Saulkrasti combines coastal scenery with bicycle history and the heritage of the Neibāde resort. The 18-metre-high White Dune is a viewpoint overlooking the Gulf of Riga; a funnel-shaped listening device lets visitors hear nuances of the sound of the sea and the rustling of the pines. If you are looking for accommodation in Saulkrasti, you can tailor your trip to your interests: dunes and trails, bicycle history or historic sites.

Coast and Dune Landscape

Piejūra Nature Park includes parts of Saulkrasti Municipality. It protects, in particular, wooded dunes, grey dunes, coastal meadows and lakes, and is designated as both a nature park and a Natura 2000 site. The White Dune offers a specific viewpoint: from there, you can look out over the Gulf of Riga.

The listening experience is also part of this place. The funnel-shaped listening device lets visitors hear nuances of the sound of the sea and the rustling of the pines. At the White Dune, views and sounds go hand in hand, without requiring a longer walk.

Forest Trails and Coastal Route

The Saulrieta Trail is a 3.6-kilometre forest trail along the seacoast. It passes through a dune forest with 20 notable pine trees, some of which are up to 200 years old. If you choose a route based on its surroundings, this one brings together forest, dunes and a coastal setting.

On the Saulkrasti–Lauči section of the “Baltic Coastal Hiking Route,” you can cover the first few kilometres to Zvejniekciems either along the beach or on a path through the dune forest. An old wooden hut with fishing nets and tools stands on the same coastal hiking section. The two routes differ in their described points of reference: the length of the Saulrieta Trail is fixed, while there are two options for the route to Zvejniekciems.

Bicycle History and Historic Sites

The Saulkrasti Bicycle Museum houses Latvia’s only collection of old bicycles. Exhibits include an early penny-farthing, a bicycle with early pneumatic tyres and a wooden bicycle. The selection allows visitors to compare different designs: wheel shape, tyres and materials each offer a different starting point for exploring bicycle history.

Neibāde Park is designed in the English style. The founding of the Neibāde resort in 1823 marked the beginning of efforts to provide recreation for its guests. In 1877, Baron August von Pistolkors had a monument to the founders of the seaside resort erected in the park. These two dates tell different chapters in the area’s history: the founding of the resort and a later monument commemorating it.

The altarpiece “Christ on the Cross (Golgotha)” in the Saulkrasti-Pēterupe Lutheran Church was painted by Jozefs Millers in 1856. Sacred art is thus also among the cultural subjects to explore in Saulkrasti, alongside bicycle and resort history.

Outdoor Facilities and Summer Activities

The Seaside Park has play equipment, facilities for outdoor exercise, gym equipment and volleyball courts. The multifunctional bicycle track in Saulkrasti includes the educational BTA Velozinis adventure course, with a variety of wooden elements. If you plan to use these facilities, it is worth checking their current condition before your visit.

At Centre bathing area, SUP boards can be rented and jet ski rides taken on sunny, warm summer days when there is no wind. These activities depend on the stated weather conditions and the summer season. Check local availability if they are important to your travel plans.

Zvejniekciems Through the Ages

Zvejniekciems originated in the 19th century as a village inhabited by fishermen. Part of Skulte’s Zvejniekciems was incorporated into the town of Saulkrasti in 1967. The area’s history thus brings together its beginnings as a fishing village and a later administrative change.

Discover more destinations: Zvejniekciems.

For the broader travel overview: Saulkrastu Novads.