Abruka, located just a short distance from Kuressaare, is the perfect spot for a day trip. However, staying longer on the island is highly recommended. In contrast to the urban atmosphere, Abruka offers a completely different experience. As writer Jüri Tuulik puts it, Abruka is a delightful ‘offshore place’.
HOW TO GET TO ABRUKA?
By liner
By sailing boat Sophia
By sailing boat Delphine
By your own vessel to Abruka Harbour
Abruka: a spa for the senses
After a short sea journey from the capital of Saaremaa, you will arrive on Abruka, our very own ‘Aruba’. While ‘exotic’ may not be the most fitting word, the island carries a unique, almost mysterious allure. And oh, how charming it is. Here, you will find Europe’s northernmost protected broadleaf forest, which could easily be called the Abruka Jungle. Abruka is a place where many things happen that do not necessarily happen elsewhere.
What flavours define the island?
If asked to describe the flavour of Abruka, one would certainly say it has a distinct nutty taste, thanks to the many hazelnut trees on the island that are both bearing and giving. The wild garlic fields, one of the first harbingers of spring in the forest pharmacy, add a sharp note to the island’s palette. Certainly, a connoisseur of local flavours will recognise the subtle nuance of herring, a ‘small, nice fish’, that adds its own touch to the island’s taste profile. And, of course, we cannot forget creamy butter.
Abruka butter was renowned in its time for its distinctive flavour, evoking images of happy cows grazing on lush coastal pastures. Idyllic, is it not? In the 60s and 70s, butter from Abruka was shipped to the city together with fish and hay. The bread baked by the hostesses, with its distinctive sweet-and-sour taste, was also highly prized. Each baker had their own secret touch, so you could easily tell which family’s bread it was by its unique characteristics.
Authentic Abruka
Abruka has everything you need within reach. While nothing is in excess, nothing is lacking either. Many creative souls have settled here and found their true home, drawing inspiration from the simplicity and complexity of the village life of Abruka. There is also space for the unexplained and mysterious, which adds a touch of intrigue to the everyday. When you leave, you may notice more locals on the pier than you might expect. Stay on the island a little longer, and you will realise that sharing news and small talk can actually be a subtle form of business. The port, as the gateway to this ‘offshore place’, is always a place worth going to. Because that is where everything happens.
Locals recommend:
- Stroll through the broadleaf forest of Abruka and visit the Lippmaa linden; imagine yourself as a native, an explorer or… let your imagination run wild.
- Wade through the water to Vahase Island, just off the coast of Abruka, and conquer its giant boulders.
- Whisper your deepest wish to the chiming rock.
- Explore the Abruka Museum to gain insight into the lives and experiences of locals throughout history.
- Enjoy a meal at the Sadama café.
- Step into the newly opened Abruka chapel for a moment of quiet reflection and peace.
More information on the website of Abruka
