Rocky coastal bays, bog landscapes and protected island habitats give Estonia’s natural environment a variety of contours. Lahemaa National Park protects bays along the northern coast. More than half of Soomaa National Park consists of bogs and rivers, surrounded by groups of forests, wooded meadows and floodplains. Millions of migratory birds visit or nest in Matsalu National Park every year; Vilsandi National Park protects sensitive coastal and island habitats.
Nature trails and landscapes
Estonia’s six national parks protect diverse landscapes throughout the country. Those who enjoy cycling will find many routes through coastal areas with views of the Baltic Sea, as well as forest trails in national parks. Nature experiences can take different forms: from a cycling route through a coastal area to a hiking trail on an island.
The trail lengths also offer a concrete comparison. On Piirissaar, a 1 km hiking trail leads south from the harbour to a campsite and the beach. Two trails, 6 and 8 km long, start near the Vilsandi Biological Centre. The Võsu-Nõmmeveski hiking trail is 19 km long. Piirissaar’s trail is therefore the shortest, and the Võsu-Nõmmeveski trail the longest of those mentioned.
Islands and finding your way around
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. Check schedules before your trip. Piirissaar has a boat connection to Laaksaare and Tartu.
For information about visitor sites, the RMK mobile app provides descriptions and facility details, photos, map locations and directions. The Matsalu National Park Visitor Centre provides information about RMK visitor sites, the national park, the region’s protected areas and tourism businesses. These resources have different focuses: the app provides details about visitor sites, while the visitor centre covers Matsalu and the region’s protected areas.
Discover history and science
Tallinn’s Old Town is a living historical museum. Cobblestone streets, city walls and centuries-old buildings tell stories from more than 800 years of history. In 1997, the Old Town was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The exhibition at the Estonian Maritime Museum in Fat Margaret reveals another facet of history: it spans the period from medieval maritime trade to modern cruise shipping and includes almost 50 digital and interactive features.
The University of Tartu Museum is located in the centre of Tartu, on Toomemägi, inside the Dome. Its exhibitions present the history of the university and of science. With one admission ticket, you can visit all the museum exhibitions and the Dome’s viewing platforms; check the current ticket conditions before your visit.
The Science Centre AHHAA 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. The workshop’s availability and schedule may change; check the latest information in advance.
Traditions and experiences at the open-air museum
The Võro smoke sauna tradition is listed as UNESCO cultural heritage and has practical as well as spiritual aspects. The Shepherd’s Adventure Trail at the Estonian Open Air Museum includes ten stations. It leads from the main entrance through the museum farmsteads and natural areas to the living Kolga Farm. The museum offers guided tours by prior reservation; check the reservation conditions when planning your visit.
This way, your choice of accommodation can reflect your interests in discovery without assuming a fixed itinerary or a particular type of traveller.
Discover more destinations: Võru, Viljandi, Tartu, Pärnu, Harju, Ida-Viru, Valga, Järva, Lääne-Viru, Rapla, Jõgeva, Saaremaa, Hiiumaa, Põlva, Lääne County.
