The Hidden Gem of the Baltics: Saaremaa

Saaremaa Basics

• Location: Saaremaa is the main island of Saare County. It is located to the west of mainland Estonia in the Baltic Sea. The capital of the island is Kuressaare.
• Climate: Maritime climate. Winters are freezing and summers are chilly. It would be wise to dress in layers when traveling to Saaremaa, and to Estonia in general.
• Language: Local islanders speak Estonian but since it is a touristic destination, one can get by with English comfortably.
• Population: Kuressaare, the biggest city on the island, has a population of a little over 13,000 people whereas the entire island consists of around 31,000.
• Currency: Euros. Credit cards are widely accepted everywhere, exchange bureaus may not be as readily available as those that are in the mainland.
• Best Time to Visit: During summer when the weather is the nicest, but it also presents an unmatched experience of ice-driving for those that consider going in winter! Details below.

Located off the western coast of Estonia, Saaremaa is a true hidden gem in the greater Baltics region. The island is only a thirty minutes ferry ride away from the mainland and easily accessible as there are regular rides during the day.

Saarema is one of the 2,222 islands in Estonia with a beautiful castle right at the heart of it. The island has an interesting history, great restaurants and internationally adored SPA hotels. With its sandy beaches and untouched nature, Saaremaa is the true hidden gem of the Baltics!

 

Getting to Saaremaa

You can get to Saaremaa by ferry from the mainland Estonia. There are frequent ferry rides during the day and the ride only takes less than 30 minutes. One thing to watch out during the high season is the lines at the harbor as they can get very long in the summer. But luckily this can be overcome by purchasing your tickets online here!

There is also an interesting fun fact – during the winter it is actually possible to DRIVE to the island on the water that freezes over and becomes an ice road! However the road must only be used when there is an official announcement made by the authorities, otherwise it can get very dangerous.

One can also take the plane and fly to Kuressaare, the island’s capital, from Tallinn. The flight approximately takes 35 minutes and there are usually two flights a day on the weekdays.

There are various busses that operate in the lines from the major cities of Tallinn, Tartu and Pärnu. I have personally tried the bus option myself and I highly recommend it! It is a very comfortable ride with movie and free coffee options on the bus and you can also treat yourself with a warm meal once you get on the ferry!

A Viking Island

Saaremaa is not only the center of attention for today’s travelers but it was also a place of interest to the fierce Viking warriors! Two pre-Viking period ships were unearthed in Saaremaa back in 2008, defining the Vikings before the Vikings. After years of careful excavation work, the findings from the ships were put on display in 2021, and thus the year was named - the Year of the Vikings.

Viking history in Saaremaa dates back to the prehistoric times when Eastern Vikings sailed across the Baltic Sea to organize raids and trade with southerners. Via this route, they even made their way all the way down to Istanbul which was back then the Byzantine capital. Being situated right at the start of this route, Saaremaa was a very important destination since controlling Saaremaa meant controlling the entire trade.

Today there are a lot of Viking-themed activities that could be find here. Also, a number of beautiful Viking souvenirs are available for those who want to take a piece of this Viking Island with them!

 

Nature

Nature in Saaremaa Island is unique and picturesque. Saaremaa offers its visitors wonderful hiking trails where one can enjoy the greenery in peace. Vilsandi Nature Park is the first that comes to mind for such trails, which also has the longest and most popular hiking trail on the island.

Hikers also have the chance to see the seals taking a break and lying on the ground. Seal watching is a big deal in Saaremaa and there are numerous tourism firms that can take you to the best places where it is possible to view the seals.

There is also a bog walking option available on the island. Koigi bog has a very peaceful four kilometer long hiking trail with a boardwalk. If bog is not enough for you don’t worry, it is also possible to hike in water in Saarema to get to the nearby islets!

The island has received a few awards and recognitions on being a sustainable travel destination. Around 95% of the orchid species found throughout Estonia belong to Saaremaa. Saarema is also a very popular spot for birdwatchers since the migratory birds stop by in Saaremaa as part of their migration routes.

In addition, there are wonderful beaches that provide the tourists with an opportunity to sunbathe in summer. The beaches are very clean and sandy, and  lifeguards are present on most of them.

 

Kaali Crater

One just cannot go about without mentioning the Kaali meteorite crater when talking about Saaremaa. The crater is a must-see in my opinion when visiting the island!

It is a truly mystical and otherworldly experience just experiencing the crater and looking at the water that fills what remains from the crash. Its surroundings are very quiet and green which only adds to the feeling of amazement.

The Kaali Crater ranks #8 among all the craters in the world in terms of size. Transportation to the crater is free from the city center by mini busses but make sure to catch the correct bus on the right time!

Kuressaare Castle

Kuressaare Castle is one of the best preserved fortifications found in Estonia. The castle is located right between the beach and a large park making it even more remarkable as its surroundings are very picturesque.

This Gothic style castle was built by the Christian crusaders back in the 14th cc. to gain a wider control over the island since the islanders resisted to convert. It served many purposes to various powers throughout the history and even had around 300 killed on its grounds during the Nazi occupation.

The castle also houses a museum of history within its walls with many interesting artifacts from the medieval times. There are permanent and periodic exhibitions to be found at the Kuressaare Castle.

On the top floor awaits an amazing café its customers with one of the best views in entire Estonia! The café is so cozy that its warm atmosphere makes you feel home and the refreshments it offers wash all your tiredness away.

There are also fun activities for children in addition to adults from treasure hunts to archery and so on! Here is an official link for a virtual tour of the castle and its beautiful surroundings. WIFI is available at the castle as well as wheelchair access. Visitors can buy interesting souvenirs and items from the gift store located right outside.

Lastly, there are windmills are scattered around the castle by the beach, making it irresistible for those who love taking photos. Kuressaare Castle and its beautiful surroundings are the main attraction in Saaremaa and definitely worth seeing if you decide to visit the island!

 

Restaurants & SPAs

You are in the right place if you are an absolute foodie like me! Saaremaa is home to numerous restaurants and cafes that serve delicious fresh food. The island also has a food festival where each restaurant serves some of its best dishes as a menu during the festival.

The sea and the forest has an important role in the preparation of the dishes. Local restaurants mostly use fresh seafood and other natural ingredients and that is probably why everything you taste on the island is absolutely amazing!

Local farms and fisheries contribute to the taste of the food served at the restaurants. For example, the fish caught in the morning can be found on the menu of almost every seafood restaurant. There are also locally made jams and honey if you are into such delights!

Although the center of Kuressaare is packed with such restaurants, my favorite one is located a few minutes’ walk away from the center and it is called Veski. It is almost impossible not to notice this restaurant because of the beautiful windmill. It has a very authentic atmosphere inside, amazing food, an area for the kids to play and very helpful waitresses.

Another restaurant I would recommend is called Kodulinna Lokaal which is located right in the center. We tried the fish and seafood pasta there and it is already at the top of our list the next time we visit the island!

Saaremaa is also a paradise when it comes to SPAs.  There is a wide variety of SPA facilities and hotels on the island, providing massage, sauna, food and relaxation to its visitors.

Here I drop a link of the most popular SPA places as listed on the Island’s official webpage. I very much like the fact that some of the facilities are right at the heart of the center while some are located in quieter areas so there is something for everyone!

By now I believe you have a pretty good idea about what to do on the island and its main attractions! As I am ending the blog here, feel free to contact me if you have any questions about Saaremaa or how to get to the island etc. Although it may look a little far away from Tallinn, it is definitely worth a visit if you are staying in Estonia for more than a couple of days!