Discover Estonia: Islands, Nature and Culture

On Piirissaar, a 1 km trail leads south from the harbour to a campsite and the beach. Estonia also offers trails on islands and inland, national parks, museums and living traditions. This lets you choose travel ideas based on scenery, culture or the length of a walking route.

Trails, islands and protected areas

At 1 km, the Piirissaar trail is the shortest route mentioned here. On Vilsandi, two walking trails of 6 and 8 km begin near the biology centre; the Võsu-Nõmmeveski trail is 19 km long. These figures make it easy to compare the different route lengths. On Piirissaar, the trail leads south from the harbour to the campsite and the beach.

The national parks also showcase a variety of landscapes. Estonia’s six national parks protect diverse landscapes in all parts of the country. Lahemaa preserves the rocky bays along the northern coast. In Soomaa National Park, more than half the area consists of bogs and rivers, surrounded by woodland, wooded meadows and floodplains. Millions of migratory birds visit or nest in Matsalu National Park each year. Vilsandi protects sensitive coastal and island habitats.

There are many cycling routes through coastal areas with views of the Baltic Sea, as well as forest trails in national parks. Nature lovers can discover a variety of landscapes: coasts and island habitats, bog and river landscapes, or forest routes. These are distinct themes to consider when planning a trip, alongside the country’s museums and historic sites.

Piirissaar combines nature and island culture: the Old Believers’ Museum offers an overview of the Old Believers’ culture and way of life on the island. Piirissaar has a boat connection with Laaksaare and Tartu. Check current departure times when planning your journey.

Museums, city history and traditions

The exhibition at the Estonian Maritime Museum in Fat Margaret covers Estonian seafaring from medieval maritime trade to modern cruise shipping. The exhibition includes almost 50 digital and interactive features. Its scope thus ranges from early maritime trade to a modern way of travelling on the water.

Tallinn’s Old Town is a living historical museum: cobbled streets, city walls and centuries-old buildings tell stories spanning more than 800 years. The Old Town has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1997. A walking tour starts and ends at Town Hall Square and is three kilometres long; check the route details before your visit.

The University of Tartu Museum is located in the city centre, on Toomemägi, inside the cathedral. Its exhibitions present the history of the university and of science. An admission ticket gives you access to all the museum exhibitions and the cathedral’s viewing platforms. As ticket conditions may change, it is a good idea to check them before your visit.

The AHHAA Science Centre offers film screenings in a spherical planetarium and science theatre performances. At the Ice Cream Laboratory workshop, visitors learn about ice cream and make some themselves. Workshop dates and availability may change, so check the current offering in advance.

At the Estonian Open Air Museum, the Shepherd’s Adventure Trail has ten stops and leads from the main entrance through the museum’s farmsteads and natural areas to the living Kolga farm. The museum also offers guided tours by prior reservation. If you are planning a guided tour, check the current reservation conditions in advance.

The Võro smoke sauna tradition is also part of Estonia’s cultural heritage. It is listed as UNESCO cultural heritage and has both practical and spiritual aspects. Alongside city history and seafaring, traditional customs are also in focus, offering another way to experience the country’s culture.

Getting around and travelling to Estonia

The Matsalu National Park Visitor Centre provides information about RMK visitor sites, the national park, protected areas in the region and tourism businesses. The RMK mobile app offers descriptions and facilities information for visitor sites, photos, map locations and directions. Both can be useful for finding your way to nature and visitor attractions.

You can explore Estonia by car, bus, ferry, bicycle, plane, train or on foot. Regular ferries connect the mainland with most of the larger islands, including Saaremaa, Hiiumaa, Vormsi, Kihnu, Ruhnu and Aegna. Routes and timetables may change; check current connections before your trip.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Võru, Viljandi, Tartu, Pärnu, Harju, Ida-Viru, Valga, Järva, Lääne-Viru, Rapla, Jõgeva, Saaremaa, Hiiumaa, Põlva, Lääne County.

For the overview of destinations: Europe.