Getting to know Estonia: from must-sees to underrated experiences

One of three Baltic gems, Estonia offers the quintessential blend of modern and historical charm, sensational landscapes, and rich cultural draws for which Europe’s top destinations are loved—but with the added bonus of being affordable and still under the radar. If your curiosity is piqued by this northern European destination, read through our guide for the best things to do in Estonia from captivating city sights to Baltic coast attractions.

Get to know Tallinn’s medieval heart: Old Town must-sees

Most visitors will kick off their Estonia travels in the fantastical city of Tallinn. Nowhere do the Middle Ages feel as palpably close as in the city’s evocative Old Town. With its winding streets and a skyline of onion domes, spires and ramparts, visiting can feel like you’ve stepped into a scene from a fairy tale.

Wander Tallinn’s UNESCO Old Town

Handsome merchant houses stand proud around a grand central square, while time-worn cobbled lanes lead off into a picturesque tangle of medieval alleys, townhouses and taverns. Spending an afternoon exploring here is a must, but it’s when night falls and the streets become shadowy and atmospheric that you’ll feel most like you’ve stepped back in time.

Climb Tallinn’s historic city walls

Miraculously, sections of Tallinn’s medieval city walls are still intact. Interspersed with defensive towers and with some sections open for climbing, you can gain an interesting new perspective on the Old Town from on high.

Tour the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

This ornate Orthodox cathedral makes quite a statement with its decorated cake-like tiers and rotund domes topped with gilded crosses. Inside, it is just as splendid, and with an interesting history to uncover, touring it with a local Estonia travel guide is a must.

Marvel at the Kadriorg Palace and Park

Set within acres of preened parkland, the Kadriorg Palace is an elaborate Baroque masterpiece surrounded by formal gardens and tinkling fountains. Visit on a sunny day for a picnic in the park, then head inside to enjoy exhibitions of art, antique furniture and costume.

Read more: Top things to do in Tallinn, Estonia’s enchanting capital

Beyond Tallinn: explore Estonia’s historic towns

Although Tallinn is hailed as Estonia’s must-see destination, there are many beautiful towns and historic places to visit in Estonia. Here we take a look at a few more of our favorites.

Tartu: Estonia’s cultural capital

Tartu is Estonia’s second city and was crowned European Capital of Culture in 2024. It’s an exciting, dynamic and culturally diverse place, with plenty of historic clout to boot. As a longstanding university town (established in the 1630s), youthful energy is deeply embedded here, and the ‘Kissing Students’ statue and fountain in the main square has become a symbol of the city’s identity.

The cobbled main square at the heart of the old center is well-used as a community space for socializing and celebrating. Transformed, at various points of the year, into a cinema, concert venue, ice rink and market, it’s a natural meeting place and the perfect location to begin a tour of the town. Beyond, there are museums, churches and a grand old 19th-century university building to admire.

With its youthful buzz and affordable rent, the town fosters creativity and grassroots innovation. There’s a street art scene running alongside an enthusiasm for jazz, with cool coffee shops and cocktail bars aplenty. Don’t miss a stroll around the former slum area known as Supilinn, where pastel-painted wooden houses are now home to young families and a creative crew of artists and musicians.

Pärnu: the summer capital

Laid-back Pärnu is the quintessential summer city, a beachside resort geared around making the most of the Estonian summer season. An arcing half-moon of sandy beach extends around a broad bay, a river runs through the town to the sea, and you can stroll the unique mole of Pärnu—a man-made jetty that once served to deepen the city’s port and boost trade. Just back from the beach is a wide promenade, dotted with benches and changing booths.

The Old Town’s pedestrianized main throughfare is lined with shops and restaurants, and concerts and events are held throughout the summer, bringing a lively buzz. Leafy Rannapark, not far from the beach, is the perfect place to retreat for a shady picnic by the lake.

Medieval castles worth the journey

With dozens of castles dotted across Estonia, history enthusiasts won’t be disappointed. Many of these medieval fortresses are very well preserved and today house some excellent interactive museums and exhibits.

On the island of Saaremaa, a short ferry ride from the mainland, Kuressaare Castle is well worth the journey. One of the most impressive Estonia tourist attractions, this beautifully preserved castle is surrounded by a wide moat and is home to an engaging museum and gallery.

