Saaremaa Estonia how to get there. About the islands of Estonia. Where to go, what to see. Saaremaa Island or the most Estonian Estonia Brief information about Saaremaa
You are doing the right thing by considering all travel options, since this is the only way to choose the most suitable option (both in terms of time and in terms of savings). If you are planning a trip together, then renting a car and traveling further to Saaremaa in it will be a fairly comfortable option, but at the same time the most expensive. Judge for yourself: the distance from Tallinn is approximately 225 kilometers and you will have to spend at least 30 euros on gasoline alone. Depending on the class of car, daily rental starts from 30-35 euros. You won’t be able to get to the island directly; you’ll have to take a ferry across a 7-kilometer strait. A lot of time ferry crossing won't take, but still it additional expenses(crossing time is about an hour). You can pay for the fare on the spot, before the crossing. The cost of ferrying a car is about 10 euros. I do not advise you to focus on this method of travel, as it is not very convenient, expensive, and without knowing the roads and terrain, additional difficulties may arise.
But the possibility of a direct flight from Tallinn to Saaremaa is worth paying attention to, as it is fast, comfortable and not so expensive. I think you are well aware that the cost of flights in Europe is much cheaper than here, especially if early booking tickets. Between Tallinn airport. Airlink operates regular flights to Lennart Mary and the island airport of Kuressaare. You can find detailed information on the airline's website, but general rule On weekdays there are two flights: at 8.35 and 18.35, on Sunday only at 18.35, and on Saturday only at 10.50. The flight time is only 40 minutes and compared to a multi-hour car ride, the difference is simply colossal. Tickets go on sale 12 months before departure, and their minimum cost starts from 30 euros. This price includes 5 kg hand luggage and 15 kilograms of luggage.
There is also a bus service between Tallinn and Saaremaa, and you don’t have to make any transfers: you take the bus to the capital and get off directly on the island, in its main city of Kuressaare. The journey takes place by land and by ferry. Transportation is carried out by different companies, and all flights operate between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. The number of flights depends on the day of the week, but usually there are at least 10. When choosing a carrier, pay attention to the fact that each company has different services. Some offer Wi-Fi to passengers, others have multimedia buses, some have air conditioning and toilets. Buses depart from the Tallinn bus station at Lastekodu 46 and deliver passengers to their destination in about 4 hours. Buses make several stops along the route.
The cost of an adult ticket ranges from 13 to 18 euros. It is advisable to purchase tickets in advance, and not postpone the purchase until the day of the trip, since there may not be any free seats (the destination is very popular). I advise you to pay attention to the carrier Lux Express, which, about a month before the trip, organizes various promotions and offers some tickets for only 5 euros.
On the one hand, it may seem that the best option is to fly: quickly and inexpensively, but this is only if the amount of your luggage does not exceed 15 kilograms, otherwise you will have to pay extra. It is for this reason that many tourists prefer buses.
Of the one and a half thousand large and small Estonian islands, Saaremaa is the largest. Everything on the island breathes history: houses with thatched roofs and stone fences, working windmills, home-made beer, a special dialect local residents. It is here, in this colorful, quiet place, where civilization has still preserved the way of life of its ancestors, and the word “nature” suggests the epithet “virgin”, one of the resorts of Estonia is located - Saaremaa.
How to get there
The uniqueness of this small island in the Baltic Sea lies in its isolated geographical location. Only the dam across the Väike-Väin Strait, along which highway, connects it with the neighboring island of Muhu. But more often you can get here by ferry. To do this, you need to get to the port of Virtsu, and then take a ferry to Muhu Island and after 70 km by car or shuttle bus get to the city of Kuressaare - the center of the island. Buses run to Kuressaare every day from Tallinn, Tartu or Pärnu.
If you want to choose sea route, then ship and ferry connections with the mainland and neighboring islands are maintained through the ports of Myntu, Triigi and Roomassaare. The only airport in Saaremaa is also located in Roomassaare.
Where to stay
On the small island of Saaremaa there are plenty of places where you can stay. Tourism is the main direction of the region's economy, so everyone who comes to the island can stay in quite cozy home hotels, small hotels, comfortable hotels or luxurious spa centers.
