This Baltic port city has clean beaches, a busy cargo harbor, and Europe's largest jazz festival. The artificial island Kolka, built in the 1970s, lies nearby.
Ventspils, Latvia's sixth-largest city, sits where the Venta River meets the Baltic Sea. You'll see container ships moving through the port next to centuries-old warehouses, while locals and visitors swim at the 1.5-kilometer Blue Flag beach. Look around the city to spot 28 painted cow sculptures, seasonal flower arrangements shaped like animals and characters, or take a ride on the narrow-gauge railway that winds through pine forests along the coast.
Getting Around Ventspils
You can walk across the city center in about 15-20 minutes. Blue city buses connect all main areas, and bicycle paths run alongside major streets. The Ventspils Tourist Train circles the main sights with audio guides in multiple languages explaining the city's history and landmarks.
Maritime Activities Along Venta River
Walk along the Ostas Street Promenade to see container ships and ferries moving past 17th-century merchant houses. The promenade gives you a clear view of Latvia's only working drawbridge opening for tall ships. Between May and October, the excursion boat "Hercogs Jēkabs" takes you on 45-minute trips around the harbor.
Beach and Seaside Area
Wooden summer villas from the 1890s line the streets of the seaside district, dating back to the first beach holidays in Ventspils. The 1.5-kilometer beach has lifeguard stations and marked swimming zones. Walk along the Southern breakwater to reach the lighthouse - during storms, waves splash over the breakwater path. Two observation towers let you look across the Baltic Sea and beach.
Family Activities
Inside the Water Adventure Park, the pools stay at 29°C year-round. You'll find water slides, a mountain river current, and a spa area. In winter, the Adventure Park's hill becomes "Lemberga hūte" ski slope. At the Seaside Open-Air Museum, hop on the 600mm narrow-gauge train for a ride through coastal landscapes, and step inside restored fishermen's homes and barns from the 19th century.
Arts and Science Venues
The Theatre House "Juras varti" puts on plays and concerts throughout the year. Scientists at the Creative Centre's digital planetarium run 360-degree shows about space and nature. Visit the observatory at night to look at binary stars and nebulae through the telescope. The 1290 Livonian Order Castle uses digital projections and interactive exhibits to show you how medieval residents lived.
Local Traditions
The Sea Festival fills the streets with music and markets during the second weekend of July, while the city's birthday brings concerts and parades on the first weekend of August. Take online quizzes about Ventspils to earn the local Vent currency, which you can spend at museums and attractions. In winter, you can attend Latvia's Musical Bank awards ceremony and watch performers compete to represent Latvia at Eurovision.
