Libau – Beach, Lagoon Lake and Culture

Libau combines a wide sandy beach with a distinctive waterscape and an unusually diverse cultural history. Those wishing to balance the sea, nature, maritime heritage and city sightseeing on their trip will find different focal points in Liepāja: Lake Liepāja is a lagoon lake formed by the retreat of the Baltic Sea, while the three-kilometre-long Trade Channel connects the lake with the Baltic Sea and separates Old Liepāja from New Liepāja.

Beach, lake and nature trails

The wide sandy beach provides a focal point for days by the sea. Lake Liepāja also offers views of a protected landscape. The lake and the surrounding meadows belong to the “Lake Liepāja” nature reserve and to the Natura 2000 site of European importance, which is specially protected. The area is important for the breeding and migration of waterbirds.

A convenient access point to the lake is the pier at the end of Lauku iela: it extends for almost one kilometre to a birdwatching tower with a viewing height of ten metres. The approximately four-kilometre-long Zirgu Island Nature Trail, with its wooden boardwalks, is also suitable for walks. Two viewing platforms there provide extensive views over Lake Liepāja. The trail also includes a birdwatching tower and outdoor fitness equipment; a path for skating and cycling is located nearby.

The surrounding area can also be explored by bicycle: Liepāja has cycle routes with a total length of more than 50 kilometres. The Trade Channel also offers water-based recreation with a catamaran, boat, raft or sauna on a floating house.

Harbour, fortress and unusual city history

The city’s maritime past is particularly tangible at the North Mole. It was built at the end of the 19th century as part of Liepāja’s sea fortress and military harbour and is 1,800 metres long. A large car park and public toilets are available for visitors there.

Another chapter in the city’s history is told by the Karosta Prison Museum. It presents a real prison that has barely changed since the Tsarist era. Visits are exclusively guided; tours start on the hour. At Karosta Prison, visitors can also take part in the reality show “Aiz restēm” (“Behind Bars”) and the game “Slēgtā istaba” (“Locked Room”).

Church, concert hall and museum

Trinity Cathedral provides an architectural and musical highlight. Its exterior architecture is late Baroque with Classical features, while the interior is characterised by Rococo design. The cathedral houses the world’s largest unaltered mechanical organ, with 131 stops, four manuals and more than 7,000 pipes. The 55-metre-high tower is open to visitors and offers panoramic views of the city.

The “Lielais dzintars” concert hall, opened in 2015, provides concert and art spaces. Tours of Great Amber include the Great Hall as well as additional concert and art spaces. The Liepāja Museum looks further back in time: Several permanent exhibitions present archaeological objects, works of art and other evidence of history from the Stone Age to the 19th century.

To the main travel overview: Liepāja.