Do you want to get an alternative to Jurmala? Welcome to Saulkrasti!
Jurmala is the most famous and popular Latvian resort. People come here to enjoy nature, walk until exhaustion through pine forests and admire the sea, and in the summer - swim in it. I strongly support such a pastime; I myself, as soon as I have a free day, go to Jurmala and enjoy all the benefits that it provides. However, there is a nuance.
Summer in Jurmala is the season. And believe me, there are a lot of people here; sometimes you can’t find a place on the beach, all the sunbeds are occupied, and cafes and restaurants are crowded. During the season, hotel and apartment owners raise prices, rightly believing that in winter there are many times fewer visitors, which means they need to earn money for the rest of the year. If you love holidays in Jurmala and prefer to come here for a long time, then the season can significantly reduce your vacation budget.
However, if Jurmala is not very important to you, but the sea, pine trees and silence are important, then calmly choose Saulkrasti.
Several of my friends live in this small coastal town, located on the other side of the mouth of the Daugava; Also, families with children often rent summer cottages there. Saulkrasti, of course, is called a city, but in fact it is a large village, where you can send your offspring with your grandmother in June and take them back by September. For this, everything you need is here.
Pros of SaulkrastiThe most important advantage of the city is its huge seventeen-kilometer beach of incredible beauty and cleanliness. It is wide and, although less developed than the beaches of Jurmala, attracts many people. Fortunately, not too many: there is always somewhere to sit without stepping on the feet and heads of your neighbors. Parents will certainly be pleased that entry into the water is very smooth, so small children can be allowed to splash around in the shallow water without fear.
In some places there are also sun loungers, but fewer than in Jurmala. And there are also fewer coastal cafes. But maybe this is exactly what we need at times - for civilization to retreat at least a little? And for those who do not welcome its retreat, there is a Marine Park in Saulkrasti - a piece of beach where everything familiar to a civilized tourist is available. And the uncivilized calmly come here even after a storm to look for amber. My future husband and I went here to watch the falling stars: there is no light pollution, like in Jurmala. 
However, civilization does not go too far. Firstly, everything is fine in Saulkrasti transport links, that is, you can quickly get here from Riga by bus, train or minibus. There are also buses from here that are not connected to Riga, but connect Saulkrasti with Sigulda, Cesis, Valmiera and other cities where there are a lot of attractions. Secondly, there are various shops here that will delight holidaymakers. There is no dominance of souvenirs, but there are products and everything necessary for beach holiday. For those who are counting on shopping... in short, it’s better not to count on it. I don’t even know whether to write this down as a minus or a plus. I would write it down as a plus: nothing distracts from nature.
And by the way, about her. In addition to the beach, there is a beautiful White Dune with an observation deck offering views of the coast. This is one of the most beautiful dunes in Latvia. From here, the Sunset Path is laid along the sea coast. It's not called that for nothing. If you find yourself in Saulkrasti, stay here until the evening and take a walk along this path. Flooded warm light sea, pine trees, grass - all this will forever remain in your heart and will even be dreamed of at night. Incredibly beautiful, one of the best coastal areas in Latvia.
Also next to the dune there is a linden grove - the so-called Catherine's Lindens, according to legend, planted here by Catherine II. Whether the empress imprisoned them here or not, personally or with assistants, history is silent. But the old linden grove is wonderfully beautiful.
For history buffs, there are two objects here. The first is the old Peterup Church, the first mention of which seems to date back to the 13th century. Of course, almost nothing remains of that building, but the church is still very old, you can see from it. And the second is a bicycle museum, very funny and interesting for both children and adults. Those who have not lost their love for bicycles will spend a lot of time here looking at the various exhibits. This is where antiquity meets modernity!
As I said above, rent for houses, apartments, apartments and rooms in hotels and guest houses is not very high here. But still, if you are going to Saulkrasti for a long time, it is better to take care of the rental in advance.
This small town has some very decent restaurants and cafes. We didn't have lunch there, we just had coffee and cake, everything was great. In general, in Latvia you have to try hard to find a place where the food is not tasty...
As for culture, it is represented here by the annual Saulkrasti Jazz festival. If you are a jazz lover, then you have a great opportunity to enjoy it surrounded by natural beauty and combine relaxation, swimming and cultural context. (We recently hired a new bass guitarist to our Moscow theater troupe, and I was surprised and happy to see him wearing a T-shirt with the inscription “Saulkrasti Jazz 2013”. I myself have never been to this event, but the guitarist said that he was delighted and is still looking for an opportunity to repeat the trip).
Cons of SaulkrastiThere is, of course, a fly in the ointment. Despite the fact that this region is accessible to everyone and beautiful, it gets boring after a while. Especially for those who are accustomed to an active life and a flurry of events around. In Saulkrasti there are no large shopping centers, streets completely lined with shops, and even nightclubs and bars. This is a quiet holiday town where the biggest entertainment is swimming in the sea, walking along the dunes or riding bicycles. There's nothing else to do here.
