For those suffering from true wanderlust, there is nothing like uncovering the secrets of a lesser known destination, which holds a wealth of yet unknown travel experiences. Exotic and exotic Estonia is a dream destination for those who like to walk the less beaten path and leave the tourist routes for more exciting and rich routes. Estonia offers all the charm of ancient European cities with its beautiful capital city of Tallin and other such gems, while also promising a thrill-filled encounter with pristine nature in all its glorious splendour. Without burning a hole in your pocket, this gorgeous country allows you to wander through quaint cobblestone streets, visit magnificent churches, stroll along picturesque beaches and take a hike through some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe. To help you plan this trip of a lifetime, here is our comprehensive estonia travel guide Which highlights the top experiences and gives you information about what you need to know before visiting Estonia.
Best time to visit
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No Estonia travel guide would be complete without highlighting the best time to visit the country for an unforgettable trip.
- Summer season (June–August) is the best time with pleasant warm weather and long days.
- Late spring and early autumn are also good as the weather is still warm and the countryside is awash in vivid colors of spring flowers or earthy autumn colours.
- Skiing enthusiasts can also visit during winter, but they should be prepared to face freezing temperatures and ice-cold winds.
We suggest you set aside at least a week to fully immerse yourself in the myriad travel flavors this fascinating country has to offer.
Top 6 Places to Visit in Estonia
Estonia offers the perfect travel recipe with the right dose of culture, history, nature and adventure. Here are the best cities to really immerse yourself in the Estonian experience.
1.Tallinn
Estonia’s spectacular capital exudes medieval charm with its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town and a range of historic buildings. The cobblestone streets, buzzing market square, beer halls and quaint shops make strolling through the old town a pleasant experience. Other great places we think are worth seeing are the interesting bohemian streets of Kalamaja and the gorgeous parks and palaces of the Kadriorg district. tallinn estonia travel guide,
Top Sightseeing Places: Town Hall, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Kadriorg Art Museum, Toompea Castle
Best places to stay/night: Hotel Telegraph (Luxury; from INR 12500); Economy Hotels (Budget; from INR 3900)
Must read : 12 Best Places to Visit in Estonia to Seek the Ultimate Adventure
2. Tartu
The impressive University of Tartu has firmly established the country’s oldest city as the intellectual heart of Estonia. With its grand old town and 18th-century buildings and the beautiful Toomemägi Hill, our Estonia travel guide would not be complete without mentioning this vibrant city full of youthful energy and cultural heritage.
Top Sightseeing Places: Estonian National Museum, AHHAA Science Centre, Tartu Cathedral, Tartu Toy Museum
Best places to stay/night: Hotel Antonius (Luxury; from INR 9800); Hotel Sophia (Budget; from INR 5400)
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3. Narva
Located on Estonia’s easternmost border with Russia, this historic city has a unique flavor and its magnificent Hermann Castle stands as evidence of times gone by. With prominent Russian influence, the city has its own character and charm. Nearby is the beautiful beach town of Narva Josuu, with the country’s longest beach and some spectacular spa resorts.
Top Sightseeing Places: Narva Castle, Narva Museum, Krynholm, Resurrection of Christ Cathedral.
Best places to stay/night: Central Hotel, Narva Hotel (both from INR 3000)
4. Parnu
Another coastal town that can’t be missed in this Estonia travel guide is Pärnu. Beautifully located on the Gulf of Riga, where the Pärnu River meets the sea, Pärnu is an ideal choice to become the country’s summer capital with its white-sand beaches and lively beach promenade. In the evening, you can enjoy the coastal views, beautiful fountains and al-fresco restaurants along the promenade and the night-time bustle of Routley Street.
Top Sightseeing Places: Wee Park, an indoor water park, is a great place for some family fun.
