Liepāja is a jewel of a city right on Latvia’s amber seacoast. It has one of the cleanest and most beautiful, white sand beaches in the country, where occasionally one can still find pieces of amber washed up along the seashore. The beach is Blue-Flag certified and is a popular summer destination for sunbathers and swimmers.
Liepāja is home to about 90 000 people, making it the third-largest city in Latvia. Although a fishermen’s port had already been located there for centuries, Liepāja was officially granted the status of a city only 385 years ago, in 1625.
This charming port city, with its cobblestone streets, historical sights, wooden buildings, green parks and squares is well worth the 200-kilometre trip from Riga. At the Holy Trinity Church, you can hear the world’s largest historic unreconstructed organ, with 7000 pipes.
The Karosta neighbourhood in the north of the city has a number of late 19th and early 20th-century sights that merit a detour, including the Officer’s Palace, Marine Cathedral, Riding Manege, Fortifications and Northern Breakwater, as well as the Old Prison and its interactive show Behind the Bars.
You are sure to enjoy a concert by the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra, which is one of the best in Latvia, followed by pleasant meal or drink in one of the fine cafes and restaurants in the city centre. Liepāja has an active night life and numerous cultural festivals that take place during the summer months.
In addition, Liepāja is an excellent place to set up a new business, with a low-tax environment, Special Economic Zone, ice-free port, easy access to Western and Eastern countries and a modern infrastructure. Through the adept use of European Union funding, the city is continually improving its facilities and developing at a rapid pace.
