Top places to see in Estonia

If you’re planning a trip to Estonia, a true hidden gem in the Baltics, be sure to add the following suggestions for an authentic experience.

From the medieval charm of Tallinn to the wild beauty of Lahemaa National Park and Pärnu’s sandy shores, I’ll show you the top places to see in Estonia !

Note : We visited Latvia as part of a road trip from Estonia to Lithuania, so the stops we made were roughly along the Tallin-Vilnius route.

When visiting Estonia, exploring the capital city is a must-do. Tallinn is a lively and charming medieval town, with cobblestone streets and towering church spires. There are many modern market halls, street art and beautiful parks.

If you want the perfect itinerary to discover the city in a day, check out this article.

One of the highlights of Estonia definitely has to be the national parks.

The country has six national parks: Lahemaa, Soomaa, Vilsandi, Matsalu, Karula, and Alutaguse. Each park offers its own unique landscapes, from bogs and forests to coastlines and islands, making them perfect for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers.

Laheema National Park is the closest one from Tallinn and also the largest.

You will have around a 40 minute drive to get there. To find it, follow the road signs or enter “Viru bog nature trail” to find the parking lot and the beginning of the boardwalk.

The walk around is approximately one hour and you will see countless bogs, beautiful forests, plus there are very few people !

It is free, breathtaking and very well maintained, not a single reason to not spend the whole afternoon there !

Another amazing nature park in Estonia is Soomaa National Park. It is located 2 hours south of Tallinn, perfectly located if you plan on going to Latvia and Lithuania.

Spanning over 390 square kilometers, this park is known for its stunning peat bogs and rivers, but also for its “fifth season,” when spring floods create a unique landscape.

The walk is a one-hour loop on a boardwalk, so you can enjoy the scenery all around.

30 minutes from Soomaa is Parnü Beach, a lively coastal destination. The beach is perfect for a long stroll in the evening and looking at the sunset.

Not a place to visit, but a wonderful place to stay the night before crossing into Latvia. Suurkivi Nature Escape is an amazing nature retreat, at a very affordable price. The wooden cabins, the natural pool, the sunset spots, everything here is well thought of and peaceful :

You can even reach the sea by strolling through some fields. Plan to go there at sunset, it will definitely be worth it. You will be completely alone with the majestic storks :

If you have more time to visit places a bit further away from Tallinn-to-Riga route, I’d recommend looking at :

• Jägala waterfall : the tallest waterfall in Estonia
• Pakri Cliff : 30 meters cliff with dramatic limestone formations offering amazing views over the Baltic Sea.
• Tartu : Estonia’s second-largest city, known for its rich history and for being home of one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe

That’s it for my recommendations on top places to see in Estonia ! Whether you’re exploring the scenic trails of Lahemmaa National Park, discovering the history of Tallinn or relaxing in Parnü beach, these different places provide a great palette of the country’s cultural and natural diversity.

If you want to spend a day visiting Tallinn, check out my article here to know what to see and do. 

If you need a custom itinerary, you can fill this form and I’ll make your own personalised itinerary.