Carnikava’s wooden boats

Excursions with ancient wooden boats to the mouth of river Gauja.
The wooden boat SANDRA was renovated and restored by the owners themselves in order to please everyone who is tempted by a leisurely and romantic rest on the water. The second boat EVELINA was produced in Sweden in 1964, smaller in terms of capacity.

SANDRA is intended for up to 10 persons.
EVELINA is intended for up to 6 persons.

It runs regularly on holidays on the route: Vecgauja- Gauja- Gaujas grīva- Gauja- Vecgauja. On weekdays are on demand.
To arrange the time for your trip contact by calling or texting!

Leisure boat “Sarnikau”

Offers leisure and tourist trips by boat, on the route: Laivu Street (Carnikava) through Vecgauja, Gauja and up to the mouth of Gauja in the sea and back, with the additional possibility of disembarking both at the mouth of the sea and at the regional research center of Carnikava.

The boat is also available for organized school and tourist groups, cooperative events, various
celebrations and weddings.
20 passengers and the captain can be on the boat at the same time. Boat trips take place on both weekdays and weekends according to the regular schedule.

• A boat trip is a great opportunity to supplement your visit to Carnikava with a scenic leisure trip to Vecgauja and Gauja, viewing the magnificent natural landscapes in this area, as well as the opportunity to get from the pier on Laivu Street to the seashore.
• We are not dependent on the weather. The boat has a roof, transformable walls, as well as heating.
• It is also possible to organize cooperative events and various celebrations on board the boat. Unique entertainment for wedding guests or an original place to hold a wedding ceremony.
• Accessible to people with special needs.

Pedestrian- cyclist bridge in Carnikava

In 2014 a bridge for pedestrians and cyclists over river Gauja has been opened, connecting the village of Carnikava and the village Gauja.

The bridge is 220 meters long and four meters wide. It is considered the longest pedestrian-cyclist bridge in Latvia.

The bridge has become a popular walking spot for both residents and guests of the region.

Coastal Fortifications in Carnikava

The four reinforced concrete fortifications (caponiers or pillboxes), built 1936–1938 by the Latvian Army Sapper Regiment, were an element of the Riga coastal defence system of the Latvian Army. These were designed to fire machine guns at a possible enemy landing in two different directions at the mouth of the Gauja River, which has since changed its location. Two special armoured trains, which could offer artillery support from Jūrmala to Saulkrasti, were also a part of the system.

Boards You

Sundial

The sundial, created by sculptor Helmuts Āķis on his own initiative, was made as a gift to Carnikava Municipality. A horizontal type was chosen for the sundial, featuring a concrete base, with the numerals and gnomon crafted from stainless steel.

The sundial is one of the oldest time-measuring instruments. It can indicate local time with an accuracy of about 20–30 minutes. Today, ancient sundials serve as historical artifacts, while modern ones are often designed as garden features, memorials, or unique architectural and urban elements. Alongside the installation of the Carnikava Parish sundial, the central square at Rīgas iela 16 was landscaped, and the sundial was unveiled on the municipality’s 15th anniversary — where it still tells time to passers-by today.

Lake Dzirnezers

It is called Carnikavas five island owner and it is popular for locals and travelers. The third largest lake in the Municipality is Dzirnezers – in Carnikava Municipality region and it stands across the river Gauja, whre it has connection trough the lake Dzirnupe.

It is shaped like a three interconnected lakes with four islands. The southern part of the lake is also called Small Dzirnezers. The total area of ​​the lake is 1.73 km², average depth is 1.9 meters and the maximum depth – 5 meters. The lake has four islands and one side of the island. In the lake is high numbers of fish species such as tench, bream, roach, perch, pike, carp etc. Lake environment is created conditions for the nesting sites like ducks, gulls, grebes , etc. . It is close to several holiday home areas and companies that provide recreational opportunities. 

Historical details of Dzirnezers is related to its water and historical events. Years ago the region of Carnikava  was mostly connected with fishing. Fisheries in lake Dzirnezers were called as follows – Beam catch (Baznīckakts) etc. Even the islands in lake has their own names like: the chiefs island, Russian island, silver island, green hill island and long island. Legend is connected with one of the lakes islands which was known as K.Ulmaņa island and the Island of Love. Name of the island is connected to the year 1935, when the President Ulmanis has visited island. They visited many places in municipality, including lake Dzirnezers to which they went on a boat thought river Dzirnupīte. 

Next to lake Dzirnezers is nice place for relaxation and fishing, as well as recreational possibilities. It is close to several villages. Weither you look for leisure or active water holiday, this lake can be used. Beside the lake stands campsites, small summer recreation centers, swimming opportunities and opportunities to go on horseback. 

Sculpture “Atceroties”

Outstanding Latvian sculptor Vilnis Titāns has made sculpture “Atceroties” (remembering) which is located in Carnikavas Celebration Square near the railway bridge. Sculpture symbolizes not to give up in spite of everything, eternal rise and eternal suggests a further.

 It was inaugurated 2011th On November 18, in honor of Latvian national holidays and countryman Wave Clash.

Carnikava manor park

A small hill in Carnikava Park, on top of which a Second World War military cemetery stands today, hosted a magnificent palace of Count Ernst Reinhold von Mengden’s manor estate from the late 18th century to 1917. The designer of the building was the legendary chief architect of the City of Riga and  leading master of classical architecture in Latvia, Christoph Haberland. According to accounts of eyewitnesses and local historian J. V.  Krauze, it was among the greatest mansions in Vidzeme: it had beautiful paintings, sculptures, moldings, indoor plants, as well as 14 spectacular sandstone columns with ionic capitals in the facade.

The Carnikava Manor palace was burned down in autumn of 1917, during the First World War, with the German Army approaching the area, leaving the park and a column capital as the only nearby witnesses of its former glory. Two remaining capitals can be seen near the stairs of the main building of the University of Latvia and another one in a square near the Small Guild in Riga.

Lake line Garezeri

Lake line Garezeri are unique geological origins and is the only ones in this type of lakes in Vidzeme seaside. Lakes which stretched 3.5 kilometers of territory and includes three narrow (180-220m) line of lakes consists of Northern Garezers, Middle and Southern Garezers.

The longest and deepest of them are middle lake Garezers as it stretches 1.45 km length and depth 2m, while the deeper 4m . Garezers are naturally formed and little overgrown lakes, which has a predominantly dry, sandy or peaty shores. 

The walking route along the two longest lakes can go almost 2h (about 10km). We recommend that you choose a path on the seaside. If there is a desire to combine walking with overnight stay is possible to use existing campsites and other accommodations that will take care of meals and night stay. Route can be taken from the railway station “Gauja” and “Lilaste”. We recommend to travel by more environmentally friendly transport, walk in the paths of “goose foot”, use guide service to get to know nature and save natural resources. Nature park Piejūra can be seen through photo cameras, picnic facilities, Nordic walking and cycling opportunities.