Steppe, patriarchal, and unhurried Estonia is just one aspect of this unique forested nation. While Estonians deeply respect the traditions of their ancestors, they also embrace the present, staying in tune with the times. There's a wealth of activities for the younger crowd, including museum tours, visits to castles and nature parks, beach relaxation, music festivals, and lively clubbing parties.
The experience of a revitalized Estonia begins with a leisurely stroll through the stylish and bohemian Kalamaja district, where hipsters and the city's bohemians reside. This neighborhood, nestled between Tallinn Bay and the Old Town, features charming wooden houses with attics, painted in vibrant, life-affirming colors. In place of mundane offices, you'll find creative workshops and avant-garde art galleries. Pompous restaurants have taken the place of atmospheric bars and conceptual cafes, and boutiques have replaced flea markets, offering vintage goods, antique furniture, and delightful knick-knacks at bargain prices.
The Estonians' inclination to transform any available space into an art haven resonates with the creative youth. The esteemed Sinilind lounge bar in the capital hosts movie nights, while the private Von Krahl theater rocks to reggae and rock 'n' roll in the evenings. Unique venues like rigs and barns serve as stages for music festivals.
Away from the bustling beaches and hiking trails, the world of extreme sports and gaming thrives, offering young travelers myriad ways to gain new experiences beyond the confines of daily life. During a vacation in Estonia, many people discover activities like golfing, archery, wave balancing, scuba diving, and the thrill of riding go-karts and sports cars. Here's an overview of the most popular sports in Estonia.
Water Sports in Estonia
Estonia's rugged coastline, adorned with artistic beauty, is a haven for yachting and kayaking enthusiasts. While navigating between picturesque islands, mariners have the chance to witness rare bird species soaring over landscapes steeped in history.
Starting from Tallinn, you can embark on an exhilarating journey around Prangli, Aegna, and Naissaar islands. For less experienced sailors, a leisurely cruise from the Old Harbor to the Flying Harbor offers a chance to admire an extensive display of historic ships.
In the western part of the country, popular itineraries stretch from Haapsalu to Hiiumaa, Osmussar, and Vormsi. In the east, sailing boats navigate the lakes of Saadjärv, Võrtsjärv, and Peipsi. The vast expanses of water don't restrict the vessel's course, and along the way, you'll discover intriguing anchorages along the coast and deserted inland islands.
The southern regions also present numerous fascinating routes for yachts and kayaks. The islands of Kihnu, Sorgu, Ruhnu, and Mania in Pärnu's waters are well worth exploring. If you seek solitude away from the hustle and bustle of Saaremaa, consider heading to the secluded island of Abruka, home to only 40 people.
The official yachting season in Estonia spans from May to September. Due to the high influx of tourists in July and August, finding mooring spots can be challenging. Therefore, it's advisable to plan your visit to Estonia for sailing in May, June, or September. Keep in mind that many of the island areas are designated as nature reserves, so you may need permission from the county nature conservation office to disembark.
Estonia's extensive network of rivers and lakes is incredibly appealing to paddlers and rafters. The substantial snowmelt during April and May leads to a rapid rise in water levels, promising an exciting adventure with raging torrents, rapids, and whirlpools. A boat trip through the flooded Soomaa Park, which carries the intriguing atmosphere of the cult film Stalker, is a revelation for many tourists.
The finest paddling tour routes in Estonia are primarily concentrated in the southern part of the country. While paddling along the Ahja, Piuza, Võhandu, and Emajõgi rivers, you'll encounter an authentic, non-touristy Estonia. The post-apocalyptic landscapes featuring farms, villages, and pastures emerging amidst abandoned Soviet-era farms and grain elevators evoke a complex blend of emotions and provoke profound thoughts with paradoxical conclusions.
Water Sports in Estonia
Estonia's rugged coastline, adorned with artistic beauty, is a haven for yachting and kayaking enthusiasts. While navigating between picturesque islands, mariners have the chance to witness rare bird species soaring over landscapes steeped in history.
Starting from Tallinn, you can embark on an exhilarating journey around Prangli, Aegna, and Naissaar islands. For less experienced sailors, a leisurely cruise from the Old Harbor to the Flying Harbor offers a chance to admire an extensive display of historic ships.
In the western part of the country, popular itineraries stretch from Haapsalu to Hiiumaa, Osmussar, and Vormsi. In the east, sailing boats navigate the lakes of Saadjärv, Võrtsjärv, and Peipsi. The vast expanses of water don't restrict the vessel's course, and along the way, you'll discover intriguing anchorages along the coast and deserted inland islands.
