Pärnu

Pärnu, the ultimate summer holiday destination in Estonia, attracts holidaymakers with its beautiful sandy beach, numerous restaurants, cocktail bars, spas, and festivals.

While Pärnu has held the title of the Estonian summer capital since 1996, it became a popular resort town already in the nineteenth century like other Estonian resort towns. Even today, the historical beach park with its fountains and playgrounds offer pleasant leisure activities for visitors of any age, and the beautiful beach promenade is well-suited for taking a stroll.

In summer, the white sand beach, warm seawater, clubs, cafes and concerts bring together thousands of people. Book your accommodation well in advance because during the beach season, there are six times more people in Pärnu than other times!

In winter, skate on the ice rink in the heart of town, walk along the smooth ice of Pärnu River, and enjoy the race of iceboats and ice surfers by the sea. To warm up, spend the evenings at a spa – there is one for every taste in the city. Further in the county, you can enjoy ice fishing trips at sea, snowshoeing and kick sledge hikes as well as dog-sled rides.

There are more than 85 km of cycle and pedestrian tracks in the central area of Pärnu to take a stroll on or engage in recreational sports. The best known of these is the Jüri Jaanson recreational sports trail connecting the two bridges of the city of Pärnu. Also try water sports: sailing and water skiing. A kayak takes you to the nearby islets.

Festivals take place in the culture-Pärnu: the annual documentary and anthropology film festival, Järvi Academy, organ festival, blues and Hanseatic days, night of arts Augustiunetus, light festival ÖÖvalgel. The resort town is also a treat for architecture lovers, offering up the functionalism of different decades alongside romantic villas and modern glass buildings. Museums, small galleries and modern art events await art and history gourmands. Pärnu is home to the largest district of wooden villas in Estonia!

Spas are one of the most-loved components of a holiday in Pärnu. The excellent location of the city, the flat sandy beach, fresh air, green parks, the urban life together with high-quality treatment and relaxation services are what make Pärnu resort and Pärnu spas so popular.

Taking day trips is a good way to diversify your city break. Visit the seaside village of Kabli, which is a good bird-watching spot, and the beautiful Valgerand Beach. Estonia’s best-known nature tourism destinations the Soomaa National Park and Matsalu National Park and one of the most exotic locations in all of Estonia – Kihnu Island – are also nearby. Lotte Village, the largest theme park in the Baltics, is awaiting children with families. Discover the beautiful landscapes and exciting offers of the Romantic Coastline.

In late autumn 2020, Pärnu was chosen as the most sustainable destination in the Baltic Sea region. The city stands out for its sea and rivers, beaches and promenades, numerous parks, avenues and forest groves. The diverse biodiversity and recreational value of the landscape have shaped the city of Pärnu into a resort with a 180-year history, which is why preserving and valuing natural advantages is one of the most important goals in urban development. The trump card for the unique Pärnu is the people-friendly, well-functioning and attractive living environment centred around the vibrant and compact historical heart of the city.