Estonia holidays

Medieval architecture is everywhere in Estonia, especially in Tallinn’s UNESCO-listed Old Town. Cobblestone streets, red-tiled roofs and landmarks like the Town Hall and Europe’s oldest pharmacy evoke the 14th century, when Estonia boomed as part of the Hanseatic League. Castles in Viljandi and Haapsalu bring history to life, especially during the medieval-themed Hanseatic Days festival.

Estonian society runs on saunas. Most homes have one, and holidays often feature group sauna sessions. Sweating with locals is one of the best things to do in Estonia. There are smoke saunas and saunas that float on rafts, so you can beat the heat with a quick dip in an icy lake. There’s even an International Sauna Day held every June.

The country’s largest national park, Lahemaa, has it all — enchanting bogs, wildlife, even the remnants of a secret Soviet submarine base. Admire the colourful medieval houses of Tallinn’s Toompea Hill, whose castle is the seat of the Estonian parliament. For a taste of spa culture, unwind in Pärnu, a resort town known for its mud baths and golden beaches.

Tallinn’s PROTO Invention Factory is a festival of interactivity like something out of ‘Willy Wonka’. It features exhibits that let you ride a flying bike, travel in a hot-air balloon and more. The Lennusadam (Seaplane Harbour) museum has a 16th-century shipwreck, an Estonian icebreaker, submarines, a flight simulator, an aquarium and paper-plane throwing activities.

With nearly 3,800 kilometres of coastline, countless islands and one of Europe’s largest lakes, Estonia has beaches to spare. On the southwestern coast, Pärnu is the country’s summer capital, with waters that are comfortable for swimming come August. In winter, do like the locals and dive into an ice hole, followed by an immune-boosting sauna.

Estonia’s northern air is among the cleanest in the world. No wonder the birds love it so much. The country is one of the best places in Europe to spot woodpeckers, golden eagles and nearly 400 other species, especially during the spring migration. Bring your binoculars to Matsalu and Vilsandi national parks for prime viewing.

Traditional Estonian restaurants celebrate simple, seasonal food that shares features with the country’s Eastern European and Nordic neighbours. Staple ingredients include barley, cabbage, root vegetables and smoked fish, always accompanied by dark rye bread. In warmer months, the forests burst with delicacies like wild garlic, nettles, spruce shoots, chanterelle mushrooms, lingonberries and more.