West Latvia (Kurzeme)

Natural wonders

Venta Falls, Europe’s widest waterfall, where the fish do some fine jumping come spring, is located in the heart of Kurzeme - the city of  Kuldiga (Kuldīga). The coastal shoreline - 30km in length -  features the awe-inspiring 20m high Jurkalne Cliff.

Distinctly jutting out into the sea, Cape Kolka is ideal for those into bird-watching, particularly during migration season. Flocks galore can also be found near the Kurzeme lakes that in fact are lagoons:

• Engure,
• Pape,
• Kaņieris.
  

Cuisine, Kurzeme style

With only its southern border land-locked, Kurzeme is a natural fisherman’s paradise with fresh local catches of all kinds, many sold in the quaint coastline villages, or in between - roadside. Some places even invite visitors to take part in the process of preparing mouth-watering smoked fish.

Every region has its own traditional foods, and Kurzeme is no exception. Take time to sample:

• Sklandrausis – mashed carrot-potato tart made from rye flour,  
• Biguzis – rye bread dessert with whipped cream,
• Bukstiņputra – barley-potato stew.

How about a tour of romantic Wine Country? Sabile’s Wine Hill (Vīna kalns) is already an entry inq the Guinness Book of World Records as the northernmost vineyard in the world! With lovely scenery all around, take time to visit any of the winemakers who will cordially explain the entire process, capped by the standard wine-tasting spree - depending on your time and energy.

Cities

The ports of Ventspils and Liepāja are the largest cities in Kurzeme.

Liepaja

Liepaja is famous for its rich cultural scene (pop-rock music in particular) and its unique Military Port territory, once a major Soviet war machine component, now a major tourist attraction (nerves of steel in some spots preferred).     

Ventspils

Ventspils, a major Latvian port, has become well-known for its immaculate, refined cityscape and wide variety of tourist attractions, and plenty of sports and entertainment options year-round.

Enjoy the charming "choo-choo" train, or sunbathe on the Blue flag-certified beach, with its beautiful dunes.

For star-gazers, Ventspils has an observatory with a modern telescope, and a state-of-the-art digital planetarium - tops in the Baltic region.

Kuldiga

Kuldiga and its quaint Old Town in every corner has a romantic feel of days long gone by. For those seeking supreme serenity.