Modern SPA centers in Saaremaa, where you can rent a room for two for 100 euros per day, offer a wide variety of services: aqua centers, hydromassage and sauna, swimming pool, salt cave, various types of massages (classical, therapeutic, aromatic), mother-of-pearl wrap and much more. In Kuressaare we can recommend, for example, Georg Ots SPA Hotel, Meri Spa 3* or Ruutli Spa 4*. You will be offered cheaper housing for 40 euros, but the quality of services will be significantly lower.
Renting apartments, apartments and guest houses is much more profitable than staying in a hotel, and you can even afford a small whim - rent an apartment overlooking the bay for a week.
Story
Ecologically clean resort Saaremaa is located on a flat area, and its lakes Suur Lakht, Mullutu Lakht, Karujärv sparkle like large beads among numerous forests and juniper heaths.
According to historians, the island’s territory was inhabited 8,000 years ago and has seen dozens of battles in its lifetime. The population was under the rule of Denmark and Germany, Russia and Sweden. At the end of the 19th century, the first health resort was opened here, and since then Saaremaa has become a popular resort island. In the old days, during its heyday, the island was known not only in Estonia and Western Europe, but people came here to be treated with the unique sea air and healing mud even from Australia.
Weather
The island of Saaremaa is characterized by a mild maritime climate. Since Saaremaa is located in a temperate climate zone, it is characterized by mild winters and relatively long, warm summers. The hottest month is July, when during the day the air warms up to +16...+20 degrees, but at night it is quite cool - +10...+12. But for January, the coldest month at the resort, -4 degrees is the temperature norm, although at night there are frosts down to -10.
During the autumn and winter months in Saaremaa, the weather changes frequently and there is a lot of precipitation (on average about 510 mm per year). The reason for this is strong winds blowing from the sea.
IN swimming season, which lasts from June to August, the sea warms up to +20 degrees. However, you can come to the resort all year round, because people recover and receive treatment in any weather.
Things to do
Why do tourists go to Saaremaa? First of all, for health. A unique combination of sea air and the aroma of a coniferous forest, healing mud containing so many elements of the periodic table that even the Dead Sea would envy it, the purest sea water - all this has been used for 170 years, when the first hospitals opened on the island. Moreover, there is no such healing mud as in Lake Mullutu Suurlaht in any mud bath in the world.
The resort of Saaremaa also attracts with its beaches, which stretch along the entire coast. There are many of them here: sandy, with a gentle entrance to the sea, but mostly pebbly and rocky.
Lovers of a rich cultural or sports life also come here, because there is always something going on on the island: either a maritime festival, or Kuresaari Opera Days, even Castle Days. Sports fans can expect the Saaremaa Rally and the Cycling Tour in June or October.
There is something to do for amateurs too active rest: fishing, cycling, horse riding, exciting sea voyages on boats and yachts with visits to small neighboring islands, the most interesting of which is seals.
Here you can see various natural objects, protected by the state, for example, national park Viilsandi or Viidumäe Nature Reserve. And in the city of Kaali you can “gaze” at the largest meteorite crater in Europe or the famous mills in Angla. Add here various historical sites, for example, medieval castle A bishop with real dungeons and instruments of medieval torture or the Mihkli farm museum on Wiki, and you can immediately understand that you won’t be bored in Saaremaa.
Shopping
Many people often go shopping when traveling. Saaremaa is no exception. In local stores shopping centers, malls, souvenir shops and markets there will always be some little thing that will remind you of your trip to this resort island. For example, the product of their local stone - dolomite, or souvenirs and dishes made of juniper.
You can buy clothes from local designers, well-known branded items, jewelry, and valuable jewellery, and technical innovations. In general, you won’t leave local retail outlets empty-handed.
In general, you always want to return to Saaremaa. There is something for everyone here: travelers with the whole family will enjoy SPA treatments, romantic couples and dreamy souls will find solitude in numerous farmsteads, fishing enthusiasts will be happy to settle in the towns of Pähkla, Kalaküla or Pidula.
I told you about every place we managed to visit in two days on the island of Saaremaa. In this blog, I want to combine everything into one route, give some advice, and balance both the finances that the trip entailed and the kilometers we had to cover.
When we first started planning our trip, we took several factors into account. The trip had to be on a budget. Since this was the first family trip, we did not plan to leave the Baltic states. Well, the vehicle is a car.
I decided on a place for the trip almost immediately. I just had to dig through my cache of tourist information. Wherever I go, the first thing I visit will be the information center. There I always pack a hefty bag of maps and brochures. There was an option to go to Lithuania for the weekend - Kaunas, Trakai, Vilnius. But I missed Saarema so much that the answer was obvious.
Saaremaa is the largest island in Estonia, and the third largest in the Baltic Sea after Zealand and Gotland. For almost two centuries, Saaremmaa has been considered a resort with rich experience in Thalassotherapy. The healing properties of sea water, air and Saaremaa mud are known even in distant Australia. Thanks to its island seclusion, Saaremaa has retained its originality. Here you can still find characteristic Estonian buildings with thatched roofs and stone fences. Another feature of the island is that, unlike mainland Estonia, on Saarem people do not live on farms, but settle in small villages. Only on Saarem you can find a large number of mills. Their diversity is also amazing. Saaremas people value their history and culture very much. They always try to be special, so that not everything is like everyone else. It has its own clothes, its own architecture, its own dialect. The desire of the people of Saaremaa to use the main values of the island - juniper and dolomite, to the maximum is admirable. The islanders use dolomite to make everything from kitchen utensils to buildings. The same goes for juniper. There are a great many of them on the island. Have you ever seen juniper fields? If you get away from the main roads, this sight will leave an indelible impression on you. This is Saaremaa in a few words.
When drawing up the route, I had to take into account not only my wishes, but also my husband’s. Well, since we also have a child with us, there’s definitely something for him too. Our initial route: Silakrogs - Virtsu (Valery Kirs Museum of Exhibits) - ferry - Koguva (Muhu Museum) - Fish cafe - Eemu Mill - Ostrich farm - Military Equipment Museum in Orissaare - check-in at the guest house - Kuressaare - Mill tavern - water relaxation in Grand Rose SPA - overnight in a guest house - Kuressaare - Kuressaare Livonian castle - Kiipsaare lighthouse - Angla mill complex - ferry - Aleksandri Pub in Pärnu - Silakrogs. It was supposed to cover about 1000 km. Cash limit - 300 euros +/-. This takes into account the estimated costs of gasoline, food, ferry, entry tickets, souvenirs.
Pre-trip expenses. Three weeks before the trip, I found an offer on the coupon website cherry.lv from guest house Suure Tollu with breakfast and visit bath complex Grand Rose SPA - 55 euros. Before buying a coupon, I called the administration of the guest complex and found out if it was possible to reserve a room for specific date. The answer was yes, and I bought a coupon. Immediately I emailed a coupon and all the necessary information for the reservation, plus wishes, to the guest house. The reservation was confirmed within an hour. The issue of overnight stay was closed.
Ferry. To get to the island you need to travel a half hour along the strait by ferry. There are two payment options here. The first, standard one is in the harbor. But you can also buy tickets via the Internet. To do this, go to the website tuulelaevad.ee. There, you first need to decide on a route. For us it is either to the island of Virtsu-Kuivastu, or from the island of Kuivastu-Virtsu. Next, select a date. In the table we determine the departure time. The table shows in percentage terms how many tickets are still available. If 100% of the tickets have been purchased, do not be upset, since not all tickets are sold via the Internet. Some tickets remain for purchase only at the harbor, on a first-come, first-served basis. To purchase online, you will need to indicate the type of transport, the number of passengers, and the license plate number of the vehicle. Out of stupidity (although as it turned out fortunately) I made an order the day before departure and I only managed to buy a ticket to the island, but everything from the island was sold out. But since we had unforeseen circumstances in the form of the Kiipsaare lighthouse, and we were late for the scheduled ferry, it’s even good that I didn’t buy a ticket. Although it’s fair to say that we arrived at the ferry 2 minutes before departure, and if there was an e-ticket, we would have made it in time. But if I knew where you’d fall, I’d spread some straw. The cost of a ticket for two adults and one child by car to the island is 12.60 euros. For some reason it is more expensive in the opposite direction - 16.30 euros. Oh yes! The most important! When paying for tickets online through Swedbank, make sure that you have activated the “Safe online purchases” service. The Swedbank label on their website means the Estonian Swedbank, so you can only pay using VISA and MasterCard cards.
