Estonia · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Estonia
These are our favourite places across Estonia, from medieval Tallinn and student Tartu to the beaches of Pärnu, the bogs of Lahemaa and the windmills of Saaremaa. Opening hours change with the seasons, so check each place before you go.
Places to Visit in Tallinn
Arts and Culture
- Tallinn Old Town (Vanalinn)
A UNESCO listed medieval town of cobbled lanes, towers and merchant houses, best explored early or late in the day. - Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (Toompea)
An onion domed Orthodox cathedral facing Toompea Castle, striking inside and out. - Kumu Art Museum (Kadriorg)
The national art museum, with Estonian art from the eighteenth century to bold Soviet era and contemporary work. - Estonian Maritime Museum Seaplane Harbour (Kalamaja)
A submarine, icebreaker and seaplanes inside vast historic hangars, a hit with all ages. - Estonian Open Air Museum (Rocca al Mare)
Farmhouses, windmills and a village church moved from across the country, with crafts and seasonal festivities. - Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom (Toompea)
A thoughtful, modern museum on Estonia's years under occupation and its road to freedom. - KGB Prison Cells (Pagari Street)
Former basement cells of the Soviet secret police, a short and sobering visit. - Fotografiska Tallinn (Telliskivi)
Changing photography exhibitions and a rooftop restaurant known for its low waste cooking.
Things to Do
- Kohtuotsa Viewing Platform (Toompea)
The classic view over the red roofs and spires of the Lower Town to the sea. - Tallinn TV Tower (Pirita)
Glass floors, an outdoor edge walk and views across the city and the Gulf of Finland. - Kalma Saun (Kalamaja)
A wood fired public sauna in a historic bathhouse, a true local experience.
Nature and Outdoors
- Kadriorg Park (Kadriorg)
A baroque palace park with ponds, fountains, swans and a Japanese garden, lovely for a slow afternoon. - Kalamaja Park and Seaside Walk (Kalamaja)
A local park and coastal promenade linking Kalamaja to the harbour and Linnahall steps. - Pirita Beach and Pirita Convent Ruins (Pirita)
A sandy city beach with pine woods behind and the ruins of a medieval convent nearby.
Shopping and Markets
- Telliskivi Creative City (Telliskivi)
Former factory buildings full of design shops, galleries, street art and cafés. - Balti Jaam Market (Kalamaja)
A modern market hall by the station with food stalls, farm produce, antiques and vintage clothes. - Masters' Courtyard (Old Town)
A courtyard of artisan workshops for ceramics, glass and handmade gifts. - Katariina Passage (Old Town)
A medieval lane of craft workshops where you can watch artisans at work.
Restaurants
- Rataskaevu 16 (Old Town)
Cosy Old Town dining with hearty Estonian classics and friendly service; book ahead. - Olde Hansa (Town Hall Square)
A candlelit medieval feast with costumed staff, period recipes and spiced beer. - NOA Restaurant (Viimsi road, Pirita)
Modern Nordic cooking with wide sea views towards the Tallinn skyline. - 180° by Matthias Diether (Noblessner)
A fine dining tasting menu in a striking open kitchen by the harbour. - Lore Bistroo (Noblessner)
A relaxed harbourside bistro serving seasonal plates in a former shipyard. - Kompressor (Old Town)
A no frills pancake hall loved by students for huge sweet and savoury pancakes. - III Draakon (Town Hall)
Elk soup and pies served by candlelight in the town hall cellar, a fun quick stop. - Leib Resto ja Aed (Old Town)
Seasonal Estonian cooking and house rye bread in a garden courtyard. - Tallinn Central Market (Keldrimäe)
A traditional market for smoked fish, pickles, honey and inexpensive local snacks.
Cafés
- Maiasmokk Café (Pikk Street)
The city's oldest café, with marzipan traditions and a historic interior. - Pierre Chocolaterie (Masters' Courtyard)
Handmade chocolates and cakes in a romantic, candlelit Old Town courtyard. - RØST Bakery (Rotermann Quarter)
Superb cardamom buns and sourdough from a busy Nordic bakery.
