Latvia’s northern coast is a beautiful stretch of sandy beaches, pine forests, quiet fishing villages, and rugged shoreline. All perfect for a relaxed day trip if you want to experience Latvia beyond Riga’s colourful Old Town and historic castles.
In this guide, I’ll take you through the best stops along the northern coast, from the famous White Dune at Saulkrasti to the wild shoreline at Kurmrags Lighthouse.
And to finish the day in style, you’ll return south along the Gulf of Riga to Jurmala, the country’s most iconic seaside resort. Perfect for dinner, and sunset drinks at the beach.
Also read: Best Things To Do In Riga (+ 3-Day Itinerary Ideas)
Map of Latvia’s Northern Coast
To help you plan your route, I’ve pinned all of Latvia’s beaches, villages, viewpoints, and stops mentioned in this guide. I stayed at Hilton Garden Inn Riga Old Town where they have on-site parking for €25 per day.
Why Drive Latvia’s Northern Coast?
What makes this coastal drive so special is its variety. Within a single day you can experience:
- Soft, sandy beaches backed by pine forests
- Dramatic dunes and panoramic viewpoints
- Local villages rarely visited by tourists
- Peaceful lakes and forest trails
- Rugged, wave-battered shoreline
- A leaning lighthouse that feels like the end of the world
- And finally, a lively seaside town for sunset drinks
It’s the perfect counterbalance to Riga’s urban energy, and with a car, the entire route is incredibly easy and flexible.
Tip: Find the best car rental deal on DiscoverCars.com and explore Latvia’s northern coast.
6 Fun Stops on Latvia’s Northern Coast
Stop 1 | The White Dune (Saulkrasti)
The White Dune is one of the most dramatic viewpoints along Latvia’s coastline. Sitting high above the shore, the dune offers some pretty cool views over the Baltic Sea and the surrounding pine forests.
What to Expect
A short wooden boardwalk leads you through the forest to the main viewing platform. From here, you’ll see the coastline curve into the distance while the waves roll far below.
There’s also a small loop trail that takes you down to the beach if you want to feel the sand between your toes.
Why Visit
This is easily one of the best photo spots on the northern coast, especially early in the morning or late in the day.
Stop 2 | Saulkrasti Town
Just a few minutes from the White Dune sits the quiet seaside town of Saulkrasti, an easy and relaxing break on your coastal route.
What to Expect
You’ll find a calm beachfront in Saulkrasti with local cafés and ice cream stands. There’s also space to swim, sit, or simply wander. Another great option is to follow the cycling path along the shore.
Why Visit
It’s a lovely spot for an early lunch or a refreshing swim a the beaches before heading deeper into Latvia’s northern coast.
Insider tip: You can rent a bike from Velo Noma at Saulkrasti’s Bycycle Museum. Using the train? Then get off at Pabaži station.
Stop 3 | Garciems & Gauja Beaches, Latvia
Beyond Saulkrasti, the coastline becomes more peaceful and local. Garciems and nearby Gauja offer some of the quietest stretches of shoreline in the region. Personally these are my favourite beaches on Latvia’s coast.
What to Expect
This area is where you’ll find wide sandy beaches and hardly any other visitors. Both beaches can be reached by following a boardwalk, of which the one at Garciems is the prettiest. You’ll follow the path through pine forests until you meet the sea.
Gauja’s beach is even more remote than Garciems, which for the most part probably has to do with the road there. Now, I may have take a wrong turn somewhere, but I followed the road Skauta iela there that was very challenging. Best to avoid after a few days of rain!
Why Visit
These beaches feel wild and are ideal if you want to enjoy Latvia’s northern coastline without crowds. To be fair though on the Saturday in July I did this road trip I didn’t see many people along the coast basically anywhere.
Stop 4 | Lilaste Lake & Forest Trails
Just inland sits Lilaste Lake, a scenic freshwater lake surrounded by quiet forest. It’s a great place to break up your day with something different.
What to Expect
You can follow some lakeside walking trails at Lilaste Lake. Or you can go on the lake by renting a SUP or a kayak on warm summer days. Yes, it’s possible, although Latvia is of course not particularly know for hot summer days.
If you’re a photographer, then there’s plenty of opportunities here with the lake reflecting the shady forest areas beautifully.
Why Visit
Lilaste adds a layer of variety to the coastal drive as you won’t just be visiting Latvia’s beaches, but also forests and lakes. That said, if your time is limited, then do know that you’ll find pine forests all along the coast.
Optional Stops | Tūja & the Coastal Villages
As you continue north, you’ll pass small fishing villages like Tūja, Zvejniekciems, and Skulte. These are rustic, slow-paced communities with plenty of character.
They’re perfect if you want to extend your trip, enjoy more empty beaches, or capture scenic coastal photos.
Stop 5 | Kurmrags Lighthouse (Trip Highlight)
Kurmrags Lighthouse is the wildest and most remote attraction on Latvia’s northern coast. It also feels a little eerie and post-apocalyptic here somehow.
What to Expect
The small, leaning and eroded lighthouse stands on a rocky shoreline battered by waves. Reaching it requires a nice walk along the coast for which I recommend some sturdy footwear.
