Ventspils is a city in Kurzeme on the western coast of Latvia and one of Europe's busiest ports.

Understand

The port

Ventspils is the Latvian flower capital and is adorned with flowers from spring till autumn. Even the City Festival on the first weekend of August is a time when florists from the Baltic States cover Promenade of Ostas iela with carpets of flowers.

Ventspils is a modern summer and sea resort city, which has all the amenities to spend a summer week at the beach and exploring the surrounding places. Its roads and sidewalks are made up of various kinds of cobblestones. Ventspils is famous for its artistic spirit and its numerous cow statues all over the city from the 2002 Cow Parade.

Due to immigration of many workers from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine in the past, about 1/3 of the population of Ventspils is from those countries.

• 1 Tourism Information Centre, Dārza iela 6, ☏ +371 63622263, +371 63607664, fax: +371 63607665, tourism@ventspils.lv. Information about sightseeing, events, recreation, transport and accommodation. Guided tours with the certified guides of Ventspils. Tourist maps and brochures. 

Get in

There are bus connections from Riga, Liepāja and Kuldīga. The closest railway stations with passenger service are in Tukums and Liepāja, approximately 120 km east and south of Ventspils, respectively; Ventspils has no passenger services. There is a ferry from Nynäshamn in Sweden

By bus

There are regular bus services from Riga (2½–4 hr, €7.55), Liepāja (2 times a day, 3 hr, €5.50), Kuldīga (about €3) several times a day. All buses arrive at the central Bus Station on Kuldigas iela 4. Schedules can be found on 1188.lv.

• 1 Ventspils Bus Station (Ventspils autoosta), Kuldīgas iela 5, ☏ +371 63622789.  

By car

The most commonly used routes are from:

• Riga, 190 km on main highway E22 (A10)
• Kuldīga, 60 km on highway P108
• Liepāja, 120 km on highways P111, P108, and P110

By boat

See also: ferries on the Baltic Sea

Stena Line ferries run between Nynäshamn in Sweden and Ventspils, an 11- to 12-hour journey. These are mainly used for transport of HGV's to Sweden but passengers and small vehicles can use the service. Tickets can be purchased from an office at Ventspils Ferry Terminal.

By plane

• 2 Ventspils International Airport (VNT  ^IATA) (some 5 km (3.1 mi) southwest of the city). The airport mostly serves general aviation and has not seen commercial flights in years. Despite the grandiose name the flights it did see some time around 2008 were domestic ones (from Riga).  

Get around

Within the city centre, most locations can be reached on foot within 15-20 minutes at most. But cars and bicycles can travel just as easily on the roads and bicycle paths around town.

Public transportation is run by the local bus company 'Ventspils Reiss' with modern blue coloured buses and minibuses. Most bus stops have a map of the routes and schedules for the lines that stop there.

Do not trust the signs. Since most streets in Ventspils intersect at 90° angles, all signposts marking the directions to interesting or important locations are at 90° angles as well. So often a sign will be pointing in the wrong direction (if your destination lies at a different angle) or onto impassable objects such as a wall (if your destination lies behind it). So be wary and carry a map - which you can get for free at the tourist office next to the ferry terminal.

