Europe frequently ranks as the most visited continent globally, with millions exploring its picturesque countries. One of these countries is Estonia, a gorgeous destination that borders the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea. Estonia is home to more than 1500 islands but has an incredibly diverse landscape comprising mighty peaks, pristine lakes, and dense forests. It’s also lined with medieval castles and fortresses, making it an excellent spot for history buffs. But if you’re heading out there soon and want to explore its top destinations, take a look at these best places to visit in Estonia:
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1. Setomaa
Sharing the pristine Lake Peipus, Setomaa brings you a gorgeous charm that’s too irresistible to forget. Setomaa is a rural municipality, so you can pretty much imagine the kind of landscapes it offers: lush green rolling hills, dramatic skylines, and dense trees, all meeting a refreshing air that makes you want to stay here forever. Setomaa is home to the Seto people, who proclaimed the region in 1994. Setomaa straddles the Russian border, so you’ll also find unimaginable influences from Russian culture. Setomaa’s rich history makes it a delightful spot for history buffs, but nature lovers will also appreciate its landscapes. Setomaa’s hiking trails are a great way to connect to nature, but you can always stop by its open-air farms for a delectable dining experience.
2. Saaremaa
A beautiful island in the Baltic Sea, Saaremaa brings exciting opportunities for history and nature lovers alike, so no wonder it’s among the best places to visit in Estonia. This Estonian island is dotted with medieval villages, all telling a thrilling tale of Saaremaa’s rich history. The Saaremaa Museum is an excellent spot for anyone wanting to learn more about Estonia and this Estonian delight’s run-ins with pirates. Saaremaa’s historical charm is endless, but you’ll find an even more delightful and expansive natural landscape, which even includes a giant crater, the Kaali. While you’re out exploring Kaali Crater, don’t forget to book a spot in one of Saaremaa’s countless spas for the perfect end to an exhausting trip.
3. Haapsalu
A seaside resort town, Haapsalu isn’t just one of the best places to visit in Estonia; it’s also one of the most beautiful and pristine. Haapsalu’s charm begins just at the shore when the tranquil waves give away part of Haapsalu’s magic. Then, you’re invited to a vibrant town center with the hustle and bustle of excited folks and welcoming natives. Haapsalu’s attractions increased tenfold from thereon; tourists are welcome to explore its countless medieval attractions, including the 13th-century Haapsalu Castle. The Rannarootsi Museum tells a fine tale of Haapsalu’s history, but you’ll also find destinations like Linnapark where you can relax and interact with nature.
4. Parnu
Another resort destination, Parnu, is a city in Estonia that overlooks its namesake bay. While Parnu Bay’s stunning allure is part of why Parnu is considered one of the best places to visit in Estonia, the city brings a lot more to the table than just an attractive coastline. Parnu has some of the most unique attractions to visit, like the Pernova Nature House, which combines elements of nature with scientific and artistic marvels. The Minizoo is a delightful destination for children, and you can even interact with alpacas at Alpakafarm. That’s not all; Parnu is home to numerous winding hiking trails, some leading up to scenic viewpoints that will blow your mind away.
5. Narva
On the west bank of the Narva River, bordering Russia, lies Narva, a municipality and city that marks the extreme east point of the country. This Estonian delight is one of the only places in Europe where you’ll be able to learn about Russian traditions and culture since Russian natives majorly populate Narva. Narva holds extreme historical significance; it was a focal point in the Great Northern War, so you’ll find countless historical landmarks here. While Narva’s museums make for a fun trip, tourists love shopping at Astri Center, exploring magnificent architectural masterpieces like Alexander’s Cathedral, and strolling its surrounding neighborhoods.
6. Tartu
Tartu is one of the best places to visit in Estonia because you’ll find intense hospitality and a unique culture that will dull every other place. Tartu is Estonia’s second-largest city, so while it’s pretty familiar with tourist footfall, you’ll easily blend in. Tartu is considered Estonia’s cultural center; it is home to some of the finest artworks stored at the Tartu Art Museum, and you’ll find endless galleries lining its streets. Tartu also has a science museum, which is perfect for family trips. The city also has a beautiful botanical garden, making it even more appealing for naturalists. That’s not all; Tartu’s countless cathedrals and historical ruins make it an exciting spot to explore.
7. Tallinn
Tallinn is the largest city and capital of Estonia. That alone explains why it’s one of best places to visit in Estonia, but Tallinn offers much more than a typical big-city experience. Tallinn is so culturally diverse and unique that it is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the most popular destinations in Tallinn is the photogenic Old Town, lined with stunning old churches, ancient merchant’s houses, and countless monuments that make it one of the best-preserved medieval destinations. Tallinn lies on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland, so you can imagine how diverse and decadent its cuisine is; it’s part of why thousands of tourists flock from all over to visit.
