The Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland are the seas that Estonia, a nation in Northern Europe, borders. Its varied topography includes rocky beaches, mature forests, and several lakes, and it comprises more than 1,500 individual islands. It was a part of the Soviet Union in the past, and today it is littered with castles, cathedrals, and fortifications perched on hilltops. Tallinn, the country’s capital, is renowned for its well-preserved Old Town, museums, and the 314-meter-high Tallinn TV Tower, which features an observation deck.
Most Ideal Time To Visit
Uncovering the ideal time to visit Estonia is a crucial part of any travel guide to the nation. Pleasant, warm weather and longer days will be had during the summer (June–August).
Late spring and early fall are particularly pleasant times to visit since the temperature is still mild and the landscape is awash in the vibrant colors of spring flowers and the rich tones of autumn.
Skiers can also come throughout the winter, but they need to dress for the bitter cold and wind chill. Please allow at least a week to explore the many facets of this beautiful nation and its many flavors.
Here are the best six tourist destinations in Estonia
Estonia has the ideal formula for a memorable holiday, with its blend of history, culture, environment, and outdoor activities. These are the top Estonian cities to visit if you want to feel like a local.
Tallinn, Estonia
Magnificent Tallinn, Estonia, oozes medieval beauty with its ancient center and numerous historical structures, several of which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Old city strolls are lovely because of the cobblestone walkways, lively market square, beer halls, and charming shops. Tallinn, Estonia is full of fascinating sites to visit, such as the bohemian lanes of Kalamaja and the parks and castles of the Kadriorg area.
Tartu
Tartu, Estonia’s oldest city, now widely recognized as the country’s cultural and academic center because of the prominence of its prestigious University of Tartu. Our travel guide to Estonia wouldn’t be complete without mentioning this young, energetic, and culturally significant city, with its magnificent old town and its variety of 18th-century buildings, and the stunning Toomemagi Hill. The Estonian National Museum, the AHHAA Science Centre, Tartu Cathedral, and the Tartu Toy Museum are must-sees. There are two excellent hotels in the area: the Hotel Antonius (luxury, starting at INR 9800) and the Hotel Sophia (standard, starting at INR 6000). (Budget; from INR 5400)
Narva
Located on Estonia’s eastern border with Russia, Hermann Castle stands as a testament to the city’s rich history and gives it a distinct flavor. The city has its distinct personality and allure because of the strong Russian influences that have long shaped it. Near lies the picturesque resort town of Narva Joesuu, home to the longest beach in Finland as well as several world-class spas.
Narva Castle, the Narva Museum, Kreenholm, and the Resurrection of Christ Church are must-sees while in town. The Central Hotel and the Narva Hotell are two excellent options for a night’s stay (both from INR 3000)
Parnu
The city of Parnu is another Estonian coastline destination well worth seeing. Parnu, with its white-sand beach and lively beach promenade, is ideally situated on the Gulf of Riga where the Parnu River meets the sea and might serve as the country’s summer capital. By night, the promenade and it’s lovely fountains and outdoor eateries come alive, and Ruutli Street becomes a hub of activity.
One of the most popular attractions is the indoor water park Vee Park, perfect for a day of family enjoyment.
Hiiumaa Island
Flights and ferries connect Estonia’s second-biggest island to Tallinn, and in the winter, Europe’s longest ice road links the island to the mainland. Hiiumaa, with its picturesque landscape, is the perfect getaway for those who enjoy being outside and participating in water sports. Take a relaxing stroll along the shoreline, which is lined with old lighthouses, or go surfing or hiking in the lush beech forests for a holiday that will leave you feeling rejuvenated and at one with nature. The Kopu and Tahkuna Lighthouses are must-sees.
Saaremaa Island
The island of Saaremaa, Estonia’s biggest, is a popular tourist destination due to its picturesque landscapes and picturesque windmills. The island is a refuge of peace and a terrific location for nature lovers because of its abundance of stunning natural features including the Kaali meteor crater and vast woodlands. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery as you relax in the island’s hot springs, watch for uncommon birds, and wander through beautiful lakes. Popular attractions include Kuressaare Castle, Kaali crater, and Panga Cliff.
The Top Destinations For Outdoor Fun
Estonia’s magnificent national parks provide visitors with the chance to see clean and distinctive natural panoramas, but that’s not all the country has to offer in terms of unforgettable experiences.
The First Place: Lahemaa National Park
Our Estonia travel guide can’t stress enough how important it is to set aside at least half a day to explore the country’s largest and oldest national park, which will give you a taste of Estonia’s unparalleled natural beauty and rich culture. A stunning natural tapestry of picturesque bogs, deep pine woods, sparkling rivers, and old manors can be found at Lahemaa National Park, located about an hour from Tallinn. Visit the Palme Manor museum, the Sagadi Manor, and the Viru Bog Path.
