultural life its distinct character. The amateur theatre group “Vārava” was founded in 2010 and has staged performances in numerous municipalities in Kurzeme, in Alūksne, Koknese Municipality, Riga and the German town of Eslingen. The women’s vocal ensemble “Tev līdzās” includes members from Ventava, Zūras, Vārve, Užava and Ventspils. While “Vārava” has a performance history spanning many locations, “Tev līdzās” brings together members with ties to five places.

Pastry shop and spring market

A specific address in the village is “Rūtas Karaliskie gardumi” pastry shop at Ventas iela 15. At the 2026 Ventava Spring Market, visitors could buy local produce, handicrafts, plants, manufactured goods and treats offered at the event. The 2026 programme included performances by amateur arts groups and a group line-dancing session. The market and stage programme thus combined shopping with cultural activities at the event.

Avenue and circular cycle route

Nearby in Zūras is the avenue of Zūru Manor, Latvia’s longest double-row avenue. On each side of the road are two rows of lime trees; ash trees and horse chestnuts have also been planted at certain intervals. The avenue is a distinctive landscape feature of Zūras. For cyclists, the circular cycle route 561 offers a different way to explore the area: it is 85 kilometres long and passes through Zlēkas, Ventava and Zūras. Ventava lies along the route between Zlēkas and Zūras. Its length and sequence of stops provide a concrete framework for planning a ride, without treating the three villages as a single destination.

Find a holiday rental to suit your trip

When choosing where to stay, consider which of these themes will be the deciding factor for your trip: the history of the former manor, the cultural groups and community centre, or a cycle ride along Route 561. This makes it easy to include Ventava as a specific place to search for a holiday rental. The avenue in Zūras adds a regional perspective; it is a distinct location and should not be confused with Ventava’s manor history.

Discover more destinations: Miķeļtornis, Jūrkalne, Liepene, Dzirnavas, Usma, Zūras, Pasiekste, Pope.

For the main travel overview: Ventspils.