Planning a visit to the Baltic sisters – Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania? Or maybe just heading to Latvia itself?
Whatever the case, don’t stop at the medieval-meets-Art-Nouveau capital Riga, no matter how lively its architecture or party vibe may be.
Make time for Kuldīga – a town so picturesque, it feels like something out of a fairytale.
A Hidden Gem in Western Latvia
Tiny Kuldīga, with only about 10,000 inhabitants, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and once you arrive, you’ll understand why.
The town center is full of well-preserved 18th and 19th-century buildings, most with red tile roofs and authentic facades. You can stroll cobblestone streets, browse handmade local crafts, duck into hipster cafés and slow-food restaurants. Simply feel happy that such a town still exists in the world.
A Town With a Past
Kuldīga’s golden era came in the late 17th century, when Duke Jakob of Courland ruled from here.
Under his reign, the duchy encouraged industry, shipbuilding, and even transcontinental navigation. Yes, ships from tiny Courland once reached Africa and the Caribbean.
The Iconic View: Waterfall and Bridge
The town’s most famous sight is the old red-brick bridge over the Venta River, with the mighty Venta Rumba waterfall just beside it – the widest natural waterfall in Northern Europe.
You can enjoy coffee or dinner in cafés with direct views of both.
And if you’re lucky enough to visit in April, don’t miss a rare natural spectacle. Thousands of fish leaping up the waterfall on their way to spawning grounds upriver.
Locals call it the Festival of the Flying Fish – and yes, it’s exactly as surreal and magical as it sounds.
Make your unforgettable Latvia – or any other inspired itinerary – with the help of Meet The Road, your smart travel companion for seeing more than just the obvious.