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A trip to Estonia will sooner or later take you to the gorgeous Saaremaa. Jam-packed with popular tourist attractions, picking what to see in Saaremaa may be difficult for tourists with limited time.
A Saaremaa blog is all you need to decide amongst the top things to do in Saaremaa.
In my opinion, 5 days in Saaremaa is good time to see the best that city has to offer. But if you can spare couple of days more that’s even better, you can take the sights more slowly. So, without further ado, let me present you some of the best things to do in Saaremaa, top things to do in Saaremaa and some helpful travel tips.
1. Kuressaare Castle
Kuressaare Castle is an age-old fortified structure sitting on a hilltop.
The visitor center, at the entrance, will help you get started and answer any questions. Kuressaare Castle makes for a great sunny day activity.
Quick Facts:
- A marvel of design, it was Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek who was responsible for building it.
- The castle was built somewhere around 1380s.
Address: Lossihoov 1, Kuressaare, 93815 Saare maakond, Estonia
2. Vilsandi
Vilsandi is a small island lying off the city’s coast, only a short distance from the Saaremaa city.
You will get to see some of the fantastic views of the sea.
And to top it off, the boat trip to Vilsandi itself is really enjoyable. The beach with crystal clear water is clearly a winner.
Quick Facts:
- Easy to get to Vilsandi is located in xthe Baltic Sea.
An incredible sight, Vilsandi scores high in the list of the best things to do in Saaremaa.
3. Panga Cliff
A cliff along the miles long coast.
. From the top gaze at the horizon that seems to strech endlessly.
Quick Facts:
- It is x20 metres high and measures a length of x2.5 km.
- The cliff is located on xthe northern shore of the island.
- The cliff is located near xPanga village.
4. Abruka
Abruka is a serene island, known for its scenic beauty, located out in the open sea.
You will get to see some of the fantastic views of the sea.
You can also enjoy the soft sand on the pristine beach. Visitors to this place also like to engage in snorkeling.
Quick Facts:
- Easy to get to Abruka is located in Gulf of Riga.
Without a doubt this wonderful small island is one amongst the top things to do in Saaremaa.
5. Sõrve Lighthouse
Sõrve Lighthouse is an enduring stone lighthouse with a long history.
It has been an important signal point to warn incoming ships away from the shoreline. Even from the land this pretty whitewashed lighthouse can be seen from miles.
And if you want to dwelve more into the history of Sõrve Lighthouse, you can do so in the attached nautical museum. A set of narrow spiral staircases leads you to the top.
Quick Facts:
- Easy to get to Sõrve Lighthouse is located in xTorgu Neighbourhood.
- The lighthouse was opened on 1646.
- The lighthouse has a height of around 52 m.
Address: Sääre, 93249 Saare County, Estonia
6. Vilsandi National Park
Vilsandi National Park is a forest reserve of national importance found in the Saaremaa region.
The reserve is spread over a large tract of land, covering several hundred acres of forested area. Start with the visitor center to help yourself get oriented.
With so much to offer, no wonder Vilsandi National Park is one of the top things to do in Saaremaa.
7. Saaremaa Museum
In order to understand about Saaremaa’s history over the years, there is no better place to visit than the Saaremaa Museum.
8. Kiipsaare Lighthouse
Kiipsaare Lighthouse is a well known lighthouse located off the coast of Saaremaa.
It has served as an important signal point for incoming vessels. With a beautiful beach nearby you can combine the visit to two.
But it is the Sun dropping in the ocean which is truly the best part of this place. Once you get to the top, you will love the sweeping views of the sea from here.
Quick Facts:
- xreinforced concrete was used to build the lighthouse.
- The lighthouse was opened on 1879.
- The lighthouse has a height of around 7.62 m.
A natural crowd puller, Kiipsaare Lighthouse is right up there in the list of best things to do in Saaremaa.
Address: 93443, Estonia
9. Karujärv
Karujärv is an alluring lake, a drop from heaven with clean, clear water.
There are approximately 140 species of birds that migrate to the area, so if you like bird watching, this is the place to be. Go for boating, a great way to take in the serenity of the lake.
Quick Facts:
- Spread over an area of 3.3 km², the lake is located in xthe western side of the island.
10. Viidumäe Nature Reserve
Viidumäe Nature Reserve is a protected natural area, harboring a variety of flora and fauna.
A whole world of discovery and adventure awaits you upon your visit to Viidumäe Nature Reserve.
