A tiny town dubbed the ‘Nordic Venice’ has no tourists, UNESCO status and the widest waterfall in Europe – making it a perfect spot for a quiet, original getaway.
Kuldiga in Latvia is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, an impressive accolade for the town of roughly 10,000 inhabitants.
Strolling through the chocolate-box town, it’s easy to see why.
I’m in the heart of the Latvian countryside in the Kurzeme region, visiting Kuldiga.
I have been promised narrow cobbled streets, peculiar one-storey houses with a chimney in the middle, and red roof tiles still preserved in the historical centre.
I’m also told it’s a Latvian favourite local destination for a romantic getaway – in short, everything you might want from a historic European town.
And while on my trip it’s -8°C, I’m informed in the summer it can reach 18°C to 24°C – warm without being excessively hot.
Kuldiga is commonly known as the ‘Nordic Venice’, my guide tells me – even though we’re in the Baltics, locals hand the town this title due to its northern location and pretty, Venice-like canals.
Erin visited Kuldiga, a tiny town in Latvia dubbed the ‘Nordic Venice’
The chocolate-box town with cobbled streets, traditional shops and cafes
Walking through the town, it’s easy to see why it’s popular among Latvians
At first, I’m sceptical – it doesn’t appear remotely Italian, neither in architecture nor beauty. But as we walk through from the parking area to the town centre, I start to understand.
Kuldiga’s canals and waterways are, precisely, a Nordic Venice, in that they provide a real winter counterpart to the Italian city – which is only helped by the thick blanket of snow.
We pause at a gap between two houses that has a small stream running through it, half frozen over.
While the architecture’s different, the water quite literally running next to historic houses is, indeed, reminiscent of Venice.
Another big draw for Kuldiga is its waterfall, which is the widest in Europe.
While I can imagine it’s hugely popular in summer, when the area sees more visitors – in the middle of January, it is like a ghost town – the ice and snow give it a stunning appearance.
These Venta Rapids are beautiful – and, I’m told, there are even parts you can swim in during the summer months.
Also in the summer, the town celebrates ‘Midsummer’, the summer solstice.
Kuldiga’s canals and waterways give it its nickname ‘Nordic Venice’
Kuldiga’s canals are pictured during autumn
Frozen over and covered in snow, Kuldiga is home to the widest waterfall in Europe
A statue on top of an art gallery space, marking the Midsummer tradition
The main tradition at this time of year? People run naked in the town across the Venta River bridge, part of the Jāņi (Midsummer) festival, a major Latvian pagan holiday.
Homage is even paid to this tradition, in the form of a nude statue atop an art gallery in the town.
And as with any destination, you’ll want good food available to pay a visit.
Kuldiga’s food scene is surprisingly happening for such a small town, and has great options.
A highlight is Goldingen Room, with a range of local delicacies as well as pizza. You won’t break the bank, either, with cocktails from €8.50 (£7.40), pizzas from €8 (£7) and coffee from €1.60 (£1.40).
The central area has many other restaurants, cafes and bars to choose from.
I’ve enjoyed it in the snow – and I’m sure it’s a different story in the summer. Perhaps a second visit is in order?
