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Toompea Hill, Tallinn, Estonia

© 123rf.com / Andrei Nekrassov

Things to see and do in Estonia

Beaches

Sunbathe on white sandy beaches or at the pools and lakes which abound in the interior of the country. In the north of the country, it's possible to find small coves used for nude bathing, though there are no designated areas for this.

Cross-country skiing

A massively popular sport, the best place to do cross-country skiing is in the resort town of Otepää (www.otepaa.ee), home of the cross-country skiing world cup.

Haapsalu

Haapsalu (www.haapsalu.ee) is a small town on the western coast which has been a well-known resort since the 19th century. It is the ideal place to get away from it all with its romantic wooden houses and tree-lined avenues.

Hiiumaa

Hop over to Estonia's second-largest island, Hiiumaa (www.hiiumaa.ee) - a true oasis of tranquility and biodiversity. This is also the best spot for bird-watching in the whole country.

Mustvee and Kuremäe

Find peace in Mustvee, situated on the shores of the beautiful and vast Lake Peipsi, and Kuremäe, the site of the only functioning convent in Estonia.

Narva

Head for Narva (www.narva.ee), one of the oldest towns in Estonia, situated on the western banks of the River Narva. Visit the Herman Castle, the town's oldest architectural monument, and the city museum.

National parks

Explore the countryside and see unspoilt forest and bogs, picturesque old fishing villages and historic manor houses in one of Estonia's three national parks - Lahemaa (www.lahemaa.ee), Soomaa (www.soomaa.com) and Vilsandi.

Outdoor activities

Otepää (www.otepaa.ee), with its lakes and forests, is best for outdoor activities, such as skiing in the winter or canoeing.

Pärnu

Established in the 13th century, Pärnu (www.parnu.ee) is a small town situated on the banks of the Pärnu River, where it emerges into the Gulf of Riga. The town is known as a seaport and a health resort.

Railway Museum

Spot unusual trains on the wide-gauge track, and visit the Railway Museum (www.jaam.ee) in Haapsalu; pay respects in the 'train graveyard' behind the museum.

Saaremaa

See old windmills, stone churches, fishing villages and a 3,000 year-old meteorite crater on stunning Saaremaa (www.saaremaa.ee), the largest island in Estonia.

Saaremaa Island

The breathtaking and unspoiled Saaremaa Island (www.saaremaa.ee) offers good opportunities for hiking and cycling.

Tallinn

Wander the magical medieval cobble stone streets of the capital, Tallinn (www.tourism.tallinn.ee), an ancient Hanseatic city. Particularly interesting is the old town centre, which is dominated by the soaring steeple of Oleviste Church. Climb up to Toompea Castle for views.

Tartu

Full of ancient architecture, Tartu (www.tartu.ee) is Estonia's second-largest city, seated on the Emajõgi River. Visit the city's old university, the Vyshgorod Cathedral, the Town Hall (18th century) and the university's Botanical Garden.

Wife-carrying World Championships

Estonia's most unusual tradition is its Wife-Carrying World Championships (www.v-maarja.ee), an ancient Baltic tradition revived in the 1990s and now dominated by Estonia.

Wildlife

Catch a glimpse of wildlife such as lynx, bears, wolves and elk. Watch eagles, storks and a variety of wetland birds at Käina Bay Bird Reserve and Matsalu Nature Reserve (www.matsalu.ee).

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