Day Trips From Tallinn: Lahemaa National Park and Pärnu

Tallinn is Estonia’s most visited destination and one of the most important tourists’ spots in the Baltic Countries. After a couple of days in Estonia’s capital you will understand why. It is famous for its wonderfully preserved Old Town inside the original city walls. There is also plenty of cool modern architecture, nice parks and cute wooden houses.

And contrary to what we were expecting, there are a couple of very interesting places nearby. You can easily visit them as day trips from Tallinn, although spending a night or two in each is an even better idea. We went to Lahemaa National Park and Pärnu and had a fantastic time.

Day Trips From Tallinn: How to Choose 

Lahemaa National Park and Pärnu make the best day trips from Tallinn since they combine nature and architecture. Additionally, you can get to both by public transport. Other interesting options include Tartu, Narva, Saaremaa Island, and Helsinki. The beautiful city of Tartu is Estonia’s second-largest city and home to its oldest university. You’ll love its small old town full of neoclassical buildings.

If you are into fortresses and castles, go to Narva to visit its imposing Hermann Castle. Saaremaa Island is Estonia’s largest island and home to yet another castle, Kuressaare. That’s not all; you’ll find plenty of beautiful forests, beaches, windmills, and wooden houses. Finally, you’ll be surprised just how close Helsinki is. You can visit the Finnish capital as a day trip from Tallinn. 

Lahemaa National Park

The privilege of having great friends: Our friend Jako and family drove us to unique Lahemaa National Park. Although you can get there by public transport, you can also make some friends and share a car. Lahemaa is one of Estonia’s most important forest conservation areas.

Large mammals such as wild boar, lynx, brown bear, fox, and moose live amongst forests, limestone cliffs, rivers, and sandy beaches. Viru Bog, next to National Road No. 1, is the easiest access point. Another interesting place you can stop at on your way to the park is Jägala Waterfall, Estonia’s widest.

Viru Raba

We spent our time at scenic Viru raba (Viru bog). We had never seen anything like that before. A collection of wooden paths 3.5 kilometers long crosses several lakes and swamps with a wooden watchtower at the end offering surreal views. Not that our photos aren’t good, but you really have to see the colors directly to understand.

All along the paths, there are signs with interesting facts about the bog. You can swim in some of the bogs, but we decided not to. We spent time exploring the area and even encountered a small snake inside the forest. An unforgettable day!

Where to Stay in Lahemaa National Park

Most tourists go to Lahemaa on organized day trips from Tallinn, but few know you can stay inside the national park. The most interesting option is the historical Sagadi Manor Hotel. This unique hotel is an architectural complex of national importance. You’ll enjoy beautifully decorated rooms, a tailored garden, and a fantastic restaurant.

Another fabulous hotel is the Vihula Manor Country Club & Spa. This old mansion offers sophisticated luxury and top-notch amenities. For an even more authentic experience, stay at the Park Hotel Palmse, a manor distillery converted into a hotel. If you want to stay in the park close to the beach, then Kuivoja Holiday Center is the place for you.

Lahemaa Hiking Trails

Without a doubt, the most fun thing to do in Lahemaa National Park is to walk along its numerous hiking trails. The most popular and one of the easiest walks is the one around the Viru Bog. After you cross all the swamps and lakes, you can head up north until you reach the Käsmu Peninsula. It’s a 3-hour walk.

Lahemaa’s nicest walk is called the Käsmu nature and cultural history trail. You’ll learn about the Käsmu Peninsula and see Europe’s biggest natural accumulation of rocks. It’s a well-marked 2.8 miles (4.2 km) long hiking trail. The Käsmu village is also worth your time.

Other Things to Do in Lahemaa National Park

Even if you don’t spend the night in the national park, we strongly recommend visiting its manor houses. The Sagadi Forest Museum is in the Sagadi Manor. It’s a small museum of hunting, woodwork, and the environment. The manor also rents bicycles. The Vihula Manor Holiday Village is perfect for the entire family. While kids play with animals, adults can enjoy a massage at the Country Club and Spa Center.

If you are into sightseeing, there are a few old churches and abandoned fortresses in the park. Though not directly in the park, St. Mauritius Church in Haljala village is the nicest in the region. The 15th-century church is a triple nave vaulted temple with a tower. It’s close to Tallinn Narva Road. Toolse Fortress is further north by the Baltic Sea.

Where to Eat/Drink in Lahemaa

If you get hungry or thirsty, you can stop to refresh in one of the local bars or restaurants. There aren’t that many options inside the Lahemaa National Park, so plan your visit accordingly. All three manor houses (Sagadi, Vihula, and Palmse) have an onsite restaurant with good food and drink choices.

If you are into exquisite food, book a table at the wonderful MerMer Restaurant. It’s by the sea, in the lovely fishing village of Kolga Aabla. They source their food locally. Another great restaurant on the shores of the Baltic Sea is Kaspervik on Käsmu Peninsula. The food is superb and the views outstanding. Perfection!

