Riežupe Sand Caves

Five kilometers from Kuldīga lies the longest cave labyrinth in Latvia. The total length of the Riežupe sand caves is 2 kilometers, of which 460 meters are open to visitors.

The entire cave labyrinth is the work of human hands. The caves were excavated over three generations, and more than 100 years ago the extracted white sand was used for glass production in Iļģuciems. Today, the caves belong to a fourth-generation heiress and cave owner, Inese.

When visiting the caves, it is important to remember that the air temperature remains constant at +8°C throughout the year, so even on a hot summer day it is advisable to bring a jacket.

The caves are open to visitors from April to October, and entry is only permitted with a guide. To make it easier to navigate the caves, each visitor is given a candle at the entrance, which is the only source of light in the narrow and dark passages.

From November to March, the caves are closed to visitors, as bats choose them as their winter habitat. Undisturbed, they hibernate here and leave again in spring.