Discover 25 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Estonia. Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Kumu Museum (Tallinn), Estonian Maritime Museum (Tallinn) or Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (Tallinn).
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Estonia.
Table of Contents
Kumu Museum, Tallinn
Also known as: Kumu
Museum in Tallinn, Estonia. The Kumu Art Museum is an art museum in Tallinn, Estonia. It is one of the largest museums in Estonia and one of the largest art museums in Northern Europe. It is one of the five branches of the Art Museum of Estonia, housing its main offices.
Kumu is an abbreviation of the Estonian "Kunstimuuseum" ('art museum').
Kumu presents both permanent collections and temporary exhibitions. The main collection covers Estonian art from the 18th century onwards, including works from the occupations period (1940–1991) and showing both Socialist Realism and what was then Nonconformist art. Temporary exhibitions include both foreign and Estonian modern and contemporary art.
Kumu received the prestigious European Museum of the Year Award of 2008 from the European Museum Forum.[1]
Address: A. Weizenbergi 34, 10127 Tallinn (Kesklinn)
Estonian Maritime Museum, Tallinn
Also known as: Eesti Meremuuseum
Museum in Tallinn, Estonia. The Estonian Maritime Museum is located in the Fat Margaret tower in the old town of Tallinn. The museum presents the history of ships and navigation in Estonia and related to Estonia. Other parts of the Maritime Museum are the mine museum and the Seaplane Harbour museum where ships are presented. The museum claims to be one of the largest museums in Estonia and the most popular.[2]
Address: Pikk 70, 10133 Tallinn (Kesklinn)
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Tallinn
Also known as: Aleksander Nevski katedraal
19th-century Russian Orthodox cathedral. The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is an orthodox cathedral in the Tallinn Old Town, Estonia. It was built to a design by Mikhail Preobrazhensky in a typical Russian Revival style between 1894 and 1900, during the period when the country was part of the Russian Empire. The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is Tallinn's largest and grandest orthodox cupola cathedral. It is dedicated to Saint Alexander Nevsky who in 1242 won the Battle of the Ice on Lake Peipus, in the territorial waters of present-day Estonia. The late Russian patriarch, Alexis II, started his priestly ministry in the church.
The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral crowns the hill of Toompea which is one of several places where according to legend the Estonian folk hero Kalevipoeg's father Kalev is said to have been buried. As the USSR was officially non-religious, many churches including this cathedral were left to decline. The church has been meticulously restored since Estonia regained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.[3]
Address: Lossi plats 10, 10130 Tallinn (Kesklinn)
Tartu Art Museum, Tartu
Also known as: Tartu Kunstimuuseum
Museum in Tartu, Estonia. Tartu Art Museum is a state-owned museum of art located in Tartu, Estonia. It was founded in 1940 on a private initiative by the members of local art school Pallas. This is the largest art museum in Southern Estonia.
The main collection consists of works of art by Estonian and foreign artists, associated with Estonia, from the 18th century until now. The collection includes around 23,000 items. The museum presents temporary exhibitions drawn from the museum's collection, and in cooperation with Estonian and foreign museums and galleries. Exhibitions are held in a historical building situated by the Town Hall Square of Tartu.[4]
Address: Raekoja plats 18, 51004 Tartu
Narva Museum, Narva
Museum. Narva Museum is a museum in Narva, Estonia. The museum is composed of the Narva Castle, the Northern Yard, and the Narva Art Gallery.
In summer 2020, new exhibition was opened in Narva Castle. This exhibition gives overview of Narva from the 13th century to the beginning of the 20th century.
The Northern Yard depicts the district of artisans, who worked in Narva since 17th century.
The Narva Art Gallery was opened in 1991.[5]
Hermann Castle, Narva
Also known as: Narva Hermanni linnus
Castle. Hermann Castle is a castle in Narva, eastern Estonia. It was founded in 1256 by the Danes and the first stone castle was built in the beginning of the 14th century. The German Livonian Order purchased the castle on 29 August 1346, and owned it for much of its history.[6]
Address: Peterburi mnt 2, 20308 Narva
AHHAA, Tartu
Hands-on activities and planetarium shows. Science Centre AHHAA is a science centre located in Tartu, Estonia, and is currently the largest science centre in the Baltic states. AHHAA was established to promote science and technology using interactive exhibits.
Since 7 May 2011, Science Centre AHHAA has been in the building located in the centre of Tartu.[7]
Address: Sadama 1, 51004 Tartu
University of Tartu Botanical Gardens, Tartu
Also known as: Tartu Ülikooli Botaanikaaed
Botanical garden in Tartu, Estonia. University of Tartu Botanical Gardens, is a botanical garden in Tartu, Estonia. It belongs to the University of Tartu.
