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Iced coffee and eclairs on the Lavanda deck table, meadow and river behindSaulriets, a black timber tiny house between birch trunks with a hammock in frontLavanda, a grey timber tiny house with a pergola, deck and sun loungers

Riverside cabin in Latvia: the Lielupe past the lawn

The Lielupe is Latvia's widest slow river, and at Priedaine it is almost the sea already. The houses stand on its right bank, with kayak and SUP rental on the spot.

A river that starts past the lawn

The view from the Lavanda pergola towards the other house and the Lielupe

From the deck you see the meadow and the water. Across the lawn you reach the bank, where the water-ski park keeps its boats and boards. The river here is wide and calm: in the evening it is as smooth as a mirror, and the sun sets straight across it.

Ducks and swans walk the bank, herons fly over the water. The opposite bank is the Lielupe floodplain meadows nature reserve, so the view across is reeds and trees, not houses.

You can swim in the river, but there is no official bathing spot at the houses: the bank is natural, with boats and a jetty. Children stay with an adult by the water; the park hands out life vests free with any rental.

On the water right here

Park prices in October 2026, in season and weather permitting.

  • SUP board1 seat, 1 h / 3 h / 24 hEUR 10 / 20 / 30
  • SUP for two2 seats, 1 h / 3 hEUR 15 / 25
  • Kayak1 seat, 1 h / 3 hEUR 10 / 20
  • Kayak for two2 seats, 1 h / 3 hEUR 15 / 25
  • Rowing boat3 seats, 1 h / 3 hEUR 15 / 35
  • Pedal catamaran4 people, 1 h / 5 hEUR 20 / 50

All prices, wakeboarding and water skis: Activities.

The birch grove at Saulriets with a hammock between the trees
The hanging chair with a blanket at Lavanda, the birch field behind

Kayak routes on the Lielupe

North, with the current, after about three kilometres the White Dune opens up on the right bank: a 15 to 17 metre sand slope, one of the finest protected natural sites in Jūrmala. It is better seen from the water than from the shore.

Further on the river meets the sea at Ragakāpa, with a beach, dunes and the Jūrmala open-air museum. There and back is a half-day trip at an easy pace; on a windy day the mouth gets choppy, and it is better to stay nearer home.

Upstream the river is wide and calm, with yacht clubs and summer houses on the banks. An hour there and back is right for a first time on a SUP.

  • To the White Dune: about 3 km with the current
  • To the mouth and Ragakāpa: about 6 km
  • In the evening: the sunset from the water
  • Birds in the reserve on the far bank
  • 15-17 mthe White Dunea sand bank 3 km downstream
  • 4.6 kmto the sea by roadabout 25 min by bike
  • 24 kmJūrmala beachthe Lielupe stretch is the quietest
  • EUR 10a SUP or kayak for an hourpark price

Sunset, birds, quiet

Evening on the Saulriets deck: the table with drinks under the pergola

Saulriets means sunset: it is the house's name and the main event of the day. In June the sun in Jūrmala sets after ten in the evening, straight across the river, and from the deck you watch it from the hanging chair.

The park runs until 19; after that only the birds and the odd boat remain on the water. The night is quiet; you hear a train on the bridge, but they are few.

If you come for quiet, pick weekdays or the off-season. If you come for the water, summer weekends, when the park is alive.

By the river with children and a dog

  • The bank is not fenced: small children stay with an adult by the water
  • Life vests come with any rental at the park, in children's sizes too
  • A dog may be on the river bank all year; on the sea beach only from 1 November to 31 March
  • There are mosquitoes in the evening: repellent and long sleeves
  • After rain the lawn by the bank is wet: bring a second pair of shoes

Questions people ask

Does the cabin stand right on the river bank?

The houses stand a few dozen metres from the water, behind the lawn and the park's boat area. You see the river from the deck; the bank is a minute's walk.

Can I swim?

You can, but there is no official bathing spot: the bank is natural, with boats and a jetty. Children only with an adult. For a proper swim, the Lielupe sea beach 4.6 km away is easier.

Can I fish?

Fishing in the Lielupe needs a valid Latvian fishing card; from the bank by the park it is possible. Boats are rented at the park.

Is a kayak or SUP included in the house price?

No. SUP boards, kayaks and boats are rented at the park right by the bank, at the park's prices.

How far is the sea?

The Lielupe beach is 4.6 km by road, about 25 minutes by bike along the cycle path. By kayak down the river to the mouth it is about 6 km.

Read on

The riverside cabin is on Airbnb

Saulriets or Lavanda, both with the river past the lawn.

Saulriets · Open on AirbnbLavanda · Open on Airbnb