8. Lahemaa National Park
Just 70 kilometers from Tallinn lies the Lahemaa National Park, sharing borders with the Gulf of Finland. Lahemaa National Park is the best destination for naturalists in Estonia; it is rich with native forests, dense wetlands, and expansive landscapes, making even a single night’s visit there feel like magic. Lahemaa National Park has countless accommodation options, from relaxing lodges to onsite camping, so that you can choose your comfort. The national park has plenty to do; you can visit its countless beaches, most secluded from tourist crowds, or head to the onsite museum to learn more about Estonia. Ride horses, explore nature trails, and dip your toes in the pristine lakes at Lahemaa National Park, whose beauty earns it a spot in the best places to visit in Estonia.
9. Viljandi
A relaxing town located in southern Estonia, Viljandi is perfect for anyone who wants to escape the hustle and bustle of Europe and explore at their own pace. Viljandi boasts some of the most beautiful cathedrals, some fashioned out of stone and almost all dating back centuries. Viljandi is considered one of the best places to visit in Estonia because of its serene charm and rugged beauty. Still, you’ll also find its vibrant culture to be one of its most promising characteristics. Here, you can take a walk along its charming streets, eat the most delicious street food, and enjoy pure bliss you won’t even find in storybooks.
10. Otepaa
Otepaa isn’t only counted as one of the best places to visit in Estonia; it’s also one of the few places where you’ll find a winter wonderland that parallels Christmas storybooks. Otepaa’s appeal begins with towering mountain peaks, which doll themselves up with snow half the year and make for exciting skiing destinations. Aside from its usual skiing attractions, Otepaa is also an excellent place for families; the Estonian town is home to an adventure park nestled in its forests so that tourists can simultaneously play and interact with nature. From museums to golf parks and even a few sports complexes, Otepaa has practically everything, making it perfect for every type of traveler.
Video Guide: 10 Best Places to Visit in Estonia (Coming Soon)
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Travel Resources for Planning a Trip to Estonia
To make planning your trip to the best places in Estonia easier, we included some of our recommended travel resources below. You can search and find the best flights, transportation options, hotels to stay in, tours/activities, and things you can do at each destination during your trip.
Flights:
Agoda: Search thousands of destinations around the world & quickly compare prices to find amazing deals on the best flights.
CheapOAir: You can find airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, and vacation packages all on one site!
Kiwi.com: What we like about Kiwi is the fact that they are able to create combinations of flight, train, and bus tickets and offer them in a single itinerary. Also, Kiwi has what they called “Nomad” which helps you find the best way of visiting multiple destinations, saving you time and money.
JetRadar: You can search and compare airfares from 726 airlines and dozens of travel agencies and systems.
Hotels:
Agoda: Agoda is one of the world’s largest online travel accommodation platforms with a network of over 2,000,000 vacation rentals and hotels worldwide.
Hotellook: They have more than 250,000 hotels in 205 countries, working with data from more than 10 online booking systems, such as Booking.com, Agoda.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, and others.
Transportations:
Airport Transfers: KiwiTaxi, Viator
Train: EuroRail, Trainline or RailEurope
Bus: Flixbus: Very affordable (as low as $6) and convenient way to transfer between cities in Europe.
Car Rentals: AutoEurope, EconomyBookings, or GetTransfer (transfers & car rentals with a personal driver)
Bike Rental: BikesBooking (Bikes & scooter rentals)
Transportation Comparison: Omio (search, compare, and book tickets for buses, trains, and flights all in one site)
Tours & Activities:
TakeWalks (WalkofItaly): This is our favorite site for walking tours & day trips.
Tiqets: Great site for entrance tickets. It offers directly bookable, instantly available, and completely mobile tickets for museums, shows, and attractions all over the world.
Musement: They have good activities and tours in Italy and Spain, also many great day trips you can choose from.
GetYourGuide: A large number of tours, excursions, and other travel activities
Viator: The largest one. It has everything from tours, attractions, shore excursions, and private guides in over 2,700 destinations worldwide. It also has many transportation and transfer options and some unique experiences we didn’t find anywhere else.
Need help planning a trip to Estonia?
Planning and looking for the best places to visit in Estonia? If you find this type of trip planning to be too complicated to plan on your own, we’re here to help!
At MultiCityTrips, multi-destination travel and complicated itineraries such as a special trip to the best places in Estonia are our specialties. Contact us today to learn more about how one of our experienced travel experts/destination specialists can personalize your multi-city vacations at the best price.
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To learn more about how our process of trip planning works in detail, please see our “How It Works” page or check out our video on “How to Plan a Multi-City Trip to Europe in 5 Easy Steps” here.
Have questions for us? Schedule a FREE Call with us here or contact one of the travel experts/destination specialists at [email protected], call/text us at (888)223-2316 today.