Bars and Nightlife
- Põhjala Brewery and Tap Room (Noblessner)
One of the Baltics' best known craft breweries, with a big tap list and barbecue. - Whisper Sister (City centre)
A hidden speakeasy behind an unmarked door, with inventive cocktails. - Hell Hunt (Old Town)
A friendly pub with its own beers and a relaxed local crowd. - Valli Baar (Old Town)
A tiny Soviet era dive bar famous for its Millimallikas, a jellyfish shot.
Events
- Tallinn Christmas Market (Town Hall Square)
A tall tree, wooden stalls, mulled wine and gingerbread in the medieval square. - Tallinn Old Town Days (Old Town)
A free early summer festival of music, crafts and medieval fun in the lanes. - Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (Citywide)
A major winter film festival with screenings across the city. - Tallinn Music Week (Citywide)
A spring festival of new bands and showcases in venues around town.
Stays
- Hotel Telegraaf (Old Town)
An elegant hotel in a former telegraph building near Town Hall Square. - The Three Sisters Hotel (Old Town)
A boutique hotel in three merchant houses on Pikk Street. - Hektor Design Hostel (Telliskivi)
A stylish budget base with private rooms near the creative quarter. - Hotel Palace Tallinn (Freedom Square)
A classic central hotel with easy walking to the Old Town and good family rooms.
Places to Visit in Lahemaa
Nature and Outdoors
- Viru Bog Study Trail (Kõnnu)
A boardwalk across a raised bog with a viewing tower and dark pools, Estonia's classic nature walk. - Võsu Beach (Võsu)
A sandy, shallow beach backed by pines, popular with families in summer. - Oandu Nature Trails (Oandu)
Forest trails with beaver dams and old growth trees near Sagadi. - Jägala Waterfall (Jägala)
Estonia's widest natural waterfall, dramatic in spring and frozen in winter. - Käsmu Boulder Field (Käsmu peninsula)
A forest scattered with huge glacial boulders, an eerie and beautiful walk.
Arts and Culture
- Palmse Manor (Palmse)
A restored baroque manor with parkland, a distillery and the national park visitor centre. - Sagadi Manor and Forest Museum (Sagadi)
A pink baroque manor with a museum on Estonian forests and forestry. - Hara Submarine Base (Hara)
The ruins of a Soviet submarine base on a quiet bay, a striking photo spot.
Stays
- Vihula Manor Country Club and Spa (Vihula)
A restored manor estate with a spa, river and rooms spread across old buildings.
Things to Do
- Käsmu Captains' Village (Käsmu)
A peaceful village of sea captains' houses with a maritime museum and boulder trail. - Altja Fishing Village (Altja)
A restored fishing village with net sheds, a tavern and a traditional village swing. - Rakvere Castle (Rakvere)
A hilltop castle with medieval games, workshops and costumed staff for families.
Places to Visit in Tartu
Arts and Culture
- Estonian National Museum (Raadi)
A landmark museum on Estonian life and Finno Ugric peoples in a building rising from an old runway. - University of Tartu Museum (Toome Hill)
The story of the university in the restored cathedral ruins, with a rooftop view. - Estonian Print and Paper Museum (Kastani Street)
Try historic printing presses and make your own paper in a hands on workshop. - KGB Cells Museum (Riia Street)
Former basement cells telling the story of resistance and deportation in Tartu.
Things to Do
- AHHAA Science Centre (Riverside)
Hands on science exhibits and a planetarium, perfect for families. - Tartu Town Hall Square (Old Town)
A sloping square with the kissing students fountain, cafés and the leaning house. - Supilinn (Supilinn)
The Soup Town, a district of wooden houses and streets named after vegetables. - Mooska Smoke Sauna Farm (Haanja, Võrumaa)
A farm keeping alive the UNESCO listed Võro smoke sauna tradition.
