Kurzeme is the westernmost region of Latvia, along the Baltic Sea.
Regions
Cities
- Liepāja
- Ventspils
- Kuldīga (capital of Duchy of Courland, Venice of Latvia, wooden architecture, red-tile roofs, bridges, cobbled streets.)
- Saldus
- Tukums
- Talsi (a town on nine hills. Old town, cobbled streets, picturesque hills, monument "Kokletajs"(Kokle player), lake, walking trails.)
Other destinations
Understand
During the period of Soviet occupation the coastline was a restricted military area, because it was easy to leave the country on a boat. One could reach Pelēkā kāpa if one didn't leave footprints on the sand. To get around this problem locals wore tin cans under their shoes.
Talk
Get in
Get around
See
Nature
- 1 Kaive oak (Kaives ozols, Oak of Ancestors), ☏ +371 63124451, tic@tukums.lv. It is the biggest oak in Baltics. It's older than 1000 years. 10 m round.
- 2 Dunduri meadows (Dunduru pļavas), ☏ +371 67730078, pieriga@daba.gov.lv. Surrounded by forests these fields in Ķemeru national park are a nice place to visit and observe wild horses and bulls.
- 3 The Great Kemeri Moorland (Lielais Ķemeru tīrelis), Slampes pagasts, ☏ +371 67730078, pieriga@daba.gov.lv. Kemeri National Park, extensive moorland, moorland lakes, a wooden footbridge, viewing tower, bird-watching, moss, cranberries, fierce plants.
- 4 Riezupe Sand Caves (Riežupes smilšu alas), Rumbas pagasts, ☏ +371 29555042, +371 29896646, inesefo@inbox.lv. Longest underground cave labyrinth in the Baltics, white sandstone, nature park, tours.
- 5 Lake Engure Nature Park (Engures ezera dabas parks), Engures pagasts, ☏ +371 29474420, eedp@inbox.lv. Orchid trail, bird-watching towers, coastal meadows, wild cows and horses, information stand.
- 6 Venta Waterfall, Kuldīga, ☏ +371 63322259, tourinfo@kuldiga.lv. Widest natural waterfall in Europe, passage over the River Venta, flying fish, bathing ground, brick bridge.
- 7 Ventspils Blue Flag Beach (Ventspils Zilā karoga pludmale), Ventspils, ☏ +371 63622263, tourism@ventspils.lv. A fully facilitated white sand beach with broad dune belt, viewing tower, pier promenade, special areas for surfers and nudists.
- 8 Seaside Park with Anchor and Jungle Trail (Jūrmalas parks ar Enkuru taku un Džungļu taku), Ventspils, ☏ +371 63622263, tourism@ventspils.lv. A large collection of huge anchors, Jungle Trail with footbridges, bridges, wooden animal sculptures, playgrounds and picnic places.
- 9 Southern Pier (Dienvidu mols), Ventspils, ☏ +371 63622263, tourism@ventspils.lv. Pier promenade, sculpture "Cow-Sailor", 19 m high viewing tower, sightseeing object – fishing boat and chain chair.
- 10 Pūrciems White Dune (Pūrciema Baltā kāpa), Rojas pagasts, ☏ +371 63269594, tic@roja.lv. Dune at the bank of the River Pilsupe, 20 m high, nature trail, wooden footbridges, viewing platforms, resting places, parking lot.
- 11 Kaltene Stony Seaside and Bird-Watching Tower, Rojas pagasts, ☏ +371 63269594, tic@roja.lv. Stony seashore, nature trails, huge stone stacks, bird-watching platforms, resting places.
- 12 Slitere National Park (Slīteres nacionālais parks), Dundagas pagasts, ☏ +371 63286000, slitere@daba.gov.lv. Nature trails, bicycle routes, Livonian shore, Slītere lighthouse, Blue hills, guides, tours, bird-watching.