Insurance. It seems close to home, and only two days, but who knows what could happen. And we are also with a child. I bought insurance from Swedbank. Everything is done through Internet banking within 10 minutes. Initially I wanted to do it in Baltikums, but there were glitches with the site. The difference in price in Swedbank is 9.02 euros, in Baltikums 9.00 euros. 2 cents is nothing. But there is a difference in the insurance conditions: Swedbank - 32,000 medicine, 10,000 - death, disability, + luggage and unforeseen cases; Baltikums - 75,000, everything included.
The evening before the trip, we refueled the car for 70 euros. A full tank should have lasted us the entire trip. But we threw in another 15 euros for unexpected rides.
1 day
Departure was scheduled for 6 am. We had already purchased a ticket for the 10.30 ferry. So, at the rate of 3 hours for the road, taking into account repair work before the border, plus time to visit the Museum of Valery Kirs’s exhibits, plus a stop for breakfast, which we took with us, then we should have been there by 10.30. It was possible to plan breakfast on the ferry. There are bistros at budget prices. But we decided to spend half an hour on the deck and show Tokha the gorgeous views. In addition, he was interested in examining the “cables”, the first time on the ferry.
At 9.15 we were in Virtsu, and we were already met at the Valery Kirs Museum.
After the museum we stopped at a gas station for breakfast.
At 10.20, like pioneers, we stood at the entrance to the ferry. The e-ticket turned out to be a very convenient thing. I drove up silently, punched the ticket, and went straight to the entrance to wait for the start.
Half an hour on the road. On the ferry you can run to the toilet and clean up. There is a shop where you can buy a light snack or souvenirs. For the hungry there is a bistro. Children can be occupied in the children's room. But I would advise you to take a warm jacket and go on deck. Half an hour flies by unnoticed, and you already have to run to the car.
11.00 - we approach Kuivast and leave for Koguva. 11.20 - Koguwa, Muhu Museum.
After visiting the museum, we completely mated in the heat. And the sea is nearby. After asking around among the local aborigines, we found a very pleasant place a kilometer from the museum. There is a small parking lot, an information stand, a locker room, and a small beach. But this place is not the open sea, but a strait between the islands of Saaremaa and Muhu. It turned out to be very shallow there. A paradise for swimming with children. I even had the feeling that Saarema could be reached on foot. I reached almost the middle and it was still just as shallow.
At 13.40 we arrived in Viira. There we decided to have lunch at the Fish Cafe.
In addition to the cafe, we decided to stay a little in Viira. We noticed a souvenir shop there. The souvenirs are certainly not cheap, but good and high quality. Considering that the main souvenirs are products made from dolomite and juniper, and as a rule, these are kitchen utensils, then I advise you to walk through the kitchen before your trip and understand what might be useful. It’s better to go and know what you need than to collect unnecessary things. Moreover, all these souvenirs are not very cheap. It's better to know what you're going for. In addition to kitchen utensils, you can buy clothes with typical Saaremaa embroidery. It's also not cheap, so save yourself a pretty penny. And of course the standard magnets, postcards, trinkets.
You can also buy fresh and smoked fish in Saaremaa. It's always freshly caught there. If it weren't for the heat, we would have bought some fish. On my next trip I'll take a thermal bag with ice.
In Viira we found an information center. There I typed as usual useful information. In addition, I bought postage stamps there. Does everyone remember about Summer Mail 2015? I haven't forgotten. It's very stressful with work hours and weekends. Therefore, be aware that postage stamps can be purchased at information centers.
