ACTIVITIES
Beaches
Estonia has many beautiful, picturesque and pristine beaches. One of the popular beaches is located near Tallinn – the Pirita Beach. Another popular destination is Pärnu, the summer capital of Estonia, with many unspoiled beaches.
Sightseeing
Estonian cities have plenty of attractions. Tallinn is a magical town, with the medieval old town, lovely cobbled streets and magnificent buildings from the Tsarist period. There are also numerous museums worth visiting. Other towns with plenty of things to see include Narva, Pärnu, Saaremaa and Tartu.
Hiking/Walking
Hiking in Estonia gives an opportunity to discover the unspoiled nature and beautiful landscapes. Many fantastic trails are situated in the national parks and nature reserves such as the Lahemaa National Park, the Vilsandi National Park and the Soomaa National Park.
Skiing
The skiing season starts in the end of November and often lasts till the end of March. Heavy snowfalls are common in winter and thus, Estonia has great conditions for skiing. Besides downhill skiing, other winter sports are also popular. These include cross-country skiing and snowboarding. The best resorts are to be found in the southern part of Estonia.
Water sports
Water sports are extremely popular in Estonia – surfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, waterskiing and sailing in the Baltic Sea and in lakes, canoeing and kayaking in rivers.
Fishing
Fishing requires a fishing permit which can be obtained from fishing clubs or fishing tackle shops. Prices range from 15 kroons for one day to 180 for a year. Line fishing (with on ordinary rode) does not require any permit. Fish species that can be found in the Estonian waters include: bream, carp, catfish, eel, flounder, perch, pike, roach, salmon, tench and turbot.
Nightlife
Nightlife in Estonia is vibrant and diverse. There is a wide range of cafes, bars, nightclubs and restaurants. Every major town has various venues where people can eat, drink, socialize and dance. Many locals are open until midnight and longer during weekends.
Other
Besides the activities mentioned above and besides traditional ways of spending time such as cycling, horse riding or playing golf, extreme sports are becoming more and more popular in Estonia. The most surprising tradition is the Wife Carrying Championship and it is really worth seeing.