The southern regions also present numerous fascinating routes for yachts and kayaks. The islands of Kihnu, Sorgu, Ruhnu, and Mania in Pärnu's waters are well worth exploring. If you seek solitude away from the hustle and bustle of Saaremaa, consider heading to the secluded island of Abruka, home to only 40 people.
In the realm of Neptune: diving in Estonia
Diving camps are open all summer long in the resort town of Toila, as well as in Saaremaa, Mohni, and Pakri. There are many interesting artifacts on the seabed for experienced divers: a "ship graveyard" between the islands of Vormsi and Hiiumaa, a submarine demagnetization station in Hara, and a downed Soviet fighter jet in the waters of Kuressaare.
Pang's cliffs lead off into the depths with long rocky terraces that form fantastic offshore landscapes, and in Lohusalu Bay on the outskirts of the port town of Laulasmaa, just half an hour's drive from Tallinn, you can stumble across the wreck of the sunken steamship Joseph Stalin. In the neighboring town of Rummu, there is another curious object - a sunken limestone quarry and prison, which was decommissioned relatively recently - in 2012.
Inland divers love the Neugrund crater on Osmussar Island, which is home to several sunken ships, the underwater sculpture park at Saadjarv Lake, and the clear spring lake Jantu, which is as clear as a baby's tear. The most experienced swimmers can go crab hunting at Karuyarv Lake and then enjoy a flavorful soup made over a campfire from fresh prey.
The recreational diving season in Estonia lasts from May to September, but experienced divers prefer to dive in spring and early autumn when sea and lake waters remain clear to a depth of 10 meters. A wet wetsuit with good waterproofing is a must for diving in Estonia, as the water temperature at depth is noticeably lower than in the surface layer.
Speed betting: motorsport and motorcycling in Estonia
Rally parks and go-kart tracks in Estonia free the mind from clichés better than any Shao-Lin. When you get clipped by a local on the speedway, jokes about Estonians won't be funny anymore. Estonians enjoy speed as much as Gogol's character, but nowadays you can't get away with it on the highway - there may be a hidden police camera behind any tree. The only thing left to do is to take your breath away on go-karts and in rally parks, as there are more than enough places for motorsport in Estonia.
The number of karting grounds is incalculable. Not only specialized karting clubs such as FK Keskus in Iismäe, Pärnu Karting Centre or Käinu, but also the adventure parks of Viismi, Aravete, Laitse, and Kõrvemaa offer interesting tracks for amateurs. And in the sports village of Uuskalla, folk craftsmen have solved the secret of the legendary rook that runs both on the sea and on dry land, revealing to the world an amazing invention - three-wheeled go-karts with sails that get their acceleration from the wind.
The average length of open tracks is about a kilometer; on indoor kart tracks, the distance is reduced to 300-400 meters. The Triobet karting center near the Laagri Maksimarket parking lot in Harjumaa County boasts a maximum indoor track length of 450 meters. A pass to the attraction costs 10-15 EUR.
For thrills, locals go on jeep safaris and quad bike races through mountains and sand pits. By the way, Estonia is also one of the European Union's top countries in terms of off-road vehicles per capita.
High-speed fans can afford a couple of crazy days on the twisty roads of Rallis, the twisty tracks of a rally park in Lites, or the amateur tracks of Roosta and Roosta adventure parks at Roost and Padizet adventure parks. More challenging challenges await at the Piiroya circuit, where the Supercross Cup rounds have been held since 2008, Piiroya Kulasprint, and ice races.
In the realm of Neptune: diving in Estonia
Diving camps are open all summer long in the resort town of Toila, as well as in Saaremaa, Mohni, and Pakri. There are many interesting artifacts on the seabed for experienced divers: a "ship graveyard" between the islands of Vormsi and Hiiumaa, a submarine demagnetization station in Hara, and a downed Soviet fighter jet in the waters of Kuressaare.
Pang's cliffs lead off into the depths with long rocky terraces that form fantastic offshore landscapes, and in Lohusalu Bay on the outskirts of the port town of Laulasmaa, just half an hour's drive from Tallinn, you can stumble across the wreck of the sunken steamship Joseph Stalin. In the neighboring town of Rummu, there is another curious object - a sunken limestone quarry and prison, which was decommissioned relatively recently - in 2012.
Inland divers love the Neugrund crater on Osmussar Island, which is home to several sunken ships, the underwater sculpture park at Saadjarv Lake, and the clear spring lake Jantu, which is as clear as a baby's tear. The most experienced swimmers can go crab hunting at Karuyarv Lake and then enjoy a flavorful soup made over a campfire from fresh prey.
