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TALLINN
The first written record of Estonia’s capital
dates back to 1154, making Tallinn the oldest
capital in Northern Europe. Being named the
European Capital of Culture 2011 is the culmination of its
colourful history. Today Tallinn is home to just over 400,000 people.
Tallinn’s Old Town is one of Europe’s best-preserved walled medieval
cities and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The focal point of the
Old Town is the 600 year old Town Hall in Town Hall Square. The
open observation platform at the top of the Town Hall’s slender tower,
topped by the iconic ‘Old Thomas’ weathervane, gives a wonderful
view of the cobblestone square below and the distinctive spires and
red roofs of the Old Town. ‘Old Thomas’ is also Tallinn’s most impor-
tant symbol and features in numerous legends.
But Tallinn is about much more than history. It is a place where many
different people meet, bringing with them a wonderful blend of mod-
ern cultures. The narrow winding streets and mysterious archways
exhibition traces the history of Estonian art since the 18th century
while temporary exhibits comprise both foreign and Estonian modern
and contemporary art.
A visit to the Song Festival grounds should not be missed by budding
culture vultures. Built in the middle of the 20th century, they are now
the home of the Song Festival which is featured on the UNESCO list
of intellectual heritage and perhaps Estonia’s best-known event. Every
five years thousands of singers, dancers and instrumentalists fill the
area under the distinctive arch. The song and dance festival, held in
July 2009, drew over 37,000 performers.
19th century and today attracts an international clientele seeking al-
leviation from a myriad of ailments by therapies that include massage,
mud, hydrotherapy and inhalation.
Pärnu County has a 242 km coastline and the city’s gently shelving
white sand beach, with its adjacent boardwalk, is a major draw for
summer visitors. The surrounding countryside attracts those seeking
active holidays with kayak trips on rivers and the sea, riding, fishing,
hunting trips, adventurous bog or canoe trips.
Lush green parks and a historic centre add to Pärnu’s appeal, as do its
first-rate museums and galleries, with colourful boutiques and shops
found in the Old Town. It’s still possible to see parts of the old medi-
eval city moat and the Tallinn Gate, built in 1690, and the Red Tower,
the last remnant of the 15th century citadel.
Cultural events take place in St. Elizabeth church, with its trademark
rooster, and in Pärnu Concert Hall. The city has a long tradition of
cultural events including an opera festival, a nude art exhibition and an
anthropological film festival.
Tallinn’s Town Hall Square
Fountain on Tartu’s Town Hall Square
Map
of Estonia
TARTU
Tartu is a university city in the heart of southern
Estonia. One of its many iconic images is the foun-
tain in Town Hall Square with its graceful statue of
students kissing under an umbrella. Two of the city’s great interna-
tional symbols are the main building of the University of Tartu and St.
John’s Church (Jaani kirik), first mentioned in historical annals in 1323
and housing around 1,000 well-preserved terracotta sculptures.
The University was founded by King Gustav II Adolf of Sweden in
1632 and today its 17,000 students add colour and life to this other-
wise tranquil city. Life sparked in the various lecture halls spills over to
the streets, parks and cafes where students, professors, artists, philoso-
phers and young Bohemian poets mingle with locals and tourists.
A focal point of the city is Toomemägi, the site of an ancient citadel
on the Emajõgi River. Today this fortress hill is a beautiful tree lined
English-style park that offers lovely views of Tartu below.
The park footpaths lead to the Tartu observatory and the red-brick ru-
ins of the Dome Church, once the largest cathedral in Eastern Europe
whose construction dates back to the second half of the 13th century.
Its restored choir building is now the home of the University of Tartu
Museum.
Aside from enjoying its narrow cobbled streets, colourful and historic
buildings, parks, bars and cafes, there are several museums in Tartu,
including a 19th century middle class citizen’s home, the University
and National Museum, the City Museum in a mansion, just across
the river from the Old Town, the lovely Toy Museum and even a KGB
Museum.
Also look out for Tartu’s answer to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the
Leaning House, built in the 1790’s partly on the old city walls, partly
on wooden piles, that collapsed, giving it it’s ‘lean’.
offset a modern and youthful side to the city. It is this blend of cul-
tures, ancient and modern that provides Tallinn’s alluring colour and
vibrancy.
Most tourists will find plenty to see in a fairly compact area around
Tallinn’s centre. Other major sights are only minutes away by car and
the passenger port and airport are approximately 15 minutes from
the centre.
