# Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre, Latvia: what it is and when to go

> Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre is a museum (Ventspils Starptautiskais Radioastronomijas Centrs) in Latvia (Miķeļtornis). Interests: Museums and art. The best time to visit is May to September. In June there are 17 h 41 of daylight, and in December, 6 h 18. Here is what it is, where it lies, when to come, how to get there and what else is nearby to turn it into a trip.

- Address: https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/letonia/ventspils-international-radio-astronomy-centre/
- Reviewed on: 2026-10-02
- Language: en

## In a nutshell

- **What it is:** Museum · Museums and art
- **Local name:** Ventspils Starptautiskais Radioastronomijas Centrs
- **Where:** Latvia · LV-3601, Irbene
- **Best time:** May to September.
- **Nearest airport:** RIX Riga, 146 km as the crow flies
- **Website:** [en.venta.lv](https://en.venta.lv/virac)
- **Coordinates:** 57.55979, 21.86138

## What it is and where

Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre is a museum (Ventspils Starptautiskais Radioastronomijas Centrs) in Latvia (Miķeļtornis).

It is in [Miķeļtornis](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/letonia/mikeltornis/), where this site lists 8 more places to see, 8.1 km from the centre.

Its coordinates are 57.55979, 21.86138; the nearest main airport is Riga International Airport (RIX, Riga), 146 km as the crow flies. How to get around Latvia (train, car, bus) is covered in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/letonia/#moverse).

- [Where it is](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=57.559794%2C21.861384)
- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=57.559794%2C21.861384)

It is one of the [Museums and art](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/letonia/museos/) places in Latvia. In [Kokai](https://kokai.app/en/) it is already on your trip map next to the places you save yourself, and it goes into a day's plan with one tap.

## When to go

The best time to visit Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre is **May to September**.

| Mes | Época | Hours of daylight |
| --- | --- | --- |
| January | Possible | 6 h 58 |
| February | Possible | 9 h 06 |
| March | Possible | 11 h 24 |
| April | Possible | 14 h 01 |
| May | Best time | 16 h 19 |
| June | Best time | 17 h 41 |
| July | Best time | 17 h 07 |
| August | Best time | 15 h 02 |
| September | Best time | 12 h 28 |
| October | Possible | 9 h 57 |
| November | Better not | 7 h 35 |
| December | Possible | 6 h 18 |

In June there are 17 h 41 of daylight, and in December, 6 h 18. Daylight hours are calculated from the site's latitude for the 15th of each month; when planning a full day on foot they matter as much as the weather.

When to go to Latvia in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/letonia/#cuando-ir).

## Before you go to Latvia

To enter Latvia there are 5 things to sort out before you leave, starting with “Valid Spanish ID card (DNI) or passport”: they are all, with their deadlines, in [the Latvia checklist](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/letonia/#antes-de-salir). Currency: Euro (EUR); plugs: Type C and F · 230 V · 50 Hz (the same plug as in Spain); emergencies: 112.

In [Kokai](https://kokai.app/en/) you tick off the checklist inside your trip, and each item reminds you when it is time to do it.

## What is nearby

- [E9 section 12: Oviši - Miķeļtornis](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/letonia/e9-section-12-ovisi-mikeltornis/): Hiking · 3.0 km
- [Angerminde Castle](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/letonia/angermindes-pils/): Archaeological site · 4.2 km
- [dabas liegums „Ovīši”](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/letonia/dabas-liegums-ovisi/): Protected area · 4.6 km
- [Miķeļbāka](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/letonia/mikelbaka/): Lighthouse in Latvia · 8.1 km
- [Oviši Lighthouse](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/letonia/ovisu-baka/): Lighthouse in Latvia · 8.7 km

Distances are as the crow flies. Everything else is in [the Latvia guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/letonia/).

## More in Latvia: Museums and art

- [Cēsis Castle](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/letonia/cesis-castle/): Livonian castle situated in Cēsis, Latvia
- [Turaida Castle](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/letonia/castillo-de-turaida/): Museum
- [Bauska Castle](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/letonia/museo-del-castillo-de-bauskas/): Castle
- [Latvian Museum of Natural History](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/letonia/museo-de-historia-natural-de-letonia/): museum in Latvia
- [Daugavpils Local History and Art Museum](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/letonia/daugavpils-novadpetniecibas-un-makslas-muzejs/): museum in Latvia
- [Corner House](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/letonia/kgb-building-corner-house/): former Latvian headquarters of the KGB

Every Latvia place under Museums and art, each with its season, is on [its page](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/letonia/museos/).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre?

It is a museum (Ventspils Starptautiskais Radioastronomijas Centrs in the local language) in Latvia.

### When is the best time to visit Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre?

May to September. In June there are 17 h 41 of daylight, and in December, 6 h 18.

### How do you get to Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre?

The nearest main airport is Riga International Airport (RIX), 146 km as the crow flies. From there, [directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=57.559794%2C21.861384) opens the route on the map, and how to get around Latvia is explained in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/letonia/#moverse).

### How do I add it to my trip?

With one tap. In Kokai it is already on the Latvia map, next to the places you save yourself: add it to a day's plan, give it a time and, if you like, get a reminder when you pass nearby.

### What else is around here?

Nearby you have [E9 section 12: Oviši - Miķeļtornis](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/letonia/e9-section-12-ovisi-mikeltornis/), [Angerminde Castle](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/letonia/angermindes-pils/), [dabas liegums „Ovīši”](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/letonia/dabas-liegums-ovisi/). The rest is in [the Latvia guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/letonia/).

Data from [OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/13278633301), licensed under the ODbL, and from [Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/), CC0. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in [credits](https://kokai.app/en/aviso/#creditos).