Lahemaa was selected in the 2020
Sustainable Destinations Top 100
Lahemaa has been evaluated on the Green Destinations Core Criteria. Check out their scorecard to see their performance on each criterion.
Lahemaa
The oldest and biggest national park of Estonia
Why visit Lahemaa
Lahemaa, the oldest and biggest national park of Estonia, serves as an authentic taster of natural landscapes and cultural heritage of the country. It contains sandy seashores, picturesque bogs, scenic rivers and erratic rocks. Lahemaa is one of Europe’s most important forest conservation areas, where many big animals live. To introduce all that to visitors, the facilities and infrastructure for exploring nature are countless and of very good quality in Lahemaa.
The video “Hidden treasures of Lahemaa national park” introduces the nature and local life of Lahemaa national park.
Destination’s sustainability performance
Culture & Local Life
Lahemaa is immensely rich in cultual heritage. A large number of old Estonian folk songs and dances have been recorded here. National culture is very much kept alive through numerous community centres in active use. With the many choirs and folk-dance groups, children are proud to learn folk dances and songs at school. When coming to Lahemaa not only should you explore the countryside to sense its peace and quietness but also visit a local event or two to get the feeling of uniquely vibrant community life.
Photo © Juhani Särglep
Getting there
Pärnu is located between Riga, Helsinki and Stockholm and the easiest to get here is by flying to Tallinn, Estonia or Riga, Latvia. Pärnu is almost half-way between the two, on the international Via Baltica or E67 road, only a couple of hours by car from each.
The largest port of Estonia is in Tallinn where ferries from Helsinki arrive at almost every hour. Pärnu has a yachting marina for sailors.
Photo © Eimantas Raulinaitis
Getting around
There are over 70 kilometers of light traffic roads in Pärnu. Therefore, the bicycle can be considered one of the best ways of transport to discover Pärnu. In a few hours you can make a big tour in the city, seeing areas that the average visitor often does not go to. So a few hours of cycling in Pärnu is a must do.
In addition to international routes, we have mapped out some routes that should make your cycling much more comfortable. This means that you do not have to drive on the big highway when coming to or from Riga. When you go to Soomaa, you can enjoy pleasant and peaceful nature. A good quiet road leads to Kihnu.
The bus traffic is good and offers connections throughout the county.
GOOD BUSINESSES
Discover accommodations, restaurants, shops and attractions that are commited to responsible development
Historic and cultural heritage
In addition to the beaches, take the opportunity to visit the Casa de Taipa Museum and the Church of São Miguel do Arcanjo.
PROMO CODE:
Historic and cultural heritage
In addition to the beaches, take the opportunity to visit the Casa de Taipa Museum and the Church of São Miguel do Arcanjo.
PROMO CODE:
Historic and cultural heritage
In addition to the beaches, take the opportunity to visit the Casa de Taipa Museum and the Church of São Miguel do Arcanjo.
PROMO CODE:
Historic and cultural heritage
In addition to the beaches, take the opportunity to visit the Casa de Taipa Museum and the Church of São Miguel do Arcanjo.
PROMO CODE:
Nature & Wildlife
Lahemaa National Park was established for the preservation, protection, restoration, exploration and promotion of nature, landscapes, cultural heritage and balanced environmental use of the coastal area of North Estonia. Here, forest, bog and coastal ecosystems, as well as semi-natural communities, geological monuments and historic and architectural monuments are protected. Lahemaa is one of Europe’s most important forest protection areas and belongs to the European Natura 2000 network as Lahemaa’s bird and wilderness area.
Sustainability
Being the oldest national park in Estonia, sustainability is the key-word in everything in Lahemaa. In co-operation with all the stakeholders, it tries hard to preserve its rich nature, cultural heritage, save energy and reduce waste and car-use. The impact of tourism is carefully monitored to improve visitor management and conservation. Tourism entreprises are small and nature-friendly monuments are protected. Lahemaa is one of Europe’s most important forest protection areas and belongs to the European Natura 2000 network as Lahemaa’s bird and wilderness area.