Between the Old Town and the port is the Rotermann Quarter, an
area of centuries old, renovated industrial buildings now rubbing
shoulders with cutting edge, contemporary architecture. The Quarter
houses shops, boutiques, restaurants, offices and apartments and a
colourful farmers market where locals and tourists can buy fresh Es-
tonian produce.
The baroque Kadriorg palace, built by the Russian Tsar Peter the Great
in the 18th century, is the most outstanding landscaped park in Esto-
nia and is a short walk or tram ride from the centre.
Tallinn’s controversial new KUMU Art Museum is the largest
multifunctional art centre in Scandinavia and the Baltics. Its permanent
PÄRNU
Pärnu, known as Estonia’s summer capital, is a city
in south-western Estonia on the coast of Pärnu
Bay. The city has long been a popular summer
holiday resort and offers many hotels, restaurants and large golden
beaches. Pärnu is also popular with sailors and recreational sea-farers
being built on the mouth of the Pärnu River, which flows through the
city.
Pärnu is also Estonia’s most popular health tourism destination. The
predecessor of the present Pärnu Mud Baths was build in the early
Beach of Pärnu
Tallinn’s Old Town
www.visitestonia.com
SETUMAA
NARVA
HAAPSALU
Narva is the third largest city in Estonia, located
close to the Russian border on the eastern side of
Estonia. The city is built on the Narva River which
flows from Lake Peipus.
Founded by the Danes in the 13th century, in the 16th and 17th cen-
turies Narva became an important port, a wealthy merchant town and
one of the most charming cities in the Baltics. Having been the focal
point of many fierce conflicts it was flattened during the Second World
War, yet has managed to retain some of its historic skyline.
A focal point is the Friendship Bridge, linking Narva with the Russian
town of Ivangorod. Narva and Ivangorod castles stand on either side
of the river and are a reminder that Narva is truly a crossroads be-
tween east and west.
Upstream is the historical Kreenholm textile plant, one of the largest
mills in 19th century Europe. The Narva Alexander cathedral, built
for Kreenholm’s 5,000 Lutheran employees, makes up a part of the
factory complex. Consecrated in 1884, the cathedral suffered serious
damage in World War II but has since been restored and today has an
active congregation.
Known as the Venice of the North for its
abundance of water, Haapsalu’s warm sea
water, curative mud and fresh air have
made the town a much loved summer resort for centuries. To-
day there are three mud cure establishments in and around the town.
The town’s origins date back over 700 years. Originally built on a strip
of land, formed by many islets, today its narrow streets repeatedly take
visitors back to the sea. Among its claims to fame is that the famous
Russian composer Tchaikovsky enjoyed walking in Haapsalu and could
often be found sitting on its attractive promenade, where visitors will
now find the Tchaikovsky bench.
Though peaceful and tranquil for much of the year, Haapsalu is pre-
dominantly a summer town and its narrow streets, traditional wooden
houses and waterfront location make it a pleasant place to be in the
warmer months.
Evidence of Haapsalu castle’s history can be found all over the town,
while its Episcopal castle, Haapsalu Castle, has the largest single-nave
cathedral in the Baltics.
IIon’s Wonderland is a fascinating and fun destination. Original works
by Haapsalu-born IIon Wilkland, who illustrated the books of children’s
author Astrid Lindgren, are on show in the Wonderland, which also of-
fers a glimpse of places familiar from Lindgren’s work and activities.
This is a distinctive region with influences
from both Estonian and Russian culture,
where the Setus speak a dialect that even
other Estonians find difficult to understand.
Also endemic to the region is the Setu traditional costume, colourfully
embroidered with bright aprons, and worn with large jewellery, usually
necklaces and a conic brooch with silver coins attached.
Folk song is still an integral part of the Setu culture and is known as leelo
(which means song). A leelo choir comprises a lead singer and a vocal
group. The lead sings the verses which are then repeated by the group.
The Setu Museum in Saatse displays over 20,000 folk artefacts, the Setu
Farm Museum in Värska is home to farm architecture from a century ago,
old tools and handicrafts and the Setu Muuseumitarõ in Obinitsa recre-
ates Setu family life, traditions and customs from the decades between
the world wars.
Setumaa offers good hiking, biking and car touring opportunities but not
all roads are straight and graded. Their true charms can best be experi-
enced on the narrow winding village roads and forest by-ways.
Setumaa’s centre, Värska, on the Estonian side of the border is known
for its mineral water and curative mud, the effect of which can be expe-
rienced at the long established Värska Sanatorium and at the new Värska
mineral water spa located next door to the Sanatorium.
