Salacgrīva offers tangible traces of history: a protected medieval castle, a hill considered the oldest site, and buildings with clearly dated features. Nēģu Day adds a culinary occasion, while a short hiking trail offers a different perspective on natural landscapes. These provide different ways to plan your visit: cultural history, an event usually held in October, and a short hike.
Archaeological Sites and Architectural History
The medieval castle of Salacgrīva is located on Baznīcas iela on the right bank of the Salaca. It is protected as an archaeological monument of national significance. Salacas pilskalns is also on the right bank; it is considered the oldest site in Salacgrīva. This places two distinct historical landmarks side by side: a protected archaeological monument and a site distinguished by its status as the town’s oldest place.
The Orthodox Church of the Protection of the Mother of God in Salacgrīva was built to a design drawn up by the architect R. Pflūgs in 1849. The year dates the design. Another date points to the town’s more recent history: Slavas aleja was opened on the promenade on July 16, 2016. Its 24 bronze-cast handprints commemorate notable people who have visited Salacgrīva. The church and the avenue thus offer different historical points of reference—architectural history on the one hand, and the remembrance of visitors on the other.
The Lighthouse and the Salaca Riverbank
The Salacgrīva Lighthouse stands on the right bank of the Salaca. Its square white tower is topped by a red lantern.
The promenade along the Salaca was built to protect the riverbank from erosion. Together with the lighthouse’s location on the right bank, the river is therefore one of the concrete reference points in the town’s history and layout. The promenade has a stated protective function, while the lighthouse stands out for its clearly described form.
Lampreys and an October Event
Nēģu Day has been organized by the municipality since 2008 and usually takes place on the second Saturday in October. This seasonal event is therefore clearly distinct from the town’s historical traces, which can be explored year-round.
A 2025 description of Nēģu Day lists tastings for visitors: lamprey soup, lamprey pies, lamprey pizza, lamprey sushi, and lamprey porridge. The food product “Salacgrīvas nēģi” has been included in a European food quality scheme since 2022. Taken together, the event date, the listed dishes, and the product name offer a concrete insight into Salacgrīva’s lamprey culture.
Museum and Short Hike
The Salacgrīva Museum’s exhibition “LĪBISKĀ PIEDERĪBA” covers a broad historical period, from prehistory through the Soviet occupation. If you would like to see this particular exhibition, check its current accessibility in advance. Its time span offers a different way to explore local history than the individual buildings and archaeological sites.
For those who would like to focus on natural landscapes, the “Starp divām ostām” hiking trail offers a short walk. Along the way, you can see picturesque, photogenic natural landscapes.
Discover more destinations: Tūjasmuiža, Liepupe, Svētciems, Boķi, Birži, Tūja, Jelgavkrasti
See the main travel overview: Salacgrīvas Novads.
