Estonia, between enchanted forests and living traditions
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Discover Estonia, where nature and culture meet.
Estonia offers a unique journey to the heart of Northern Europe.
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Estonia Awaits You: Explore Its Hidden Treasures and Magic.
A member of the European Union since 2004 like its two Baltic cousins, Latvia and Lithuania, Estonia stands out primarily due to a very peculiar language that is not of Indo-European origin, like 95% of the continent's languages, but Finno-Ugric.
Estonians also more readily claim a cultural proximity with Finland and with Europe in general rather than with their Russian neighbor, whose borders have often encroached on their territory, notably during the Soviet era.
Traveling in Estonia, as a couple or with friends, means delving into a very rich history whose traces can be found everywhere, not just in the capital Tallinn, a former member of the famous Hanseatic League, or in Tartu, the country's second city and its university founded in the 17th century: castles, medieval ramparts, fortresses like Ivangorod in Narva, orthodox churches, baroque palaces.
Heading to Estonia, whether by rental car for a self-drive tour or on an organized trip, also means exploring preserved landscapes of taigas and lakes, notably in the five national parks, or embarking on a cruise to some of the roughly 1,500 islands scattered in the Baltic Sea for green and responsible tourism. A destination conducive to discovery and diverse guided tours with high cultural value.
Unforgettable Natural and Cultural Escape
Embark on a tailor-made journey to Estonia, the northernmost of the Baltic States and also the most maritime of the three, with nearly 4,000 km of rocky coastline bathed by the Baltic Sea. You can also discover some beautiful sandy beaches in Tallinn and its surroundings, such as in Pirita or Stroomi.
Must-See Attractions
Bounded by remarkably well-preserved walls, the old town of Tallinn offers a wonderful collection of cobblestone streets, churches, and colorful houses, with some of the oldest being over 700 years old. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the lower town is one of the oldest medieval cities in Europe, more medieval than Vilnius and Riga.
After enjoying a 2-kilometer spectacle north of Tallinn at Rocca al Mare by the Baltic Sea, it's time to return to the capital to admire another local beauty, the Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral with its five domes and eleven bells.
The largest of the Estonian islands has capitalized on its splendid isolation in the Baltic Sea to preserve its unique charm, with traditional houses, old castles, and windmills. Saaremaa is also renowned for its spas and hiking trails among dunes, cliffs, and forests.
The largest of the country's five national parks is located 70 km east of Tallinn. An enchanting landscape of forests, lakes, beaches, rivers, and waterfalls that hosts a rich and varied wildlife. There are also small castles converted into museums.
Unknown Estonia: Hidden Treasures to Explore
Soomaa means "marshy land" in Estonian. Located in the southwest of the country, Soomaa Park offers an ideal playground for enjoying numerous outdoor activities such as canoeing and kayaking and camping in summer, or snowshoeing and skiing in winter.
The seaside town of Pärnu is historically renowned for its spas and thermal treatments based on mud baths with remarkable therapeutic properties. Pärnu also offers a superb beach nestled at the back of the bay, as well as numerous concerts and summer events.
The longest day of the year, Midsummer's Day, is an unmissable celebration in Estonia, marked by feasts, dances, and songs around a large bonfire in the countryside, often near a lake or river. Conveniently, both Midsummer's Day and its eve are public holidays in Estonia.
Located south of the large island of Saaremaa, Abruka is a small island with a charming botanical reserve that can be explored on horseback for an unforgettable ride between the island's two majestic lighthouses.
A Preserved Nature in Estonia
With one of the lowest population densities in Europe and an untouched environment, Estonia, with its 1,500 islands, wildlife, and flora, is a prime location for recharging. Nearly one-tenth of the Estonian territory is occupied by natural parks, more than half of which are covered by various types of forests. These areas host plant and animal species that have disappeared elsewhere in Europe. Moose, wolves, bears, lynxes, and seals are part of the local fauna. The woods also attract those who enjoy foraging for mushrooms and wild berries. Rural tourism is developing in Estonia to allow nature enthusiasts to discover the richness of the Estonian landscape.
A Multilingual and Warm-hearted People
Like many small populations with a long history of foreign dominations, Estonians often master several languages. German was, until a few decades ago, the language of the bourgeoisie and is still spoken by many Estonians. Russian was the official language of the USSR, of which Estonia was a member. Additionally, a significant minority of the country's inhabitants are Russian-speaking, with families from across the Union. In Tallinn, Russian is almost as present as Estonian, and in cities like Narva, it is dominant.
English is spoken by a large part of the population who learn it very well at school. Even in provincial supermarkets, don't be surprised if you're spoken to in perfect English! Finnish, a language related to Estonian, is very understandable for Estonians who often learn it thanks to ties with their northern neighbor. Not to mention the students visible in Tartu or Tallinn who master French, Italian or Spanish.
As you can see: even if you only speak your own language, you will have little difficulty making yourself understood in this country, accustomed to linguistic gymnastics! As for the kindness of Estonians, you will notice it when someone comes to guide you even before you ask or accompanies you to your destination. Imbued with a strong sense of hospitality, Estonians will do their utmost to make you feel comfortable in their small country.
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