Lapmežciems lies right on the coast, on a narrow strip of land between the Gulf of Riga and Lake Kaņieris. This location frames a place whose themes are closely connected with fishing and seafaring: these include museum experiences, historical landmarks and a boardwalk leading to the sea. The entire Lapmežciema pagasts lies within Ķemeri National Park.
Fishing history and early settlement
Lapmežciems has long been home to fishermen and sailors; the villages in the surrounding area are also often called fishing villages. The Lapmežciems Museum is dedicated to preserving the district’s cultural and historical heritage. A particular focus is the history of fishing and related aspects of everyday life and the physical environment. The museum therefore highlights not only occupations, but also the world of life connected with fishing.
The museum’s interactive offerings include 3D glasses that let visitors step into the role of a fisherman and take part in fishing interactively. Other activities explore historical place names and the environment around Lapmežciems. These offer a range of ways to engage: fishing can be experienced interactively, while place names and the environment introduce other local themes.
A much earlier period is represented by the Siliņupes settlement site. It is the oldest known human settlement in Ķemeri National Park and dates from the 3rd to the 2nd millennium BC. This long historical perspective extends from early settlement to the history of fishing, which is the museum’s main focus.
Another historical landmark stands at kilometre 9 of the Talsu šoseja: near the houses called “Tuteņi,” a memorial stone commemorates Augusts Muižulis, a recipient of the Lāčplēsis War Order. Muižulis fought in the 7th Bauska Rifle Battalion during the First World War and also took part in Latvia’s War of Independence. The memorial stone connects local history with the story of a fighter from Latvian history.
Coastal path, bathing areas and birdwatching
The Kupskalnu Nature Trail is a wooden boardwalk along the Siliņupe River that leads to the sea. The old Lapmežciems pier can be seen there. The trail was built in 2005 and renovated in 2020. The river, coast and pier give the route a clear progression: it follows the water and ends at the sea.
The unofficial Lapmežciems–Bigauņciems bathing area, also known as “Kupskalnu Beach,” is in Lapmežciema pagasts on the boundary between Lapmežciems and Bigauņciems. It can be reached via the Kupskalnu Nature Trail. Another bathing area, Starpinupe, is on the banks of the river of the same name in Lapmežciems, about 200 metres from the Starpinupe dam. It has a changing cabin, two benches and rubbish bins.
The locations distinguish the two bathing areas: Kupskalnu Beach is on the boundary between the villages and is connected to the nature trail; Starpinupe is identified by its position on the riverbank and its approximate distance from the dam.
During the spring and autumn migrations, the mouth of the Starpiņupe River where it flows into the Gulf of Riga, along with an approximately one-kilometre stretch to the northwest, is a good place to watch waders, gulls and various species of duck. The season and observation area shape this nature outing. This differs from the focus of the Kupskalnu Trail, whose description highlights the river, the route and the old pier.
Fish from the kiosk
The local fishing tradition is also reflected in the offerings at the “Gardo zivju namiņš” fish kiosk in Lapmežciems: it serves various smoked fish, salmon sandwiches and coffee; fish platters can also be ordered. This specific food offering complements the town’s cultural, historical and landscape themes.
Discover more destinations: Smārde, Ķesterciems, Engure, Radziņciems, Bigauņciems, Apšuciems, Ragaciems, Klapkalnciems.
For the broader travel overview: Engures Novads.