Why Visit
This is the most photogenic spot on the northern coast and a fitting “end of the world” moment before looping back south toward Jurmala.
Insider tip: Park the car at this recreational site from where you can also enter the beach. Head north for about 30-40 minutes to reach the lighthouse.
Stop 6 | Jurmala (Perfect for Sunset & Dinner)
After the quiet nature stops of the northern coast, Jurmala is the ideal final stop because of its lively atmosphere. It’s the perfect place for ending the day with a drink as the sun goes down.
What to Expect
You’ll find everything here that you didn’t see for the whole day. Great restaurants and cafés, beach clubs and sunset bars, but also elegant wooden villas. And of course long sandy beaches and a relaxed holiday vibe.
For me Jurmala was the perfect place to enjoy the sunset with a delicious glass of white wine. Check out XO Beach Lounge & Club or ULU Summer House next door.
Why Visit at the End of the Day?
Jurmala is the complete opposite of the empty northern coast: buzzing with life, especially on summer evenings. After a full day of beaches, dunes, and forests, it’s the perfect place to unwind, grab dinner, and enjoy the sunset.
You can easily return to Riga in about 30 minutes afterwards.
Optional Extension | Cape Kolka
If you’re up for a longer coastal adventure, continue beyond Jurmala to Cape Kolka, where two seas meet in a collision of wind and waves.
Unlike the coast north where you won’t find any tours to, there are tours to Cape Kolka, in case you don’t feel like driving yourself. These tours include plenty of picturesque and active stops along the way.
What to Expect
A trip to Cape Kolka is ideal if you want a longer, more adventurous coastal journey. But plan your trip there on a separate day as the trip to the Kurmrags Lighthouse, because it’s impossible to do it all in one day.
Latvia’s Northern Coast | How to Get There
- By Car (Recommended) | A rental car gives you the freedom to explore each stop at your own pace. It’s the most convenient way to complete the loop. Check DiscoverCars to compare and book the best car rental deals.
- By Train | You can reach Saulkrasti by train from Riga, but transport becomes impractical further north. Check train time-tables on vivi.lv.
- By Tour | Tours to the northern coast are rare, which is partly why this region remains quiet and untouched. Renting a car is the best solution.
Practical Tips for Driving Latvia’s Northern Coast
Best Time to Visit Latvia’s Northern Coast & beaches
- May to September is the best time of the year to visit Latvia’s northern coast. The weather will be warm(er) and most places in the towns will be open for business.
- Autumn could also be a nice season for beautiful colours in the forests, although most of them mainly consist of pine trees. For autumn foliage you better head inland on a day trip to the castles. Read more about that in my dedicated Latvian castles article.
I would avoid going in winter because roads can be snowy and icy. Jurmala could be the exception because it’s easily reached from Riga.
Road Conditions
Latvia’s roads are overall very good. Just expect some gravel or even sandy roads to some of the remotest beaches such as Gauja (sand) and Kurmrags (gravel). Do as the locals do, or if you don’t trust the road, don’t continue.
So, in my experience it’s easy driving overall, just I would avoid the road to Gauja beach when it’s been raining, or if you expect it to rain. This road is sandy and bumpy and you won’t want to get stuck here.
Stay Connected on the Northern Coast of Latvia
Stay connected while on your trip through Latvia with an eSIM. My preferred option is a Saily eSIM which should cover you at most places on this road trip. Install it once, top it up when needed, and you’re good to go.
Tip: Use my code MARTIN84627 for $5 off your first eSIM purchase on Saily.com.
Travel Insurance
For road trips and longer day journeys, I recommend Heymondo. Their Annual Multi-Trip plan is great value and covers all trips up to 60 days each, making it a perfect match for frequent travellers.
Readers of Next Journey Ahead get 5% off on Heymondo travel insurance.
Swimming
To say the Baltic coast’s sea water is a bit nippy is an understatement. It’s year-round icy cold, so keep that in mind when going for a dip. It will be refreshing though, just keep a towel close-by.
That said, swimming is best around Saulkrasti, Garciems and Jurmala, because it’s a lot sandier there than the rocky coastline at Kurmrags.
Food & Facilities
There are some cafés in the town of Saulkrasti, but don’t expect anything else anywhere else on this drive along Latvia’s northern coast. So you best bring your own water, snacks and perhaps even lunch depending on where you plan to stop during the day.
End your day in Jurmala where you’ll have plenty of options for dinner and drinks with sunset views.
Nature Notes
A few additional things to consider:
- Pack insect repellent
- Wear comfortable shoes for dunes and forest trails
- Bring a light jacket, because the Baltic wind can be strong
Final Thoughts on Latvia’s Northern Coast
Latvia’s northern coast is one of the country’s most beautiful regions as it’s calm, spacious, and perfect if you want to experience Baltic nature beyond city sightseeing.
Have you been to Latvia already or do you have any questions? Then let me know in the comments section below, or reach out to me on Instagram. Also sign-up to my newsletter to receive travel inspiration right in your mailbox.
Building a longer Baltic itinerary? Then don’t forget to check out my Latvia Travel Guide, or continue reading the latest articles below:
