QUICK GET-AWAY TO ESTONIA

What comes to your mind when you think about Estonia? Northern, cold, windy, green, forested… All of that is true, BUT in addition to that there is so many cool spots not to be missed.

So, we planned a 3-day trip excluding Tallinn and decided to visit 3 major spots: Tartu, Pärnu and the island of Saaremaa.

TARTU

Chill town that belongs to students. Couple of places besides the top nominated ones not to be missed:

- Aparaaditehas (https://goo.gl/maps/KkkRyGTWUgmGKJpW6). A former factory territory outside of old town that has several restaurants (Aparaat, Tiili, other ), bars, museums, galleries, shops and a flea market on the weekends. Strongly recommend! It shows a hip side of life in Tartu.

- Pepe’s Bistro and Social Club (https://g.page/pepesbistro?share). Great place to hang out in the evening, to dine or just have drink. It has an amazing outside yard and a balcony.

- The bank of Emajõgi river (https://goo.gl/maps/HfadDv3vezdZTEWF9) with several food trucks and bars selling, drinks and playing music surrounded by number of sunbeds and tables. A perfect spot to stop and enjoy the town vibe.

- Werner café (https://goo.gl/maps/EUXiHKGufrLnh9HWA). Probably the best place for breakfast in town. Fantastic pastry and cakes!

RUMMU QUARRY

Long story short it is an abandoned limestone quarry that was run by the hard labor of prisoners, after 1990 as the Soviet Union collapsed, prisons inside Estonia were merged and this one was abandoned.

What you can find there is a short but stunning hike, paddling, kayaking and even scuba diving. Besides the sunken part of the building you can find art exhibition underwater – yes, as cool as that.

Entry fee to the territory - 4 EUR per person.

PÄRNU

Places worth visiting:

- Supelsaksad (https://goo.gl/maps/C2qN2pvgdcsmWQgRA). A retro café with super cozy atmosphere. Once you’re there you must try the best ever olive and rosemary croissant role.

- Vehverments Bar & Tostadas (https://goo.gl/maps/9twaEeA9d7ADwYr47). Another retro place with grandma’s house like interior. Actually, it is a wooden house turned into a restaurant. Great place to get snack.

- Hea Maa (https://goo.gl/maps/naLfQCqUAoqQKuwM6). Feels and tastes like the best restaurant in town, deservedly on the Baltic White Guide list for several years on the row. But don’t get it wrong – it is not a fine dining place. They manage to keep it cozy and simple.

ISLAND OF SAAREMAA

Obviously, you need to take a ferry to get to the island. It runs more or less every 30-60 min. and takes 25 min. Price: 3 EUR per person and 8.4 EUR per car.

Saaremaa is the biggest island of Estonia with a few old windmills (https://goo.gl/maps/x6hPhaMQE4ekmcjH9), picturesque cliffs in the north (https://goo.gl/maps/SaqHHhzsZrcH78SY8), one small meteorite crater (https://goo.gl/maps/SKWeA4ie7qbQowAg9) and a cool abandoned lighthouse (https://goo.gl/maps/YnD4LsZWiqxPVkwN6) that ended up 50 meters offshore due to erosion. That is just about the full list of tourist “must see” places.

Or you can head straight to island’s biggest town Kuresaare with a majestic castle and at least a couple of good places to eat:

- Windmill restaurant (https://g.page/saaremaaveski?share). As the name says it, it is an old windmill turned into a restaurant, serving local dishes.

- Good Mood Food (https://goo.gl/maps/qkzjmtihGTAFhvEMA). A place for breakfast, brunch or any time of day healthy / vegan snack.