We hung out in Viira until 14.50 and went to the Eemu mill. We were there at 15.20.
We toured the mill and went to the ostrich farm in Nauts. We were at the farm at 15.40.
There were a lot of discoveries for Toshka. And it seems like the time for daytime sleep has already passed. Tokha became noticeably tired and a little capricious. But we also had plans for a military museum. At 16.30 we arrived in Orissaare.
At 17.30 we left Orissaare and headed to guest house. Toshka passed out immediately. At 18.00 we were in Suur Tollu.
Since we got there in half an hour, they didn’t wake up Toshka. While they inspected the mansions, while they scattered things, while they laid out the playpen. Another hour flew by like this. And Toshka woke up. Dinner time. At 19.30 we left for Kuressaare. Since I wanted to stop at the Melnitsa tavern, we headed there. But after sitting there for 20 minutes without service, we went to the also proven place Kodulinna Lookal.
After having a hearty dinner, we went for a walk around the center of the island’s capital. The time was approaching 22.00, and we went to Rimi on the way out of Kuressaare. It was necessary to buy fruit for Toshka and beer for my husband (after all, a person drives all day, he needs to relax). In Rimi, cars were a lot of fun for kids. True, they do not carry a functional load; there is nowhere to put food. But the child has fun. After shopping and riding around, we went to explore the territory of the guest house and go to bed.
Day 2
The second day was less eventful with places to visit, but it was not inferior in terms of emotions. Waking up at 8.30, we quickly cleaned ourselves up, packed our things, packed the car and went to have breakfast. At 9.20 we already left for Kuressaare, to the Grand Rose SPA Hotel for the bath complex.
In total, we spent an hour and a half in the spa. It was enough to enjoy the water procedures. Afterwards we walked around the city a little. We went to the information center. Postcards were sent.
And they headed towards the castle.
We spent 2 hours in the castle and then went to have lunch at Kodulinna Lookal. And already at 14.00 we left for the Kiipsaare lighthouse.
While I went to the lighthouse, Toshka and dad slept to their hearts' content and went for a swim in the sea. Everyone was busy with their own business. Time was already running out, the road was not close to home, and I had to go to work on Monday. At 18.30 we set off. We tried very hard to get on the ferry at 20.05. It seemed like we made it, but there was no e-ticket, so we got on the ferry at 20.30 on a first-come, first-served basis.
Since we didn’t have dinner, and again we didn’t want to waste time on food on the ferry, but rather enjoyed the views, we decided to stop in Pärnu at Aleksandri Pub. Here I was a little foolish, deciding that we could have a normal dinner there. It's a pub after all. But this is a balm for my husband’s soul. At least someone had a good time. Although Toshka and I didn’t feel bad either. Having arrived at the pub at 22.00, we went home at 22.40. We arrived home at 1.15.
The only place that we did not have time to visit due to unforeseen circumstances with the lighthouse was the complex of mills in Angle. Therefore, I will advise you a few more places that you simply must visit when arriving in Saarema. The first is, of course, the mills in Angle. This is the most luxurious complex. In addition to 5 mills, which you can inspect, climb, touch, there is also a whole center cultural heritage. There is a huge building in which everything possible is made of dolomite. If you plan your trip in advance, you can attend various master classes in felt making or pottery. In the center you can stock up on souvenirs. That’s where I went after them, but didn’t get there. There is also a cafe there where you can have a very hearty meal. I don’t know how it is now, but I think you can still buy freshly baked bread there.
Another one business card Saarema is the Kaali meteorite crater. The place itself is fascinating. There is something cosmic there. And recently, a museum of meteoritics has been opened near the crater. There is also a good recreation complex at the museum, with a guest house and a bathhouse. By the way, this complex periodically exhibits very good propositions on our coupon sites.
If you go to Angla from Kuressaare, I would advise you to take the highway that passes through the village of Ninase. There is nothing large-scale there, but there are two original mills there, which are simply impossible not to look at.
Well, to make the trip completely worthless, you can stop by the Panga cliff. We didn't get there, but we were on the other side of the bay. There is a very beautiful village there in the best Saaremaa traditions.
