We spent 4 days exploring Estonia during our road trip round the Baltics. This consisted of driving roughly in a triangle, with a night in the resort city of Pärnu, a trip to the islands of Muhu and Saaremaa, a whistle stop tour of the capital, Tallinn and then back to Pärnu. We rounded off our trip at the border for a rather special reunion. Below, is our itinerary including attractions, accommodation and dining options.
Estonia 4 Day Road Trip Itinerary
| Day 1 | Pärnu Drive to Pärnu Accommodation – Pärnu Jahtklubi Külalistemaja River Pärnu Pärnu Beach Dinner at Pärnu Yacht Club |
| Day 2 | Saaremaa Drive/Ferry to Saaremaa Muhu Eemu Windmill Väinatamm Kali Meteor Crater Angla Windmill Park Panga Park Kuressaare Suur Toll and Piret Kuressaare Castle Accommodation – Georg Ots Spa Hotel |
| Day 3 | Tallinn Drive to Tallinn Accommodation – Metropol Hotel Tallinn Town Hall Holy Spirit Lutheran Church Great Guild Hall Tallinn Town Wall Fat Margaret Freedom Square Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral Parliament of Estonia Toompea Hill |
| Day 4 | Pärnu Accommodation – Hestia Hotel Strand |
Estonia Day 1 – Pärnu
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.
Estonia Day 2 – Saarema
Drive/Ferry to Saaremaa
Today, we’re sailing to the island of Saaremaa via Muhu. The departure point is the ferry terminal at Virtsu Port. We follow Google Maps to reach the port. This brings us to a building on an industrial estate. We have to stop and ask a security guard for directions. This is obviously a regular occurrence as he has the route from his office to the port open on his computer. Second time lucky, we locate the ferry terminal and board our boat for the 3 mile crossing to Muhu. The ferry ride offers stunning views of the Baltic Sea and thousands upon thousands of wind turbines.
Muhu
We drive across the tiny island of Muhu, famed for its windmills, which can be spotted from the road. I shout ‘stop‘ at regular intervals for photo stops.
Eemu Windmill
The most iconic of Muhu’s windmills is Eemu Windmill. The ancient windmill now forms part of Muhu Museum and is open to visitors.
Entry just to the windmill costs €1. If you wish to visit the museum as well, which consists of an old farm, school and textile house, as well as an art gallery, an adult ticket is €7.
Väinatamm
From Muhu, we continue to Saaremaa across the Väinatamm; a 4 km long causeway spanning the Suur Strait. There are lay-bys along the road, so you can pull over to admire the view. My favourite sight is an art installation in the sea consisting of upside-down figures reflected in the water.
Kaali Meteor Crater
Once on Saaremaa, our first stop is Kaali Meteor Crater. Here, you can walk along a path round the top of a huge crater (22 metres deep and 110 metres wide, to be precise) created when a meteor hit the spot long ago. Experts estimate that the meteor struck in around 1500 BC, making it one of world’s youngest known giant meteor sites. The meteor actually broke up prior to impact and created nice craters in total, but Kaali is the largest and therefore the most interesting.
Angla Windmill Park
From Kaali, we continue driving north to reach Angla Windmill Park. Here, perched on a hill, are a group of 5 beautifully preserved windmills, mostly dating from the 19th Century. You can pay to visit the park to see the windmills close-up and gain an insight into the island’s agricultural history. But to be honest, there’s a great view of the windmills from the road.
The park is open daily from 9 am until 8 pm ( 10 am until 5 pm in winter). Adult entry costs €8.
Panga Park
We continue our drive north until we reach the coast, then head west. Running along the north of the island for 4 kilometres is Panga Cliff, Saaremaa’s highest clifftop. We stop to stretch our legs at Panga Park. Here, you can walk along the cliff top to admire the cliffs themselves as well as the spectacular views.
Kuressaare
From Panga, we head south until we reach the coast once more and our overnight destination; the picturesque resort town of Kuressaare. We take a wander, admiring the quaint architecture and cobbled streets lined with restaurants and bars.
Suur Toll and Piret
I particularly like the statue of Suur Toll and Piret. The sculpture depicts a naked Suur Toll (a mythical hero of the island of Saaremaa) and his wife Piret, who are carrying a boat full of fish out of the water.
Kuressaare Castle
On the edge of the town, sitting on a moat overlooking the sea, is the medieval Kuresaare Castle. Surrounding the castle is a pretty park. It is possible to go inside to discover the castle’s rich history, explore its towers and courtyards, and learn about the lives of the people who once inhabited this impressive stronghold. We left it too late, so make do with a wander round the outside before finding a supermarket to stock up for a picnic tea.
To visit the castle, you must purchase a ticket for Kuressaare Museum. Opening times are seasonal; in summer, the castle is open daily from 10 am until 6 pm. (In winter, Monday to Friday from 11 am until 6 pm). Adult entry costs €12.
Accommodation – Georg Ots Spa Hotel
We are staying at the Georg Ots Spa Hotel. We have a room with a balcony overlooking the bay. The hotel has a lovely outdoor pool area where you can lounge overlooking the Baltic Sea. In addition, there is an indoor pool. If it gets too hot/cold, you can swim between the two pools via a curtained hole in the wall.
