Top Things to See
There is much to see in Estonia, with historic buildings and natural
beauty the dominant factor. Tallinn is the main focus
for most tourists and few are disappointed. There are a number of stunning
buildings in the old town, as well as a rich cultural scene.
There is also a thriving nightlife in the city, making it
popular with people of all ages and tastes. Outside the capital is especially
popular for people looking for tranquillity and natural beauty
and the two other main towns Tartu and Parnu offer much of the history of
Tallinn, on a smaller and quieter scale.
 Haapsalu
Haapsalu can be found 60 miles away from the capital, Tallinn and is the
administrative capital of Lääne County. It is most famed for its castle which
houses a museum and café, as well as regularly holding concerts in its
courtyard. Haapsalu is also famous for its warm seawater and mud spas that are
said to have healing properties. The city was once a popular holiday spot with
Russian Tsars, although today it is a popular summer resort.
 Ontika
Ontika on the northern coast is famous for its limestone cliff. From the cliff’s
highest point, at around 56 metres, the views of the Gulf of Finland are
stunning. Valaste waterfall is the highest in the country and from the viewing
platform here, you will have excellent views of the limestone rocks, which are
around 500 million years old.
 Parnu
Parnu attracts many visitors every year and is often called Estonia’s summer
capital. The town has a beautiful white sand beach, a fascinating old town
centre and some stunning park areas around its quiet streets. Parnu bay has
pleasant warm waters and healing mud baths are also popular here. The town has a
busy festival calendar and is popular with people of all ages.
 Põltsamaa
Põltsamaa is situated between Tallinn and Tartu and is Estonia’s wine capital.
There are no grapes grown here, so they make wine from fruit such as
blackcurrants and apples. The small town is a pleasant place to spend an hour or
so and after you have toured the wineries, you will be able to sample the local
produce.
 Saaremaa
The Baltic island of Saaremaa is extremely popular with tourists. The island is
famous for its natural beauty and is a great place for getting away from it all.
Despite its popularity as a tourist destination, Saaremaa still has a quiet and
calm feel to it. Alongside some rare wildlife and natural beauty are some
interesting medieval churches and other architecture.
 Tallinn
Estonia’s capital city is the entry point for most tourists to the country, the
most visited city in Estonia and the oldest capital city in Northern Europe. The
medieval old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the most impressive area of
the city. The town wall has 26 towers which were built to protect the city and
within these walls are some remarkable buildings. The 600 year old Town Hall,
built in Gothic style, is a stunning sight and one of the most well preserved
buildings of its kind in Europe. The area is dotted with churches from the 13th
and 14th centuries, and the Toompea Castle is one of the most famous
sights.
Kadriorg Palace, just outside the city centre, was once the palace of Peter The
Great. The palace, built just after the Great Northern War, now houses part of
the Art Museum of Estonia and presidential residence.
Aside from the many sights of historical interest, Tallinn is also a vibrant and
busy city with plenty of cafés, restaurants, bars and a lively nightlife, as
well as some great shopping and art galleries.
 Tartu
Tartu, in Southern Estonia, is the second largest city in the country. Tartu is
considered by many to be the academic centre of the country. The University of
Tartu dates back to 1632 and the town saw the beginnings of Estonian literature.
The main university building is one of the most famous in the town, along with
the 14th century church of St John’s. There are many old buildings here and it’s
a lovely town to stroll around before taking a break in the Wilde Pub. This
establishment is dedicated to two famous writers; Irishman Oscar Wilde, and
Estonian Eduard Vilde. The Emajõgi River runs through the town and was once an
important trade route. Supilinn is a district with many old wooden houses,
walking distance from the city centre.
Top Things to Do
 Dine on game meat
For the adventurous eater, many Estonian restaurants offer all types of game
meat with elk, wild boar, deer, and even bear meat available.
 Go Hiking
Hiking is one of the most popular ways to discover the beautiful Estonian
countryside. There are some excellent hiking trails here with many of them just
a short distance from Tallinn. The 16 mile Paldiski trail is one of the most
popular and offers beautiful limestone cliffs, waterfalls as well as traditional
old buildings and villages to view on the way.
 Take a mud bath
Mud baths are available all over Estonia and the mud is said to have curative
properties. This often involves being wrapped in cloth and covered in mud, and
is certainly a relaxing experience
 Train spotting
This is, perhaps surprisingly, a popular past time here. With the wide-gauge
track it is possible to see some unusual trains here. In Haapsalu there is a
National Railway Museum, behind which there is a ‘train graveyard’ containing
some interesting trains from yesteryear.
 Visit Sagadi Manor
This is one of the best-preserved manor houses in the country and with a history
dating back to the mid 14th century; it is well worth a visit. There
is a pond, orchard and forestry museum here.
Visit the Islands
There is a lot more to Estonia than just the mainland and some of the most
outstanding natural beauty here can be found on the country’s islands. Saaremaa
and Hiiumaa are the biggest and most visited islands, but small islands like
Ruhnu and Vormsi are equally beautiful. With lovely beaches, open countryside,
rare wildlife, windmills and friendly people, the islands are a great place to
travel to for a quiet relaxing break.
 Explore Tallinn’s Old Town
No visit to Estonia is complete without exploring Tallinn’s Old Town. Tallinn is
the oldest capital in Northern Europe and there are some fantastic sites of
architectural interest here including St Catherine’s monastery, which was
founded in 1246. From the top of Toompea Hill the views over the old town are
stunning.
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