Therefore, if you have active children who crave playgrounds, hikes in the surrounding area or sightseeing, if all this is not alien to you, if you know that you will get bored in silence after three days, it is better to choose Jurmala (Dzintari or Majori district). The sea coast with the steep winding banks of small rivers is one of the most beautiful in Vidzeme, as well as a favorite place for vacationers since time immemorial.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the first dachas were built, a new bathing place called Neubad was created, and the middle of the same century was marked by the magnificent flourishing of the resort.
What to see in Saulkrasti
- Saulkrasti beach– natural wealth stretching over 17 km. His distinctive feature– stunning diversity of nature: from the singing sand in Lilaste to the rocky sea coast in Zvejniekciems.
- 18 meters high, it is an excellent observation deck overlooking the Gulf of Riga. If you want to enjoy a healthy walk and fresh sea air, head straight to the 4 km long forest path that stretches along the sea coast from the White Dune to the Sun Bridge.
- – here is the only collection of bicycles in Latvia and the largest in the Baltics. It includes the most technically interesting examples of the history of bicycle development found in Latvia.
- Marine Park– the ancient resort traditions are continued by the comfortable swimming area “Center”, over which the Blue Flag flutters. In the Marine Park you can enjoy sunsets while sitting in comfortable sun loungers, as well as use play equipment, outdoor exercise equipment, and grounds for street gymnastics and beach volleyball.
Have an active holiday
On windless, sunny and warm summer days, you can rent SUP boards and ride jet skis at the Center bathing area.
On windy days, surfers and kitesurfers gather at the Koklīte beach cafe.
Adrenaline lovers are welcome, and horse riding fans can go to Saules zirgi to enjoy riding and a romantic sunset on the seashore.
Cycling lovers are offered bicycle rentals and routes of varying degrees of difficulty along Saulkrasti and the entire Vidzeme coast.
Culture
Every year, Saulkrasti hosts the international jazz festival Saulkrasti Jazz, which brings together not only popular Latvian musicians, but also the best foreign performers.
The Saulkrasti Festival has become an annual tradition, where guests enjoy a pre-sunset concert on the White Dune and a magnificent concert on the Saulkrasti Bandstand.
Summer begins with a vibrant bike ride from the Saulkrasti Bicycle Museum to Saules Square - the annual event in honor of the opening of the Ieripo Saulkrastu Vasarā season is held!
Transport
From Riga to Saulkrasti you can easily get by bus or train. Public transport runs every hour from Riga International Bus Station and Central Station.
The resort town of Saulkrasti, which arose on the site of a 19th century bathing resort. with the German name Neubad, it seems to be small. True, it is very elongated along the seashore, which makes it seem much larger. The Latvian name of the city can be translated as “shore of the sun”, which very well describes it from the point of view of tourist attractiveness. The main “profile” of Saulkrasti is relaxation by the sea, on a sandy beach several kilometers long.
Despite its modest size and quite pronounced provincialism, Saulkrasti is a historical and interesting city. If you just walk around it slowly, you can easily do it in about 10 minutes. But if you are seriously interested in its past and beautiful surrounding nature, That walking route in Saulkrasti and its surroundings can stretch for 10, or even 15 km.
The most famous point on the beach and one of the most prominent attractions of Saulkrasti is the White Dune.
How to get there
Saulkrasti is almost equidistant from Riga, Sigulda and Limbazi, being 40-45 km from them. The easiest way to get here is by car from Riga along the highway that connects the capitals of Latvia and Estonia. The drive will only take about 45 minutes. Another option is by train (direction to Skulte) or by bus (to Ainaži/Limbazi, buses run very often).
Search for air tickets to Riga (the nearest airport to Saulkrasti)
A little history
Officially, Saulkrasti appeared on the world map in 1933, although the first Liv settlements in these places were mentioned in chronicles of the 12-13th centuries. Back in the first half of the 19th century. The city acquired exclusively resort status, which it continues to maintain to this day. And in the 20th century. Saulkrasti was especially loved by painters for the beauty of the local shores.
The city's coat of arms depicts the sun setting (or rising?) over the sea, and below it four white stripes on a green background. These white stripes symbolize the four rivers on which Saulkrasti stands, and the five villages that united to form the city. The image conveys its spirit very well: pastoral, quiet, semi-rural and quite far from the worries of the “big world”.
In Saulkrasti, in Katrinbad, near the White Dune, you can still see two linden trees planted by Empress Catherine II in 1764.
Popular hotels in Saulkrasti
Weather in Saulkarsti
Entertainment and attractions in Saulkrasti
It seems that in Saulkrasti everything is somehow connected with the sea or the sun. The Saulkrasti beach stretches for as much as 17 km, and in its different sections the character and relief are also different. Its most famous point and one of the most outstanding attractions of Saulkrasti is the White Dune. It is located at the place where one of the four rivers of Saulkrasti, the Inčupe, flows into the sea. The height of the dune is about 18 m, and this is a favorite place for townspeople and tourists: the view of the bay from here offers excellent.
The age of the White Dune of Saulkrasti is at least 350 million years old.
