This tour takes you through Kurzeme (Courland), Latvia's westernmost region. Discover a landscape of unspoiled nature, maritime history, and architectural gems. This route combines the romance of medieval towns with the rugged, unspoiled coastline of the Baltic Sea.

The tour starts in Liepaja, on the Latvian coast and ends in Kuldiga, a little further inland.

Liepaja (starting point)
A city of approximately 90,000 inhabitants, located on Latvia's Baltic coast. It is the third-largest city in Latvia (and perhaps the second-most important after the capital, Riga) and the former capital of Latvia during World War I.
It's important to know that Liepaja consists of two main areas: the city center and Karosta, the northern part of the city. Karosta was once a secret military town for the Russian Empire (hence the many buildings from the Tsarist era) and the Soviet Union (brutal blocks of 1970s housing next to a 110-year-old Orthodox cathedral). Both the city center and Karosta have large beaches, and you'll be amazed at how pristine and beautiful the central beach is, and how white and soft the sand is! Karosta is essentially a different city, as it has a truly different history and architecture than the rest of Liepaja. Liepaja doesn't have an "old town," but the city center and surrounding area feature old, beautiful wooden buildings, many in Art Nouveau style. The city center also includes the Seaside Park (Jurmalasparken) area, which has a fantastic, white, soft sand beach; the park itself is large and also boasts many beautiful buildings.
In the city center stands the Holy Trinity Cathedral. This church houses the largest mechanical organ in the world with unaltered mechanism (over 7,000 pipes). The interior is a rococo masterpiece. The modern, orange-colored concert hall is an architectural icon and the symbol of Liepāja as a city of music. Liepāja's beach is famous for its fine, white sand. The adjacent park is one of the largest landscaped parks in Latvia, full of Art Nouveau architecture.

Karosta (The War Port)
If you're in Liepaja, you should go to Karosta. It's the northern part of the city, about 10 km from the center. Karosta means naval port in Latvian. It was used as a secret military base for the Russian Empire and later for the Soviets. Latvia gained independence, and a few years later, in 1994, the Soviet Union was forced to leave Karosta. The population dropped dramatically from 25,000 to 6,000, leaving many empty houses. Karosta then experienced something of a war without weapons. Many houses were reduced to ruins. Everything was demolished, stone by stone, and many beautiful, historic buildings disappeared forever. It is now a popular tourist destination and a home to international artists. Many parts of Karosta still resemble a war zone. There are pebbles, and the sand isn't as soft as in Liepaja. On the coast of Karosta, you'll also see a breakwater, the longest of Liepaja's breakwaters, which extends 1.8 km into the sea. You can drive about halfway along the coast. Be careful of the waves in windy weather. And the wind is famous in Liepaja. A Latvian saying goes, "The city where the wind was born." And as any Latvian would say, it is Liepaja. On the shore, you'll also see two forts. This is a wild beach with steep coasts, in contrast to the central beach with dunes. Eight forts/bunkers are located around the city, but the most picturesque and interesting are these two on the shores of Karosta. The forts are open to visitors. This northern part of the city was once a closed military base of the Russian Tsar and later the Soviet Union. Karosta Prison is now an interactive museum where you can experience what it was like to be a prisoner during the Soviet era. You can even spend the night there in spartan conditions. Here also stands the St. Nicholas Orthodox Sea Cathedral: with its golden domes it is a beautiful example of Russian Orthodox architecture, which stands in stark contrast to the surrounding Soviet apartment buildings.

The Akmenrags Lighthouse
If you drive north from Liepāja along the coast, you'll come to the remote Akmeņrags Lighthouse. This is one of the most atmospheric spots in the region. The current brick tower is 38 meters tall and dates from 1921. The climb to the top is worth it for the endless views of the Baltic Sea and the vast forests. The beach around Akmeņrags is one of the best places to find amber, especially after a strong westerly wind.

Pavilosta (coffee stop)
The road there leads through dense forests and along unpaved paths, adding to the sense of adventure and isolation. Before reaching Ventspils, there are two must-see locations. First, you'll pass through Pāvilosta: a charming fishing village that has become a hotspot for surfers and sailors. The atmosphere here is relaxed and authentic. Try freshly smoked fish at the local harbor (or perhaps with coffee?).

Dresses
the other spot to visit means "steep coast".
It's perhaps the most photogenic stretch of Latvian coastline. The cliffs here are up to 20 meters high and are eroded a little further by the sea every year. It's a magical place for a sunset stroll.

Ventspils (lunch stop)
The port city of Ventspils is a city that has completely transformed itself. Once a drab transit port, it is now one of the cleanest and most modern cities in the Baltic States. Ostas Strait Promenade: Here you can stroll along the Venta River. You'll see enormous ships entering the harbor, but you'll also find numerous works of art and the famous Cow Parade (colorful cow statues scattered throughout the city). Visit the Livonian Castle, the oldest medieval fortress in Latvia that is almost completely preserved. It houses a very modern and interactive museum about the history of the region. In the open-air Museum of Sea Fisheries, you can see historic fishing huts, boats, and an impressive collection of anchors. The highlight is the Mazbānītis, a historic narrow-gauge railway that still runs through the park. Ventspils is known for its beautiful public gardens and enormous floral displays, such as the Flower Clock and the giant flower cows.

Alsunga (drink stopper)
On the way from Ventpils to Kuldīga, you'll pass through Alsunga. This is the heart of the Suiti community, a Catholic enclave in otherwise Lutheran Latvia. Their culture, including their colorful traditional costumes and unique polyphonic singing, is on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Visit Alsunga Castle here, a former fortress of the Livonian Order.

Edole
On the way to Kuldīga, you can stop in Edole. Here stands a Gothic bishop's castle dating back to the 13th century. It's the only castle in the region that's still habitable. Legend has it that it's haunted, and you can visit the old knights' halls and dungeons. The park surrounding the castle is perfect for a peaceful stroll to round off your trip.

Kuldīga
The historic town center, located on the Venta River in western Latvia, is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a traditional urban settlement, which developed between the 16th and 18th centuries from a small medieval hamlet into a major administrative center of the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia. Kuldīga's urban layout largely preserves the street pattern of that period and includes both traditional block architecture and styles with foreign influences, illustrating the rich exchange between local and traveling craftsmen from across the Baltic Sea. The architectural influences and craftsmanship traditions introduced during the ducal period persisted well into the 19th century. Only foundations of the former castle remain.
The town, also known as the "Venice of the North," is a pleasant base from which to begin your journey. Since 2023, its historic center has been officially listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ventas Rumba (The Venta Waterfall): This is the widest waterfall in Europe (approx. 249 meters). Although only 2 meters high, it offers a spectacular sight. In spring, you can see the "flying fish" here: graylings leaping over the waterfall against the current. The Old Brick Bridge: Built in 1874, this is one of the longest brick bridges in Europe. It's the perfect spot for a panoramic view of the Venta and the waterfall. The Alekšupīte River flows right past the walls of the old houses, giving Kuldīga its unique character. Here you'll also find the highest waterfall in Kurzeme (4.5 meters), located on the Alekšupīte. Wander through the narrow streets and admire the 16th and 17th century wooden houses that miraculously survived the many wars.