Guide of Liepaja

Liepāja is a port city on the Western coast of Lithuania. It is the third biggest city in the country and during the late 19th to the early 20th century, it was a popular seaside resort. The port is important because it is strategically located in an area of the coast that is ice-free, allowing easy access for ships. Liepāja is also famous for its sea breeze and is known throughout Latvia as the ‘city where the wind is born’.

A brief history of Liepāja

Liepāja began as a humble fishing village and developed into a major trading port under the leadership of Jacob Kettler (1610 - 1681), who was Duke of Courland and the godson of England's King James I. The city suffered during the Great Northern War which was unfortunately followed by a severe outbreak of the plague that killed a large proportion of the population in 1710. It wasn’t until the 19th century that the city recovered and regained its importance as a port and mercantile centre as part of the Russian Empire. Between 1890 and 1904, the city also became an important Naval Port and was home to the first Baltic fleet of Russian submarines. In the early 20th century Liepāja was at its peak and many beautiful Art Nouveau buildings and parks were created in the city.

During World War II, both Nazi and Soviet troops devastated the city, which was also the setting for the mass killing of many Jews. After The War, the naval base became very isolated as it was seized by the Soviets who controlled access to the city and Latvians from other parts of the country weren’t permitted to enter the city, even to visit, but life behind the Iron Curtain continued.

In the 1980s Liepāja was one of the first cities to initiate the independence movement and today the city is a vibrant place, with a Blue Flag beach and some great boutique hotels. Liepāja is well-known for its live music scene, there are a variety of venues, bars and pubs that host musicians every night of the week!

What to do in Liepāja

There is plenty to do in Liepāja, but a good place to start is at the Liepāja Museum where there is a permanent exhibition about the history of the city as well as lots more. But by far the most unusual and interesting place to visit it the Liepāja Prison. This is not your usual prison museum; it gives you a real flavour of life in Soviet prison! You can opt from a Soviet-style buffet a ‘behind bars’ show, or go for the immersive overnight experience, where you sleep inside the prison in the same conditions as Soviets prisoners would have!

Beaches around Liepāja

The best place for the beach is the Liepaja Seaside Park, it is a three-kilometre long, Blue Flag approved stretch of sand, backed by one of the largest wooded parks in Latvia. The park also features a Liepāja’s former Bathing House, a large concert stage, the largest drum kit in Latvia, an Art Nouveau fountain and an Art Nouveau fountain, an islet and a bridge - so there is plenty to keep you occupied for the whole day!