8-DAY SELF-DRIVE TOUR IN ESTONIA

Dedicate this day to discovering Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. Tallinn offers a thrilling blend of romantic medieval streets, breathtaking modern architecture, an alternative vibe, and a leisurely seaside atmosphere. Tallinn is most famous for its stunningly photogenic medieval Old Town, which is considered to be one of the best-preserved Hanseatic town centers in the world. Stroll around the narrow cobblestone streets of the Old Town and let it cast a spell on you: noble merchants’ houses, gothic churches, curvy paths, medieval fortification walls, red tile roofs, and lovely cafes in secret yards will absolutely charm you. Visit the most famous sights of the Old Town, such as Toompea Castle, Tallinn Town Hall, Great Guild, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Masters’ Courtyard, St. Catherine’s Passage, as well as Patkuli viewing platform or Kohtuotsa viewing platform from where you can see a great panorama of the Old Town.

To experience the colorful diversity of Tallinn, visit other districts too. Telliskivi Creative City, located in a former industrial complex, offers a vibrant alternative culture scene. It has lively bars and cafes, cozy designer stores, amazing street art, and art galleries. Noblessner is known for its fancy-lifestyle vibe. It offers to enjoy a great meal with a view of yachts swaying on the waves in the harbor, as well as to explore some of the most exciting museums in Tallinn. Kadriorg invites you to go on a peaceful walk along elegant summer mansions and wooden villas and visit Kadriorg Palace. Kalamaja, once the main fishing port of Tallinn, today has turned into the main hipster area featuring colorful wooden architecture and many alternative bars.

Overnight: Tallinn

Spend this day in Lahemaa National Park, the oldest and largest national park in Estonia that offers a great diversity of landscape: vast wetlands, deep forests, picturesque fishermen’s villages, as well as sandy and rocky beaches. To feel the real spirit of Lahemaa National Park, choose one of the hiking trails, for example, Viru Bog Study Trail or Kasmu Peninsula Hiking Trail.

One of the most unique things to do in Lahemaa National Park is visiting old fishermen’s villages that are scattered along the coastline of the Baltic Sea. Stop by Kasmu “captains’” village or Altja fishing village and discover the life of local fishermen, explore the rural architecture and fishing net sheds, as well as stroll along the beach. If you are looking for a bit more modern maritime vibe, stop by Vergi Harbor or Vosu Port. Military heritage lovers will appreciate visiting Hara Harbour and the former submarine base where you can carefully walk around and explore the ruins of the base.

Lahemaa National Park is also known for several beautiful manors. The most popular of them is Palmse Manor and Open-Air Museum, an impressive baroque mansion that provides a great overview of the Estonian manor lifestyle and offers wonderful parks, gardens, and historical buildings. Another beautiful manor is located just a few kilometers away – Sagadi Manor Complex.

In the evening, drive to your accommodation in Lahemaa National Park.

Overnight: Sagadi or Vihula

Start this day by driving to Rakvere, a city famous for its 13th-century medieval castle standing on the top of the hill. The castle works as a medieval theme park, representing everyday life in the Medieval Ages. You can dress up as a knight, play some medieval games, and explore the castle: visit the torture chamber, check out the cannons and muskets, go to the history room and learn more about Rakvere, get to know medieval medical practices at the healer’s room and peek inside the brothel. When you feel hungry, go to the tavern that offers meals cooked using original medieval recipes.

You can find another well-known symbol of Rakvere following a small path from the castle – the Statue of Aurochs. The impressive bronze animal was created to celebrate the 700th anniversary of Rakvere, but the symbolical connection between aurochs and Rakvere stretches way back to the past and is surrounded by legends. Today, the statue is a famous landmark of the town and a popular sight for taking photos.

Later drive to Lake Peipus area. Lake Peipus, located on the border between Estonia and Russia, is known as the largest transboundary lake in Europe. Lake Peipus area historically has been a very diverse region where three different cultures used to live side by side: Estonian peasants, Russian Old Believers, and the Baltic Germans. You can still see lovely Old Believers’ villages with colorful wooden houses scattered along Lake Peipus, explore aristocratic manors and stories of noble people’s lives, as well as discover local farmers’ lifestyle. One of the most beautiful manors in the area is Allatskivi Castle which looks just like out of a fairytale. Spend some time there and get to know the aristocratic lifestyle. Later, drive to such one-street Old Believers’ villages as Kolkja, Kasepaa, or Varnja. Discover the traditional architecture, colorful fishermen’s cottages, Old Believers’ prayer houses, and local traditions.

In the evening, drive to your accommodation in the Lake Peipus area.

Overnight: Lake Peipus area

In the morning, drive to the famous student town Tartu and dedicate your day to exploring the oldest city in the Baltic States. Thanks to Tartu University, the city serves as the educational center for the whole region, and historically it has played a very important role in the cultural development and national awakening not only among Estonians but also among Latvians. Even today, many students from abroad come to Tartu, creating a vibrant and juvenile atmosphere in the city. Enjoy a peaceful day and stroll around the Tartu Old Town, visit Tartu Town Hall Square and the famous Kissing Students Fountain, the main building of Tartu University, St. John’s Church, and the impressive ruins of Tartu Cathedral. Later, walk along the Emojagi Promenade, one of the most popular places for enjoying some drinks and great food.

