Estonia Travel Guide
This little known country is a true gem of the Baltic Sea. Having been a battleground for over a millennium, Estonia has a long and harsh history, and many castles and fortifications to prove it. Having linguistic ties with Finland, beautiful beaches, some of the largest bogs in Europe, and roughly 2000 islands, Estonia is a place well worth exploring by land and by sea.
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 Estonia |
Top 5 Destinations in Estonia |
 Tallinn |
 Kuressaare |
 Tartu |
 Saaremaa |
 Narva |
Top 5 Nature Destinations |
 Endla |
 Soomaa |
 Lahemaa |
 Panga Cliffs |
 Taevaskoda |
Other Destinations |
Endla Nature Reserve – beautiful hiking trails leading though forests, wooded meadows, and bogs.
Haapsalu – a seaside resort town most famous for its thirteenth century castle.
Kuressaare – a town on the island of Saaremaa, known for its castle.
Narva – the third largest city in Estonia, right on the Russian border.
Panga Cliffs – a bedrock outcrop on the island of Saaremaa.
Pärnu – a popular holiday resort in the summer.
Rakvere – a town famous for its thirteenth century castle.
Taevaskoda – sandstone outcrops on the banks of the Ahja River.
Tallinn – the capital of Estonia and one of the most beautiful cities on the Baltic.
Tartu – the second largest city in Estonia, known for its prestigious 17th-century university.
Islands
These eleven islands are serviced by ferry operators Kihnu Veeteed and Praamid.
Saaremaa & Muhu – Estonia’s largest and third largest islands, sleepy fishermen’s villages, traditional thatched cottages, windmills, castles, and wildlife provide a perfect retreat for those looking to get lost in the nature.
Hiiumaa – the second largest island in Estonia, popular for its lighthouses, ancient churches, and historical values.
Aegna, Kihnu, Manilaid, Naissaar, Osmussaare, Prangli, Ruhnu, and Vormsi are also well worth visiting.
Cycling – Estonia is a great place to explore by bike; the distances are short, out of town there’s very little traffic, and you’ll discover diverse nature scenery.
Hiking – though Estonia is moderately flat, there is still some exceptional hiking trail throughout the country.
Kayaking & Canoeing – there are loads of excellent locations to explore by water.
Misc Activities – adventure park, disc golf, go karting, indoor rockclimbing.
Rally Driving – have you ever dreamed of rally driving? This might be the place to do it!
Sailing – with a winding coastline, surrounded by roughly 2000 islands, Estonia makes a perfect destination to explore by boat.
Shooting – airsoft, archery, paintball, motor paintball.
Skydive – skydiving has become increasing popular in recent years.
Winter Activities – kicksledge, snowmobiling, dogsledding, iceskating, skiing, sledding.. there is lots to do in the winter!
National Parks |
Karula – created to protect the nature characteristic of Estonia, to promote an ecological lifestyle and to revive the South Estonian country culture. Karula is rich in lakes, there are 60 of them in the highlands and their muddy bottoms make them good growing places for many plants. The picturesque Kaika hills are also in Karula National Park. The highest peak of Karula is Rebasejärve Tornimähi, where you can climb to the top of a 30 metre tower to enjoy the view.
Lahemaa – founded in 1971 for the preservation, research, and introduction of the North-Estonian nature and cultural heritage, biodiversity, landscapes, national culture, and conservative natural management. It protects historical and architectural monuments, and the ecosystems of forests, swamps, and beaches.
Matsalu – Estonia’s best known destination for birdwatching.
Soomaa – established to protect untouched bogs, biologically diverse glades, wooded meadows, and a variety of forests. Its diverse nature, a unique suspension bridge, distinctive skiff culture, and five seasons have made it a popular destination. The most popular sights in the national park are the Riisa and Kuuraniidu nature trails, the Ingatsi boardwalk, the highest bog in Europe, as well as watchtowers, and suspension bridges.
Vilsandi – made up of 150 islands, abundant in marine and coastal landscapes, and a prime bird watching location with over 247 species of bird breeding and nesting. Other sights include orchids, fossils, and fossilised corals.
UNESCO Sites |
Cultural (2)
Historic Centre (Old Town) of Tallinn (1997)
Struve Geodetic Arc (2005)
Typical Costs |
Accommodation
Hostels: €10-18
Hotels: €25+
Activity Costs
Tallinn Card – €25 (24h), €37 (48h), €45 (72h), free travel on public transport, free admission to over 40 museums and sights, over 30 exclusive discount offers, free Tallinn Card Map.
Bastion Passages – €9
Maiden’s Tower – €3
St. Olav’s Church and Tower – €3
Tallinn Town Wall – €2
Kadriorg Palace / Kadriorg Art Museum – €6.50
Eat/Drink
Beer: €2-2.50
Coffee: €2.50
Sitdown Meal: €5-15
Tipping:
Transportation
Tallinn bus/tram one way ticket (bought from a newspaper kiosk) – €1. When buying tickets directly from the driver a surcharge applies.
Tallinn to Tartu – €7-14, multiple operators, 2h30m.
Tallinn to Riga – €12, Ecolines, 4h-4h30m.
Tallinn to Helsinki – €35, Linda Line, 1h40m.
Tallinn to Helsinki – €27, Eckero Line, 2h30m.
Budget
Tight: €30
Relaxed: €50
Guidebooks |
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Useful Websites |