The Garden was established in 1803. Originally, it was located at Vanemuise street near what is now the Vanemuine Small Theatre House. In 1806, the garden was relocated to a more suitable site, on a former bastion at Lai street on the northern side of the old town.[8]
Address: Lai 38, 51005 Tartu
Swedish Lion, Narva
Statue by Ragnar Östberg. The Swedish Lion or The lion monument are two statues erected as monuments of the battle of Narva in 1700 in the city of Narva in Estonia.
The first version, a copy of one of the lions at the Stockholm Palace, was erected by an entrance to the city in 1936 but was destroyed during World War II. A new version, a copy of the Medici lion of the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts, was erected by the Narva river in 2000.[9]
The Lord's Transfiguration Orthodox Church, Pärnu
The Lord's Transfiguration Orthodox Church is an Orthodox church in Pärnu, Estonia. The church belongs to Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church.
The church was built in 1902–1904. The church was designed by Vladimir Lunski and Karl Klein. In 1904, the church was inaugurated. The building's height is 38 m.
In 1910, the church's congregation had 5757 members; in 1939, 3006 members.[10]
Address: 5 Aia, Pärnu
Pärnu Museum, Pärnu
Pärnu Museum is a county museum in Pärnu, Estonia.
The museum was found by Pernauer Alterthumforschende Gesellschaft ('Society of Archaeology'; established in 1896). On that time, the museum's goals were to study, present and preserve local history. In 1909, the museum was moved to the building at the address Elevandi Street 7.
In September 1944, the building burned down. The collections were severely damaged. In 1944, the museum moved to the building at the address Aia Street 4.
Nowadays, the museum is located at Aida Street 3.
Pärnu Museum has a branch (Lydia Koidula Memorial Museum), which is located at Jannseni Street 37. This branch is dedicated to Estonian poet Lydia Koidula.[11]
Address: Aida 3, 80011 Pärnu
Sõrve Lighthouse, Saaremaa
Also known as: Sõrve tuletorn
Lighthouse in the Sääre, Saare County, Estonia. Sõrve Lighthouse is a lighthouse located in Torgu Parish, on the island of Saaremaa, in Estonia. The current lighthouse is a cylindrical concrete tower, which was built to replace a temporary wooden structure lighthouse that served as a signal point between 1945 and 1960.[12]
Pärnu Concert Hall, Pärnu
Pärnu Concert Hall is a concert hall in Pärnu, Estonia. The hall is operated by Eesti Kontsert. The most solemn events in Pärnu are held there. For example, the Mayor and New Year's Eve celebrations.
The hall is also home for Pärnu Music School, Pärnu City Orchestra, music shop (Is Music team).
The hall was constructed in 2002. The hall was designed by Katrin Koov, Kaire Nõmm and Hanno Grossschmidt.[13]
Address: 4 Aida, Pärnu
Viljandi Castle, Viljandi
Also known as: Viljandi ordulinnus
Viljandi Castle is 13th Century castle in a Viljandi, Estonia. It was built by the Livonian Order, and construction started in 1224 in place of a former hillfort, which was one of the strongest castles in Livonia. Finally destroyed in the Polish-Swedish wars during the early 17th century, its ruins still stand near the town centre.[14]
Kaali crater, Saaremaa
Also known as: Kaali kraater
Crater in Estonia. Kaali is a group of nine meteorite craters in the village of Kaali on the Estonian island of Saaremaa. Most recent estimates put its formation shortly after 1530–1450 BC. It was created by an impact event and is one of the few impact events that has occurred in a populated area.
Before the 1930s there were several hypotheses about the origin of the crater, including theories involving vulcanism and karst processes. Its meteoritic origins were first conclusively demonstrated by Ivan Reinvald in 1928, 1933 and 1937.[15]
Juminda Lighthouse, Lahemaa National Park
Also known as: Juminda tuletorn
Lighthouse in Juminda, Estonia. Juminda Lighthouse is a lighthouse at the northern tip of the Juminda Peninsula, Kuusalu Parish, in the region of Harju, Estonia. It is located in the Lahemaa National Park.