You’ll discover numerous rivers and lakes in the park accounting for a large of its area. The park consists of well-marked hiking trails leading you to some of the most incredible vistas in Estonia.
Quick Facts:
- Spreading over an expanse of 12 km², it’s difficult to see it all in one go.
- It was in 1957 when it was established.
Add it to your Saaremaa trip if you have time.
11. Angla Windmill Park
Angla Windmill Park is a windmill park with numerous windmills spread over a large area.
Here you can also see some old farming equipments and machinery.
Address: Angla, 94244 Saare County, Estonia
12. Valjala Church
Valjala Church is a small, beautiful church made entirely of stone.
All in all this small church makes for a quick stop.
Quick Facts:
- It is built in a mix of architectural styles namely Gothic architecture, Romanesque architecture.
- It is Livonian Order who is credited with found this gem of a site.
- The stone church belongs to the xLutheran faith, but is visited by others too.
If you have time, it makes for a nice addition to your Saaremaa trip.
Address: Kiriku tee 6, Valjala, 94302 Saare maakond, Estonia
13. Pöide Church
If you have a thing for cozy little churches Pöide Church will definitely interest you.
You can buy a candle and light it, it feels so peaceful. There are beautiful paintings on the walls that will catch your attention quick.
Quick Facts:
- The small church is located on xSaaremaa island.
Address: Pöide, 94520 Saare County, Estonia
14. Harilaiu matkarada
Harilaiu matkarada is a long-standing lighthouse which has been in continuous use since its inception.
It has been an important signal point to warn incoming ships away from the shoreline. With a beautiful beach nearby you can combine the visit to two.
From up above, the sweeping views of the sea are something else. Also located on the same premises, the nautical museum is worth a quick look.
Add it to your Saaremaa trip if you have time.
Address: Kõruse-Metsaküla, 93443 Saare County, Estonia
15. St. Lawrence’s Church (Kuressaare)
.jpg "St. Lawrence's Church (Kuressaare)")
Located in the heart of Saaremaa, St. Lawrence’s Church (Kuressaare), is another of the city’s architectural masterpieces.
It is well worth to pay a small donation, as it goes towards supporting the ongoing upkeep of this piece of history. As this is a sacred location, anyone who want to enter are advised to cover their knees and shoulders.
Address: Kuressaare, 93819 Saare County, Estonia
16. Karja Church
If small, cute churches interests you, then Karja Church definitely worth your time.
Making a small donation is always appreciated.
Quick Facts:
- Easy to get to Karja Church is located in xLinnaka village.
- It is built in a mix of architectural styles namely Gothic architecture, Romanesque architecture.
- The cute church belongs to the xLutheran faith, but is visited by others too.
If you have time, it makes for a nice addition to your Saaremaa trip.
Address: Linnaka, 94213 Saare County, Estonia
17. Vilsandi Lighthouse
Vilsandi Lighthouse is an enduring stone lighthouse with a long history.
It has been an important signal point to warn incoming ships away from the shoreline. With a beautiful beach nearby you can combine the visit to two.
You will need to pay a small fees to enter. The lighthouse has a small park near to it where you can sit and relax.
Quick Facts:
- Touching a height of 37 m, the lighthouse was built in x1809.
- The lighthouse was opened on 1809.
Address: Vilsandi, 93421 Saare County, Estonia
18. Kaavi Lighthouse
Kaavi Lighthouse is a well known lighthouse located off the coast of Saaremaa.
It has served as an important signal point for incoming vessels. Even from the land this pretty whitewashed lighthouse can be seen from miles.
You pay a small fee to get in. There is a small park nearby with lush green grass and benches to sit.
Quick Facts:
- Some of the things Kaavi Lighthouse features include xan art gallery.
- Easy to get to Kaavi Lighthouse is located in xSõrve Peninsula.
- Concrete was used to build the lighthouse.
- The lighthouse was opened on 1954.
- The lighthouse has a height of around 15 m.
If you have time, it makes for a nice addition to your Saaremaa trip.
Address: Kaavi, 93239 Saare County, Estonia
Thanks for reading this travel blog, hope now you know plenty of must see places in Saaremaa. In this Saaremaa travel blog post, I have listed not just what to see in Saaremaa but also what to do.
And it’s not difficult to create an itinerary that includes some of the best tourist attractions in Saaremaa. So what are Saaremaa sights to see or you have already been here? Let me know in the comments along with your tips and experiences.