Major Tourist Attractions In Estonia

Tallinn, the capital, is a mix of the medieval and the modern. It is also a mix of some things Soviet, some German, some Swedish, some Dutch. This port city has, at various times in its past, been governed by all of these nationalities and what they left in the form of art and architecture have remained. The old atmospheric part of town, Vanalinn, dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries; spires, turrets and arches of centuries-old buildings still stand here in perfect preservation in the meandering streets. It is around the town square here that you’ll find the hubbub of the everyday life of a dynamic and youthful city. Bars, pubs, restaurants, shops, offices and swish apartment buildings face each other across neat avenues. 
The cultural and the political are centred on the Toompea Hill that rises above Vanalinn. Tallinn’s major sights are here: the 19th century Russian Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, a 13th century Lutheran cathedral – Toomkirik, the Castle, which now is the house of parliament, and the Estonian Art Museum. East of Vanalinn are the dense forests of the Kadriorg Park. The park and the baroque palace make up the compound that is largely dedicated to Peter the Great and his wife Catherine. Visitors will be able to see some artefacts, furniture and sundry knick-knacks that have been around since his time, the early 18th century.

The island of Saaremaa is Estonia’s largest and attracts many tourists with its serene beaches, tree-lined avenues and green cover. Usually the last to fall to foreign invaders and because it’s been defiantly protective of the indigenous culture, many people feel that the indigenous Estonian’ culture has been best preserved here.

 It’s capital, Kuressaare, is built around a beautiful town square. The 13th century Kuressaare Castle is thought to be one of the best in the Baltic. Also remarkable is the town’s Botancal Garden. 

Take a ferry to Triigi in Saaremaa from Kärdla in Hiiumaa (summers only) or from Kuivastu on Muhi Island. There are many hotels and hostels, and many fine restaurants in Kuressaare.

An hour’s bus ride from Tallinn is Viitna in the Lahemaa National Park. Two parts of the reserve are open to visitors, the Koljaku-Oandu Reserve and the Laokasu Reserve, which has a 7000-year old bog.

Palmse, in the outskirts of the park, is a fabulous baroque 18th century manor house. One can stay in Palmse, or in any of the outlying village and fishing hamlets. 

But if you're really interested in walking the bogs, head for Viljandi in Somaa National Park.

Hiiumaa, Estonia’s second largest island is densely forested and known for its natural beauty, quiet beaches, the bird sanctuary near its second largest town, Käina, and the 1874 lighthouse at Tahkuna Peninsula just northwest of Kärdla. Kärdla, the main town, is the centre of tourist infrastructure. There is a tourist office, hotels and many small eateries where you can pick up pastries and sandwiches. There are ferry services to Heltermaa on the island from the Rohuküla near Haapsalu on the mainland.

Pärnu, a major seaside resort and Tartu, a very old settlement with a fair deal of historical buildings and a university are two destinations that attract many visitors. Pärnu, with its mud baths, ice cream parlours, baroque buildings and fantastic art museum is an important destination, connected to the rest of the country by road and rail. Life in Tartu mostly revolves around the university, besides which, it boasts a Gothic church and the Estonian National Museum. Tartu too has bus and train connections.