See

Castle of the Livonian Order

• 1 Livonian Order Castle, Jāņa iela 17, ☏ +371 63622031, +371 63626288, muzejs@ventspils.gov.lv. One of the oldest medieval fortresses to have survived. In 1290 the castle was first chronicled and this date is now considered to be the year of Ventspils’ foundation. In 1995 extensive archaeological research and renovation of the castle began. During renovation, features retained included niches of the 14th century, wall paintings of the 15th century, door openings of the 17th century and prison doors of the 19th century. The Castle has now outwardly regained its 19th century look. There is a nice museum inside, offering both permanent (i.e. city history) and occasional (i.e. money design, Japan post-World War II photography) exhibitions. €3 or day ticket for all 3 museums (Castle, Seaside Open-Air Museum and The House of Crafts): €5.  
• 2 Ventspils Market Square, ☏ +371 63622263. Established at the beginning of the 17th century. Has all kinds of local produce, vegetables, fruits, cloths. But the best bet here seems to be the meat, which is sold at numerous stalls in various forms; raw, smoked, sausage-d. Check out the beautiful carillon bell/clock tower, which has some history aspects, starting from the listing of various market measurements. Each hour the clock plays the melody “Pie dzintara jūras” (On Amber sea - "Am Golf von Biskaya" Latvian version), except for 12:33 and 00:33, when the song “Uz priekšu, Kurzeme” (Ahead Kurzeme) of Uldis Marhilēvičs is played. 
• 3 Ventspils House of Crafts, ☏ +371 63620174, amatumaja@ventspils.gov.lv. Old school building (1763) with an exhibition hall and a craft shop, with weaving, ceramics and retro photo workshops and a 19th-century classroom. €1. 
• 4 Senču putekļi (museum), Ērgļu iela 1, ☏ +371 63625004. M–F 11–17:00. A small local-ethnographic collection founded and donated by the author Herberts Dorbe (1894–1983). Free. (updated Apr 2018)
• 5 Ventspils Town Hall Square, ☏ +371 63622263, tourism@ventspils.lv. It houses a modern library, International Writers and Translators' House, Lutheran church (early 18th century) and the Digital Centre. 
• 6 Ostgals, ☏ +371 63622263. Ancient fishermen's village (mid-19th century) that is now a part of the city, a national cultural and historical monument. 
• 7 Seaside Open-air Museum (Seaside Park with Anchor and Jungle Trail / Jūrmalas parks ar Enkuru taku un Džungļu taku), Riņķa iela 2, ☏ +371 63624467, +371 63622263, brivdaba@ventspils.gov.lv. Seaside Open-Air Museum. Museum of maritime fishing with ancient houses, a windmill, smokehouse, mesh huts, barns and a spacious boat, exposition of anchors and the history of narrow-gauge railway. Founded in 1954 to preserve the heritage of the seaside fishing village. Today it is the only open air museum dedicated to fishing in Latvia. It features fishermen’s homesteads, barns, wind mills (from the Užava parish), smokehouses, curing cabins, net sheds and other samples of native building and household artefacts. In an area of 4 ha, you will find an extensive sea boat collection and the largest anchor collection in the Baltics with more than one hundred exhibits dating from the 17th century to present day. At the Seaside Park you can enjoy the Enkuru taka (Anchor trail) which is formed of the biggest anchors. Also, a Jungle Trail with footbridges, bridges, wooden animal sculptures, playgrounds and picnic places. €2. 
• 8 Svētā Krusta Romas katoļu baznīca, Jūras 32, ☏ +371 63622361. This Catholic church with its Corinthian columns without eye-catching tower leave a classicist impression.  
• 9 Ventspils St. Nicholas Orthodox Church (Svētā Nikolaja pareizticīgo baznīca), Plosta 10. 

Lighthouse and breakwater of Ventspils

• 10 Southern Pier (Dienvidu mols), ☏ +371 63622263, tourism@ventspils.lv. Pier promenade, sculpture "Cow-Sailor", 11 19 m high observation tower, sightseeing object – fishing boat and chain chair, and further out the 12 Ventspils South Pier Lighthouse. 
• Flower artwork. At various locations throughout Ventspils there are examples of flower artwork in the streets. The flowers are arranged not only in flower-beds, but also a flower-clock and vivid flower-sculptures: The Duck Family in the Children’s Town, Lady-Birds at the Promenade of Ostas Street, Underwater World next to the Beach Waterpark, Bobsleigh Team on the main street Lielais prospects, and the newcomers The Bunny Family at the end-station Kalns of the narrow-gauge train.
• Cow Parade: in 2002 Ventspils hosted this international art event and several of the cow sculptures still reside throughout the city.
  • Latvijas melnā (Latvian Black Cow) dwells on the Promenade of Ostas iela;
  • Pretim gaismai (Towards the Light) that usually climbs the lamp post on Pils iela next to ‘Latvenergo’ JSC;
  • Ms. Moo-Dunk the basketball cow resides near the Basketball Hall of the Olimpiskais Centrs Ventspils;
  • Dzīve ir skaista (Life is Beautiful) is situated at the Children’s Town;
  • Jūras govs (Cow of the Sea) dwells next to the Livonian Order Castle facing the River Venta;
  • Nafta (Oil) lives next to the Children’s Home Selga;
  • Londonas govs (London Cow) welcomes the residents of the camping site Piejūras kempings.
  • Ceļojošā govs (Travelling Cow) is shaped like a huge suit-case and awaits the city guests on the Promenade of Ostas iela to take some pictures;
  • Govs-Matrozis (The Sailor Cow) is a giant blue-coloured cow dressed as a seafarer and situated at the Southern Pier of Ventspils;
  • Šūpojošā govs (Cow on the Swings) is a large, but cute and girly cow sitting on the swings not far from the excursion boat Hercogs Jēkabs.

Do

There are a lot of things to do in Ventspils – go grab a free booklet at the castle to find some of them. The city is very-well-prepared for families with kids.

