Contents

• Science and active leisure
• Exploring space and Ventspils
• History and the Seashore
• Nature trail around Ventspils
• A low-budget excursion
• Ideas for a trip in the colder months
• What to bear in mind when planning a trip
• Map of Attractions

Science and active leisure

This route will be particularly suitable for school groups wishing to combine learning, technology and physical activity in a single day.

VIZIUM Science Centre

You can start your trip at the VIZIUM Science Centre in Ventspils. Through the interactive exhibition, pupils can learn about physics, maths, geography, the human body, the environment and modern technology.

In addition to viewing the exhibition, you can choose a science show, a STEM lesson or one of the technical, creative or audiovisual workshops. There are activities on offer for pupils of various ages, so it is advisable to agree on the most suitable programme for your class before your visit.

Ventspils Adventure Park

After the educational session, the day can continue at Ventspils Adventure Park. Depending on the season and the pupils’ age, you can choose from obstacle courses in the trees, laser tag, paintball, disc golf and other activities.

The park is also home to the Ventspils toboggan run. This can form the entertaining part of the excursion following the VIZIUM educational programme.

Suggested itinerary: VIZIUM → lunch break → Ventspils Adventure Park and toboggan run.

Exploring Space and Ventspils

For pupils interested in astronomy, the Ventspils Creative Centre’s planetarium and observatory are ideal destinations. During the sessions, you can learn about the Solar System, the planets, the Moon, the stars and other space-related topics.

A visit to the planetarium can be complemented by a stroll along the Ostas Street promenade. The promenade offers views of the Venta River and the harbour area, as well as the chance to see a collection of buoys, environmental art attractions and the town’s historic buildings.

If you’re looking for a more relaxed spot to unwind after the session, you can also include the Children’s Town in your itinerary.

Itinerary suggestion: planetarium and observatory → Ostas Street promenade → Children’s Town.

History and the Seashore

In Ventspils, you can explore both medieval and modern history by combining a museum, a military heritage attraction and the Baltic Sea coast into a single itinerary.

Castle

of the

Livonian

Order
You can start your tour at the Castle of the Livonian Order – the oldest surviving building in Ventspils and one of the oldest medieval fortresses in Latvia.

The castle’s exhibitions provide an insight into the history of the city of Ventspils, its port, the castle and the region. Educational programmes for school groups are also available, covering medieval life, the workings of the museum, and the history of photography, clothing and musical instruments. Several of these programmes are included in the cultural education programme ‘Latvian School Bag’.

Craft House

You can continue exploring the town’s history at the Craft House. There, pupils can learn how education took place in the 19th century, try their hand at calligraphy, counting with abacuses and reading old-style print. An admission ticket to the Crafts House costs 0.50 EUR for pupils.

Fire Control Tower of

the

46th Coastal

Battery
You can learn about more recent history at the fire control tower of the 46th Coastal Battery in Ventspils. A visit here provides an opportunity to discuss issues relating to military heritage, coastal defence and Latvia’s 20th-century history.

After learning about the history, you can head to the South Pier promenade to view the harbour gates and the Baltic Sea coastline.

Suggested itinerary: Livonian Order Castle → Crafts Centre or the 46th Coastal Battery Tower → South Pier.

Nature trail in the Ventspils area

If the main aim of the school trip is walking and exploring nature, several free attractions can be combined into a single-day itinerary.

Lake Būšnieki

The area around Lake Būšnieki is ideal for walks, active recreation and birdwatching. Along the nature trail, pupils can admire the lake’s scenery and discover the diversity of the coastal environment.

Staldzene Cliffs

The excursion can continue at the Staldzene Cliffs. Here, you can discuss the formation of the Baltic Sea coastline, erosion and the impact of natural processes on the coast.

When visiting the cliffs, safety must be observed and weather conditions taken into account. Pupils should not climb right up to the edge of the cliff or damage the cliffs.

Jūrmala Park

To round off the day, you can head to Jūrmala Park in Ventspils. The park is home to the largest collection of anchors in the Baltics, whilst the more active pupils can enjoy the Jungle Trail and other leisure activities.

Suggested itinerary: Būšnieki Lake Nature Trail → Staldzene Steep Coast → Jūrmala Park.

A low-budget excursion

It is also possible to put together an interesting excursion in Ventspils where there is no admission charge for the attractions, or the charge is nominal.

Herbert Dorbe Museum

A visit tothe Herbert Dorbe Memorial Museum is free of charge, but must be booked in advance. At the museum, you can learn about the writer’s life, his works and the cultural and historical context. This offer is particularly well-suited to complementing lessons on Latvian language and literature.

Craft House

A visitto the Craft House costs 0.50 euros per pupil. Here, historical learning can be combined with hands-on activities and stories about traditional crafts. The costs of individual sessions and workshops must be confirmed when booking a group.

‘Fantāzija’ Children’s Park

‘Fantāzija’ Children’s Park is a free public leisure area in Pārventa. It is suitable for younger schoolchildren as a place to move around and relax between educational sessions.

Other free stops

The itinerary can also include the Ostas Street promenade, the South Pier, Jūrmala Park, the Children’s Town, the Būšnieki Lake nature trail and the Staldzene cliffs, all without any additional entrance fees.

Idea for a budget route: Herbert Dorbe Museum → Crafts House → Ostas Street Promenade → Children’s Town.

Ideas for excursions in the cooler months

Ventspils has plenty of offers beyond the summer season. In autumn and winter, you can plan an excursion centred around indoor activities.

For a sporty class, the Ventspils Water Adventure Park or the Ventspils Ice Hall ice rink are ideal. Meanwhile, the educational part of the trip can be provided by VIZIUM, the planetarium, the Castle of the Livonian Order, the Crafts House or the Herbert Dorbe Museum.

An idea for a cold-weather itinerary: VIZIUM or the Planetarium → lunch break → the Ice Rink or the Water Adventure Park.

What to bear in mind when planning an excursion

• book your class visit to the selected attractions well in advance;
• check which programmes are suitable for the pupils’ age group and the duration of the sessions;
• check current prices, group size limits and conditions for accompanying teachers;
• allow sufficient time for travelling between attractions;
• when visiting natural attractions, choose clothing and footwear suitable for the weather conditions;
• check the seasonal opening hours of the attractions before your ride.