Kuldīga

Understand

With the smaller Alekšupīte River running through its old town centre, it is known as "The Latvian Venice". Indeed the river flows alongside the walls of many of the town’s houses. Like Ventspils, Kuldīga's streets are all made of various kinds of cobblestone. Local authorities aim to make the old town of Kuldīga an important international tourism destination, to attract domestic and foreign tourists and contribute to the sustainable development of the town. The historic and architectural heritage of Kuldīga is well preserved. In the park near the Kuldīga district museum fragments of the stone wall and the cellar of the first Kuldīga castle, built in 1242 by German knights, have been preserved. Later Duke Jacob’s castle (ruined in 1701) was there as well. Today it is a sculpture park. The old brick bridge across the Venta, built in 1874, is one of the longest of its type in Europe. The Old Town Hall was built in the 17th century. The cellar of the building was the first prison in Kuldīga. The oldest wooden building in Courland was built in 1670 near the town square on the banks of the River Alekšupīte. The town square was an old assembly place for people. Traditional cultural heritage is part of everyday life in Kuldīga with textile workshops and celebrations of national festivals. There are also more contemporary events such as the annual running competition on the Alekšupīte (River of Aleksis) and the ‘naked people run’ over the historical bridge on the Venta River at Midsummer night.

1 Tourist Information Centre, Baznīcas iela 5 (town hall square), ☏ +371 63322259, [email protected]. Visit Kuldīga website

Getting there

There are several daily buses, taking 2-3 hours from capital Rīga and frequent bus connections from nearby Ventspils and Talsi. Check 1188.lv for details.

Getting around

Most of Kuldīga's attractions are within walking distance. Only the sand caves are 4-5 km north of the Ventas River bridge. You might want to try hitch-hiking there, but people can be hesitant to take you along the way, because it is mostly families and couples going there. Alternatively, take a local taxi, which usually are available near bus station ("Maxima" or "Rimi" supermarkets)

See

Most of the main attractions are close to each other and easily reached by foot, except for the sand caves.

Historical Centre of Kuldīga. Kuldīga is a small and attractive town that has always been admired and praised by poets and painters. The city centre, which developed in the 17th and 18th centuries, has still preserved the old wooden buildings which form small and narrow streets. 1 Kuldiga Castle Park. Pleasant park with sculptures around the ruins of the castle. Sculptures by Latvian sculptor Līvija Rezevska, an Honorary Citizen of Kuldīga. Most of them were made during Soviet era. 2 The oldest wooden house in Kurzeme, Kuldīga, ☏ +371 63322259, [email protected]. Wooden architecture, second part of 1630s, red-tile roof, splendid weather-vane, bridge of Venice of Kuldīga, lodging. (updated Sep 2024) 3 Kuldiga District Museum (Kuldīgas Novada muzejs), Pils iela 5 (in the castle park besides the rapids), ☏ +371 63350179, [email protected]. W–Su 10:00–18:00, Tu 12:00–18:00, M closed. In Kuldiga Castle Park, on the site of the old castle. Only fragments of the castle remain. Interesting snapshot to life in the mansion in the beginning of the 20th century. Museum also has a wide playing cards collection! €4. (updated Jun 2025) 4 Brick bridge across the Venta (Kuldīgas ķieģeļu tilts), Baznīcas iela (near the museum). At 164 m, it is the longest road bridge of this kind in Europe. It was built in 1874 according to 19th-century standards: 500 feet long and 26 feet wide (152 m by 8 m), allowing two carriages to pass each other. It consists of seven spans of brick vaults. Two of the spans were blown up during World War I, and rebuilt in concrete, rather than brick, in 1926. (updated Sep 2024) 5 Venta Rapid (Ventas rumba), ☏ +371 63322259, [email protected]. This 240-m-wide waterfall is the widest in Europe. It is easily viewed from the brick bridge, 200 m downstream. Its 2-m height is not impressive when viewed from the bridge – you have to get down on the river

Do

Get a free massage from Venta Rapid. You can sit under the waterfall and the water will fall down onto your back providing a free massage. Just find a flat stone (i.e. close to the river bank) that is suitable to sit and give it a try. Walk the town park. The park is very nice, with hills, winding paths, flowers, sculptures and water. Cycling Festival and Cycling Night (Kuldīgas Velofestivāls), Baznīcas iela 5, ☏ +371 63322259, [email protected]. Held in the end of May. The largest non-commercial bicycle marathon in Latvia, since 2010. Various routes at several distances are available. The traditional late-night ride will also be held.

Buy

1 Kuuld, Baznīcas iela 27. High quality souvenirs and art by local craftspeople. (updated Jul 2026)

Eat

1 Restaurant Staburadze. This used to be a better place. No pelmeni, the herring with cottage cheese and potatoes was nice though.

Drink & nightlife

1 DUNA Brewery, Kaļķu iela 14, ☏ +371 28808233. Local traditional brewery, also has modern experimental drinks such as beer aged in wine barrels and various lemonades, cocktails (updated Jul 2026)

Sleep

1 Pilskalnu Hostelis, Kaļķu iela 1, ☏ +371 29146515. From €19. (updated Nov 2017) 2 Hotel Metropole Kuldīga, Baznīcas iela 11, ☏ +371 63350588, [email protected]. Offers 14 furnished rooms. Each room is equipped with cable TV, bathroom with shower or bath and a phone. From the windows, a sight to the busiest pedestrian street of Kuldiga, Liepaja Street, opens, but in case you want more quiet view, hotel has rooms with view of the river Aleksu that cranks though the very heart of Kuldiga. Guesthouse/camping "Ventas Rumba" (go down from the car parking towards the waterfall and you'll find the place), ☏ +371 263 77 683. Good place to stay if one wants the sound of the river or to go for a free waterfall massage in the morning. €12-22/person.

Go next

Check out the nearby attractions of the Kurzeme region. Alsunga – A tiny but proud village just about 25 kilometers away, most known for its unique folklore and "sklandrauši" (carrot cakes), a famous snack in all of Latvia. Recipe has not changed from medieval times, usually sold by street vendors in the village streets in summertime. Jūrkalne – A beautiful white-sand beach with high shore. Spectacular sunset over the Baltic sea, excellent for summer camping and kids. Liepāja – Named "the city of wind", and the southwestern most city of Latvia. Famous for its sandy beach, numerous music events, and the largest organ in the world. It features modern architecture and a long history along with the formerly secret Soviet military neighbourhood of Karosta (literally: War Port). Ventspils – A modern and artistic sea resort city in the north-west part of Latvia, has many things to see, and is one of the tidiest places in the region. A long-stretching beach and recreational pa