Estonia abounds in unsuspected wonders. A destination with multiple cultural influences, it's well worth a visit for travellers wishing to get off Europe's beaten track. With its majestic castles, impressive cathedrals and timelessly charming medieval towns, the country has something for every history and architecture enthusiast. Estonia is also renowned for its varied landscapes, with national parks and nature reserves, islands and a jagged coastline. Let's head for this territory on the edge of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland to discover 12 of its most beautiful spots.
1. The capital Tallinn
Tallinn, one of Northern Europe's oldest fortresses, boasts a UNESCO-listed medieval old town with cobbled streets, half-timbered houses and city walls. You'll love the Passage Sainte-Catherine and its craftsmen's workshops. In terms of architecture, the city is home to masterpieces such as Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the baroque Kadriorg Palace and numerous churches. Modern and dynamic, Tallinn invites you to explore its museums and the bohemian district of Kalamaja, with its mix of beautiful wooden houses and rehabilitated warehouses.
2. Pühtitsa Dormition Convent
Located in Kuremäe, in the midst of beautiful green countryside, Pühtitsa Dormition Convent is a vast complex comprising six churches, including a sublime main cathedral built in Russian architectural style. Founded in 1891, the convent was built on a sacred site where an ancient icon of the Dormition of the Mother of God was discovered by local residents. Today, visitors can wander through its spaces, enjoy guided tours by the nuns and discover a spring renowned for its benefits.
3. Lahemaa National Park, one of Estonia's wonders
This is Estonia's largest national park. Hikers will discover a variety of natural environments, with vast pine forests, peat bogs and magnificent coastal landscapes, particularly around the tip of Juminda and in the Purekkari neem area. The walk takes you along boardwalks, and you can even get some height on a wooden observation tower. Lahemaa National Park is a great place to observe flora and fauna, with numerous trees, plants and birds, as well as wolves, lynx and beavers.
4. Saaremaa, an island of irresistible charm
Saaremaa is Estonia's largest island, in the middle of the Baltic Sea. One of the first things to do is visit the medieval castle of Kuressaare, now a museum. The Sõrve lighthouse is an emblematic landmark on the island, offering a breathtaking view of nature and the sea. The island invites you to discover its villages of traditional Estonian wooden architecture, such as Koguva. The Angla windmills are another Saaremaa must-see, bearing witness to ancient engineering and local rural life.
Do you like peace and quiet on your travels too? Discover our top 15 tourist alternatives to avoid mass tourism.
5. Pärnu, Estonia's popular seaside resort
Located in the southwest of the country, Pärnu is Estonia's main seaside resort. It attracts crowds in summer, who come to enjoy its long Baltic beach, casinos, festivals and health resorts. The town center is very pleasant, with charming churches, medieval remains and streets full of cafés, restaurants and art galleries. Pärnu is a fascinating port of call for the variety of its architecture, its seaside and river walks, not to mention the green spaces where you can relax after the lively summer evenings. All of which makes Estonia the ideal destination for a romantic break.
6. Soomaa National Park
Not far from Pärnu, this national park offers an enchanting setting. An area renowned for its forests, lush greenery and wetlands. Soomaa National Park can be visited in any season. In winter, when the ground is covered with snow and the marshes freeze over, visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or kicksledding, a kind of winter scooter that glides over frozen waters. A great way to enjoy the snow this winter! In summer, visitors come to explore the wetlands, forest and kayak along the wooden trails. The "fifth season" is another eagerly awaited moment for locals. During high water, the park is flooded and can be explored by canoe. Like a Louisiana bayou.
7. Rummu Quarry
An unusual place to visit in Estonia, an exotic destination that Europeans can visit without a passport! The Rummu Quarry consists of an artificial lake with turquoise waters, overlooked by a breathtaking sand quarry. The ruins of an old prison bathe in the lake, providing an exceptional setting for diving and underwater exploration. Today, guided tours are offered to discover the history of this former prison industrial complex. The site is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and attracts visitors who come to hike, pedal or simply take in the view.
8. What to do in Estonia Getting to Hiiumaa Island
Hiiumaa is Estonia's second largest island. Still little-known by visitors, it offers an ideal setting to recharge your batteries, far from the crowds. You'll discover a rich and varied natural environment, which can be explored on both sides of the island by bicycle. It's also home to fine sandy beaches, perfect for lazing around on sunny days. Take the time to visit the lighthouses, windmills and traditional wooden houses. And a visit to the Hiiumaa Military Museum will tell you more about life on the island during the Communist era.
9. Tartu, the oldest city in the Baltic States
Tartu is Estonia's second largest city. With a population of 100,000, Tartu is home to a large number of students, making it a very dynamic city. It's well worth a visit to admire its architecture, which blends elements from the Hanseatic years with influences from Swedish, Tsarist Russian and Soviet rule. A must-see is the Barclay de Tolly house, the local Leaning Tower of Pisa, the red-brick Lutheran Church of St. John of Tartu and the University Botanical Gardens. The districts of Karlova and Supilinn, with their colorful wooden houses, are great photo opportunities.
A city that's also one of the best places to telework and get away from it all!
10. Kihnu Island, one of Estonia's most beautiful spots
Kihnu Island is a little jewel in the Gulf of Riga. Known as one of Europe's last matriarchal communities, visitors here experience an immersion in local traditions, meeting women who still wear colorful traditional costumes and sing folk songs, listed as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. We recommend a visit to the Kihnu museum to learn more about the past, daily life and ancestral local customs. Kihnu is home to charming hamlets with typical wooden houses and weaving and embroidery workshops. And don't forget the lighthouse, with its panoramic view of the island.
11. Rakvere Castle
Rakvere Castle, built in the 14th century by the Teutonic Knights, has an eventful history, having been an Estonian fortress, a Danish castle and then taken by the Russians and Swedes. Devastated during the Swedish-Polish war, it was reduced to ruins and used as a stone quarry. Now restored, it offers visitors a veritable medieval epic, with demonstrations of 16th-century crafts, archery, calligraphy and exhibitions. It's the kind of fortified castle we love!
12. Lake Peïpous, a peaceful spot in Estonia
Visit lake Peïpous is a cross-border lake in eastern Estonia. It lies at the heart of a picturesque, verdant region. Some Estonians have vacation homes here to recharge their batteries. Others take advantage of the fine spring and summer days to go camping. The area is ideal for walking and cycling. Along the lakeshore, numerous kiosks offer smoked fish caught on site. Definitely the place to go in Estonia to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and commune with nature.
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