- 13 Cape Kolka (Kolkasrags), Kolkas pagasts, ☏ +371 29149105, kolkacape@inbox.lv. Cape, lighthouse on an artificial island, sandbank, bird-watching, café, boat rental, smoked fish, fishermen villages.
- 14 Small domestic animals at the farm "Apsisi"., Ķūļciema pagasts, ☏ +371 63254404, +371 29421081, apsisi@inbox.lv. Pheasants, fowl, crested ducks, geese, peacocks, rabbits, rabbit caves, bees, recreation for families with children, lodging.
- 15 Pedvale Open-Air Art Museum, Sabile, ☏ +371 63252249, +371 29133374, pedvale@pedvale.lv. Art expositions, modern art and installations in nature park, open-air workshops, open-air exhibitions, walking trails, cafés, lodging.
Historical sites
- 16 Tukums town, Tukums, ☏ +371 63124451, tic@tukums.lv. Tukums is the town of roses. Small town, old town, cobbled streets, artists, museums, creative workshops, roses, fountain, Katrina of Tukums, castles.
- 17 Jaunmokas Castle, Tumes pagasts, ☏ +371 63107125, +371 26187442, info@jaunmokupils.lv. Forestry museum, guide, castle interior, the room of columns, lodging, horse-drawn carriage rides, the centre of Latvian ornament, herbal teas.
- 18 Ostgals, Ventspils, ☏ +371 63622263, tourism@ventspils.lv. Ancient fishermen's village (mid 19th century) currently a part of the city, a national cultural and historical monument.
- 19 Oviši Lighthouse (Ovišu bāka), Tārgales pagasts, ☏ +371 63600364, tourism@ventspils.lv. Oldest navigation building (1814) in Latvia with a 37 m high tower and a lighthouse history exposition at the seashore.
- 20 Karosta Prison, Liepāja, ☏ +371 26369470, info@karostascietums.lv. Military heritage, show, prison cells, prison buffet, tours, lodging, museum, adventures.
- 21 Northern Forts, Liepāja, ☏ +371 26369470, info@karostascietums.lv. Military heritage, tours with torches, underground labyrinths, fortifications, seashore, history of Karosta.
Culture and traditions
- 22 The House of Craftsmen, Liepāja, ☏ +371 26541424, info@liepajaturisms.lv. Craftsmen workshops, demonstrations of crafts, exhibitions, the longest amber necklace in Latvia.
- 23 Ventspils House of Crafts, Ventspils, ☏ +371 63620174, amatumaja@ventspils.gov.lv. Old school building (1763) with and exhibition hall and a craft shop, with weaving, ceramics and retro photo workshops and a 19th century classroom.
- 24 Seaside Open-Air Museum, Ventspils, ☏ +371 63624467, brivdaba@ventspils.gov.lv. Museum of maritime fishing with ancient houses, a windmill, smokehouse, mesh huts, barns and a spacious boat, exposition of anchors and the history of narrow-gauge railway.
- 25 Roja Marine Fisheries Museum, Rojas pagasts, ☏ +371 63269594, rojatic@inbox.lv. Fishermen traditions, tools, souvenirs, pier, beach, boat tours, yacht harbour, horseback rides, golf in the meadows.
- 26 Museum of Latvian Agriculture, Talsi, ☏ +371 63291343, +371 29403183, muzejs.kaleji@apollo.lv. 19–20th century household tools, agriculture machinery, exhibitions, events, library, tours.
- 27 The oldest wooden house in Kurzeme, Kuldīga, ☏ +371 63322259, tourinfo@kuldiga.lv. Wooden architecture, second part of 1630s, red-tile roof, splendid weather-vane, bridge of Venice of Kuldiga, lodging.
- 28 Livonian Folk House, Kolkas pagasts, ☏ +371 26565853, +371 25486038, livufonds@inbox.lv. The only Livonian folk house in the world, Livonian culture, exhibitions, collection of household objects, celebration of Livonian holidays.