Another “sunny” attraction of Saulkrasti is the “Sunset Path”. This walking route, which is approximately 3.5 km long, goes along the seashore, partly through the forest. In the forest, it is worth slowing down for a moment to admire a couple of dozen magnificent pines, the oldest of which have been growing here for about two centuries.
In addition, the square in the center of Saulkrasti is named after the Sun. In summer it is a popular place for film screenings. fresh air and live musical performances.
The city also has several parks, of which the most popular is perhaps the seaside park of Piejura. Its territory includes a section of the coast between the White Dune and Lilaste, it is overgrown with magnificent old trees. Another park was designed in the likeness of English landscape parks in the first third of the 19th century. This is Neubad, which received the same name as the resort, which was founded on the site of the present Saulkrasti in 1823.
And in the territory of the Piejura Park there is one of the first nudist beaches to appear in the country.
An event that is not too large-scale and not particularly well-known outside the country, which is held annually in Saulkrasti, is the Saulkrasti Jazz festival. Mostly local teams perform there. The festival has been taking place in the city for more than 15 years in a row.
Saulkrasti
The resort town also offers its guests opportunities for cultural leisure. Take, for example, the local Bicycle Museum: there is only one like this in Latvia. Here you can learn about the history of the production of “two-wheeled friends” in the country until the mid-20th century, visit a retro workshop and a completely modern store.
2 things to do in Saulkrasti:
- Rent a bike and explore the excellent cycling routes in the Vidzeme region.
- Spend the day at the Center Marine Park playing sports on the beach.
In addition, Saulkrasti has a couple of nice and quite interesting churches. The main city church, Peterupsky, was rebuilt many times, and its current appearance dates back to 1856. In the same year, J. Miller painted an altar image for it, taking as a basis the famous work of Peter Cornelius, which he created for the Church of St. Ludwig in Munich. The second church, the Roman Catholic one, was built only in 1998, but its altar image also has interesting story. He copies the vision of the Polish nun Faustina, in which the Savior appeared to her in 1931.
Neighborhoods of Saulkrasti
About 8 km from Saulkrasti there is an interesting museum dedicated to the most honest man in the world - Baron Munchausen. As you know, the legendary baron lived with his wife in the capital region of Latvia, Vidzeme. The museum has a small exhibition wax figures and Munchausen gizmos.
Useful information for tourists about Saulkrasti in Latvia - geographical position, tourist infrastructure, map, architectural features and attractions.
Saulkrasti is a city that bears the name of the Sun in its name: translated into Russian, Saulkrasti means “ sunny Beach" The city is located on the shores of the Baltic Sea, 35 kilometers from Riga. The magnificent Vidzeme seaside with the surrounding areas, which belongs to Saulkrasti, extends from Lilaste to the border of the Limbaži district in Skulte, a distance of 17 kilometers.
Just like Jurmala, the city of Saulkrasti developed as a place summer holiday Riga residents Unlike the shallow beach in Jurmala, in Saulkrasti the depth begins close to the shore, about a couple of meters.
The city of Saulkrasti is very well characterized by its coat of arms. It depicts 4 rivers (Inčupe, Kišupe, Peterupe, Age) and 5 villages (Badciems, Peterupe, Katribade (Pabazi), Neibade, Zvejniekciems), a blue sea and a sky with a golden sun. In 1933, after the unification of villages, the city of Saulkrasti received its current name, and in 1991 acquired the status of a city.
There is an active recreation center in Saulkrasti, which is suitable for lovers of windsurfing and kitesurfing. Beginners will be able to try their hand here, and experienced yachtsmen will feel very confident. Instructors will help you choose equipment and provide the necessary assistance during training.
If you are staying at a campsite, you can play paintball. Games are held on sports fields or on the beach. There must be at least 10 participants to play. Registration is made in advance. Also here you can visit the bathhouse, rent a boat, ATV, and fly on a seaplane.
In Zvejniekciems (surrounding area of Saulkrasti) horse riding lessons are held under the guidance of an experienced trainer.
From the White Dune along the sea coast there is a 3.6-kilometer-long Sunset Walk. You can relax and enjoy along the way beautiful views seas with recreation areas. After admiring the natural beauty, you can go down the stairs to the beach. The walking trail starts from the White Dune, but you can also start your walk from the Sunny Bridge, which is located near the Saulrieti recreation complex.
Saulkrasti is rich in attractions. One of the most interesting is the Munchausen Museum. It is located on the Dunte estate, in the estate where the baron and his wife Jacobina lived. The museum will be of interest to tourists of all ages. Both young and old remember the extraordinary travels and adventures of Baron Munchausen, which is why families love to visit this popular attraction.
Peterupe Lutheran Church is one of the witnesses of history in Saulkrasti. Today's church building is the fourth in a row. Ancient manuscripts report that already in the 13th century, when Christianity spread in Latvia, a wooden prayer house (chapel) was erected on a hill near the river, which was named after St. Peter. Over time, the village of Peterupe was born around the pastor's estate and church.