The lighthouse was built in 1937. It is a circular concrete tower with a lantern and double gallery. The upper portion of the lighthouse is painted red, the lower is painted white. Prior to 2006, the lighthouse had a height of 24 metres, the red portion at the top was added in 2006. The lighthouse has a glare configuration of: 3 s on, 2 s off, 3 s on, and 7 s off.[16]
Narva-Jõesuu Lighthouse, Narva-Jõesuu
Also known as: Narva-Jõesuu tuletorn
Lighthouse in Narva-Jõesuu, Estonia. Narva-Jõesuu Lighthouse is a lighthouse located in Narva-Jõesuu, Estonia, on the Gulf of Finland.
A lighthouse operated here already during the time of Swedish rule of Estonia, in the 17th century. A stone lighthouse was built in 1808 at the initiative of Leontiy Spafaryev of the Russian Admiralty. It suffered damage during the Crimean War but was repaired in 1870 because of its unstable foundations. In 1941 it was completely destroyed. A new lighthouse (the presently visible) was built in 1957.[17]
Kihelkonna St. Michael's Church, Saaremaa
Also known as: Kihelkonna kirik
Kihelkonna St. Michael's Church, sometimes simply Kihelkonna Church, is a medieval Lutheran church on Saaremaa island in western Estonia.[18]
Address: Kiriku 4, 93401 Kihelkonna
Lake Lohja, Lahemaa National Park
Also known as: Lohja järv
Lake in Estonia. Lake Lohja is a lake of Estonia.[19]
Address: Hossanmäentie 1, Lahemaa National Park
Viru Bog, Lahemaa National Park
Viru Bog is a bog in Harju County, Estonia within Lahemaa National Park.
The area of the bog is 235 ha.
Thickness of peat layer is about 6 m.[20]
Kõpu tuletorn, Hiiumaa
Enduring lighthouse built in 1531. Kõpu Lighthouse is one of the best known symbols and tourist sights on the Estonian island of Hiiumaa. It is one of the oldest lighthouses in the world, having been in continuous use since its completion in 1531. The lighthouse is quite unique with its shape and an exception among lighthouses because it has gone through all the stages from a medieval landmark up to a modern electrified lighthouse.
The lighthouse marks the Hiiu Shoal (Estonian: Hiiu madal, Swedish: Neckmansgrund) and warns ships away from the shoreline. Light from Kõpu Lighthouse can be used for navigation as far as 26 nautical miles (48 km; 30 mi) away.
Kõpu Lighthouse was previously known by its Swedish name, Övre Dagerort.[21]
Address: Kõpu küla, Kõrgessaare vald, Hiiumaa
Ugala, Viljandi
Theatre in Viljandi, Estonia. Ugala is a theatre in Viljandi, Estonia.
The theatre was founded in 1920 opening on January 10 of that year. The first production was Oscar Wilde's "Salome".[22]
Address: Vaksali 7, Viljandi
Kiipsaare Lighthouse, Vilsandi National Park
Also known as: Kiipsaare tuletorn
Lighthouse in Estonia. Kiipsaare Lighthouse is located on the tip of the Harilaid peninsula on the island of Saaremaa, Estonia, in the territory of Vilsandi National Park.
The lighthouse was built from reinforced concrete in 1933. Its purpose was to warn mariners on the Baltic Sea about the dangers in the vicinity of the peninsula and to be of assistance in taking bearings. At that time the 25-metre-high (82 ft) lighthouse was 150 metres (490 ft) inland, but due to erosion it is now more than 50 metres (160 ft) offshore. A lack of supporting ground has caused the lighthouse to lean.
While in 1988 the waterline was still 11 metres (36 ft) from the lighthouse, by the early 1990s the sea had already reached the lighthouse and it started to incline. Because of this the generator was removed in 1992 and Kiipsaare Lighthouse remained in the records as a daymark until 2009.[23]
Tahkuna Lighthouse, Hiiumaa
Also known as: Tahkuna tuletorn
Lighthouse in Tahkuna, Estonia. Tahkuna Lighthouse is a lighthouse located in the Tahkuna Peninsula, Hiiu Parish, on the island of Hiiumaa, in Estonia.[24]
Address: Tahkuna küla, Kõrgessaare vald, Hiiumaa
Käina Bay, Hiiumaa
Käina Bay is almost isolated and very shallow approximately 9 km2 marine area between the Estonian islands Hiiumaa and Kassari, which is connected to the surrounding Väinameri and adjacent Vaemla Bay via three tiny channels - Orjaku channel, Orjaku sill and Vaemla channel. The maximum depth of Käina Bay is about 1 meter. Käina Bay is separated from the Väinameri Sea by Kassari Island, Õunaku Bay and Jausa Bay by a dyke road. There are many thickets of reeds and islets. In the southern part of the bay there is mineral curative mud.[25]