- 29 Folklore Trail "Jankalni", Lībagu pagasts, ☏ +371 26096415, jankalnitalsi@inbox.lv. Ornaments of ancestors, Latvian deities, Latvian food, folksongs, labyrinth, countryside bathhouse, lodging.
Culinary tourism
- 30 Latvian Dairy Museum, Rudbāržu pagasts, ☏ +371 26518660, +371 63331233, berghof@kalnamuiza.lv. Milking a cow, churning butter, tasting cheese, games, attractions, manor.
- 31 Jaunpils Castle, Jaunpils pagasts, ☏ +371 63107082, +371 26101458, info@jaunpilspils.lv. Medieval castle, medieval tavern, medieval celebrations, dramatized tours, attractions, museum.
- 32 Pastarins Museum, Zentenes pagasts, ☏ +371 63154518, +371 28651091, pastarinamuzejs@inbox.lv. Baking bread, churning butter, field work, countryside goodies, games, nature trail, E. Birznieks-Upitis, Pastarins.
- 33 Sweets Tour in Saldus #1, Saldus, ☏ +371 63881440, +371 26674183, saldusgotina@inbox.lv. Sweets production facilities, milk toffee "Gotiņa", cakes, honey, bread, degustation, baking pasties.
- 34 Sweets Tour in Saldus #2, Kuldīgas šoseja 4, Druva, Saldus pagasts, Saldus novads, LV-3862, ☏ +371 26524121, birojs@druvassaldejumi.lv. 8.00-16.00. Sweets production facilities, ice-cream.
Leisure activities
- 35 Sock pub (Zeķu krogs), Sabile, ☏ +371 63252789, tic_sabile@inbox.lv. Socks, toys, drawings, ancient tools, ties, motorcycles, collection of music recordings, tasting of home-made wines.
- 36 Medieval Farm "Niedru lija", Jaunpils pagasts, ☏ +371 26336513, niedru.lija@inbox.lv. Medieval games, coin minting, school of knights, archery, spears, axe throwing, medieval meals, castle.
- 37 Zviedru cepure, Matkules pagasts, ☏ +371 26405405, zc@kopideja.lv. Rodelling track, skiing, snowboarding, horseback rides, lodging, café, ancient Abava valley, recreation for families with children.
Itineraries
- Kurzeme coastline: Rīga – Engure – Roja – Kolka – Ventspils – Jūrkalne – Pāvilosta – Liepāja – Nīca. A 400 km route along the Baltic seashore, abundant in natural and cultural heritage, gives an opportunity to learn how locals live and rest at the sea. Apart from many ancient fishermen villages nestled along the seashore, two beautiful cities: Ventspils and Liepāja — are worth visiting.
- Romantic small towns of Kurzeme: Rīga – Saldus – Skrunda – Aizpute – Pāvilosta – Alsunga – Kuldīga – Sabile – Kandava – Tukums – Rīga. One of the most picturesque routes in Kurzeme, as it offers to see the beautiful nature of Kurzeme, manors, castles and churches surrounded by centuries old trees, ancient Aizpute with its romantic wooden buildings, the sweetest town in Latvia – Saldus, the rich in traditions Suiti region in Alsunga, the old capital of Kurzeme – Kuldiga, and the ancient Abava valley rich in landscapes and cultural heritage.
- The Green Circle of Northern Kurzeme: Rīga – Talsi – Dundaga – Pāce – Ance – Ventspils – Ugāle – Tukums – Rīga. Northern Kurzeme offers natural diversity – listen to bird songs at Lake Kanieris and Engure, watch the blue cows and wild horses, enjoy the sunrise and the sunset and watch the waves of two seas meet at Cape Kolka etc.
Do
Eat
- Sklandrausis (or sklandu rausis) is traditional dish in Latvian cuisine which has a Livonian origin; it's a sweet pie, made of rye dough and filled with potato and carrot paste and seasoned with a caraway. It's widespread in Kurzeme.
- Many fish dishes
- biguzis (layered rye bread dessert)
- bukstiņputra (pearl barley or fine-ground barley with lard and boiled potato)