Cruises visiting Ventspils (Latvia)

On the shores of the Baltic Sea, Ventspils is one of the oldest ports in Latvia. The town, whose name in Latvian means “the castle on the Venta” for the river that crosses it, has occupied a strategic position throughout its history thanks to its port, free of ice all year round. It was a renowned trading post of the Hanseatic League in the 16th century and an important industrial port during the Soviet period. Built around its 13th-century fortress, now a history museum, Ventspils has a lovely old town centre and its architectural heritage can be discovered wandering its pretty little paved streets. The pleasant cultural city is also a seaside resort, renowned for its superb beach and wooded parks.