Travel Guides

Estonia may not be a very popular tourist destination right now, but we tell you that it’s catching on nonetheless. Lots and lots of people are travelling to this country to experience Estonian history, arts and cultures, as well as food. There is plenty in Estonia that could appeal to the discerning traveler.

Do try some cross-country skiing, this is a hugely popular sport here, and the most appropriate place to do some skiing is in Otepaa – the resort town. In fact, Otepaa is where the cross-country skiing world cup is held too. You should also pay a visit to Haapsalu, which is a small town set on the western coast. Since the 19th century, it has been quite well-known as a resort. If you’re going to Estonia with your special one, then do head to this place as its really romantic, with the wooden houses and tree-lined avenues.

You will find that Estonia is full of national parks, what’s more – the forests and bogs are still relatively unspoiled, compared to modern standards. So take time off to explore the beautiful Estonian countryside, and see the pretty old fishing villages and even the historic manor houses. There are three national parks in Estonia – Lahemaa, Vilsandi and Soomaa. Estonian wildlife mainly comprises of bears, elk, lynx, and wolves. You can also head to the Kaina Kay Bird Reserve or even the Matsalu Nature Reserve to see eagles, storks and other kinds of wetland birds.

One of the most unusual traditions in Estonia is the Wife-Carrying World Championship. This is a really ancient tradition that was brought back to life in the 1990s, and now it has become a very big part of life with the Estonians. So you should definitely try to take part in this.

If railways are your cup of tea, head to the Railway Museum in Haapsalu. There you will be able to see unusual trains on the wide-gauge track, and there is even a ‘train-graveyard’ behind the museum where you can go to pay your respects!

Estonian beaches are really very picturesque. You can take in some nice sunbathing on the white beaches – there are also many pools and lakes in the country’s interiors. If you’re in the north of the country, then you can find many small coves which are used for nude bathing. Saaremaa Island is a must-see; its beauty is not just breath-taking, what makes it even more appealing is the fact that it’s so unspoiled. If you want to do some hiking and cycling, then there are good opportunities for that as well.

Otepaa offers a lot in terms of outdoor activities – you can try some canoeing, or if you’re there in the winter, take in some skiing. Then there is St. Nevsky Cathedral – which was built between 1894 and 1900 as a Russian Orthodox Church. You should check out the Russian style onion-domes, which have eleven bells, weight 15 tons! The interiors of this church are worth checking out as well!