Theoretically, we could go out and explored Kuressaare further. In reality, I spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing by the hotel pool. Then we have dinner and drinks on our balcony whilst watching a rather spectacular
Estonia Day 3 – Tallinn
This morning, we retrace our route across Saaremaa and Muhu islands to catch a ferry back to the mainland.
Drive to Tallinn
Once back on mainland Estonia, we drive the 80 miles up Route E67 to the capital, Tallinn. We only have one day here, which is sufficient for a quick spin round some of the city’s main attractions. To be honest, we’ve already been to Riga and Vilnius and the Baltic capitals are all starting to merge into one in my brain…
Accommodation – Metropol Hotel
We chose the Metropol Hotel because it is conveniently located, reasonably priced and has on-site parking (€20 a day outdoors or €25 for garage parking) bookable online in advance).
Town Hall Square
Once checked into our hotel, we set off on our sightseeing extravaganza. We start in the Town Hall Square. Surrounded by colourful merchant houses, this picturesque square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The 15th Century Gothic Tallinn Town Hall, with its impressive tower, looms over the bustling square. During the summer (and on other key dates), it is possible to visit the interior of the Town Hall. In summer, you can also climb the Town Hall Tower for a bird’s eye view of the capital.
Check the website for exact opening times. Adult entry to the Town Hall costs €7, the Tower is €6 or purchase a combined ticket for €12. It was closed when we visited, so we move swiftly on…
Holy Spirit Lutheran Church
The striking medieval Holy Spirit Lutheran Church houses Tallinn’s oldest clock. Visitors are welcome to explore the captivating interior with its beautiful stained glass windows. It is a tall building in a small square which I was determined (unsuccessfully) to photograph in its entirety.
Great Guild Hall
The Great Guild Hall is another building dating from the 15th Century. The hall once served as the meeting place for the city’s influential merchants and artisans. Today, it houses the Estonian History Museum, where visitors can delve into Estonia’s past.
The Great Guild Hall is open daily except Monday (it is also closed on Tuesdays during the winter months) from 10 am until 6 pm. Adult entry costs €7. Coming from a country where museums are free, we thought this was rather steep, so we move swiftly on once more.
Tallinn Town Wall
The old town was once surrounded by a wall, with construction dating back as far as 1265. Much of Tallinn Town Wall still stands today, including 26 towers, two gates and fragments of two more gates. This imposing structure is part of the reason why Tallinn’s old town was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status.
We have purchased picnic supplies, which we intended to eat in a park next to the wall at Towers’ Square. This doesn’t get off to a good start when the old man settles down to eat at what looks like a picnic bench, but is apparently an art installation! After some searching, we find a legitimate picnic bench for our al fresco lunch.
Fat Margaret
Fat Margaret is a 16th Century tower which forms part of the Town Walls. The name derives from the fact that the tower is the widest part of the town’s fortifications.
Fat Margaret now houses the Estonian Maritime Museum. The museum charts the city’s maritime past and has its own shipwreck. It is open daily except Mondays from 10 am until 6 pm. Adult entry costs €15.
Freedom Square
Picnic devoured, we sett off once more, passing through Freedom Square. This bustling square is adorned with monuments and serves as a venue for concerts, festivals, and political gatherings. The focal point is an enormous memorial which pays homage to Estonia’s struggle for independence.
Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral
We arrive at Aleksander Nevsky Cathedral, an iconic symbol of Tallinn. This magnificent Russian Orthodox cathedral, built in 1900, is a masterpiece of architecture, featuring intricate onion domes and an ornate interior. Somewhat ironically, the cathedral fell into disrepair during Russian occupation and was subsequently meticulously restored following independence.
If there is no service in progress, you may visit the interior of the cathedral, but not take photographs.
Parliament of Estonia
The Parliament of Estonia is housed in a formidable pink palace once belonging to Catherine the Great, known as Toompea Castle. While entry to the castle is restricted, visitors can admire its exterior.
It may possible to visit inside the castle on a guided tour. Note: Tours are very popular, so it is advisable to book well in advance. Tours for individual visitors sometimes take place on Fridays at 11 am. Further details can be found here.
St Mary’s Lutheran Cathedral
Our exploration of Tallinn continues with a visit to St Mary’s Lutheran Cathedral. This beautiful church, dating back to the 13th century, is the oldest church in Tallinn and features a distinctive Baroque spire. Inside, the cathedral has numerous tombs and coats of arms.
The cathedral is open to visitors daily from 9 am until 5 pm. If the weather is good and there is no service in progress, it is also possible to climb the Bell Tower beneath the spire. A donation of €2 is required to enter the church. Climbing the tower costs €5.
Toompea Hill
We round our trip off with a climb up Toompea Hill. This elevated area is home to many imposing buildings and also offers panoramic views of the city.
Patkuli Viewing Platform provides a perfect vantage point to enjoy vistas of the city below with Tallinn Bay sparkling in the background.
Estonia Day 4 – Pärnu
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…
Border Reunion
After a lovely relaxing night at our spa hotel, we head off this morning for a rather special reunion. Our daughter, who is completely crazy, has spent the past week running the entire length of Estonia. A total distance of 230 miles. We are going to the border to pick her up when she finally completes her epic feat. We collect her, to our relief she is unscathed (if a little smelly) and promptly depart for Latvia. Apparently she never wants to see Estonia again…
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.
- Trip taken: September 2016
- Updated: April 2025
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