Hotels in Limbažu Novads between lake, bog and culture

At Limbažu Lielezers in Limbaži, natural surroundings and purpose-built facilities come together to offer different ways of exploring. Here you will find the artistically designed environmental object “Bebrs”. There is also a tactile map of the beach and nature trail for people with visual impairments, as well as an audio story.

Nature

The nature trail at Limbažu Lielezers is a 2.3-kilometre accessible route connecting the city beach and the boat base with a birdwatching tower. In places, it runs along a wooden footbridge through reed beds; from the birdwatching tower, there are views across the lake. Limbažu Lielezers itself is 4.3 kilometres long and up to 6.5 metres deep. The Niedrāju-Pilkas bog trail is a 1-kilometre loop that ends at an approximately 3-metre-high viewing platform.

Limbažu Novads is one of the three administrative areas of the Ziemeļvidzeme Biosphere Reserve. On the coast lies Randu pļavas, a nature reserve covering a section of the Vidzeme coast between Ainaži and Kuiviži.

Culture and history

The “Melngaiļa sēta” Culture and Education Centre houses permanent exhibitions about the life and work of Emīls Melngailis. The Bārda family memorial museum “Rumbiņi” preserves the memory of the poets Fricis Bārda, Paulīna Bārda and Antons Bārda, who were important figures in Latvian culture. The museum also includes preserved buildings from a 19th- and 20th-century farmstead.

In its permanent exhibition “Spožas pogas, ķiveres”, the Ainažu Ugunsdzēsības muzejs presents the history of the town of Ainaži and displays exhibits from the collection of the Latvian Firefighting Museum. Visitors can also see the volunteer fire brigade’s depot there. The Pāles novadpētniecības muzejs documents and presents the cultural and historical heritage of the Pāle municipality. By prior arrangement, it offers guided tours that can take place on the desired day and at the desired time. It is considered the only museum in Latvia where visitors can learn about the history of the Livonians in Vidzeme.

The Lībiešu muzejs Pivālind in Staicele is located in one of the town’s oldest log houses, built in 1870. The museum provides insights into Livonian history and traditions, local place names and their connection with the Livonian language. The exhibition rooms and historical exposition of the Limbaži Museum are located in the new castle of the Riga Council, built at the beginning of the 19th century, the former manor steward’s building of Pilsmuiža, at 7 Burtnieku Street. The museum includes the exhibition “Baumaņu Kārlis and His Time” about the author of the national anthem of the Republic of Latvia, as well as the permanent exhibition “Perpetuum mobiles”.

Experiences

The Minhauzena muzejs displays weapons, hunting trophies and a wax figure of Baron Münchhausen. The museum includes a Minhauzena forest trail with routes of 1 kilometre, 3.4 kilometres and 4.3 kilometres. Along the paths stand 55 figures from stories, created as wooden sculptures. The complex also includes a large wooden play ship with slides, swings and climbing elements for children.

Bīriņu pils, built in 1860, preserves historic buildings and other historic objects within its manor grounds. Guided tours of the palace rooms and tower are offered there. The stables are home to horses, a pony and rabbits. The manor park is ideal for peaceful walks and includes, among other features, Emīlijas Park and Mīlestības saliņa.

Regional trails

The 7-kilometre Green Way “Limbaži–Katvari” follows the route of a former railway line. It is suitable for cycling, hiking and cross-country skiing. At the Svētupes muižas komplekss complex, the season runs from June to September; cultural, art, sports and motorsport events, as well as guided tours, take place there.

Culinary delights

In the village of Stiene, homemade Gogelmogels plombir ice cream is produced at “Ceplīši”. It is made according to a classic recipe using pure natural ingredients and no additives.

Other local pages

Other local pages in Limbažu Novads include: Limbaži, Šķirstiņi, Vārzas, Lāde, Bīriņi, Ainaži, Mustkalni, Vidriži, Nabe, Ķirbiži, Lādezers, Kaijciems.

To the higher-level travel overview: Latvia.