The recreational diving season in Estonia lasts from May to September, but experienced divers prefer to dive in spring and early autumn when sea and lake waters remain clear to a depth of 10 meters. A wet wetsuit with good waterproofing is a must for diving in Estonia, as the water temperature at depth is noticeably lower than in the surface layer.
Roads, dust and fog: cycling tourism in Estonia
Traveling around Estonia by bicycle is an excellent alternative to trivial package tours. You can ride around historic manor houses by bus in your retirement, but youth tends to crave the untraveled paths. The country is braided with a dense network of cycle paths that link towns, farms, villages and nature parks into spectacular routes that lift the veil of luboka over the country's non-touristy underside.
The country's most popular cycling route is the Viljandi-Tartu route, which winds around hills and oases lined with the coolness of glacial lakes lined with lilies and water lilies. One by one, the traveler will see all the significant natural monuments of the region: the highest point of Estonia Suur-Munamägi, the Nightingale Valley, the man-made caves of Piusa Canyon and the Taevaskoda Valley.
The longest Estovelo route covers every county in the country. Since one-fifth of the country is covered by nature reserves that are off-limits to private cars, a long pedal ride earns cyclists an enviable prize, with views of relic landscapes that other travelers see only in photographs.
Bicycle rentals and cycling clubs are also available on the islands. In summer, for example, Wormsey offers one- and two-day bicycle tours from Svibyu harbor to Hullo and Suuremõisa Palace, including the island's main attractions. It's also convenient to bike to Rumpo Spit and enjoy the solitude of birdwatching in the surf.
For those who are into biking, the Lontova Adventure Park is worth a visit for a thrilling ride on a steel cable stretched to a height of 190 meters. The courage is immediately rewarded with breathtaking views of the Kunda River valley that you can't see from the ground.
The road service for cyclists in Estonia is just as well thought out as it is for motorists. There are plenty of motels along the way where you can rest, shower, and eat before the journey.
The best time for cycling and horseback riding in Estonia is April-May, when the tracks are dry enough but not yet crowded with holidaymakers. In late August and September, the wind picks up sharply in the coastal regions, and the prospect of getting soaked to the skin in cold rain is no fun.
"This is no plain for you here": mountaineering and rock climbing
The bizarre patterns of the cliffs and ledges of the Baltic Glint, frozen in a frenetic shamanic dance, have stolen more than one heart, but no matter what the tempting serpent whispers in your left ear, it's dangerous to go rock climbing on Estonian steeps without thorough training.
The path to shining ice peaks always starts with easy walls and rope trails in family adventure parks. Good climbing equipment has also been installed in the sports complex of the Lõunakeskus shopping and entertainment center in Tartu.
In cold weather, training can be transferred to the indoor climbing wall Ronimisministeerium in Tallinn, which is currently considered the largest climbing training center in the Baltics. The total area of the climbing walls reaches 400 square meters; routes of any level of difficulty are mounted from hooks.
After graduating with honors from the young fighter course in Estonia, the athlete will feel confident on professional rope trails and steep walls in the adventure parks of Laitse, Tehvandi, and Padise.
The gift of flight: parachuting and small aviation in Estonia
The exhilarating thrill of defeating gravity leads the most desperate romantics to gliding and skydiving. Estonian flying clubs gladly welcome skydivers, glider pilots, and amateur pilots from other countries, providing comfortable conditions for learning and improving skills.
From April to September, the Ridali airfield invites everyone to take an aerial ride in a two-seat glider or a light single-engine airplane. The clouds offer a stunning panorama of the protected forests of Põlvamaa County, with intricate hiking trails and occasional blotches of bogs.
The Kuusiku airfield in Rapla specializes in IAD and AFF parachute training. The first jumps are done in tandem with an instructor, while the second time you can jump on your own.
In early August, the world's best skydivers will show their class at the Parasummer international skydiving tournament, which is traditionally hosted by Estonia's summer capital. Watching the precision landing competition on Pärnu's Pärnu City Beach is a favorite pastime of holidaymakers: don't miss the opportunity to have your photo taken with an athlete making a soft landing on the warm sand!
High Tech Era Games
The mass craze for high-tech games is another plus for Estonia's young audience. Geocaching, a GPS-guided team game organized like an orienteering competition, is replacing out-of-print quests.
The players' task is to search for various objects by GPS-coordinates. The finds serve as clues to solve a riddle or find a hidden object. The routes are designed with the help of Loquiz, a computer program developed by Estonian specialists.
Organizing GPS games at tourist farms, recreation centers, and abandoned buildings is usually done by Estonian tour operators and event agencies on behalf of corporate clients, but if you have at least eight people in your company, you can already be considered a full-fledged team.
On the outskirts of Tallin, geocaching takes you to Kallaste Farm, Padise Adventure Park, and Paldiski, where there are many abandoned buildings and bunkers inherited from the Soviet army. In Pärnu, the newfangled hobby is promoted by the company Seikle Vabaks.
Challenge Robin Hood: archery in Estonia
To the delight of active role-players, the sport of archery in Estonia is no less popular than paintball, laser tag, and photo-hunting, but it's a lot cheaper - from 10 to 20 EUR. There are also free target parks, such as the Lääne archery camp in the village of Kullamegsa on the banks of the Liivi River.
You can practice the art of William Tell alone or with friends. The archery trails in Kõrvemaa, Rüütli Manor, and Niijesaare Park are good for organizing relay races, while the open shooting range at Kuressaare hillfort offers archery and crossbow master classes by experienced sportsmen.
Kajamaa Tourist Farm specializes in "bloodless hunting," replacing real game with animal stands. For each "trophy," the player is awarded a certain number of points depending on the difficulty of the target. Play two or three games, and you'll return from your vacation a worthy opponent of Robin Hood!
Journey to the edge of the night: Estonia's club life
Estonia is second only to neighboring Latvia in terms of nightlife intensity, but that's hardly a deterrent to a lively group of young people having a good time. The lack of offerings is compensated for by excellent cuisine, stylish interiors, and a high culture of service, while the exquisite music menu is an exquisite play of emotions of incredible power.
Tallin's few clubs and bars fit easily into the tiny patch between Suur-Karja and Väike-Karja streets, jokingly referred to as the "Bermuda Triangle." Tourists wandering here in the evening disappear without a trace in the twilight and are announced only in the morning, not regretting a crazy night on the dance floor. Boozing in Estonia is not only fun but also cheap: a mug of beer costs 2.50-3 EUR; a cocktail from 5 EUR.
The thorny paths of Tallinn's avant-garde converge at Club Studio, a nightclub that has won the sympathy of music lovers with its advanced Funktion One sound system. On Fridays and Saturdays, house parties and techno concerts draw full houses, and the crowd is interesting - representatives of the city's bohemians and various subcultures.
The capital's best jazz club has taken over the creative space of the PADA Cauldron Garden, while dance music is set by Venus Club, a pleasant establishment without excessive pathos, where you can relax in a fun and inexpensive way, taking advantage of a 30% discount on cocktails, which is valid for an hour after the club's opening. One drink is enough to loosen up your mind and body! And if you're a sultry party at the youth bars Kohvic and Noorus, you can get rid of complexes and gain self-confidence.
Rockers will definitely love the Tapper Club, where the timeless celebration of Woodstock reigns supreme. The sacred monsters of world rock perform on the same stage as the young bands that will one day wipe their former idols from the face of the earth. The black box-style bar, embraced by diffused, dimmed light, brings elements of provocation and intrigue to the interior.
The conceptual bar Levist Valjas is well-liked by fans of the Middle Ages. The designers have transformed the salon and lounge area into torch-lit caves in the best traditions of 18th-century Gothic novels. Nimble waiters in colorful folk costumes feed guests not only snacks and drinks but also the juicy humor of the city fair.
The avant-garde segment is dominated by Violet Lounge, a trendy club known for its futuristic interiors and empathetic show program. The flashy image contrasts brightly with the cozy intelligent atmosphere of the institution, which disposes to intimate conversations past midnight. But you shouldn't go to Club 69 out of idle curiosity - according to an unspoken tradition, representatives of the LGBT community gather here in the evenings.
Tartu's club culture is heavily influenced by experimental music. The leading positions of Maasikas and Va Bank clubs, which sealed the fate of Estonian pop music during their time, are being actively challenged by a new type of establishment - the art lounge Club Genialist and Club Brooklyn, which promote alternative dance music. There's also Rock&Roll Heaven, a rock club that plays to old-school traditions, and Vaarikas, Sunset, and Sugar disco clubs, where some of the country's best musicians and DJs perform.
Paradoxical and unpredictable as nature itself, Estonia shimmers with all the colors of the world, promising young pilgrims incredible discoveries and insights. A journey through Estonia becomes a search for oneself in a labyrinth of incredible possibilities, at the end of which the winner receives the most enviable prize - the joy of life and eternal spring in the soul.
