Head to the islands to create unforgettable experiences! This is always a great idea.
Are you drawn in by the cloudless island life and landscapes dotted with sheep, windmills and juniper bushes?
Visit Saaremaa recommends
- Vilsandi küla, Saaremaa vald
- Koguva küla, Muhu vald
- Sääre küla, Saaremaa vald
- Kuressaare linn, Saaremaa vald
- Panga küla, Saaremaa vald
- Liiva küla, Muhu vald
- Angla küla, Saaremaa vald
- Kaali küla, Saaremaa vald
- Ruhnu küla, Ruhnu vald
Every tourist attraction
- Viidu küla, Saaremaa vald
- Loona küla, Saaremaa vald
- Kuressaare linn, Saaremaa vald
- Pulli küla, Saaremaa vald
- Kuressaare linn, Saaremaa vald
- Ruhnu küla, Ruhnu vald
- Kuke küla, Saaremaa vald
- Kuressaare linn, Saaremaa vald
- Kuressaare linn, Saaremaa vald
- Kaarma-Kirikuküla, Saaremaa vald
- Kärla alevik, Saaremaa vald
- Ruhnu küla, Ruhnu vald
Saaremaa conceals a whole world
In Angla you’ll discover a slice of the Netherlands, while in Torgu a whole kingdom awaits you, and the Blesta Stones on Saaremaa are just as powerful as Stonehenge in the United Kingdom. The lighthouse at Kiipsaare is like our own leaning tower of Pisa, which, at the whim of the sea, sometimes stands at an angle and at other times upright again. Kuressaare Castle, which inspired the world-famous architect Louis Kahn, is a mecca for all lovers of architectural art. The Panga cliffs can be seen as our own Grand Canyon. On a smaller scale, admittedly, but the feeling is just as powerful. The Kaali crater makes this global voyage even grander, taking you all the way into the sky… And these are just a few examples of how a vacation on our islands can be seen as equal to a trip around the world.
THE MOST POPULAR ATTRACTIONS ON SAAREMAA
There are some places on our islands which you simply must visit, as they give you the chance to experience the life and very nature of locals.
Kuressaare Episcopal Castle is one of the best-preserved medieval forts in the Baltic States. It is a truly monumental place. These stone walls have borne witness to life on the island for centuries. Referred to simply as Kuressaare Castle by most, its halls and corridors conceal stories of the island and its people from recent history and the distant past.
The Kaali meteorite crater is one of the best preserved meteorite craters in the world. This is a place where you can experience the immense power and unpredictability of nature. It’s been estimated that the meteorite crashed to Earth some 7500-7600 years ago. Most famous is the main crater, which is 110 m in diameter, but there are eight smaller depressions around it, making it the most spectacular crater field in Eurasia.
Angla Windmills and Heritage Centre is one of the best-preserved groups of windmills in Estonia. Four are trestle post mills, while one is an eight-sided smock mill with a rotating roof. They neatly illustrate why Saaremaa is known as the island of windmills. Here in Angla you can learn how our ancestors lived and worked.
Panga cliff is the highest bedrock outcrop on the islands and indeed anywhere in Western Estonia. Its maximum height is 21.3 metres, which is a good example of the ground rising over time. Here you can find fossils that paint a picture of the Ice Age and insect life from ancient times. On your way to the cliff, stop in at the little shop, grab a coffee and pastry or enjoy a meal with gorgeous sea views. You can work up an appetite by traversing the hiking trails here.
Vilsandi National Park dates back to 1910, when the Vaika Bird Sanctuary was established – the first protected area in the Baltic States. The park covers more than 150 islands and islets. It is home to Estonia’s largest seal rookeries, more than 250 species of bird (112 of which nest here) and more than 30 species of wild orchid, making for a varied landscape.
Sõrve lighthouse is the tallest on the Baltic Sea, standing at 52 metres. Visitors who climb to the top are rewarded with amazing views. Take the 242 steps to the top and you’ll see Latvia in the distance! Well, if the weather’s good, anyway. The feeling that awaits of being at the edge of everything is unique, even a luxury in today’s fast-paced world.
The pace of island life
In addition to regular attractions, the islands offer a variety of hiking trails of different lengths. There’s something to suit all tastes. Alongside the ancient natural landscape, you can admire plants while strolling through classic ornamental gardens. The littlest adventurers in your family can visit the flock of stone sheep at Mardi Tourist Farm, the Asva Viking Village and a number of animal parks. To contrast this there’s Kuressaare, where you can take a sensory journey through the history of the resort town: boutiques and day spas, strolls in the castle’s park, galleries and delightful cafés and restaurants await.
It’s for good reason that we say there’s so much to do on our islands that the spark and vibe of this idyll last throughout the year. Make sure to stay for a few days at least; perhaps a relaxing long weekend. And, of course, it’s even better if you’re in no hurry to leave – why not stay a week or more?
These islands offer plenty to discover for first-time and repeat visitors alike. There are new reasons to visit every year.
Tourist information
We at Visit Saaremaa tourist information centre are happy to guide you to both timeless classics and newly discovered hidden gems.
Tourist map
If you’d prefer specific directions the you’ll find all the Saaremaa attractions, eating spots and accomodations from our electronic map.
Go on, choose a spot and the map will direct you to the location
Fun fact
This, the largest archipelago in Western Estonia, enjoys more than 250 days of sunshine a year – more than any other place in the country.