- Activity
- Nature & Wildlife
- Authentic Experiences
- History Culture Heritage
- Europe
- Estonia
- Inspiration
- See & Do
- Where to stay
Travel advice for Estonia
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Estonia
Book your individual trip, stress-free with local travel experts
Describe your
ideal trip
Tailor your trip
with a local expert
Book your personal trip
100% securely with us
Find inspiration and
information for your next trip.
Get a local travel agent to
plan your personalized trip.
Book & travel securely with our money-back
guarantee and local expert assistance.
written by Rough Guides Editors
updated 24.04.2023
Visitors to Estonia will encounter a mix of urbanity and wilderness, the medieval and contemporary. Here one will find crumbling castles and colourful designs permeating urban landscapes. An efficient transport system makes it easy to get around, and the tech-savvy, dynamic residents welcome visitors with open arms. Estonia is also one of the most budget-friendly destinations in Europe. Here's our pick of the best things to do in Estonia.
The information in this article is inspired by The Rough Guide to Europe on a Budget, your essential guide for visiting Europe.
City hopping in Finland and Estonia
Helsinki enchants with its blend of modernity and nature, entertainment and tranquility accessible everywhere and all the time. Turku, in turn, was the first capital of Finland, and has a lot to teach about the Finnish History. Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is not behind in terms of heritage.
customize ⤍Sustainable Baltic Capitals
Enjoy introductory tours and ample free time to suit your interests. In ten days, relish local accommodations, UNESCO town walks, quirky neighborhoods, and private guide tours, delving into the region's history and customs. Start your Baltic States adventure now for independent exploration.
customize ⤍Ultimate Baltics
Uncover both renowned attractions and hidden gems across the Baltic States and Southern Finland. Explore UNESCO sites, serene villages, and sandy dunes. From the capital cities of Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn and Helsinki to the beaches in Klaipeda in Pärnu.
customize ⤍Baltic Highlights
Witness unspoiled landscapes and vibrant capitals. From Vilnius to Riga and Tallinn, move all the way up to Helsinki. Along the way, visit national parks like Laheema and castles like the Trakai castle. Private transfers and unique accommodation choices are included.
customize ⤍The principal attractions are Kuressaare’s thirteenth-century castle, one of the finest in the Baltic region, and Kaali village, home to a giant Kaali meteorite crater thought to be at least 4000 years old, which makes a worthy detour.
Aerial view of Saaremaa city with the Kuressaare castle in the middle © Nordic Moonlight/Shutterstock
Raekoja Plats — the cobbled market square at the heart of the Old Town — is as old as the city itself. On its southern side stands the fifteenth-century Tallinn Town Hall (Raekoda). It boasts elegant Gothic arches at ground level, and a delicate steeple at its northern end. At the head of Lossi Plats the pink Toompea Castle stands on the site of the original Danish fortification. The building is now home to the Riigikogu, Estonia’s parliament.
Exploring Tallinn's Old Town - one of the best things to do in Estonia © ESB Professional/Shutterstock
Among the more developed exceptions are the large rectangular Swan Pond with fountains and a beautiful white gazebo, which provide a fittingly romantic introduction to the park. The jewel in the Kadriorg’s crown is without a doubt the lavish, Baroque Kadriorg Palace (Kadrioru loss) that Peter had built in 1718. The palace is a stunning monument to imperial extravagance.
Kadriorg National Museum, Estonia © Pixabay
On this tailor-made City hopping in Finland and Estonia, you will explore enchanting Helsinki with its blend of modernity and nature, and Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, with its rich heritage.
Tallinn Botanic Garden© Shutterstock
Lennusadam Seaplane, Tallinn, Estonia © Hans Põldoja/Flickr under CC BY 2.0 license
The grounds were filled to their 45,000-person capacity in the summer of 1988 when people assembled here spontaneously to sing patriotic songs in protest against Soviet rule, in what became known as the “Singing Revolution”. The next Song Festival is in July 2024.
Kadriorg amphitheater in Tallinn © Dennis Jarvis/Flickr under CC BY-SA 2.0 license
One of the best things to do in Estonia is to explore the park by bicycle, the villages are all connected by well-paved roads. Parts of the park are doable as a day trip, but you may well be charmed into staying longer.
Lahemaa National Park, Estonia© Inspired By Maps/Shutterstock
Tartu is especially proud of its nostalgic Toy Museum and the Science Centre AHHAA showing that science can be really fun. Science Centre AHHAA is one of the largest science centres in the Baltic and has a wide range of interactive exhibits, workshops, and demonstrations which makes visiting the centre one of the best things to do in Estonia with kids.
Tartu, Estonia © Ikars/Shutterstock
Estonian National Museum © Lauri/Flickr/Public Domain
Follow Nikolai south from the centre and you’ll reach the Kunsti Museum, set in the former Communist Party HQ. It holds excellent temporary exhibitions of contemporary art. South of here Nikolai joins Supeluse, which leads to the beach, passing beneath the trees of the shady Rannapark. Just beyond the dunes lies Pärnu’s main attraction: the wide, clean sandy Pärnu beach, lined with see-saws, changing booths and volleyball nets.
Parnu Beach, Estonia © woodyM/Shutterstock
The area is known for its floodplains and wildlife, its unique feature is its mysterious and often misty bogs – clear areas with peaty land, low trees and small ponds – a scene that doesn’t look like it belongs on our planet. They can only be reached by carefully walking over specially built plank pathways.
Soomaa National Park, Estonia © Shutterstock
It was already noted for its birdlife back in 1870. Among the species found here today are avocet, sandwich tern, mute swan, greylag goose and bittern. There are also some white-tailed eagles. The reserve was formed from 39,700 hectares (98,000 acres) of the bay area in 1957. It can be visited by car or since water covers some 26,300 hectares (65,000 acres) of this same area, by boat.
Matsalu National Park in Estonia © Martin Sillaots/Flickr under CC BY-SA 2.0 license
The “Friendship Bridge” stretches across the river between them, with EU flags on one side and Russian flags on the other. The 15km (9-mile) drive north along the river leads to Narva Jõesuu, a popular beach resort town in the 19th century.
Ivangorod Castle - Narva river, Estonia © Pixabay
Mustvee, 65km (40 miles) north of Tartu, is Lake Peipsi’s largest town, and the centre of Estonia’s community of Old Believers. These are Russians who fled to Estonia in the 17th century to avoid religious persecution, and they have since developed their own distinct culture and traditions.
Lake Peipus, Estonia © Sergei Gussev/Flickr under CC BY 2.0 license
Today, Rummu Underwater Prison has become a popular tourist attraction, and it's one of the best things to do in Estonia for scuba divers who can explore the submerged remains of the prison. The transparent waters of the quarry allow for a full, detailed exploration of the prison ruins.
Rummu ruins © Pixabay
Visiting Estonia is a truly unforgettable experience. For more inspirational travel tips check our Rough Guide books.
If you prefer to plan and book your trip to Estonia without any effort and hassle, use the expertise of our local travel experts to make sure your trip will be just like you dream it to be.
We may earn a commission when you click on links in this article, but this doesn’t influence our editorial standards. We only recommend services that we genuinely believe will enhance your travel experiences.
written by Rough Guides Editors
updated 24.04.2023
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Estonia
Plan your tailor-made trip with a local expert
Book securely with money-back guarantee
Travel stress-free with local assistance and 24/7 support