Apart from famous Jurmala, which is located slightly to the south from Riga, there is another seacoast, with the same sandy beaches, called Vidzeme Seaside. It spread to the north of Riga up to the Estonian borders. Here are located several towns, from Riga: Saulkrasti, Salacgriva, Ainazi and, a little bit aside, – Limbazi.
Extra information
Tourist information centers:
Saulkrasti: Ainazu iela 10, Phone: +371 67 952 641,tic@saulkrasti.lv
Salacgriva: Rigas 10a, Tел: +371 64 041 254, saltic@latnet.lv
Limbazi: Burtnieku 5, Phone:: +371 64 070 608, +371 28 359 057, limbtic@apollo.lv
Ainazi: Valdemara 50, Phone:. +371 64 043 241, ainazutic@inbox.lv
Saulkrasti websiteSalacgriva website
How to reach:
By train (every 45-50 minutes) or by bus (every hour). Travel time: 1 hour.
Limbazi, Salacgriva and Ainazi also are reachable by bus. Bus departure is regular. The road takes 2 h 20 min.
By car. To Saulkrasti – 45 min, to Limbazi – 1 h 15 min, to Salacgriva – 1 h 20 min, to Ainazi – 1 h 30 min.
Sulkrasti
Saulkrasti, as well as Jurmala, was formed as summer resort for those who live in Riga. But unlike to Jurmala, in Saulkrasti depth starts just a few meters from the shore. In addition, beaches here are not so crowded, as in Jurmala.
Salacgriva
Salacgriva is famous for its fishery, the biggest in Latvia coastal meadows and the only Biosphere nature reserve in the country. Interesting to visit the town in early July, when here is traditionally celebrated Fisherman’s day and also in the middle of July, when here is held a Positivus Festival – the biggest open-air festival in Baltic.
Limbazi
The old town that once was a member of northern-German trading cities – “The Hanseatic League”. Here is located a stone castle Lemzal (1223). Limbazi is often called “The cod capital” as here is highly-developed fishery.
Ainazi
In 19th century Ainazi was a maritime center in Latvia. Today you can visit here Ainazi sea school museum (the first marine school in Latvia) and biosphere nature reserve.