In Mārupe, aircraft spotting and extensive natural areas are among the most distinctive discoveries. At one location, you can watch aircraft take off and land from below; elsewhere, bogs, dunes, forests and birdlife shape the experience. There are also cycling routes, an aviation museum and seasonal garden visits. Mārupes novads comprises the town of Mārupe and the Mārupes, Babītes and Salas pagasti.

Aircraft from unusual perspectives

There are two aircraft viewing spots in the Skulte area. One is at the end of the extended runway, beneath the glide path. From there, you can watch aircraft taking off or landing from below. Cycling Route No. 3, “Mārupe–Beberbeķu dabas parks,” runs alongside Riga Airport’s taxiway and offers a close-up view of air traffic. The “Mārupe–RIX Rīgas lidosta” route offers the chance to view Riga Airport from outside the airport grounds. Aviation also has a museum side: the Aviation Technical Museum has 47 exhibits, and visitors can see inside the cockpit of a Mi-6 helicopter.

Dunes, lakes and birding areas

Beberbeķi Nature Park covers 275 ha and protects biologically valuable pine stands and a dune landscape. The park is used for recreation and walking at different times of year; when there is snow, its dunes are suitable for skiing. Lake Babīte is a shallow coastal lagoon lake that is gradually silting up. It covers 2,988 ha and has an average depth of 1–2 m. It is one of Latvia’s ten outstanding birdwatching areas: 184 bird species have been recorded there, 36 of which breed at the lake. The dam is suitable for walking, while the lake is used for fishing.

Bogs, too, offer different perspectives on nature. Thirteen protected bird species have been recorded in Melnā ezera purvs; the area is an important breeding and stopover site for birds during migration. Medema Bog covers 3,400 ha. In relatively undisturbed areas, it has the characteristics of raised and transitional bogs, wooded habitats and a diverse large-mammal population. More than 100 bird species have been recorded in the area around the bog; the Mārupīte also rises there.

The walking trail through Medema Bog is 7 km in total, there and back, and has a small viewing platform as well as white and yellow waymarking. The “Medema purvs – soli pa solim” audio guide covers about 2.3 km one way, or 4.6 km there and back. The route leads from the first bridge over the ditch to the raised bog; the audio guide is available free of charge through the izi.Travel app.

Cycling and regional discoveries

The cycling routes each have a different focus. The “Mārupes lielais un mazais loks” route is suitable for easy rides in the evening or at weekends, alone, with friends or with family. Cycling Route No. 2, “Mārupe–Jaunmārupe,” is for leisure and visiting places of interest in Mārupe and Jaunmārupe. “Jaunmārupe–Cenas tīrelis” leads to the specially protected Cenas tīrelis Nature Reserve, whose distinctive features include a 5 km boardwalk and a 6 m-high observation tower. The “Jaunmārupe–Božu ūdenskrātuve” route passes through the Jaunmārupe landscape: past horse pastures and the extensive grounds of the golf club, along paths through pine forests and on to the Boži Reservoir.

Cycling can also offer a glimpse into history here. The “Senā Mazcena” route starts at Švarcenieki Manor and leads to historic houses, stories of local people’s lives and historical events in the Jaunmārupe area. This gives you a choice of routes with different themes, from nature experiences to cultural history, rather than every ride having the same character.

Garden visits and local experiences

The University of Latvia’s “Babīte” Rhododendron Breeding and Experimental Nursery attracts visitors in spring and early summer. Outdoor activities are also part of the region’s offerings: horse riding is a feature of Mārupes pagasts and the town of Mārupe. In Salas pagasts, the waters of Lake Babīte and the Lielupe offer opportunities for active recreation. Locally grown watermelons and melons are also available to try there. Babītes pagasts is home to the “Lāči” bakery.

The tourist offer in Mārupes novads includes natural attractions, educational and experience venues, cultural, historical and architectural landmarks, and aviation sites. The range therefore extends from bog trails and birdwatching to cycling routes, garden visits and aviation history.

Discover more destinations: Jaunmārupe, Siguldas Novads, Burtnieku Novads, Olaines Novads, Ludzas Novads, Ciblas Novads, Dagdas Novads, Alsungas Novads.

Go to the main travel overview: Latvia.