To explore the alternative scene of Tartu, visit Aparaaditehas Creative City built in an old factory complex. Open-air cinema nights, music concerts, crafts markets and flea markets, designer stores, restaurants, bars, cafes, and even a printing and paper art center TYPA – you can find this all at the Aparaaditehas.

Tartu is proud to have one of the greatest museums in the country – the Estonian National Museum. It offers to explore the history of Estonia in a very modern and appealing way, as well as invites to visit an amazing exposition dedicated to different people speaking Finno-Ugric languages – Echo of the Urals. Exploring this exposition feels like walking through an old legend. The Estonian National Museum is a must-visit place not only due to its interactive and exciting expositions but also for its architecture and design – the museum is built on an old runway perfectly blending with the surroundings.

Overnight: Tartu

Start your day by driving to Viljandi, a cute little town. Viljandi is famous for its annual folk music festival and picturesque views. One of the most scenic places is Viljandi Castle Ruins which stand on the hill overlooking Lake Viljandi. If you would like to explore more of the surrounding nature, you can follow a trail going all around the lake. A must-visit place for art lovers is the Kondas Centre of Naive Art, a very quirky and colorful art museum showcasing the artwork of the most famous Estonian naive art painter Paul Kondas, as well as temporary exhibitions of other artists. Viljandi is a perfect place for leisurely walks around its narrow streets with lovely wooden architecture.

Later, drive to Soomaa National Park and discover its stunning nature. Soomaa National Park is famous for the so-called fifth season in early spring when water from melting snow floods the forests and meadows inviting adventure-seekers to go on canoeing trips in the forests and maneuver between trees. During the rest of the year, Soomaa National Park is a perfect destination for hiking. One of the most popular hiking trails is the Riisa Hiking Trail which goes through the magical Riisa bog. Follow the trail and fall in love with the beauty of the bog!

In the afternoon, drive to Parnu, the most popular and the largest summer resort in Estonia. Go on a leisurely walk around the town and enjoy its laid-back atmosphere, romantic 19th and 20th-century villas, beautiful beach promenade, and great restaurants and bars. If you would like to relax in a spa or a sauna, Parnu is the right place to do that – once famous for healing mud baths, Parnu still offers various high-quality well-being spas. Parnu has a tiny, but lovely Old Town that you can find around Ruutli Street, the main pedestrian street. Don’t miss out on the 15th-century Red Tower, the oldest surviving building.

If you are an art lover, visit the Parnu City Gallery or the Museum of New Art, the first modern art museum in Estonia. Parnu is proud to have the biggest beach in Estonia. The beach is famous for its white and soft sand, perfect for enjoying long walks or building sand castles. Another great place for nature lovers is the Parnu Coastal Meadow Hiking Trail, a wooden pathway that goes around coastal meadows and allows to see rare species of plants and birds. The most romantic place for watching a sunset is Parnu Breakwater. The legend says that those who kiss each other at the end of Parnu Breakwater will happily stay together forever.

Overnight: Parnu

In the morning, drive to Haapsalu, another famous resort. Haapsalu is a lovely little town with romantic architecture, tiny houses, narrow streets, and a cozy atmosphere. Visit Haapsalu Castle, the main tourist attraction in Haapsalu. It is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Estonia and home to a famous ghost – White Lady. In the castle, you will find interactive expositions allowing you to understand the history of Haapsalu and explore the medieval lifestyle in an exciting and fun way. Later, walk around the area surrounding the castle and enjoy the charming Old Town with cute houses and nice cafes. It is worth discovering the historic wooden villas too. One of the most famous buildings of the historical resort is the 19th-century Haapsalu Resort Hall rich with magnificent decorative wooden carvings. It is located next to the Haapsalu Promenade, a great place for walking and enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of the town.

Later, drive to Rummu Quarry, an extraordinary place that was used for mining limestone in the 20th century, but today serves as one of the most exciting tourist attractions in Estonia. Right next to the quarry, you can still see the remains of Murru prison. Inmates of the prison were used as the main laborers at the limestone quarry. Nowadays, you can hike around the white limestone hill, climb to the top of it, and enjoy a unique landscape that feels like on another planet. To fully enjoy the spooky atmosphere of the Rummu Quarry, rent a boat or a SUP board and paddle around the quarry. With the right angle of sunlight, a very unexpected underwater landscape will reveal in front of you – a mystical sunken forest with dead trees standing up vertically, several concrete structures and buildings, and even some used machinery that can be seen through the crystal-clear turquoise water.

In the evening, return back to Tallinn.

Overnight: Tallinn

Time to say good bye to Estonia. Departure day. Check out from the hotel. Optional private transfer from the hotel to the airport.