Latvia’s Baltic Sea coastline is one of the most charming coastal landscapes in Europe. With its untouched nature and diverse surroundings, it has become one of the defining features in Latvian culture and traditions. Don’t miss it when exploring Latvia and immersing yourself in the local atmosphere.
The Latvian coastline is around 495 kilometres long. Drive along the coast from the southwestern city of Liepāja to the northernmost point on the Estonian border next to the Gulf of Riga to explore the diversity this coast presents.
The sea holds a special place in the heart of every Latvian. Some have a family summer house by the sea to unwind after long week at work (or at least their friends have one!). Others rent guesthouses by the sea for the whole summer to escape to a place where there’s ‘no one else’. And truly, there are parts of the coastline where you can walk for kilometres without meeting a single soul. Still others enjoy visiting the buzzing seaside towns or quiet coastal villages to taste local delicacies and bring home some traditional smoked fish.
Thanks to the diverse and untouched natural environments in Latvia, every few kilometres offer a different landscape: white sandy beaches, water that sparkles in various colours from green to deep navy blue, cliffs and bluffs, sandy dunes and pine forests, and rocky seashores. Nothing clears the mind as well as the wind in your hair, the refreshing smell of the sea, and the sound of waves interrupted solely by the cries of seagulls.
For a more social environment, quite a few of the fishermen’s villages along the coast have retained their authenticity. These include Salacgrīva at the far northern end of the Gulf of Riga, where the Salaca River meets the sea and fishermen go on daily fishing trips. On the Kurzeme side, locals seeking fishing-village charm head to Engure or Pāvilosta, where cosy cafés and seafood restaurants pop up every summer. Pāvilosta is also popular among kite-boarders.
Many villages have gradually grown to offer more luxurious accommodation options and in summertime host traditional fishermen’s celebrations, fairs, and a grand array of local delicacies to try.
The Baltic coast has plenty to offer, and even a quick day trip to the sea will make you fall in love with the Baltic coast just as much as the locals do. Honestly, how could you not? For centuries, this untouched landscape has mesmerised all who seek peace and tranquillity in the midst of a turbulent world.
Strante–Ulmale
Seashore Bluffs
While bluffs can be observed in a few places along the coast of the open Baltic Sea, the Strante–Ulmale Bluffs are certainly the most majestic. Unlike the others, these feature no trails, viewing points, or other tourist infrastructure, thus ensuring complete solitude from the rest of the world. The 16-metre-high bluffs are prone to constant erosion and are part of a geomorphological nature reserve.
Cape Kolka
The Baltic Sea meets the Gulf of Riga at Cape Kolka, resulting in clashing currents and the opportunity to experience both sunset and sunrise in the same location. Cape Kolka is also famous for its vast range of migratory birds and a lighthouse built on an artificial island. The cape recedes and transforms slightly every year due to the wind and waves, so the landscape looks a bit different every year.
Kaltene rocky coastline
The Kurzeme coast of the Gulf of Riga exchanges sandy beaches for a rock-covered seashore. The rocky coastline at Kaltene is specially protected due to the fossils that date back to the Littorina Sea period around 5000 years ago. The Baltic coast here carries a lot of history, and it’s also the only angle along the Latvian coastline from which one can see the sunrise over the sea.
Veczemju Cliffs
Located on the shore of the Gulf of Riga, these red sandstone cliffs formed more than 300 million years ago. The cliffs are full of shallow caves, niches, and grottoes to explore and from which to gaze out at the sea. The most picturesque time for a visit is in the evening, when the sun starts to set over the sea. That’s when the red hues of the cliffs shine even more, painting the whole landscape in astonishing colour.
Saulkrasti White Dune
This 18-metre-tall white sand dune surrounded by pine trees is one of the most prominent landmarks along the eastern Gulf of Riga coast. The dune is embraced by the epitome of Latvian nature: the sea, the mouth of the Inčupe River, and a refreshing pine forest. It’s also well-equipped with a four-kilometre walking trail that allows visitors to explore the dune and the beach from above.
This article was produced in collaboration with Aibaltic’s in-flight magazine, “Baltic Outlook”.