You can go down to the sea and enjoy the rocky shore. Either local residents or tourists build simple figures from many stones on the shore.
(On the other side is Panga Cliff)
Many tourists go to the Sõrve Peninsula. I liked the privacy there. It's almost impossible to meet people there. Although they are there. At the very top of the peninsula, in the town of Saare, there is a lighthouse.
Next to the lighthouse there is a coastal battery of Captain Stebel. If you are extremely careful, you can climb the pillboxes there.
Located in the northern part of the Gulf of Riga Baltic Sea, 160 kilometers southwest of, next to the islands and. Area – 2673 km², population – about 32,800 people (2010).
The length of the island from north to south is almost 88 km, from west to east – 90 kilometers. The island's landscape is flat, highest point– Raunamägi Hill (54 meters high).
The capital of the island is a resort town located in the bay of the same name in the south of the island. Second by size populated area The island is Orissaare, located in the northeast.
Archaeological finds indicate that people lived on Saaremaa about 5,000 years ago. The island was once the richest land in ancient Estonia and served as a base for Estonian pirates called the Eastern Vikings. In the 13th century it was captured by the Crusaders, in the 17th century it passed into the possession of Sweden, and in the 18th century into the possession of Tsarist Russia.
Over the past century, it was an important location for Soviet troops and avoided the construction of large industrial facilities and ports. Thanks to this, Saaremaa has preserved many untouched picturesque places and up to 40% of its area is occupied by forests.
Today, Saaremaa is a popular tourist and resort center in the region, as well as a real lake district - there are more than 80 lakes, most of of which is located in the northwestern part of the island.
Here almost everyone will find something to their liking - beach or wellness holiday, trekking, fishing, horse riding or boat trips, quad biking and much more.
Beaches of Saaremaa
The island has many beaches, mostly pebble or rocky. The town of Kuressaare has a well-equipped sandy beach.
Officially, the swimming season on the island of Saaremaa lasts throughout the summer months.
Last changes: 12/26/2012Treatment on the island of Saaremaa
In 1820 it was discovered that local sea mud had medicinal properties. The first mud bath was built in Kuressaare in 1840, and now the capital of the island is literally crammed with all kinds of mud baths and spa centers, where lovers of water and health sessions can enjoy hundreds of different procedures.
The mild maritime climate and healing mud, picturesque nature and leisurely lifestyle of local residents contribute to a relaxing holiday and recovery.
Last changes: 12/26/2012Sights of the island of Saaremaa
Maasi Castle (Maasilinn) located near the second largest city on the island - Orissaare. It was built by the Master of the Livonian Order in 1345, but after the land passed into the possession of Denmark it was destroyed. Now these are picturesque ruins, but they intend to reconstruct the castle soon. Most of the dungeons have been preserved, where tourists are allowed to enter.
Windmills (Angla tuulikud) is the calling card of Saaremaa. You can admire them in the village of Angla, which is located north of Kuressaare. To date, out of the five presented for review, only one mill is operating.
Popular attraction of extraterrestrial origin – Kaali meteorite crater. It was formed about 4,000 years ago, 18 km from the capital of the island. The crater is surrounded by a 16-meter earthen rampart. There are 8 other smaller craters in the area.
Located in the western part of the island national park (Vilsandi rahvuspark)– another popular place among tourists. In this protected part of the island you can see old pine and heather forests, alder and lingonberry swamps. The fauna of the reserve is also rich - about 30 species of mammals and more than 200 species of birds live here, for which there are several equipped areas for observing. Also on the coast national park you can see gray seals.
Pagan Cliff (Panga Pank)- not only the highest cliff on the northern coast of the island. It gained its gloomy fame back in ancient times. It was from this coastal ledge that the pagans threw victims intended for the god of the sea.
How to get to Saaremaa island
Communication between the mainland and the island of Saaremaa is carried out via neighboring island, on which the port of Virtsu is located, to which a ferry runs from the mainland port of Kuivastu. Saaremaa is connected to Muhu by a causeway, which can be reached by bus or car.
