Ventspils City Guide

Local food highlights rye bread and smoked fish. Some international options like Italian and Asian food. Vegan/vegetarian options exist but are limited. Most places close by 22-23h.

Nightlife is calm with pubs and a few bars like Kiss Club. No big clubs or late-night spots.

Growing coffee scene with a mix of traditional and some specialty cafes. Wi-Fi available in work-friendly cafes.

Tipping is optional but appreciated. Around 5-10% in restaurants and rounding up for taxis is common.

Buy SIM cards at LMT, Tele2, or Bite stores, kiosks, or supermarkets. eSIMs available with LMT and Tele2. ID needed for activation.

Very clean and well-kept city with good waste management.

Some pharmacies have extended hours but none 24/7. Emergency hospital services operate round the clock. Limited late-night food and minimarts.

Supermarkets like Rimi, Maxima, and Mego offer local and some international products. Open 8-22h, smaller stores may close earlier. Prices are fixed.

Card payments with Visa and Mastercard work in most shops, restaurants, and supermarkets. Still, carry some cash for small markets or tiny stores.

ATMs from Swedbank, SEB, and Luminor are easy to find. Most don’t charge fees, but your home bank might charge for currency conversion.

Schools teach mainly in Latvian. No international schools in Ventspils; Riga is nearest option for international education.

No active digital nomad community or meetups. Some cafes offer Wi-Fi but no co-living spaces.

Many parks including Jūrmala Park and riverside promenade provide shaded walking and outdoor space.

Good running routes by the river, beach, and parks. Running is safe and popular.

Several gyms including the Olympic Centre which has pools and sports halls.

Tennis courts at Olympic Centre with booking and equipment rental.

No padel courts in Ventspils.

Few yoga studios offering basic classes. Some spa facilities available at hotels.

Local clubs offer judo, karate, boxing, and self-defense classes, mostly at the Olympic Centre.

Small ski hill Lemberga hūte in town, mainly for beginners. Larger resorts are several hours away. Equipment rental available.

Kayaking, paddleboarding, and windsurfing rentals near beach and river in summer.

Good for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Water is cold outside summer; wetsuits needed. Few surf schools.

Low visibility and cold water limit diving. Mostly for experienced wreck divers. No local dive centers.

Ventspils Hospital handles most care. Some English-speaking doctors available but not guaranteed. Pharmacies are common with regular hours.

Tap water meets EU standards and is safe to drink. Some travelers prefer to boil or filter it just in case.

Many playgrounds and parks plus family-focused attractions like Children's Town and Adventure Park.

Conservative attitudes prevail. No specific gay venues or events in town. Discretion advised.

Pet-friendly city with parks and vet clinics. Many green spaces and dog walking areas.