Other medieval gems include Narva Castle and museum, close to the northern border with Russia; or for those fond of re-enactments, Rakvere Castle is home to a theme park experience, complete with a torture chamber and a tavern where you can tuck into ‘medieval’ dishes.

Estonia’s natural wonders: a playground for outdoor lovers

With small cities and quiet towns, it’s easy and speedy to hop out of urban environs and into Estonia’s wonderful outdoors. There are several national parks to explore, and a lovely coastline with constellations of islands to travel between.

Venture into Lahemaa National Park: forests meet the Baltic

Just an hour’s drive from Tallinn, Lahemaa National Park is the oldest and largest of Estonia’s national parks. Stretching along the northern coast with scalloped bays and wild beaches, the coastline here is rugged and pristine. Heading inland, the landscape becomes enveloped by pine forests, intertwined with rivers and precious biodiverse bogland. The park is dotted with historic villages and is relatively flat, making it a real pleasure for cycle touring.

Discover Soomaa National Park: the fifth season

The magical, misty swampland of Soomaa is one of the most beautiful places in Estonia. This is especially true during the ‘Fifth Season’, around March and April, when the waterways spill over, filling the floodplains and creating a watery wonderland perfect for exploring by canoe. Raised wooden walkways allow the non-aquatic to venture in, too.

Explore Jägala Waterfall and northern coastal landscapes

Just a short hop from Tallinn, Jägala is Estonia’s largest and most impressive waterfall. It’s especially dramatic in spring and early summer when the winter thaw sees it in full flow. This arcing half-moon of falls, 50m wide and 8m high, can also be admired in winter, when the cascade freezes over, creating otherworldly ice sculptures.

The northern coast is close by and holds a rugged appeal for bracing walks and cool dips in summer.

Tour Saaremaa, Hiiumaa and other islands

Estonia has over 2,000 islands dotted around its shores, but only a handful are inhabited and accessible enough to visit:

• Saaremaa is the largest, and with its diversity of cultural and natural highlights, plus a slice of Viking history to discover, it’s an ever-popular Estonia tourist attraction.
• Neighboring Hiiumaa Island is wilder and much less developed. This is a place to come for peaceful forest bathing, beach walks and quiet time spent in nature. Its claim to fame is Kopu Lighthouse, one of the oldest operating lighthouses in Europe with a 500-year history.
• Several small islands off the coast of Tallinn can be easily added as day trips to your Estonia itinerary. Prangli, Aegna and Naissaar all give a flavor of the serenity and beauty of Estonia’s islands.

Read more: Essential tips for planning a trip to the Baltics

Uniquely Estonian experiences to enjoy on your trip

Soak up traditional Estonian sauna culture

Though not as publicized as sauna culture in Finland, Estonia embraces the heat just as enthusiastically, and has done for some time. The centuries-old UNESCO-listed tradition of the smoke sauna is still practiced today using fire-heated hot stones doused in water to create billows of steam. There are saunas everywhere, so make sure to incorporate them into your Estonia itinerary.

Dive into Soviet history: the KGB Museum and beyond

Dotted throughout Estonia are relics of the country’s Soviet past. In Tallinn, the grand Maarjamäe Palace Park has become an outside gallery displaying Soviet-era monuments gathered by the Estonian History Museum. Elsewhere in the capital, the Hotel Viru offers a fascinating glimpse into the past with its spy base on one of the upper floors.

Dig into the Estonian food scene: from black bread to Michelin stars

Blending Scandinavian and eastern European influences, Estonia’s traditional food culture is hearty and built for winter climes. Ingredients include black rye bread, sauerkraut, blood sausage, smoked fish and lingonberries. Warming soups, stuffed pastries, cinnamon buns, barley porridge and sweet, milky desserts are all popular dishes.

This unusual blend of influences, coupled with high-quality Estonian produce, both foraged and farmed, makes dining in Estonia a treat. It has also inspired a new generation of chefs who are winning accolades at a pace, including a handful of Michelin stars.

Make it happen

New discoveries await, and alongside our locally-based travel experts, you can map out a deeply personalized Estonia itinerary that’s suited to your budget and interests. They can suggest even more great things to do in Estonia, and help you both explore the main tourist attractions and unearth new favorite hidden gems. Reach out today to get started on planning your trip.