We spent two days exploring the Estonian city of Pärnu; a pretty resort town flanking the mouth of the River Pärnu, where it feeds into the Baltic Sea via Pärnu Bay. These two days were, in fact, the first and last day of our Estonian Road Trip. On the first day, we explored the area along the waterfront and stayed at the Yacht Club. The region is popular not only for its waterfront and beaches, but also its spas. On our second day, we stayed at a spa hotel and took full advantage of the hotel’s facilities.
How to get to Pärnu
Pärnu is 79 miles from the Estonian capital of Tallinn and 114 miles from the Latvian capital of Riga (along the same road), so a nice easy drive. If you are not driving, there are regular bus services between Tallinn Bus Station and Pärnu Coach Station. The journey takes under two hours. Prices vary, but the cost of tickets is around €10. To travel to Riga, the journey takes around 2.5 hours and costs in the region of €15.
Getting Around Pärnu
Pärnu is a lovely place to take a stroll. Wander around the harbour and along beaches or explore the city centre, checking out some of its bars and restaurants along the way.
Where to stay in Pärnu
Often when we travel, the days are packed with sightseeing and our hotel is just somewhere to sleep. But in the resort of Pärnu, the hotel is all part of the experience. We spent our two nights in Pärnu at two different hotels. The Pärnu Jahtklubi Külalistemaja (Pärnu Yacht Club Guest House), is on the harbourside, offering great views and ideally located for exploring the area along the river and the beaches beyond. The Hestia Hotel Strand is a spa hotel overlooking the sea. A lovely place to just chill.
Pärnu in 2 Days Itinerary
| Day 1 | Drive to Pärnu Accommodation – Pärnu Jahtklubi Külalistemaja River Pärnu Pärnu Beach Dinner at Pärnu Yacht Club |
| Day 2 | Accommodation -Hestia Hotel Strand |
Pärnu Day 1
Drive to Pärnu
We drive across the border from Latvia into Estonia and on to the resort town of Pärnu. It’s an easy drive, if a little dull. I wonder how many pine trees there are in Estonia?
Accommodation – Pärnu Jahtklubi Külalistemaja
Tonight’s accommodation is at Pärnu Jahtklubi Külalistemaja (Pärnu Yacht Club Guest House) in a very nice room with an extensive nautical theme and a spectacular view over the harbour.
River Pärnu
Once checked in, we take a walk along the River Pärnu, which is lined with bars, restaurants and public art. We purchase picnic supplies and continue on our walk for a picnic on the beach.
Pärnu Beach
Pärnu Beach consists of a long stretch of beautiful golden sand, lined with a promenade scattered with parks, fountains and statues.
We find a bench on a nice, secluded section of the beach and settle down to eat our picnic. Part way through lunch, we realise that we’re actually on a female nudist beach. Poking out of various hollows in the sand dunes are an array of tits. And I don’t mean birds!
Dinner at Pärnu Yacht Club
After a lovely long walk along the beach, we return to Pärnu Yacht Club for drinks and dinner. The Yacht Club has a very nice restaurant, where you can dine on a terrace with spectacular views, especially as the sun sets over the water.
Pärnu Day 2
We round off our Baltic adventure with a day chilling in one of Pärnu’s spa hotels.
Accommodation – Hestia Hotel Strand
The seaside spa hotel now known as the Hestia Hotel Strand, was once the haunt of the communist apparatchik. Outside, it retains its 1970s socialist concrete façade.
The interior is more welcoming. Facilities include a swimming pool, steam sauna, Sanarium, Finnish sauna, massage pool, Jacuzzi and lava stone beds. There’s also a children’s play area. All overlooking the beautiful Baltic Sea.
I spend a pleasant day alternating between swimming in the pool, relaxing in the Jacuzzi, a quick trip to the sauna. And repeat…
- Trip Taken: September 2016
- Updated: April 2025
I hope you found the above information useful. For guides to more destinations in the 50+ countries we have visited, check out my full list of Independent Travel Itineraries here.
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