Nature and Outdoors
- Toome Hill (Old Town)
A park of old trees, bridges, monuments and cathedral ruins in the city centre. - Lake Peipus Onion Route (Kolkja)
Old Believer villages with onion gardens, smoked fish and painted wooden houses. - Suur Munamägi Observation Tower (Haanja, Võrumaa)
The highest hill in the Baltic states, with a tower over forests and lakes.
Shopping and Markets
- Tartu Market Hall (Vabaduse puiestee)
A historic market hall for smoked fish, meat, cheese and farm produce.
Restaurants
- Restoran Antonius (Old Town)
Refined seasonal dining in a historic building near the university. - Werner Café (Old Town)
A classic café with cakes and light meals, a Tartu institution since the nineteenth century.
Bars and Nightlife
- Genialistide Klubi (Old Town)
An alternative club and bar with gigs, film nights and a student crowd. - Püssirohukelder (Toome Hill)
A huge vaulted gunpowder cellar turned pub with live music.
Events
- Tartu Hanseatic Days (Old Town)
A summer festival of crafts, music and medieval markets. - Tartu Student Days (Citywide)
Spring student festivities with parades, river rafting races and concerts.
Stays
- Hotel Lydia (Old Town)
A comfortable central hotel with a spa near the Town Hall Square. - Antonius Hotel (Old Town)
A boutique hotel opposite the university main building.
Places to Visit in Pärnu
Nature and Outdoors
- Pärnu Beach (Rannarajoon)
A wide, shallow sandy beach with a promenade, cafés and playgrounds. - Pärnu Mole (Beach district)
A long breakwater walk out to sea, the town's favourite sunset spot. - Rannapark (Beach district)
A shady old park between the town and the sea, ideal for strolling and picnics. - Soomaa National Park (Tõramaa)
Bogs, rivers and spring floods explored by canoe or boardwalk.
Arts and Culture
- Tallinn Gate (Old Town)
A rare surviving seventeenth century town gate in the old ramparts. - Pärnu Museum (Aida Street)
The region's history from Stone Age settlers to the spa era. - Lydia Koidula Memorial Museum (Ülejõe)
The former school house home of Estonia's national poet.
Things to Do
- Pärnu Mud Baths (Beach district)
A neoclassical landmark of the spa tradition, now part of a hotel spa. - Tervise Paradiis Water Park (Beach district)
An indoor water park with slides and pools for rainy days. - Kihnu Island (Kihnu)
A small island whose living culture is recognised by UNESCO.
Shopping and Markets
- Rüütli Street (Old Town)
The pedestrian main street of shops, cafés and old merchant houses.
Restaurants
- Supelsaksad (Old Town)
A pretty café restaurant known for colourful interiors and generous cakes.
Events
- Weekend Festival Baltic (Raeküla)
One of the largest electronic music festivals in the region, held in summer. - Pärnu Music Festival (Pärnu Concert Hall)
Summer classical concerts led by conductor Paavo Järvi.
Stays
- Hedon Spa and Hotel (Beach district)
A spa hotel in the historic mud baths building by the sea. - Villa Ammende (Beach district)
An art nouveau villa hotel and restaurant set in a garden.
Places to Visit in Saaremaa
Arts and Culture
- Kuressaare Episcopal Castle (Kuressaare)
The best preserved medieval stone castle in the Baltics, with the island museum inside. - Angla Windmill Hill (Angla)
A row of traditional wooden windmills, the island's postcard image. - Karja Church (Karja)
A small medieval church with unusual stone carvings. - Koguva Village (Muhu)
A preserved fishing and farming village with stone fences and thatched houses.
Nature and Outdoors
- Kaali Meteorite Crater (Kaali)
A round crater lake formed by a meteorite impact thousands of years ago. - Panga Cliff (Panga)
Limestone cliffs above the sea, a quiet spot for sunsets. - Vilsandi National Park (Vilsandi)
Islets, seals and seabirds along the island's wild west coast.
