Sightseeing in the Pieriga region – unforgettable places
Incredible sights and experiences await visitors in the small towns and villages of the Pieriga region, where nature and culture combine with hospitality and local flavours. Time passes more slowly here, the landscapes are unique and appealing, and each trip allows you to see something new.
Pierīga region is a place where you can get away from it all and explore another side of Latvia’s diverse attractions. The area is much larger than it might seem at first, so plan your visits to the sights we recommend carefully, and feel free to search our portal for other noteworthy places.
Nature and landscapes
Have you ever walked on sand that flows under your feet? The Garciems parabolic dune is one of the most impressive dune landscapes in Latvia. A parabolic dune is a wind-formed sand dune that has a curved shape and looks like the letter U with an opening facing the direction of the prevailing wind. It is one of the aeolian landforms that are formed as a result of the action of the wind, moving and accumulating sand. An equally magnificent sand landscape opens up at the mouth of the Gauja River into the sea, where the power of the river meets the waves and the sunset is unforgettable. Meanwhile, the Latvian National Botanical Garden in Salaspils is like a living encyclopaedia that details the characteristics of hundreds of plants. In summer, there is a sea of flowers, but in winter visitors can also explore a world of tropical and subtropical plants in the cosy orangery. The Rhododendron Selection and Babīte Experimental Nursery of the University of Latvia is the only specialised nursery of its kind in the Baltic States and features an impressive collection of 102 wild species with varieties and 345 different varieties. Breeders have made more than 680 crossings, creating thousands of hybrids. As a result, 131 new varieties have already been created, which have been registered and included in the International Register of Rhododendron Varieties of the Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain. This is not only a scientific centre, but also a flowering garden, where in spring and early summer you can enjoy an unforgettable flourish of colours and scents. In turn, from the Menģele observation tower, you will enjoy wonderful views of the Ogres ieleja nature park and the Ogre River. Walking along the Dullā Daukas trail, created in the 1970s by Imants Ziedonis and his associates, you can savour the beauty of nature in the footsteps of Sudraba Edžus’s inquisitive character Daukas.
Let’s move on! The Daugava Museum and Dole Island enchant with their vast waters and the historic manor house that tells the story of the ancient banks of the Daugava. Meanwhile, the Baldone Observatory with its unique Schmidt telescope allows you to look into space and understand that we are just a small chapter in the great story of the Universe. The Baldone Schmidt telescope is the largest in the Baltics and the twelfth largest telescope of such a system in the world. Nearby are also the Baldone Story Trails – hiking routes from 5 to 20 km in length that will guide you through the Baldone forest, unveiling the most beautiful and remarkable places.
Culture and art
Pieriga artwork is not confined to museums – it is part of everyday life and the surrounding atmosphere. The Olaine water tower, featuring the bright graffiti “Heirēka!”, proves that creativity can give meaning to even the most ordinary building. But the Baldone Forest Gallery, which houses 34 large-format works of art, offers a leisurely opportunity to interact with paintings in a natural environment. The works reveal places and motifs that are closely related to Baldone and its former resort character. If you go to Ulbroka Līgo Park, you will experience oak groves, Latvian characters carved in stone by sculptor Uldis Sterģis, and festive moods, creating a space where ancestral wisdom and modern joie de vivre coexist. The Ķekava Museum of Local Lore also enriches the cultural landscape of Pieriga – it is the only museum in Latvia that popularises caricature as an art genre. It features three permanent exhibitions: “5 Stories of the Ķekava Region” about life in ancient times, the exhibition “Smile and be healthy!” about the cartoonist Edgars Ozoliņš and the exhibition “They are united by the magazine ‘Dadzis’”, which features more than 50 artists whose works have been published in the cartoon publication. For history lovers, a visit to the Olaine History and Art Museum will be a real adventure, where the outdoor exhibition “World War I Historical Enlightenment Route” is a special one. In turn, in a closed area, behind the Rīgava cultural centre in Salaspils, there is a garden where art and music reign. Since the end of 2024, visitors have also witnessed the artistically designed wall dedicated to the memory of Latvian literature master Knuts Skujenieks, a visual story about the things, events and places that defined the poet’s life and work.
