Kurzeme Coast & Historic Towns Loop
Road trip around western Latvia, visiting Cape Kolka, Ventspils, Liepāja, and Kuldīga.
Head north from Riga to Cape Kolka, then drive south along the Baltic coast, and finally return via the UNESCO-listed historic town of Kuldīga and the Abava Valley. The pace is relaxed, featuring beaches, lighthouses, military port ruins, and wooden old towns. Ideal for self-driving couples and return visitors; public transport is difficult to coordinate along the coastal sections, so no public transport version is provided.
Irbene tours are open from around May to Oct; the Venta Rapid has a higher water volume in spring.
Day by day
Day 1 · Ķemeri Bog to Cape Kolka
Riga（Great Ķemeri Bog Boardwalk） → Cape Kolka
Drive about 45 minutes from Riga to Ķemeri, then drive along the Gulf of Riga toward Kolka, totaling about 3 hours of driving for the day.
Stay: Kolka
Day 2 · Radio Telescope & Lighthouse
Ventspils（Irbene Radio Telescope (VIRAC)、Oviši Lighthouse、Ventspils Beach）
Drive west along the coast for about 120 km to Ventspils on fully paved roads (approx. 2 hours).
Guided tours of Irbene must be booked at least 3 days in advance.
Stay: Old Town and City Center
Day 3 · South Along the Coast to Liepāja
Ventspils（Ventspils Castle、Ventspils Port Promenade） → Kuldīga（Jūrkalne Bluffs） → Pāvilosta → Liepāja（Liepāja Beach）
Drive from Ventspils via Jūrkalne and Pāvilosta to Liepāja, about 120 km (approx. 2 hours).
Stay: Liepāja City Centre
Day 4 · Karosta & the City of Wind
Liepāja（Karosta Prison、St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral、Karosta Northern Forts、Great Amber Concert Hall、Seaside Park）
A 10–15 minute drive from the city center to Karosta; return to the city center in the afternoon for a walking tour.
Karosta Prison is visited mainly via guided tours; opening hours vary by source, so it is best to confirm in advance.
Stay: Liepāja City Centre
Day 5 · Kuldīga Wooden Old Town
Kuldīga（Venta Rapid、Venta Brick Bridge、Kuldīga Old Town、Riežupe Sand Caves）
Drive from Liepāja to Kuldīga, about 90 km (approx. 1 hour), then explore the old town on foot.
Accommodation is tight during summer weekends and festivals; book well in advance.
Stay: Kuldīga Old Town
Day 6 · Abava Valley Return to Riga
Kuldīga（Abava Rapid、Sabile Wine Hill、Pedvāle Open-Air Art Museum）
Drive from Kuldīga via Sabile back to Riga, about 170 km (approx. 2.5 hours of pure driving).