Good Practice Story
Lahemaa is a popular nature tourism destination. Therefore, many tour guides work there, but very many of them come from towns and are not locals. At the same time, national park sets many restrictions on local inhabitants, limiting their working possibilities and consequently a large number of Lahemaa people have to work outside the park and commute every day. Lahemaa Tourism Association (Visit Lahemaa), a local DMO has conducted a training and certification of local people as tour guides for three years, together with several partners. 75 people have got the certification so far.
Sustainability
Lahemaa was selected in the 2020
GOOD PLACES IN SAAREMAA
These places are also committed to responsible tourism, checked and certified by EHE – Authentic Estonia.
We recommend these accommodations because they are committed to responsible tourism, checked and certified by independent auditors and ecolabel programs including Green Key.
Where to stay
Accommodation on the island includes friendly guest-houses, peaceful holiday homes, holiday apartments and small hotels.
Choose the suitable ones from this website: Hiiumaa accomodation.
Good Practice Story
Biodiversity on the island is rich and suitable for many endangered species. For years American mink threatened the small remaining populations of European mink in Europe. Due to a well organised long-term project, Estonia has reintroduced a wild population of European mink at Hiiumaa.
Fundamental to the project’s success was the involvement of local stakeholders, as well as local publicity.
Read more
Travel tips from our editors
Photo © Innervisionteam
Kihnu Island
Kihnu is home to the unique traditional Kihnu culture, which has been living on the islands along Pärnu’s coast for more than 600 years. The Kihnu Cultural Space, which was added to the UNESCO Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity List in 2003, is of interest to all visitors who are interested in cultural heritage, unique nature and friendly people.
Photo © Nele Sõber
Matsalu National Park
Matsalu National Park is one of Europe’s richest areas for bird species with more than 270 different species. If you happen to go there during the spring or fall bird migration period, you will experience the unforgettable sight of large flocks.
Photo © Priit Loog
Pärnu beach and promenade
In 2018, Lonely Planet selected Pärnu as one of the Top 10 lesser-known beach cities worth visiting in the world. Pärnu Beach is the reason that the city is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists each summer. It is the biggest and most beautiful beach in Estonia. Everyone has a good time here.
The warm and shallow water makes the beach particularly well-suited for families with children. Deeper water is reached after a long walk, where one can swim and the water is cooler. These conditions are also good for people who are just learning to surf. This is why Pärnu Beach is considered one of the best places in Scandinavia when it comes to learning to surf.
The beach has a beautiful promenade, which can be visited regardless of the season.
Photo © Markus Kiili
Mole
The Pärnu Mole, which was built at the time to enliven trade, is one of the city’s most popular attractions. The mole is approximately 1.5 kilometres long. There is also a legend accompanying the mole – according to the ancient story, young lovers must walk to the end of the mole and seal their love with a kiss there. Doing so would bring the lovers eternal love.
Photo © Julia Kivelä
Sooma National Park
Soomaa, with its unique landscape, bogs, flood-meadows, and dunes, is new and unexpected in every season. Soomaa’s most distinctive feature is what the inhabitants of the local villages refer to as the ‘fifth season’: in addition to spring, summer, autumn, and winter, they have the high water season.
Photo © Elena Liik
Discover Pärnu by bike
There are over 70 kilometers of light traffic roads in Pärnu. Therefore, the bicycle can be considered one of the best ways of transport to discover Pärnu. In a few hours you can make a big tour in the city, seeing areas that the average visitor often does not get to. So a few hours of cycling in Pärnu is a must do.
Pärnu has been evaluated on the Green Destinations Core Criteria. Check out their scorecard to see their performance on each criterion.
Kristel Rääk | Chief Urban Development Specialist of Pärnu
“The city of Pärnu becomes a better place when young people will stay in their hometown, which would contribute to the development of our living environment. I wish Pärnu to be an environmentally friendly and sustainable habitat in the future. To ensure a sustainable environment, natural resources must be used wisely. An environmentally friendly society starts with each of us and everyone can contribute today!”
Get in touch
Support
We are a multicultural, creative and dedicated team working to promote sustainable tourism. Join us in our fight against the climate crisis, single-use plastics and over-tourism!
