Saulkrasti: Coast, Nature and Local History

Coastal landscapes, forest trails and cultural sites offer different ways to experience Saulkrasti. The White Dune and the Saulrieta Trail lead into the landscape; the park, bicycle museum and church offer specific insights into local history. As you plan your trip, consider which of these themes interest you most.

Coast, Dune and Forest

The White Dune is 18 metres high and offers a viewpoint overlooking the Gulf of Riga. A funnel-shaped listening device is also installed there, allowing you to hear the nuances of the sea and the sound of the pines. If you particularly want to experience this sound installation, check that it is in place before your visit.

The Saulrieta Trail is a 3.6-kilometre forest path along the coast. It passes through a dune forest with 20 distinctive pines, some of which are up to 200 years old. The coastline, dune forest and old trees give the trail a variety of scenic features.

The wider landscape includes Piejūra Nature Park. It protects, in particular, wooded dunes, grey dunes, coastal meadows and lakes, and is designated both as a nature park and a Natura 2000 site. Parts of Saulkrasti Municipality lie within this protected area.

Trails and Activities

On the Saulkrasti–Lauči coastal hiking route, you can cover the first few kilometres to Zvejniekciems either along the beach or on a path through the dune forest. There is also an old wooden hut along the route, with fishing nets and tools. The two routes therefore offer a choice of beach or forest, while the hut adds a specific connection to fishing and coastal life.

At Centre bathing area, SUP boards can be rented and jet ski rides taken on sunny, warm summer days without wind. These options depend on the weather conditions stated and the summer season. If you plan to take part in either activity, check local availability.

The Seaside Park has play equipment, outdoor exercise facilities, gym equipment and volleyball courts. Saulkrasti’s multifunctional cycling track also includes the educational BTA Velozinis adventure course, with various wooden features. The condition of these outdoor facilities may change; if they are important to your plans, check their condition before your visit.

Culture and Local History

Neibāde Park is laid out in the English style. When the Neibāde resort was established in 1823, care began to be taken there for the recreation of its guests. In 1877, Baron August von Pistolkors had a monument to the founders of the seaside resort erected in the park. The park’s design, resort history and monument offer different ways to explore local history.

Zvejniekciems originated in the 19th century as a village inhabited by fishermen. Part of Skulte’s Zvejniekciems was incorporated into the Saulkrasti urban area in 1967. The area’s history thus encompasses both the founding of the fishing village and a later change to the administrative boundaries.

The Saulkrasti Bicycle Museum houses Latvia’s only collection of antique bicycles. On display are an early high-wheel bicycle, a bicycle with early pneumatic tyres and a wooden bicycle. These three exhibits offer specific examples of different early bicycle designs.

The Saulkrasti-Pēterupe Lutheran Church also has an art-historical connection: the altarpiece “Christ on the Cross (Golgotha)” was painted by Jozefs Millers in 1856. Together with the memorial sites in Neibāde Park and the bicycle collection, it broadens the picture of Saulkrasti beyond its coast and nature.

Discover more destinations: Zvejniekciems

For the broader travel overview: Saulkrastu Novads.