Estonia Highlights: favorite sights & must visits

/ Estonia / Comments Off

Estonia is just as big as my home country The Netherlands, but has only 1.3 million inhabitants. We have 17.3 million inhabitants living on the same surface! Because of the turbulent Soviet era, when people had very little, the locals are deeply connected to nature. They still go to the forest to collect mushrooms and berries. The food in restaurants is super fresh, made with lots of vegetables and herbs. I am a big fan of the local herbal tea! Estonia is furthermore very advanced when it comes to digital development and is way ahead of the Netherlands. I took a road trip to discover beautiful places and stops in this country full of culture and history. These are my Estonia Highlights!

If you are Dutch and you are reading this blog post in English, just tap the menu button to change the language to Dutch!

This blogpost contains affiliate links, so I earn a small commission when you book through my website, at no extra cost to you! So thank you if you book through my website!

Estonia highlights: Tallinn

This stunning capital of Estonia is full of surprises. It is bursting with great restaurants, interesting museums, hip areas and a romantic old town. I loved this city so much that I created a Tallinn City Guide with all my favourite spots, including the unique and creative neighbourhood Telliskivi.

MY TALLINN CITY GUIDE

Estonia Highlights: Lahemaa National Park

Nature lovers can eat their heart out at this beautiful national park. Visit the impressive Viru Bog, full of legends, and walk the wooden boardwalk path. Halfway you will find a wooden tower with a colourful view over the bog. The Viru Bog is the absolute highlight of the park. Additionally, the Käsmu Peninsula is worth a visit, a popular summer destination for Estonians. Close to Käsmu you will also find the Field of Boulders, massive rocks deposited there as the Finnish and Swedish continental ice shelf retreated around 10,000 years ago.

BOOK YOUR DAY TOUR HERE

Estonia Highlights: The old manors

Estonia has many old manors, some dating back to the 13th century. You can visit them and even spend the night in some of them! Until 200 years ago the farmers were effectively enslaved by the landlords, but times have changed considerably. We stayed at the lovely Vihula Manor in Lahemaa National Park. The hotel has an excellent restaurant, a huge minigolf trail, a spa and a swimming pool. Berries and herbs from the garden are used directly in the kitchen. This is where you will find your zen!

THE BEST RENTAL CARS FOR YOUR ROAD TRIP

We also visited Sagadi Manor in Lahemaa National Park, where we learned how to weave baskets. The manor has a nature school where you can study insects under a microscope. Furthermore, Pöhjaka Manor is a must visit in the heart of Estonia. This was the best restaurant of our entire road trip, with beautifully prepared Estonian dishes and a wonderfully rustic interior.

Lunch at Pöhjaka Manor | Estonia Highlights

Haapsalu

Haapsalu is a charming seaside resort and spa destination. The Russian Tsars loved it here and rubbed their bodies with the medicinal mud. Tsar Alexander II (1818-1881) even lived here. Walking into this little town, it is easy to see why. What a cosy and romantic spot! Stroll along the promenade, have lunch or dinner at the stunning Kuursaal and visit the famous Tchaikovski bench. He loved Haapsalu and used the town as inspiration for many of his compositions.

Dinner at Hapsal Dietrich is delicious. Save room for dessert because they serve some of the best cakes in Estonia. Hapsal Dietrich also offers rooms for the night. The castle is moreover a must visit, with an interesting museum inside. At night the moonlight illuminates the castle and sometimes The White Lady appears…

Haapsalu | Estonia Highlights

Pärnu

Pärnu is located in the south-west of Estonia and is the country’s fourth city. Just like Haapsalu it is a seaside resort with many spa hotels. There is a long sandy beach and in summer the city hosts many festivals. That is why Pärnu is called the “summer capital” of Estonia. Walk along the promenade, dine at Villa Wesset, try a surf lesson at Aloha Surf, treat yourself to a high tea at Supelsaksad, have a drink at Little Cuba on the beach, try the delicious warm donuts at Soorikubaar and dine at Mahedik and Raimond. We stayed at the brand new Wasa Resort, where I spent a lovely morning soaking in the spa!

ROOMS AND RATES WASA RESORT