Ventspils

A prosperous port city famed for its immaculate Blue Flag beach, quirky cow sculptures and family-friendly attractions. The medieval Livonian Order Castle and a seaside open-air museum with a narrow-gauge railway round out the appeal.

Things to do

• Relax at Ventspils Blue Flag Beach — Soak up the sun on the wide white-sand beach that has held the Blue Flag eco-certification for years, with shallow waters ideal for families.
• Explore the Livonian Order Castle — Visit this well-preserved 13th-century medieval castle housing a modern museum with interactive exhibits on the city's history.
• Ride the Mazbanitis narrow-gauge railway — Take a scenic loop on the historic narrow-gauge steam train at the Seaside Open-Air Museum.
• Hunt for the painted cow sculptures — Spot the colourful and quirky cow statues scattered around the city, a legacy of Ventspils' Cow Parade art tradition.
• Stroll the promenade to the South Pier — Walk or cycle along the Venta river promenade out to the lighthouse-topped South Pier to watch ships enter the port.
• Visit the Seaside Open-Air Museum — Wander among fishermen's houses, anchors and boats showcasing Kurzeme's coastal heritage.
• Enjoy Adventure Park and Aquapark — Take the kids to the Ventspils Adventure Park with rides, mini-zoo and the outdoor water park in summer.

Food to try

• Fresh Baltic smoked fish — Sample locally smoked flounder, herring or eel from the fishing traditions of this port city.
• Sprats (šprotes) — Try these small smoked Baltic fish, a Latvian coastal delicacy often served on rye bread.
• Rupjmaize (dark rye bread) — Taste dense, slightly sour Latvian dark rye bread, a staple served with nearly every meal.
• Grey peas with bacon — Enjoy this hearty Latvian national dish of boiled grey peas fried with onions and speck.
• Kurzeme fish soup — Warm up with a creamy regional fish soup made from the day's Baltic catch.

Local customs & good to know

• Ventspils is exceptionally clean — The city takes great pride in its tidiness and floral displays, so littering is strongly frowned upon.
• Bring cash for small vendors — While cards are widely accepted, small market stalls and beach kiosks may prefer euros in cash.
• Respect the working port — Ventspils is a major cargo port, so certain harbour areas are restricted and photography may be limited.
• Summer is peak season — Visit June through August for warm beach weather and festivals, as the coastal town quiets considerably in winter.

Nearby

• Jūrkalne Bluffs — 46 km
• Kuldīga — 53 km
• Pāvilosta — 61 km
• Talsi — 64 km