At the White Dune, the view opens out over the Gulf of Riga. The 18-metre-high dune lies on the right bank of the InÄupe, near the river’s mouth at the sea. It is a striking starting point for getting to know Saulkrasti’s coastal landscape: the Saulkrasti coastline is 17 kilometres long, and the town lies on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Riga.
Dunes, Coast and Trails
From the White Dune area, the Sunset Trail runs for approximately four kilometres towards the centre of Saulkrasti. Along the way, wide sandy beaches alternate with dune forelands; the trail also passes the Pēterupe and tall pines. The 1.2-kilometre Ķirezera Trail takes a different route: it loops around Ķirezers and is marked with blue blazes on the trees. The two trails therefore differ not only in length, but also in route and landscape.
The coastline also offers different impressions. The sand at Lilaste is known as singing sand; near Zvejniekciems, there is a stony stretch of coast. Zvejniekciems began as a fishing village on the coast of Skulte in the 19th century. The village’s history and coastal character exist side by side here, and the coast does not look the same everywhere. Saulkrasti is about 50 kilometres from Riga; the internationally important VIA Baltica highway also runs through Saulkrasti Municipality.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
The Piejūra Nature Park has a high proportion of protected habitats and a great diversity of species. Founded in 1962, the protected area serves to preserve coastal ecosystems, habitats and species, while also supporting opportunities for education and recreation. There are developed trails and rest areas for walkers and cyclists, as well as car parks and information boards. Enjoying nature and finding your way around go hand in hand here.
Water sports and other water-based leisure activities are available at Lake Pabaži; equipment can be rented. Check before your trip whether rentals are available. Saulkrasti Forest Park has wide paved paths that are considered safe and accessible. The Saulkrasti Bicycle Track also includes the Velozinis course, which recreates typical conditions and obstacles of the urban traffic environment to help children learn to ride a bicycle. The lake, park paths and cycling course thus offer different ways to get active, rather than forming a single programme.
Cycling History and Buildings
The Saulkrasti Bicycle Museum houses Latvia’s only collection of antique bicycles. It includes technically interesting examples found in Latvia that illustrate the history of bicycle development. Guided tours are offered in Latvian, English and Russian and last from 20 minutes to an hour and a half. Booking by phone in advance is recommended. A visit to the museum offers insight into technological changes, rather than viewing bicycles only as a means of transport.
The architectural history is also varied. The first building of PÄ“terupe Lutheran Church was erected in 1641; the fourth church building, which has survived to the present day, dates from 1856. SÄ“ja Manor House was built at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries and received Neo-Gothic decorative elements during renovations from 1883 to 1885. The SÄ“ja Manor water tower, built in 1903, is a rare example of Neo-Gothic engineering in Latvian manor architecture. The different construction dates show that the histories of churches and manor houses are not limited to a single era.
At the beginning of the 19th century, Baron Karl von Reutern of LÄ“durga had the first summer houses built and established the seaside resort of Neubad (NeibÄde). By the middle of the century, NeibÄde had developed into a spa resort. Construction of SÄ“ja School began later, in 1914; the school was inaugurated on 26 November 1922. These dates mark different stages of local history, from NeibÄde’s development to the establishment of a school in SÄ“ja.
Summer Programme and Visitor Information
In summer, Saules Square in the centre of Saulkrasti hosts evening open-air concerts and film screenings. As the seasonal programme may change, it is worth checking specific dates before your visit. The Saulkrasti Tourist Information Centre is located at 13b Ainažu Street in Saulkrasti; check the details before your visit, as visitor centre information may change.
Discover more destinations: Saulkrasti, Zvejniekciems, Vaiņode Municipality, Rūjiena Municipality, Dundaga Municipality, Jēkabpils, Auce Municipality, Naukšēni Municipality.
Return to the main travel overview: Latvia.
