Article Estonia’s holiday haven

Empty beaches. Quiet country roads. Seal spotting and orchid hunting. Simple meals of smoked fish and fresh bread.

The list goes on; the reasons to visit Saaremaa are endless!

Even so, one of the top reasons visitors (and locals!) come to Estonia’s largest island is to escape the daily grind of life in the city. There is space to spare on Saaremaa, and time seems to slow down and flow with the tides.

Here are five ways you can relax on Saaremaa:

1) Unwind at a spa in Kuressaare

There is a reason Saaremaa is sometimes called “SPA-remaa” — there are six spa hotels in the capital alone. The island has a long history as a healing destination; the first medicinal mud baths were opened on Sareemaa in 1824. Now, many of these spas build on this historic tradition.

2) Hunt for orchids in Vilsandi National Park

Of the 38 orchid species in Estonia, 36 can be found on Saaremaa. A glimpse of these beautiful flowers is a delightful reward for those willing to walk slowly and immerse themselves in the park’s wild landscape.

3) Admire the view from a lighthouse

There are two lighthouses to climb on Saaremaa. Sõrve Lighthouse stands tall on a long peninsula jutting out into the sea; after visiting the lighthouse, wander to the peninsula’s tip and dip your toes into the water. Vilsandi Lighthouse, Estonia’s westernmost lighthouse, is in Vilsandi National Park. The island’s third lighthouse, Kiipsaare Lighthouse, can only be viewed from the outside, as it stands in water,  leaning precariously like the Tower of Pisa.

4) Enjoy the sunset from atop a SUP board

Rent a paddleboard and take it to an idyllic location anywhere on the island. Cruise around the coastline and let the waves gently rock you as you watch the sunset and listen to the sound of seagulls. If you’ve already spent the day relaxing on the beach, try floating down the Nasva River or paddling through Koigi Bog.

5) Spend the night at an eco-friendly accommodation

The Green Key designation is reserved for places with sustainable business practices. Whether you choose glamping or a mirrored cabin at Pilguse Residency, an igloo hut at HOIA Nature Spa, or a renovated farmhouse, you can rest easy knowing your stay contributes to sustainable tourism in Saaremaa.

As the poet Rachel Field wrote:

“If once you have slept on an island
You’ll never be quite the same.”

Visit Saaremaa and experience this transformation for yourself!