National Park of Soomaa
You might feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you explore the fascinating bogs and bayous of Soomaa National Park. Glacial meltwaters have created the peat bog that is the primary feature of this unique travel destination, which also has stunning natural beauty in the form of sparkling lakes, rushing rivers, and an extraordinary array of plant and animal life. You may go on a canoe trip of this beautiful area, or you can walk along the famed Beaver Trail. Wild mushroom hunting, berry harvesting, and bird watching are all available on guided trips.
Bear Tracks In The Wild
Estonia is a great travel destination because of its abundance of unspoiled landscapes. To see wild animals like bears, lynxes, and wolves in the rainforest, adventurers and nature lovers must brave the elements and get there on their own. There are bear viewing huts in Alutaguse, in the northeast, where you may get an excellent chance to see these hairy giants in the wild with the aid of an experienced guide.
Dog Sledding
This once-in-a-lifetime chance is an essential part of any travel guide to Estonia. Half an hour outside Tartu, at Heinrich Lukk’s Sleddog Center, you may have a thrilling ride with the wolf-like Alaskan Malamutes. Driving a go-cart through the beautiful Estonian woodland at high speed is an exhilarating experience. After such an exciting day, rest your weary bones in the beautiful Peramaa Puhkekeskus wooden home, where you may have a smoke sauna and take in the view of the lake.
Important Questions Answered About Estonia
How hot or cold does it get in Estonia?
It’s difficult to give an average temperature for Estonia because of how extreme the seasonal changes may be. In 1940, Estonia saw the lowest temperature ever recorded at 43,5 °C. Estonia recorded a record high of +35.6 degrees Celsius in 1992. But, typically we anticipate temperatures of around +25 °C during the summer months and temperatures of approximately -10 °C in the winter with heavy snowfall from December to February. As a result of climate change, winters have gotten milder here. Check the forecast ahead of time, as the climate might change from year to year.
In Estonia, what language do people typically speak?
Here in Estonia, we have our language. Is Russian a close analogue to Estonian? Hardly anybody under the age of 35 in the area speaks Russian, and that’s not a problem. The Estonian language has its roots in the Ural Mountains, making it one of Europe’s oldest spoken tongues. Both the Finnish and Hungarian languages have a common ancestor with Estonian. Nonetheless, we can usually make educated guesses about what the Finns are talking about, but we share almost no vocabulary with the Hungarians. But, without switching to English or another common language, we cannot have a meaningful discourse with the Finns. Minority communities in Russia speak a variety of languages related to Estonian. They include Sami, Mari, Komi, and others. There is a lot of push for Russification, hence those languages are dying out.
Is it safe to drink water from the tap in Estonia?
In Estonia, you may safely drink tap water due to its high quality.
Is the Euro accepted in Estonia?
Sure enough, in 2011 Estonia adopted the euro. Before that, we used to trade in kroon, which translates to “crown,” even though we never had our monarchy. At that time, 1 EUR equaled 15.6 NOK. After switching to the euro, costs have climbed dramatically, therefore we try to avoid doing price comparisons between our previous currency and the euro.
How would you describe the typical Estonian meal?
While in Estonia, you must sample the dark rye bread that is served with nearly every meal. Several Tallinn eateries, and indeed many residents, still traditionally make their bread. The traditional dessert of Estonia is called kama and is also quite tasty. For dessert, sour milk was historically combined with kama flour, a blend of barley, rye, oat, and pea flour, and then served with jam. Since our days as poor farmers, we have come a long way, and now many restaurants serve kama with ice cream, whipped cream, or meringues.
Vegetables grown in backyard gardens, seafood caught from local lakes and rivers, wild mushrooms foraged from nearby woods, and, of course, meat are all staples in traditional Estonian fare. Ask your waitress what the most traditional Estonian dish they offer is, and you could be in for a pleasant surprise. In addition to a large variety of locally brewed beers, Tallinn is home to several vegan eateries serving traditional Estonian fare. To get you started, check out our Craft Beer Tasting Tour.
Can you name any well-known Estonians?
Estonia is well known for Skype and its creators (before it was sold to Sweden). Also, the number of top models per person in Estonia is higher than in any other country. Arvo Pärt, a composer of modern classical music whose pieces have been performed by some of the world’s greatest symphony orchestras, is unquestionably the most well-known Estonian. He continues to write music and may be spotted strolling through the pine trees near his home and the Arvo Pärt Institute in Laulasmaa.