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Estonia Territory: 45 227 km Population: 1 342 409 Capital: Tallinn 397150 Ethnic Composition: 68.6% Estonians 25.6% Russians 2.1% Ukrainians 1.2% Belarusians 0.8% Finns Official language: Estonian Highest point: Suur Munamägi 318m Islands: 1521 in total, the two largest are Saaremaa 2922km2 and Hiiumaa 1023km2 Biggest lake: Peipsi 3555km2 Longest rivers: Pärnu 144km Kasari 112km |
Estonia offers unexpected, magical adventures, quite unlike anything else in Europe with a complete range from unspoiled countryside to post-modern city culture. Historical sights, hiking, skiing, sailing, opera and theatre, saunas and nightclubbing are among just a few of the many options available for visitors. Alternatively, anyone can create their own delights at their own pace in either a city or countryside break.A decade ago nobody would have guessed that the tiny nation would come so far so fast becoming a full member of both the EU and NATO during 2004. In Dec 2007, Estonia joined Europe´s borderless Schengen zone to make travelling even more easier and comfortable than it was before. Read more...
Tallinn
Tallinn is the capital of Estonia. It was mentioned for the first time in a written source in 1154, on the world map of an Arabian geographer Al-Idrisi. Tallinn is recorded as first gained its rights as a city in 1248.
The Old Town of Tallinn, belonging to UNESCO’s World Heritage list since 1997, is the best preserved old town in Northern Europe . It retains a medieval city structure with its original street system, squares, city quarters, the protective Town Wall and esplanade surrounding the OldTown . There are still many fine examples of numerous dwelling-houses and warehouses within the medieval main walls, many of which date back to the days of the Hanseatic merchants and artisans that helped to establish the city’s fame. The Town Hall is the only intact Gothic town hall in Northern Europe and is one of the most famed symbols of the city. In 2004, the Town Hall celebrates its 600th anniversary and overlooks the main cobbled square, which is traditionally a central point for relaxing café-style al fresco eating and enjoyment in summer.
Pärnu
Pärnu is a unique resort on the coast of the Baltic Sea, which has for many years attracted people with its beautiful beaches (rated European Blue Flag), warm sea, numerous parks and lanes. The variety of the sights within and around the 750-year old town is truly fascinating.
For over 165 years Pärnu has been renowned as a famous health and spa destination. It is a town of events, headlined with traditional festivals, concerts, open-air events and exhibitions, beach shows and sport events. The popularity is shown by the fact that every year up to 400,000 guests visit the town of about 50,000 inhabitants.
Your stay in Pärnu could even be better if you make an outing to the surrounding beautiful scenery of the county. Almost half of the territory of the county is covered with forest and a quarter of it consists of traditional unspoilt peat bogs and marshes. To view this you can opt for hiking, canoeing, bicycling, horseback riding or taking a trip by boat or car. Picturesque natural spots are extremely easy to find on any trip.
Welcome to Pärnu, the summer capital of Estonia, and picturesque Pärnu County!
Tartu
Estonia`s second largest city Tartu, has long been celebrated as a wellspring of this country`s intellectual and cultural life. The hub of the riverside city in southern Estonia is Tartu University, the nation`s main university that was founded during Swedish rule in 1632. Estonians themselves have dubbed Tartu´s special if elusive quality Tartu to be “spirit”. The spirit is embodied in the old town, skirting leafy hillside parks, in several top-notch drama theatres and museums, as well as in its contemplative cafes and bars, where students can be seen philosophizing for hours on end over coffee and beer. To the northeast is the two-fork primeval Alatskivi Valley leading to the shores of Lake Peipsi, the fourth largest inland lake in Europe.
You will always receive a warm welcome in friendly and lively Tartu.
The Lahemaa National Park
The Park was created in 1971 to protect the characteristic North-Estonian coastal and forest areas. Altogether about 70 % of the total territory is covered with forest, marshy land and swamp. At 72,500 ha, Lahemaa (meaning “land of bays”) is one of Europe’s largest protected forest areas. Old fishing villages, many renovated manor houses, rich flora and fauna – all this is ideal for soothing away the stress of modern life. It is always possible to have a lunch in an ancient village pub or just to stroll through the endless forest paths having a look at petrified forests or the great number of storks found in the area.
At the heart of Lahemaa National Park lies the beautiful traditional Palmse manor and park. The large 18th century residence, which once belonged to the von Pahlen family, has been restored and is now, once more, the jewel in the crown of the park. Nowadays, the manor itself is a museum and is open to the public.
It is also worth paying a visit to the village of Estonian sea captains, Käsmu, or to an unusual fishing village, Viinistu, with its private Estonian Art Museum in the midst of rocky boulders and juniper-trees.
We are happy to show you our beautiful Lahemaa!
Kihnu
Kihnu is a small island near the western coast of Estonia, one of over 1500 in Estonia, many of which are worth a visit. The island is most easily reached by ferry from Pärnu. It is an island where many of the old Estonian traditions still survive to this present day. It is quite common to see women wearing the national costume as everyday dress, and men in the weatherproof cardigans so strongly associated with the island. The Island itself consists of 5 village and has 550 permanent year-round residents. The Island of Kihnu is in the UNESCO´s list of “Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity”.
Saaremaa
Saaremaa – the biggest island of Estonia forms the main barrier between the Gulf of Riga and the Baltic Sea. It is known as a good recreation place with unique nature and a lot of sights. Saaremaa has very rich flora and fauna, with over two hundred local species having received special protection status. Each year hundreds of thousands of migratory birds visit Saaremaa and a great number of them are also under protection.
Saaremaa has retained its uniqueness due to its location and insulation. In the villages there are still stone fences and houses with thatched roofs, beautiful national costumes and dialectal language are still used. Among the numerous sights in Saaremaa, the most important tourist sight in the only town of the island, Kuressaare (up to 1917 Arensburg) is the bishopric castle dating from 13th century. This castle is unique in the Baltic countries.
Tourism is increasingly developing in Saaremaa. Now more than 200 000 tourists visit Saare County each year. There are a lot of beautiful and original places to stay in Kuressaare. E.g. eight spas offer holidaymakers pleasant recreation all year round.