Tourist Information Centers in Estonia
The statue of an Aurochs in Rakvere
HAAPSALU
Karja 15, tel +372 473 3248
haapsalu@visitestonia.com
RAKVERE
Laada tn 14, tel +372 324 2734
rakvere@visitestonia.com
HIIUMAA
Hiiu 1, Kärdla, tel +372 462 2232
hiiumaa@visitestonia.com
RAPLA
Viljandi mnt 4, tel +372 489 4359
rapla@visitestonia.com
JÕGEVA
Suur 3, tel +372 776 8520
jogeva@visitestonia.com
TALLINN HARBOR A terminal
Sadama 25, tel +372 631 8321
port.tallinn@visitestonia.com
Viljandi Folk Festival
JÕHVI
Rakvere 13a, tel +372 337 0568
johvi@visitestonia.com
VILJANDI
TALLINN Center in Old Town
Niguliste 2 / Kullassepa 4,
tel +372 645 7777
turismiinfo@tallinnlv.ee
Viljandi is an ancient town of green parks
and wooden buildings in southern Estonia
situated on a hill above a picturesque lake.
The town’s many church spires and its famous Water Tower are re-
flected in the lake, adding to the beauty of Viljandi’s lovely, natural set-
ting. The best views of the town and the surrounding countryside can be
enjoyed from the top of the Water Tower.
The lake is popular with holiday makers, fishermen, walkers, picnickers
and sports enthusiasts. Beside the lake are tennis courts, diving towers,
playgrounds, boat hire and catamaran trips. A hiking path runs around
the lake and a run around the lake takes place each May.
The most famous legends of the region, celebrated in local song, sur-
round the Viljandi boatman who rows the lake and longs for his beau-
tiful-eyed girl.
Dating back to its first habitation by 14th century Hanseatic merchants,
Viljandi celebrates its centuries of history each June as locals dress in
period costumes and trade and haggle at a traditional fair. A Music
Centre, dedicated to folk music and The Kondas Centre of Naïve Art are
both open year round.
Viljandi Folk, the traditional music festival held each summer, fills the
town with the sound of Estonian zither, bagpipes and melodies – a feast
day for all folkies.
RAKVERE
Rakvere is a town in northern Estonia, 20 km
south of the Gulf of Finland, dating back over
700 years to when it received city rights in
1302. Throughout a colourful history and the
scene of numerous battles, former occupants have included Danes,
Poles, Swedes, Germans and Russians.
Today the most important sights for visitors are the central square,
the sports centre and the ancient fort, which has been painstakingly
restored. Visitors to the 700 year old Teutonic Order fort can now see
an exhibition of weaponry, visit the medieval torture chamber, try their
hand at archery and swordsmanship and see a working smithy.
Adjacent to the fort is a 7 m long, 4 m high bronze of an aurochs, an
extinct hoofed mammal, believed to be the largest animal sculpture
in the Baltics. Weighing around 7 tons, the sculpture was erected to
mark the town’s 700th anniversary and sits on a granite block on the
edge of Vallimägi hill.
The town’s cultural centre is the Rakvere Theatre, which has hosted
the Baltics’ international theatre festival since 1994, the biennial Balto-
scandal. Other sights of interest are the War of Independence monu-
ment, designed in 1925 by Amandus Adamson, the early 15th century
Trinity Church and the Rakvere Linnakodaniku (Citizen’s) Museum.
KURESSAARE
Tallinna 2, tel +372 453 3120
kuressaare@visitestonia.com
TALLINN Center in Viru Keskus
Viru väljak 4, tel +372 610 1557
turismiinfo@tallinnlv.ee
NARVA
Pu š kini 13, tel +372 356 0184
narva@visitestonia.com
TARTU
Raekoda, tel +372 744 2111
tartu@visitestonia.com
OTEPÄÄ
Tartu mnt 1, tel +372 766 1200
otepaa@visitestonia.com
VALGA
Kesk 11, tel +372 766 1699
valga@visitestonia.com
PAIDE
Pärnu 6, tel +372 385 0400
paide@visitestonia.com
VILJANDI
Vabaduse pl 6,
tel +372 433 0442
viljandi@visitestonia.com
PÕLVA
Kesk 42, tel +372 799 5001
polva@visitestonia.com
VÕRU
Tartu tn. 31, tel +372 782 1881
voru@visitestonia.com
PÄRNU
Rüütli 16, tel +372 447 3000
parnu@visitestonia.com
The Hermann citadel in Narva
Medieval Citadel’s Dome Church in Haapsalu
Festivities in Setumaa
LAHEMAA
Estonia in brief
Official name: Republic of Estonia (Eesti Vabariik in Estonian).