Pärnu

On our way from Tallinn to Riga we stopped in Pärnu, a charming little town halfway between the capitals. It is Estonia’s largest beach resort and a popular summer destination. The beautiful old town, elegant mansions, relaxing parks and the large sand beach didn’t let us down.

We spent our time discovering the nice pedestrian area, entering a couple of churches and people watching. On our way to the beach we stopped at the beautiful Pärnu Rannapark. Naturally we ended our Pärnu tour at the beach. Unfortunately our swimming suits were in our bags at the bus station. Don’t be like us, bring your bathing suit and take a dip at this gorgeous beach!

Pärnu Beach

Estonians consider Pärnu Beach the best beach in the country. This popular summer destination is famous for its white sand. If you are into sports, you’ll be able to play golf, volleyball, or go windsurfing. If you get hungry, you can stop at one of many ice-cream and hamburger kiosks.

Pärnu became a holiday resort in the middle of the 19th century. In 1837 a tavern near the beach was turned into a bathing facility. The wooden building didn’t survive World War I, and in 1927 the neoclassical building of Pärnu Mud Baths was built to replace it. Today it is part of a first-class hotel and conference center.

Where to Stay in Pärnu

In Pärnu, you can either stay in the city center or at the beach. The historical Pärnu Mud Baths are now part of the Hedon Spa and Hotel. This gorgeous hotel offers first-class facilities, a fabulous spa, and sea views.

If you are into unique historic architecture, stay at the Art Nouveau Hotel Villa Ammende, Pärnu’s fanciest hotel. The lavish art nouveau villa from 1905 is as classy as it gets. If you have a thing for wooden houses, Hotel Villa Katariina is a great place to stay. Finally, if you prefer staying downtown, the Hotel Victoria is another nice historic hotel. 

Pärnu Urban Walks

Most tourists start their Pärnu walk at the bus station. The station is next to the Museum of New Art in downtown Pärnu. Cross the museum and enter colorful Rüütli Street, the city’s main drag. The wonderful pedestrian street is where most shops, restaurants, and other attractions are, including the Red Tower and the Church of Catharina.

Turn left in Nikolai Street and again left in Kuninga. You’ll spot the St. Elizabeth Church and then the Orthodox Transformation Church. Turn right and walk parallel to Ringi Street through an array of green areas. This is where the city’s former fortification used to be. The impressive Tallinn Gate is one of the few remaining parts. Walk by the Rannaparka and finish your walk at Rannaniidu Matkarada scenic point by the beach.

Other Things to Do in Pärnu

After you’re done with the walk, it’s time to explore the museums. Pärnu has two fantastic museums! Pärnu Museum talks about the history of Pärnu county from the Neolith to the late 20^th Century. Its pride and joy is the 8000 years old Stone Age Madonna, the oldest sculpture in Scandinavia and the Baltic’s. A branch of the museum is for local poet Lydia Koidula.

The Museum of New Art is much smaller and more recent. It opened in 1992 as the Chaplin’s Art Center exhibiting pieces donated by artists from around the world. Don’t miss the annual exhibition of nudes called Man and Woman. It explores the beauty of the human body in classical and modern forms.

Where to Eat/Drink in Pärnu

Since Pärnu is relatively big, there are all types of eateries and restaurants. The best one in the center is Hea Maa in the Pärnu Town Hall courtyard. They serve delicious food in a beautiful setting. Another great place in the pedestrian area is Pastoraat Café. Their starters degustation menu is an absolute favorite.

Suplesaksad is halfway between the city center and the beach. Due to its exquisite cuisine and lavish interior, it’s very popular. If you want to have lunch overlooking the sea, head to Raimond at the Hedon Hotel. They serve a fusion of traditional and modern Nordic tastes right on the beach.

How to Get From Tallinn to Lahemaa National Park and Pärnu

As mentioned above, Lahemaa National Park is north of National Road No. 1, so it’s easy to get there by public transport. Several local buses stop on the national road, near the Viru Bog, including 151, 151A, 155E, 277. You can catch them on Kivisilla bus stop in Gonsiori Street in downtown Tallinn. The journey takes 45 minutes.

To get to Pärnu you can take any of many daily buses. Some of them continue towards Riga and even further. Tallinn’s bus station is on Odra Street, between the city center and the airport. In Pärnu, you’ll arrive at the bus station on Pikk Street, a 4-minute walk to pedestrian Rüütli Street.

Organized Tours to Pärnu and Lahemaa from Tallinn

Since Pärnu is along the main road connecting Tallinn and Riga, it’s fairly easy to get there from both capitals. Therefore, few tourists choose to go there on an organized tour. What you can do, is take a bus there, visit the city tourist information office and hire a local tour. Or explore the city on your own following our tips!

Going to Lahemaa National Park can be harder. Thus, hiring a private tour makes a lot of sense. We recommend two. The Day Trip to Lahemaa National Park tour takes you to Viru Bog, through the forest all the way to the Baltic coast. You’ll learn about Estonian history and local flora and fauna. The Jägala Waterfall and Harju County tour takes you to the doorsteps of Lahemaa. It’s a great way to get an insight into rural Estonia.