Vārzas: Swimming Area, Coastal Path and Lauču Stones

The public swimming area at Vārzas is on the Vidzeme coast of the Gulf of Riga, north of the mouth of the Vidurga, and is about 0.8 km long. When planning your stay, you can distinguish three local features: the swimming area, a walk along the shore and natural stones in the surrounding area. If you are looking for a hotel in Vārzas, you can decide in advance what you would like to focus on during your stay: time at the beach, a walk along the shore or the Lauču Stones nearby.

Swimming Area and Coastal Path

A prepared walking path along the seashore leads from the swimming area to the “Lauču akmens” recreation site. The route is about 1.5 km long. This makes it easy to plan the walk as a separate activity alongside time at the beach. The swimming area itself is about 0.8 km long; the two measurements refer to different things: the length of the walking route and the length of the swimming area. Between the public swimming area at Vārzas and the Lauču erratic boulders, there are walkways, changing cabins, bicycle racks and multifunctional platforms.

Lauču Stones in the Surrounding Area

The Lielais Lauču dižakmens is located near Vārzas. The ellipsoid-shaped erratic boulder is made of reddish granite and measures 4.3 m long, 3.1 m wide and 3.1 m high. Its length exceeds its width and height; the three measurements give a concrete sense of the stone’s size. Since 2001, the Lielais Lauču dižakmens has been designated a natural monument. The Mazais Lauču akmens is also nearby: a brownish granite boulder with an irregular shape and steep sides. The two stones can be distinguished by these features: the Lielais is ellipsoid-shaped and reddish, while the Mazais is brownish, with steep, irregular contours. There are also two large Lauču sea stones nearby, which were pushed ashore by ice in 1853. The two dates have different roles: 1853 dates the ice-driven event that brought the stones ashore; since 2001, the Lielais has been designated a natural monument. This distinguishes the dated event from the protected status.

Beach Facilities and Seasonal Services

In the redeveloped section of the beach, the environmental feature “Logs” frames and opens up views of the landscape. There is also a children’s play area on the beach. During the swimming season, a tourist information service and equipment rental are available at the swimming area. If information or equipment is important for your stay, take the swimming season into account when planning.

Getting There and Finding Your Way

The swimming area can be reached from the A1 Riga–Tallinn road by turning towards Vārzas and continuing along Tūjas iela. Signposts at the beach point the way and give distances to attractions. The road information helps you get there, while the signposts help you find your way around the beach area.

There is a rescue station building at the swimming area. A rescue station with a medical point was established there; however, a rescue service was not guaranteed for 2023. Before swimming, check locally what assistance is currently available.

Discover more destinations: Kaijciems, Lādezers, Ķirbiži, Vidriži, Ainaži, Lāde, Šķirstiņi, Bīriņi

See the main travel overview: Limbažu Novads.