Area: 45,227 km2, 1.36 million inhabitants.
Capital: Tallinn (405,000 inhabitants).
Official language: Estonian, form of government: parliamentary
democracy, national holiday: 24 February (Independence Day).
The Republic of Estonia is a member of the European Union and NATO.
Estonia is part of the Schengen Area.
Estonia is in the East European time zone (GMT/BST +02:00).
Money and credit cards
Currency: the Estonian kroon (EEK) (1 EUR =15.6466 EEK).
Most shops, restaurants, hotels and services companies accept the most
common international credit cards.
Currency can be changed in banks and at bureaux de change (at the
Port of Tallinn, Tallinn airport), Tallinn train station, in many hotels,
supermarkets and elsewhere).
There are many cash machines in cities, but take cash for travel in the
countryside. In Estonian restaurants, the service charge is included in the
bill, although a 10% tip is welcomed and is seen as polite.
Shops and restaurants
Most shops are open from 9:00 – 19:00 on weekdays, but close earlier
at weekends.
Supermarkets and larger shopping centres are open seven days a week
from 9:00 – 22:00.
Souvenir shops and other tourist venues are generally open seven days a
week from 10:00 – 18:00.
Most sales staff in shops have a good or at least elementary knowledge
of English, Finnish and Russian; some also speak German.
Telephone and Internet
Estonia’s country code is +372, and when making an international call
from Estonia, one must dial the prefix 00 before the telephone number.
Calls from public telephones are made with telephone cards (50 EEK or
100 EEK), which can be bought in hotels, tourist information centres, post
offices, newsstands, etc.
Pre-paid mobile phone calling cards (Simpel, Pop, Zen, Ultra, Smart) are
available at petrol stations, newsagents, post offices, information desks in
department stores and in telephone shops;
Lahemaa (‘Land of Bays’) the largest national
park in Estonia was established to promote
preservation and research into North-Estoni-
an landscapes, ecosystems, biodiversity and national heritage.
Made up of four peninsulas and numerous islets, jutting into the Gulf of
Finland, the park covers an area of 72,500 ha, including 47,410 ha of
land and 25,090 ha of sea.
Lahemaa’s forests, marshlands and coastal areas are home to around
200 bird species and approximately 900 different plants. Animal life
includes deer, elk, moose, lynx, wild boar and the brown bear, all of
which can be occasionally glimpsed on the edge of the marshes and in
the forests.
The region is criss-crossed by well-marked trails and tourist guides are
available to take visitors on specialist tours. Two of the best wildlife
walks are the 4.7 km Oandu Forest Nature Trail, which offers walkers
the chance to see evidence of brown bear, moose, boar and lynx, and
the 1 km Beaver Trail, starting at Oandu, taking in the beaver’s dams
and giving the chance to spot this elusive animal.
The national park’s main attractions are the idyllic coastal villages and
manor estates. The traditional Altja coastal village maintains the charac-
ter of a bygone way of life, while the Käsmu ‘captains’ village’, once the
site of a nautical school, currently houses a maritime museum. Sagadi,
Palmse and Vihula manors are undoubtedly historical and architectural
pearls. Sagadi now has a forest museum, while Palmse is home to a
nature centre and manorial museum complete with a stately palm gar-
den.
Art enthusiasts will be sure to delight at the Viinistu art museum. And
naturally Lahemaa is a year-round concert venue, with theatre perform-
ances and various cultural and sporting events.
Over 80% of the area of Soomaa National Park is covered by bogs,
marshes, wetland meadows and marshland forests with 537 different
marshland plants,185 birds and 43 mammal species, including roe deer,
elk, wild boar, beavers, lynx, wolves and brown bears.
The Soomaa Visitor Centre can be found in the middle of the park, be-
tween Pärnu and Viljandi, and guides visitors on the permissible walking
trails and areas where fishing, canoeing and other recreational activities
can be undertaken, as well as offering educational programmes, presen-
tations and lectures.
the largest operator is EMT (www.emt.ee).
There are over 1100 Wireless Internet hotspots in hotels, pubs, libraries,
petrol stations, urban parks and elsewhere (www.wifi.ee), many of which
can be used free of charge.
You can get an answer to any vital or everyday question by calling
Ekspress Hotline at the toll short number 1182 (www.1182.ee) or
Infoabi at 1188 (www.1188.ee).