The easiest way to get to Saaremaa from is by bus: the ferry crossing is included in the ticket price, so even on summer weekends you don’t have to worry about queues for the ferry, which are not uncommon at this time.
You have your own international Airport– Kuressaare Airport, accepting airline flights to and from Tallinn.
In cold winters, an ice road is built between the island of Saaremaa and the mainland, along which the island can be reached by car.
Last changes: 12/26/2012Most Big city on the island, considered part-time resort, Kuressaare.
It is literally crammed with all sorts of mud baths and spas, so here you can not just relax, but also thoroughly heal - the sea air, healing mud and mild climate of the island have an amazing effect on your health.
Saaremaa Hotels
If the goal is just to spend the night, then the island is full of small hotels or traditional huts for every whim. But it’s still worth taking advantage of not only the aesthetic joys of this wonderful island, but also the practical ones, which include the opportunity to receive a course of rejuvenation and healing procedures.
The healing mud of Saaremaa has been known since the 19th century - the entire aristocracy of Russia, Scandinavia and Germany came here to take mud baths. Modern spa centers offer significantly more services. In Kuressaare, we can recommend three spa hotels, the range of services in them is approximately the same, and they are located one after another, so the choice depends on personal preference and the thickness of the wallet: these are Meri Spa 3*, Ruutli Spa 4* and Saaremaa Valss Spa 2* . Aquatic centers, including a jacuzzi, a swimming pool, a hydromassage and a sauna, a salt cave, various types of massages (classical, aromatic, therapeutic), and an assortment of mother-of-pearl wraps.
In addition to the spa services, you can indulge in a little whim and take a room with a view of Kuressaare Castle and the bay.
Entertainment and attractions in Saaremaa
On the southeastern part of the island, right next to the sea, the first of the attractions awaits tourists - the bishop's castle. In the chronicles we found mentions of the castle dating back to 1380, but despite its age, it looks good - thanks to timely restoration. Now in the castle, instead of the residence of the Bishop of Saare-Lään, in whose honor the castle is called the episcopal castle, there is historical Museum. By paying 6 EUR for entry, you can spend hours looking at the intricate exhibits and wandering through the echoing halls.
The ruins of Maasi Castle are also recommended for viewing; they are located near the city of Orissaare, on a hill, right on the shore. The main thing when traveling there is to look at the signs along the road so as not to miss the right sign. Work has now begun on the restoration and restoration of the castle, but this will not prevent you from sneaking into the dungeons of the castle and wandering through the ancient corridors. Prices on the page are as of November 2018.
Kaali Crater
There is another one in Saaremaa - an extraterrestrial attraction. About 4 thousand years ago, on the island, the sky hit the earth's surface with a pillar of fire, leaving behind a huge crater. The alien guest turned out to be a huge meteorite, which loosened the soil of Saaremaa and scattered fragments around. The traces of this disgrace have now healed - a crater with a diameter of about one hundred meters and a depth of 20 meters now resembles a small lake, the banks of which are overgrown with trees and bushes. They called this place the Kaali crater, and if you are interested in looking at it, look for a sign on the highway between the cities of Kuressaare and Orissaare.
Saaremaa
Windmills of Saaremaa
This is where you can’t live without a camera, so if you’re going to the Windmill Museum, don’t forget about an extra memory card. All the mills have already abandoned the idea of grinding flour, but this does not prevent them from looking good in the middle of the fields of the island. The spectacle is very impressive - as if a couple of centuries have been marked off on the calendar.
Panga Pank
This place, which makes you tremble in the knees not only with its history, but also with its appearance, is definitely worth a visit. The Panga cliff rises 21 meters above the sea - this is a coastal ledge from which in ancient times sacrifices were thrown to the gods.
The ancient pagan sanctuary has now been replaced by a lighthouse, but the stones and ancient cliffs still preserve the memory of the blood of innocent victims.
Despite the fact that there are many signs warning about the danger near the cliff, tourists still strive to look the abyss in the face. You shouldn’t do this - the gods haven’t received their victims for a long time. Follow safety precautions; signs will not be hung in vain.