In May, Estonia is gearing up for the high season. The sun is almost summer-like, temperatures reach +15-16°C during the day, and short-term rain is easy to wait out in a café or tent.
Active recreation in Estonia in May is a big hit with independent travelers. While the tourist trails of the national parks are not crowded with resort crowds, you can enjoy contemplating the relic landscapes in peace. Cycling tours to Estonia in May have become popular for similar reasons: it's much more comfortable to ride along cycle paths at your own pace than to stick to the speed of the traffic.
When hiking, you'll see serene valleys and meadows covered with wildflowers. A photo chronicle of Estonia in spring would be incomplete without capturing for posterity the famous daffodil field in Sookaldups in Vara Parish - a unique phenomenon of successful acclimatization of yellow daffodils in the wild. May is also the month of dandelion blossom, on the occasion of which the village of Kihlepa organizes folk festivals and a gastronomic show with drinks and dishes made from dandelions.
From the first days of May, the Kuusiku, Ridali, and Nurmse flying clubs invite everyone to take a ride in a glider or a four-engine recreational airplane. If you decide to go tandem skydiving, the feeling of flying in the gentle embrace of the wind will be an inexhaustible source of inspiration and self-confidence, while an experienced instructor will take care of the technical side of things.
When the squally winds subside, new opportunities for water-based recreation open up - diving, yachting, and kayaking along a coastline artistically torn to shreds by small islands.
Adventurers are not the only category of travelers who might be interested in Estonia in spring. Lace Days, which celebrates the skills of Seto women, continue almost all month long in the historic Setomaa region. From May 5 to May 26, there is an exhibition and sale of lace creations, master classes in various weaving techniques, and as always, the food is top-notch!
We recommend coming to the Seto Lace Days in early May, as the celebration of Orthodox Easter in Setomaa this year falls on May Day. Getting acquainted with Seto ritual practices allows you to see the creative interaction of Finno-Ugric, Slavic, and Christian cultures in a living folklore tradition.
At the end of the month, the Seto town of Värska is flooded with delegations of folklorists from around the world rushing to the Day of Leelo - authentic runic singing with female lead vocals. To the enchanting sounds of ancient folk music, scenes of legends and tales rush by in a disturbed imagination, restoring the lost connection of time.
May festivities don't just unfold in Seto's domain. In the town of Tosta, the RäimeWest Fishing Festival takes place May 14-15. To celebrate the arrival of fishing boats with the first catch of Baltic herring, concerts, theatrical performances, and souvenir fairs with tastings of salted and smoked herring are organized at Lao Wharf.
A sargan trolling tournament is held in Kärdla on May 28 to mark the opening of the motorized fishing season. Competitions of fishing boat crews are accompanied by master classes of marine arts, fish fairs, and attractions for the whole family, and in the evening, there are discos and dance contests at the marina.
The ethnic seasons culminate in May with the Baltic Sea Cultural Bridges festival in Sillamäe. The festival offers colorful sketches of Estonian, Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian, and other local cultures represented in Estonia.
The sports community in Estonia in May is centered around running and cycling. Even Labor Day is celebrated not with demonstrations in the squares, but with a marathon race around the picturesque Lake Viljandi. A week later, on May 8, an open marathon will start in Tartu, and girls and women can join the SEB Women's Spring Health Day Run in the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds. There will be prizes and souvenirs at the finish line for all female participants of the marathon. There will be separate shortened courses for children, so you can come to Estonia's sports festivals with the whole family.
The Mulgi Cycling Marathon near Viljandi and the Tartu Cycling Rally, offering two distances of 142 and 63 kilometers, set a record as the largest road race in Eastern Europe and are beloved by amateur cyclists. The program also boasts the world's largest children's cycling race, featuring over 3,600 young athletes.
Witness world-class professionals in action at the Tour of Estonia cycling race. Every last Saturday in May, thousands of fans line the streets of Tartu to cheer on the final stage of the Tartu Grand Prix and participate in the awards ceremony.
Estonia's intellectual scene on the cusp of summer revolves around two significant events during the first week of the month. The diverse program of the Jõhvi Ballet Festival, from May 5th to 8th, spans the history of choreographic art from Baroque to Art Nouveau.
Almost simultaneously, from May 4th to 7th, Tartu hosts the PrimaVista International Literary Festival, providing readers with the opportunity to meet their favorite authors and explore new books firsthand. For book enthusiasts, another celebration awaits at the end of the month in Tallinn during the HeadRead festival, featuring poetry evenings, discussions, literary tours, and performances.
As the second week of May draws to a close, the TeaterKohvris Puppet Theater Festival in Viljandi eagerly awaits visitors, especially those with children. The heartwarming tales of puppets brought to life by skilled masters will captivate young audiences, while adults can admire the ingenious stagecraft, engaging dramaturgy, and meticulously crafted sets.
Following the tradition of European capitals, Tallinn hosts Museum Night every second Saturday in May, offering free romantic tours and theatrical performances in dimly lit galleries.
Since it's still early in the season, May presents an opportunity for more budget-friendly holidays in Estonia, compared to the peak of the beach season. However, it's worth noting that flight and accommodation costs tend to rise. Most tour operators offer Estonia tours in May in the price range of 360-450 EUR.
If you're planning your own vacation using tripmydream, you can potentially enjoy a more affordable trip and an even richer experience.
