Upcoming Vacations in Estonia: What to Do and See in the Land of Wonders

Are you planning your vacation in Estonia? The Estonia is a hidden gem of Northern Europe. Known for its medieval capital, Tallinn, the country is much more: a unique mix of technology, history, and pristine nature.

Amidst endless forests, ancient cities, and futuristic innovations, Estonia offers experiences for every season. If you're looking for an authentic and surprising destination, this small Baltic state will surely amaze you.

Here are reasons to plan a vacation in Estonia.

Skype was born in Estonia, launched in late August 2003 by a team of Estonian engineers. The country is highly focused on technology, and it's no coincidence that Estonia has the highest number of startups: the government offers favorable conditions for those wishing to open a business.

Through online procedures, one can obtain a Digital Nomad Visa along with digital residency, an inspiration aimed at digital nomads, remote entrepreneurs, and those wanting to start a mobile startup.

Another area where the Estonian government is heavily engaged is nature: about 50% of the territory is covered by forests. There are 5 national parks and over 300 protected areas. That's why you should plan a vacation in Estonia.

In addition to its famous university, Tartu is home to the Estonian National Museum, inaugurated in the autumn of 2016.

This futuristic building was designed with glass transparency in mind at the site of the former Raadi Manor, once the residence of Baltic-German collectors. The vast area served as a military airfield during the 1940s and later as a secret base.

Today, across more than 6,000 meters, the entire history of Estonia is recounted: 140,000 objects make up a rich collection, from ancient artifacts dating back to Prehistory to the invention of Skype and items that tell the stories of the country's traditions.

Exploring these vast spaces and observing the unique architecture of the building, which has received numerous awards, will be an exciting experience: a perfect option even on a rainy day.

Every summer, in July, Tartu hosts "Stencibility", a festival dedicated to street art, one of the oldest in Europe: at other times of the year, you can also find stencils and stickers on the walls and streets of the city.

If you're exploring downtown Tartu, don't forget to visit the spaces of the former industrial complex Aparaaditehas, now a multipurpose center for shopping, design, and culture, a "widget factory" (this is the meaning of the name) where you can find inspiration, for example, by participating in one of the workshops and art labs.

From the observatory, you can spot bears in their natural habitat: along with lynxes, moose, and deer, they are some of the animals that inhabit Alutaguse National Park.

The forest trails are easy to follow on foot, but also by bike. In the municipality of Alutaguse, you can find the lakes of Kurtna: over forty, which become the perfect place to spend lazy and wonderful afternoons in the sun during the summer.

Nearby, you can discover the "Kurtna Motorcycle Museum", dedicated to vintage motorcycle enthusiasts: be mindful of closing times, and you can contact the reference phone number if needed.

Looking for a lake vacation? Lake Peipsi, located eighty kilometers from the city of Tartu, is one of the largest in Europe: it is part of the Alutaguse park area and marks the border between Estonia and Russia. The high sand dunes create a special habitat, now protected.

A traditional summer vacation destination, during the pleasant weather and the arrival of autumn, you can spot mushrooms, wild blueberries, and flowers of many species.

One unique feature for which Lake Peipsi is known is the phenomenon of "singing sands": this is the sound produced by the dunes and the movement of the grains that compose them, creating a special sound that can also be experienced in deserts.

Landscapes painted in white snow during the winter, in spring it happens that the four rivers that cross this vast green reserve flood all surrounding lands: it's the moment of thawing, a truly unique period.

During the flooding season, which occurs every year in spring, everything gets submerged by water: one way to explore these areas is... by canoe!

Traditionally, Estonians used pirogues, called haabjas in the local language, to move between flooded fields and reach nearby farms. The inspiration for an unforgettable spring.

Over a thousand islands, did you ever think? The main one is Saaremaa, which borders the Gulf of Riga: it is a settlement of ancient origin, mentioned in sagas as a meeting and battle place between Estonians and Vikings, a territory of pirates where, according to local mythology, the giant Suur Tõll once lived.

The island of Saaremaa can be reached by plane from Tallinn or by one of the ferries departing from Virtsu.

After Saaremaa, the largest island in Estonia is Hiiumaa, where you can wander through roads between forests and lighthouses: Köpu is one of the oldest still in operation.

The island of Muhu, on the other hand, is famous for its windmills and is reached via a road built on an artificial embankment. During the winter, for just a few weeks each year, those who happen to be around here can drive on an ice road, a phenomenon that tends to decrease due to climate change.

In this area of Estonian territory extends the Matsalu National Park, a stopover for travelers of thousands of migratory birds, which stop here on their journeys along migration routes.

In the park, it is possible to participate in boat and canoe trips. Protected since the early 1900s, the area became a nature reserve in 1957: it is a key crossroad for birds, one of the main wintering sites in Europe for many species.

From the park, you can head toward the islands, travel toward the city of Pärnu and its beaches, or return to the capital Tallinn.

Established in 1971, it was the first national park: Lahemaa is the largest in Estonia and in the local language its name means "Land of Bays".

Located a short distance from the capital and reachable by car, here you can explore the Viru swamp and walk along forest trails, visiting the Jägala waterfalls.

But a trip to this park will also be an opportunity to discover how traditional houses were built, with thatched roofs that are periodically reconstructed.

The ancient village of Käsmu, which has a small maritime museum, tells the story and life of sailors of the past.

From the Käsmu beach to the Oandu nature trail, it is the perfect place to breathe in an intense calm, amidst water landscapes and tall pine trees.

The Old Town, Tallinn's historic area, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Historically, the city and its port have represented a meeting point between West and East.

From St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad, Russia, through Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, amber trade routes were established back in the time of ancient Rome: from the Baltic countries, it reached the city of Venice connecting the Italian coast with Slovenia, Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Today, there is a project that aims to connect the Baltic Republics and Poland through high speed.

The network will provide a quick connection between Tallinn, Riga, the capital of Latvia, and Vilnius, in Lithuania, through a railway line that will allow you to reach the capitals within a few hours of travel. The new railway station of Rail Baltica at Ülemiste in Tallinn has been designed by Zaha Hadid: the completion of the works is expected by 2028.

The medieval atmosphere is felt everywhere here in the Estonian capital, from typical central restaurants to the large cobblestone square, where you might find yourself enjoying a beer and eating soup served in full period style by costumed staff.

Like a journey through time, Tallinn captivates with chapters of different history: the medieval heart, vintage shops where you can find collectibles from the Soviet era, or the port area, home to the futuristic Estonian Maritime Museum (which even has a submarine!). Ferries leave from Tallinn's port every day, crossing the bay: in a couple of hours, you can reach Helsinki and sample a piece of Finland with a trip to this charming city or - why not - rent a van and continue exploring Northern Europe.