5. Hiiumaa Island
Well-connected by flights and ferries from Tallinn, Estonia’s second-largest island is also connected to the mainland in winter by Europe’s longest ice road. The serene and beautiful Hiiumaa is an ideal place for nature lovers and water sports lovers. You can stroll along tranquil beaches dotted with historic lighthouses or surf the waves and hike through dense beech forests for a truly fulfilling holiday in the lap of nature.
Top Sightseeing Places: Kopu Lighthouse, Tahakuna Lighthouse
6. Saaremaa Island
Estonia’s largest island attracts travelers with its lush meadows, postcard-perfect windmills and stunningly beautiful coastal expanses. Endowed with some outstanding natural sites like the Kali Meteor Crater and vast forests, the island is a haven of peace and a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Explore hot springs, spot rare birds and stroll along pristine lakes and enjoy the natural beauty of this gorgeous island.
Top Sightseeing Places: Kuressaare Castle, Kali Crater, Panga Cliff
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Best National Parks and Adventure Activities
Along with the opportunity to witness pristine and unique natural scenery in beautiful national parks, Estonia also offers innumerable out-of-the-box activities and experiences that will surely leave an indelible mark on your traveller’s soul.
1. Lahema National Park
We can’t get you through this enough estonia travel guide Set aside half a day for the country’s largest and oldest national park, which gives you a glimpse of the country’s unmatched natural splendor and rich culture. Lahema National Park, only an hour from Tallinn, offers a breathtaking natural tapestry of beautiful marshes, dense pine forests, sparkling rivers and historic estates.
Top Sightseeing Places: Viru Bog Trail, Ondu Forest Trail, Palme Manor Museum, Sagadi Manor.
2. Suma National Park
Time stands still as you walk through the mysterious swamps and creeks of Suma National Park and experience pristine nature in all its glory. This fascinating destination is mainly a peat bog formed by melting glaciers and is home to sparkling lakes, beautiful rivers and amazing biodiversity. You can hike along the famous Beaver Trail or explore this picturesque destination on an unforgettable canoe trip. Guided tours also offer mushroom hunting, berry picking and bird watching.
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3. Bear tracks in the forest
One of the best things about traveling to Estonia is the chance to live amidst pristine nature and abundant wilderness. Adventure and nature lovers should head into the woods to spot bears, lynxes and wolves in the wild. Alutaguz in the north-east offers bear viewing huts and a great opportunity to encounter these lovable giants in the wild with the help of a competent guide.
4. Dog-sledding
No Estonia travel guide can miss this truly unique Estonian experience and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Only half an hour from Tartu, Henrik Luk’s Sleddog Center offers a thrilling ride with wolf-like Alaskan Malamutes. There’s nothing like the adrenaline rush as your car winds down the trails and through the lush Estonian forests. We suggest after this adventure to stay in the beautiful Perama Puhkekeskus wooden house for a relaxing stay by the lake and a smoking sauna.
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What to pack?
- Warm clothes: Even if you are traveling to Estonia in summer, warm clothes always come in handy as the weather is unpredictable. A summer coat or hoodie is the perfect travel companion.
- Comfortable shoes: Since most old towns in major cities have paved roads and nature parks involve a lot of walking, a good pair of walking shoes is a must.
- Sunscreen and hats: When traveling in the summer, it’s a good idea to be equipped with sunscreen, shades, and a hat.
- A foldable umbrella: Considering the possibility of untimely rain throughout the year, a foldable umbrella and waterproof backpack definitely come in handy.
General Travel Tips
- When exploring the capital city, the Tallin Card comes in handy and for moving around the city the Transport Smart Card also comes in handy.
- The currency is Euro which is easily exchangeable and also dispensed by ATMs
- Although a large percentage of the population speaks passable English, there are still some useful phrases such as ‘tere’ (hello), ‘aita’ (thank you), ‘palun’ (please), ‘ja’ (yes) and ‘good to know’. ei’ (not).
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Armed with our Estonia travel guide we urge you to plan a trip to Europe and explore its gem before it turns into a tourist-swarm destination like many other places on the continent.
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