Emergency numbers in Estonia: police 110,
ambulance and fire department 112.
Weather forecasts at www.weather.ee,
road information at www.balticroads.net.
Angla’s windmills
Soomaa National Park
Traffic rules and regulations
Speed limit: 50 km/h in urban areas; 90 km/h outside towns on main
highways, unless otherwise signposted.
Whenever driving, turn on headlights and fasten safety belts in both front
and rear seats.
Note: drivers are only permitted less than 0.1 milligrams of alcohol in one
millilitre of blood.
There is paid parking in most town centres. Look for more information on
special signs and parking metres.
In case of a traffic accident we recommend calling the police. But if there
are no injuries and the involved drivers agree on what happened, they can
prepare a written explanation in two copies, without calling the police.
SAAREMAA
Saaremaa, a land of nature, tradition and
windmills, is Estonia’s largest island and
is only accessible by ferry or by plane. Its
relative inaccessibility and an 8,000 year history contribute
to its uniqueness today. Local dialects are still spoken, islanders wear
beautiful national costumes on festive occasions and stone fences and
traditional thatched roof houses abound.
In the 19th century, most large farms on Saaremaa and its neighbour-
ing islands had its own windmill. Although they are less common today
they remain an important part of the island’s heritage and renovated
windmills are today open to visitors.
Other traditional symbols are the local sour dough black bread and the
dark, home-brewed beer, which have been important parts of island life
for centuries and can today be sampled throughout the islands.
Kuressaare, with its beautiful, well-preserved old town, is the only town
on the island and is an acclaimed resort centre with a spa that dates
back to 1824. The town’s most important sights are the 14th century
bishop’s citadel and the surrounding city park. The citadel is the best-
preserved medieval fort in the Baltics and exhibits provide an overview
of the history of the island as well as that of Estonia. The fort’s tower
café boasts a superb view and in summer handicraft shops, events, con-
certs and song festivals take place in the courtyard.
Saaremaa’s flora and fauna is very diverse with more than 200 of the
local species under protection. Besides the Viidumäe nature reserve and
Vilsandi National Park, Saaremaa has around 100 protected sites, boul-
ders, marshes, large trees and intact parks. One of the most unusual
attractions is the Kaali crater. This vast ‘hole’, 100 m in diameter, was
formed when a meteorite fell on the spot around 3,000 years ago. The
Kaali visitor centre provides an opportunity to learn more about mete-
orites and geology.
Other sights of interest are the 17th century Kihelkonna bell tower, the
Loona manor, the ruins of the Order citadel at Maasi, the Mihkli farm
museum and the nearly 800-year-old Valjala church, the oldest extant
stone church in Estonia.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
www.visitestonia.com
www.eesti.ee
www.vm.ee
www.rmk.ee
www.turismiweb.ee
www.regio.ee
www.balticsworldwide.com
www.inyourpocket.com/estonia
www.tallinn-airport.ee
www.bussireisid.ee
www.peatus.ee
www.ts.ee
www.edel.ee
www.maaturism.ee
www.estonianspas.com
www.gorail.ee
DESTINATIONS
www.tourism.tallinn.ee
www.tallinn.ee/eng
www.visittartu.com
www.visitparnu.ee
www.southestonia.info
www.saaremaa.ee
www.rakvere.ee
www.viljandi.ee
tourism.narva.ee
www.haapsalu.ee
www.lahemaa.ee
www.soomaa.ee
www.setomaa.ee
www.mulgi.karksi.ee
www.nortestonia.eu
www.mois.ee
CULTURE
www.einst.ee
www.festivals.ee
www.laulupidu.ee
www.estoniantheatre.info
www.estmusic.com
www.kunstikeskus.ee
www.estlit.ee
www.piletilevi.ee
www.opera.ee
www.concert.ee
SOOMAA
Soomaa (‘Land of Bogs’) National Park is
Estonia’s second largest and its youngest na-
tional park and is located in the south west
of the country. The park was created in 1993 to protect
and preserve large raised bogs, flood plain grasslands, paludified forests
and meandering rivers and includes Estonia’s largest areas of bog, tee-
ming with biodiversity.
Life in Soomaa depends on the weather and the elements more than in
any other place in Estonia. Soomaa is famous for its great floods. When
the region’s small rivers can no longer drain the melt water from the
Sakala uplands, the water level rises 3-4 metres and can flood an area of
up to 175 square kilometres. Because the flooding occurs almost every
year, this phenomenon is known as Soomaa’s fifth season.
Lahemaa National Park
Citadel of Kuressaare
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