Things to Do
- Sõrve Lighthouse (Sõrve peninsula)
A tall lighthouse at the island's southern tip with wartime remains nearby. - Kuressaare Spa Hotels (Kuressaare)
A cluster of spa hotels with pools and saunas, ideal on cool days.
Restaurants
- Pädaste Manor Restaurant (Muhu)
Island inspired fine dining in a manor estate by the sea. - Kuressaare Town Market (Kuressaare)
Smoked fish, island bread and handicrafts from local sellers. - Saaremaa Veski (Kuressaare)
A restaurant inside a historic windmill in the town centre.
Stays
- Pädaste Manor (Muhu)
A secluded manor hotel and spa on a quiet bay. - Georg Ots Spa Hotel (Kuressaare)
A family friendly spa hotel by the sea, named after a famous singer.
Places to Visit in Haapsalu
Things to Do
- Haapsalu Castle (Haapsalu)
A bishop's castle ruin in a seaside town of wooden villas and spa history. - Haapsalu Old Town (Haapsalu)
A calm resort town with promenades, lace shawls and summer festivals.
Places to Visit in Hiiumaa
Nature and Outdoors
- Kõpu Lighthouse (Hiiumaa)
One of the oldest working lighthouses in the world, on a forested hill.
Places to Visit in Narva
Arts and Culture
- Narva Castle (Narva)
A fortress facing Russia's Ivangorod across the river, at the edge of the EU.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Patarei Sea Fortress Prison (Kalamaja, Tallinn)
A former sea fortress and prison with a raw, haunting exhibition on communist crimes. - Nõmme Adventure Park and Glehn Park (Nõmme, Tallinn)
Forested hills, an old castle folly and trails in a quiet garden suburb of wooden villas. - Lendav Taldrik (Telliskivi, Tallinn)
Casual dumplings and street food style plates in the creative quarter. - Mantel ja Korsten (Kalamaja, Tallinn)
Cosy wooden house restaurant with modern home style cooking and a fireplace. - Kohvik Sesoon (Kalamaja, Tallinn)
A neighbourhood café in a wooden house with seasonal dishes and a quiet garden. - Sveta Baar (Telliskivi, Tallinn)
An inclusive bar with DJ nights and a garden, a cornerstone of the city's nightlife. - Iglupark (Noblessner, Tallinn)
Sauna pods by the sea with a quick dip in the Gulf of Finland between rounds. - Altja Kõrts (Altja, Lahemaa)
A rustic village tavern serving hearty Estonian dishes in a log building. - Palmse Manor Café (Palmse, Lahemaa)
Soups, cakes and coffee in the manor grounds after a walk in the park. - Restoran Hõlm (Old Town, Tartu)
Modern Estonian cooking with a strong focus on local ingredients. - Café Truffe (Town Hall Square, Tartu)
Pastries and coffee with tables on the square in summer. - Pühaste Brewery Taproom (Tartu, Tartu)
A tap room for one of Estonia's most respected craft breweries. - Emajõgi River Boat Trip (Riverside, Tartu)
Leisurely boat or canoe trips along the slow river through the city. - Looming Hostel (Riverside, Tartu)
A clean, modern budget base close to the bus station and the river. - Restoran Mahedik (Beach district, Pärnu)
A cosy restaurant focused on organic and local ingredients. - Mõnus Rannaresto (Beach, Pärnu)
Casual beachside food in summer with views over the bay. - Piccadilly (Old Town, Pärnu)
A wine and coffee house with a relaxed old town feel. - Rannahoone (Beach, Pärnu)
A historic beach house with a bar and terrace overlooking the sea. - Pihtla Õlleköök (Pihtla, Saaremaa)
Island home brewed beer and hearty food in a farmhouse setting. - Muhu Shoe and Craft Shops (Muhu, Saaremaa)
Hand embroidered Muhu slippers and patterns sold by local makers.