• 1 Ventspils Blue Flag Beach (Ventspils Zilā karoga pludmale), ☏ +371 63622263, tourism@ventspils.lv. A fully facilitated white sand beach with broad dune belt, viewing tower, pier promenade, special areas for surfers and nudists. 
• 2 Narrow-Gauge Railway Mazbanitis (Piejūras Brīvdabas Muzejs), Riņķa 2, ☏ +371 63624467, brivdaba@ventspils.gov.lv. W–Su 10:30–13:30 14–17:30 (May 1–October 30). Ride on the historic, World War I and former German narrow-gauge railway (600 mm) steam engine (1916) along a 2.6 km track from the Seaside Park (Muzejs) via beach to the Adventure Park (aka Kalns) – Kalna linija: 11:30, 12:30, 14:30, 15:30, 16:30 to Kalns; 12:00, 13:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00 to Muzejs). There are actually two lines, another one only does a 1.4 km circle around the Seaside Park (Rinka linija: 11:00, 11:15, 17:20). Adult €3 (Kalna linija), €2 (Rinka linija). 
• 3 Skiing Hill "Lemberga hūte" (Slēpošanas kalns "Lemberga hūte"), Saules street 141, ☏ +371 28611333, inta.lapsina@ocventspils.lv. Great viewpoint in summer, and best ski destination in winter. 
• 4 Akvaparks, Medņu iela 19 / Piejūras parks. 10:00-21:00 (1st weekend in June till September). Heated open-air swimming pool. 200 m to the beach. 
• 5 Olimpiskais Centrs Ventspils, Sporta iela 7/9, ☏ +371 63622587, olimps@ocventspils.lv. Ice skating rink, basketball, skate park, etc.  
• 6 Children's Town (Bērnu pilsētiņa), Vasarnīcu iela / Lielais prospekts, ☏ +371 63622263. Summer: 07–22:00, winter: 07–20:00. Go play with your kid(s) at this park with a lot of child-oriented attractions. 
• 7 Cinema Rio Kino, Pils iela 28, ☏ +371 22480248, kinorio@kinorio.lv. 
• Walk and play on the beach. Take a dip in the sea. The beach has well-developed infrastructure including cabins, benches, playgrounds and attractions. 

Events

• Knights Festival at the Castle. First half of June. 
• Festival of the Sea. Beginning of July. 
• Ghetto Games Festival. End of July. A youth festival celebrating ghetto basket, streetbike freestyle, BMX freestyle, MTB freestyle, skateboard, etc. FB. 

Buy

• Ventspils Regional Market at the Market Square
• 1 Tobago Shopping Centre, Lielais prospekts 3/5. Rimi, etc. 

Eat

• 1 Skroderkrogs, Skroderu iela 6 (In the center), ☏ +371 63627634. Good food, good music, kids-friendly. 
• 2 Kafejnīca Ukraina, Ganību iela 95a, ☏ +371 63622677, +371 29119747. 
• 3 Kafejnīca Betānija, Platā iela 11. Cheap and basic. 

Sleep

Budget accommodation is scarce in Ventspils, so it is better to continue further to Liepāja or Kuldīga. Also, Rinda, just 30 km north and a little inland, has a cheap place to stay.

• 1 Piejūras kempings, Vasarnīcu 56 (600 m to the beach), ☏ +371 63627925, camping@ventspils.lv. €5 per tent + €5 per person, camper van €15, huts €40-80 (4-5 people). (updated Apr 2018)
• 2 Hotel of Olimpic centre, Lielais prospekts 33, ☏ +371 63628032, viesnica@ocventspils.lv. Hotel guests receive 20% discount when using the sports park. €28/38 double, €48 triple. 
• 3 Guesthouse Spicīte, Cirpstene village, Vārves pag., Ventspils novads (the village is 4 km southwest from the centre of Ventspils), ☏ +371 29508200, viesunamsspicite@inbox.lv. 
• 4 Hotel Vilnis, Talsu iela 5, ☏ +371 63628606. Regular hotel, 75 beds in 53 rooms. (updated Apr 2018)

Go next

• Cape Kolka – A beautiful wild cape inside Slīteres National Park. North.
• Irbene – Visit the world’s eighth-largest radio telescope at the Irbene Radio Astronomy Centre, located between Cape Kolka and Ventspils. Irbene was a Soviet village that is now abandoned, leaving behind dull concrete buildings.
• Kuldīga – The capital of Duchy of Courland, Venice of Latvia, with unique and wooden architecture, red-tile roofs, bridges, cobbled streets, the widest widest waterfall ledge in Europe, and nearby the longest underground (sand) cave labyrinth in the Baltics. In the centre of Kurzeme.
• Pāvilosta – A small fishing village with nice beach, camping and museum. South.