What to see in Estonia: 8 must-sees
Discover what to see in Estonia: 8 must-see destinations, from Tallinn (old town) to Lahemaa National Park. Predominantly national park and beach; each entry includes the best time to visit and the link to its official source.
National Park(4)
Explore the 725 km² of Lahemaa National Park, in Harju, among pine forests, tranquil lakes and sandy beaches opening onto the Baltic. Stop by the 18th-century manor houses, such as Palmse or Sagadi, and follow the marked trails through bogs and along rocky shores. Bring binoculars: birdwatching is one of the park's biggest draws, and at the end of the day nothing beats sleeping in one of the wooden houses of its fishing villages.
Watch how the annual flooding transforms Soomaa National Park, in Pärnu, into an aquatic landscape that locals call the "fifth season." Follow its trails between swampy forests and water-covered banks, a scene that changes with every season. Kayak down the overflowing rivers during flood season and discover submerged meadows where grass was growing just weeks earlier. Go birdwatching and get close to the wildlife that inhabits these protected wetlands.
The baroque palace that Peter the Great commissioned for Empress Catherine I in 1718, now home to Estonia's museum of foreign art, with European and Russian paintings from the 16th to the 20th centuries. Afterwards, explore Kadriorg Park, about 2 kilometers from central Tallinn, where the swan pond, French-style gardens and tree-lined avenues accompany the walk to other residences such as the presidential palace and the Kumu museum.
Admire Matsalu's 480 km² of coastal wetlands, where the bay merges with flood-prone meadows and rush beds. Walk its trails in spring or autumn, when geese and shorebirds migrate, and climb the observation towers to spot some of the 280 bird species recorded here. Stroll along its sandy beaches and the banks of the Kasari River, known for its annual floods that feed pastures and marshes. Bring binoculars and waterproof footwear: here the water and light change every hour, rewarding those who take their time to watch.
Beach(2)
Camp beside Estonia's most famous beach, where 4 km of white sand stretch out before the Baltic Sea. Stroll along the shore, swim in its calm waters and, as evening falls, try the restaurants on the seafront promenade. Pärnu combines spas, nightlife and a laid-back pace that make it the country's summer capital.
Swim on the beaches of Saaremaa, Estonia's largest island, where the Baltic Sea blends with pine forests and juniper fields. Arrive by ferry and explore its coastal trails on foot up to the medieval Kuressaare Castle, the best preserved in the country. Walk along the shore, admire the Angla windmills and try the local homemade beer. Here the pace is set by lighthouses, wooden fences and summers with nearly endless daylight.
UNESCO Heritage(1)
Immerse yourself in Tallinn's old town, the best-preserved medieval city in Northern Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Wander its cobbled alleys among walls and towers that have withstood 800 years of history, from the Hanseatic era to today. Climb Toompea Hill for views over the red rooftops and the Pikk Hermann tower, and stop at Town Hall Square, where the merchant guilds left their mark. Every Gothic portal and every passage, such as St. Catherine's Passage, preserves the city's original layout.
City(1)
Discover Tartu, home to the oldest university in the Baltic countries, founded in 1632, whose students bring cafés, museums and concert halls to life throughout the academic year. Cross Town Hall Square with its fountain of lovers, climb Toome Hill to see the cathedral ruins and stroll through the university gardens. Amid neoclassical buildings, statues and markets, academic life sets the pace of this Estonian city.
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