Surprising street art
Pieriga art is often found outside galleries – communicating with passers-by on streets and walls and through urban objects. Stopiņi street art works revive residential buildings, transforming them into windows to another world. In turn, the Ulbrokas Pērle Cultural Centre is an architectural masterpiece, under whose domed roof young and old gather. Nearby, the fern fountain created by sculptor Kārlis Īle lights up in the evenings to become a fairy-tale stage. In Mārupe, the wall of the “Mr Tomas’s Beard” Barbershop building is a bright and magnificent landmark that has become a popular photo spot. In Ķekava, on the wall of the Dzirnavu stage, the paintings of artist Elita Patmalniece delight, creating the atmosphere of an open-air gallery.
In Salaspils, art awaits drivers passing through the city on the Riga-Daugavpils highway, where the facade of an apartment building is decorated with a painting by artist Kiwie with the words: “Saules mūžu Latvijai”. In the city, you can also stop by the painted building near the streetfood cafe Mr. Bļinčiks – Pankoks, where colours help to create a playful atmosphere. Meanwhile, the Salaspils School of Music and Art is proud of its unique mosaic – a tile collaboration created by graduates, immortalising their creative spirit in the urban environment. If you find yourself at the Carnikava pier, check out the painted wall “Carnikava Stories”, which visually reflects local identity and history.
Carefree relaxation with family and friends
There are many places in Pieriga where you can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and indulge in a more leisurely pace. The Cena Moorland footpath offers a wooden boardwalk more than 5 km long through one of the largest bogs in Latvia. Along the path, visitors will see dark lakes, moss carpets and pine tree silhouettes that change with the light like paintings. This is a place where bird watching, a leisurely stroll or simply enjoying the silence can make any day special. Morning and evening in the bog are especially magical moments when fog and light meet, creating the impression that you are in another world. Meanwhile, Olaine Mežaparks is like an oasis of fun with playgrounds for children, and nature trails and art for adult visitors. Zoo Rezidence on Dole Island or the backyard zoo Brieži connect the whole family with nature. Fans of golf should visit the Viesturi club, the oldest golf club in Latvia, which opened its doors in July 1998. It is located in Jaunmārupe, surrounded by picturesque forests, on an area of 25 hectares. The nine-hole course is suitable for both experienced players and beginners, but there is also a training course and a putting green for honing your skills. Whatever your skill level or aim – whether to enjoy a bit of competition or enjoy a relaxing game – this club has you covered.
Pieriga flavours
No trip to Pieriga would be complete without tasting its local food and drink. Every bite or sip you take tells a story about the region, its people and how rich our land can be. At Mārlapiņi, horseradish is a culinary adventure – from balsamic cream to vinegar, these products awaken both the mind and the senses. Ķiploku pasaule offers both popular and novel products made from home-grown garlic, including garlic lollipops, aromatic tea, various sauces and much more to tickle the taste buds and imagination. Visitors can also participate in a tasting and tour to learn more about this special world of herbs. There is no doubt – here every garlic bulb is cultivated and harvested with great care. Mr. Cone offers products made from pine cones – said to ensure good health and well-being, especially while travelling. Aromatic syrups, sweet candies and pine pollen help strengthen the body and restore strength, but many also use them for prevention, to boost immunity. For more than ten years, the owners have been creating products that combine natural goodness and quality with passion and knowledge. If you are in Garkalne, pay a visit to the Pūces vīni winery where, in the newly opened tasting room, you can enjoy 15 different wines made from local fruits, berries and flowers, all fermented and matured slowly. The winery brand Pūces vīni honours the family name and four generations of winemaking skills. The brand logo, an owl, reflects the wisdom and vigilance of these winemakers, a symbol of knowledge, attentiveness and creativity. In turn, Soira is a craft cheese workshop whose products are already popular with gourmets. The exquisite cheeses made here get their special taste thanks to local organic milk and knowhow, and the magic of natural microorganisms. Register in advance to tour the production facility and experience a cheese tasting, where each type of cheese embodies carefully cultivated secrets of craftsmanship. Equally delicious are the natural elixirs produced by GiLine, which many believe contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Their range also includes other natural products without added sugar – syrups, sauces, fruit and berry juice candies, as well as energy bars, which combine taste and health benefits. At the end of your trip, Dole teas serves up refreshing natural delights from local meadows and gardens on Dole Island.
There is no need to rush to the coast – take your time to savour and experience each leg of your trip step by step. And remember – sometimes it is the small details that make a trip an amazing adventure. The outskirts of Riga offer a wealth of appealing products and experiences to anyone fortunate enough to explore them.
