- Tukums is historically recognized as the gateway to the Kurzeme region, serving as a vital trade crossroad for centuries.
- The city has maintained a strong artistic tradition, often serving as a landscape painting destination for Latvian artists throughout the 20th century.
- Tukums is synonymous with roses in Latvian culture, hosting annual festivals that celebrate its extensive municipal rose gardens.
- During the Soviet occupation, the city hosted a significant military airfield, which shaped much of its modern infrastructure and surrounding development.
About Tukums
Tukums is a historic town in western Latvia, known as the 'garden city' due to its long-standing horticultural traditions and proximity to the Kurzeme countryside. Visitors can explore local history at the Tukums Museum or climb the medieval Castle tower for panoramic views of the red-roofed center. The town serves as a cultural hub, home to the unique Straw Museum and the nearby grand estate, Durbe Manor. Its architectural legacy is well-preserved, reflecting the influence of Baltic German history integrated into modern Latvian identity.
Highlights of Tukums
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Places of interest
Explore the medieval fortifications of this rare surviving fortified manor house.
Museums
Tour the neoclassical interiors and landscaped park of one of the most significant manors in the region.
Museums
View a vast collection of intricate life-sized figures crafted entirely from straw.
Museums
Climb the restored masonry tower to see the original town layout from a bird's-eye perspective.
Museums
Examine the diverse art and ethnographic collections that trace the evolution of Tukums.
Museums
Discover the engineering history of Latvia's transport infrastructure through specialized equipment exhibits.
Historical places
Visit this prominent landmark to understand the city's commemorative heritage.
Top things to do in Tukums
The 27 highest-rated places in Tukums, ranked by travellers.
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Parks
The Abava Valley Nature Park, often referred to as the 'Switzerland of Kurzeme,' encompasses a unique geological landsca...
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Places of interest
Šlokenbeka Manor is one of the few surviving fortified medieval manor ensembles in Latvia, dating back to 1544. It is lo...
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Historical places
The Viktor Tsoi Memorial Site marks the exact location on the P128 road where the lead singer of the Soviet rock band Ki...
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Museums
Durbe Manor is the only manor house in the Kurzeme region that retains its original 19th-century interior layout and dec...
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Places of interest
Cinevilla Studio is the largest film studio backlot in the Baltic states, constructed specifically for the historical dr...
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Natural attractions
Viesatas upesloku takas is a nature trail network located in the Tukums municipality of Latvia, primarily following the...
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Parks
Lāčupīte Arboretum, established by Igors Mednis in 1959, is a dendrological plantation spanning 7.2 hectares near the Ba...
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Museums
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Parks
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Parks
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Historical places
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Zoos
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Parks
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Museums
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Historical places
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Museums
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Venues
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Natural attractions
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Temples
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Parks
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Tukums on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Tukums
Late spring to early summer, specifically June, to witness the peak blooming of the city's famous rose gardens and pleasant weather for cycling.
1-2 days, which provides enough time to cover the core historic center and the surrounding manor houses.
The historic center is compact and highly walkable, while regional bus and train connections are the primary methods for visiting surrounding manor estates.
Stay in the vicinity of the Old Town to remain within walking distance of the central museums, historic architecture, and local amenities.
Mid-range; accommodation and dining are generally more affordable than in Riga, offering good value for regional exploration.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 27 curated attractions in and around Tukums, ranked by traveller ratings.
Abava valley is the highest-rated place to visit in Tukums right now.
The largest category is museums, with 7 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Riga, Sigulda, Jelgava.
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