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.
Pärnu County
Summer is a mindset in the top seaside destination
Source reference: Priidu Saart, Visit Pärnu. Author: Priidu Saart
Why visit Pärnu
| Pärnu county is a charming destination with both an abundance of natural beauty and high energy brought by the central resort town. Pärnu County features many forests, bogs and a 393-kilometer-long coastline along the Gulf of Livonia. Many rivers run through the county, with one of the largest rivers in Estonia meeting the sea in Pärnu City. In Pärnu city, you can visit excellent spas and wellness centers, get acquainted with functionalist resort architecture masterpieces, admire romantic wooden villas, and enjoy high-class golf courses, surf centers, and a racetrack. In the countryside, you can explore two distinct national parks and the truly unique Kihnu island. |
Destination’s sustainability performance
Discover what Pärnu has to offer. What to do in Pärnu and what to see in Pärnu.
The ultimate summer holiday destination in Estonia, Pärnu attracts holiday makers with its large sandy beach, numerous restaurants, cocktail bars, spas and a relaxed, laid back vibe.
Culture & Local Life
| Varied concert and theatre life, various international festivals, museums and time-honoured handicrafts are the heart of the local culture. Medieval customs are remembered with the yearly Pärnu Hanseatic Days Festival. Pärnu has its own theater Endla which offers well-loved open air performances during summers, and many unexpected locations in the county host theatre performances from troupes all over the country. A selection of music festivals and performances delight fans of many genres with Pärnu Music Festival at the forefront featuring world-renowned conductors Paavo Järvi, Kristjan Järvi and Neeme Järvi. There are dedicated and time-honoured events for local food, farm culture and traditions. Smaller and larger museums and art galleries invite both local and international audiences, with the oldest Museum of Modern Art in Estonia residing in Pärnu city. Kihnu Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Oral and Intangible Heritage which hosts several festivals celebrating local culture during the summer. The construction and use of Soomaa’s dugout canoe, made of a single aspen, has been included in the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. The few remaining local masters pass on their knowledge via workshops and canoe excursions. |
Photo © Riti Voll
Source reference: Pärnumaa Arenduskeskus / Photo © Viktor Tund.
Getting there
Pärnu is located between Riga, Helsinki, and Stockholm, and the easiest way to get here is by flying to Tallinn, Estonia, or Riga, Latvia. Pärnu is almost halfway between the two, on the international Via Baltica or E67 road, only a couple of hours by car from each.
The largest port in Estonia is in Tallinn, where ferries from Helsinki arrive almost every hour. When coming from Saaremaa to the mainland, you will arrive at Virtsu port, which is located in Pärnu county. There is a port in Munalaid that takes you by ferry to Kihnu. From Pärnu city port, there is a connection to Ruhnu island. Pärnu city has a yachting marina for sailors, but you can also find smaller ports across the coastline of the county (see more information on www.sadamaregister.ee).
Photo © Elena Liik.
Getting around
In the county:
Bus connections cover most of the country, but the most beautiful places to visit in National Parks are best accessible by car. There are both car sharing services and apps, also traditional car rental companies which make the journey possible.
In the city:
There are over 70 kilometers of light-traffic roads in Pärnu. Therefore, a bicycle can be considered one of the best modes of transport to discover Pärnu. In a few hours, you can make a tour of the city, seeing areas that the average visitor often does not go to. Electric scooters are also very popular as a quick way to move during the warmer season. There are many scooters that you can find on the street to rent through apps. Bus traffic in the city is good and offers connections at a reasonable price.
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
Pärnu offers versatile opportunities for recreation and vacationing in nature, on both land and sea.
Pärnu’s location around the bay keeps ours winters soft. This provides a wonderful opportunity to spend active time outdoors even when the temperature drops. Hiking, bog walks, kicksled tours and skiing are very popular activites in winter. If weather allows, the frozen sea becomes a unique new playground to explore on foot or on skates.
During summer there is no better place to spend your time than on the beautiful long costline of Pärnu. Water rules the summers with its plethora of active fun – surfing, boating, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, sailing and swimming is all within comfortable reach. It is the perfect time to visit the small islands of the Liivi Bay. Pärnu county has ferry connections to 3 inhabited islands, where you can feel a different time and state of mind.
Did you know that of Estonia’s five national parks, two are partially located in Pärnu county – Matsalu and Soomaa? Matsalu is a paradise for bird-lovers as 2 million waterfowl stop here on their yearly migration paths. To enjoy this magnificent event, you can visit one of the best birding sites in the Nordics at Matsalu National Park! In Soomaa National Park, 51% of the area is covered in wetlands, bogs and marshes. The highlight here is the so-called ‘fifth season of Estonia’, when flooding can raise water levels several meters. Enjoy flooded meadows and forests on a canoe ride or hike through the wetlands on bogshoes – snowshoes which have been adapted for this niche use. Unique sights await curious visitors in every season – see the delicate flowering of Spring, observe alien, verdant landscapes in Summer, taste wild berries in Autumn and glide over frozen marshland in the depths of Winter.
Source reference: Priidu Saart, Visit Pärnu
Photo © Priidu Saart
Source reference: Priidu Saart, Visit Pärnu Photo © Priidu Saart
Sustainability
The environment is front-of-mind for many as activities in nature are appreciated by all. As knowledge about sustainability has grown year by year, both locals and decision-makers are considering more and more how to keep our corner of the world in good hands. Given that the climate concerns practically all areas of life, but at the same time is quite site-specific, climate, energy and other topics of sustainable society and economic functioning are covered in the development strategy of Pärnu County 2035+ and its action plan.
Within the framework of the development of a green and sustainable tourist destination, the development and promotion of the image of sustainable tourism (including tourism products), increasing the environmental awareness of tourism companies and increasing digitalization are at the forefront. Efforts like Green Destinations Awards Program and Green Key promotion have been successful in increasing both awareness and measures taken on both a destination and business level.
Photo © Puhka Eestis, Visit Estonia
Good Practice Story
Thanks to the Sindi Rapids project, Pärnu restored natural fish migration routes and river habitats along the Pärnu River. Replacing the dam with an artificial rapid opened up 214 km of waterway for migratory species like salmon and river lamprey. The project also revitalized the local area by creating a year-round water sports center and boosting tourism, recreation, and property values.
This story was featured in the 2023 Green Destinations Top 100 Stories Awards, recognizing Pärnu’s commitment to sustainability and nature restoration.
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.
Source reference: Reimo Ruubel, Visit Pärnu
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
Source reference: Caspar Aru, Visit Pärnu.
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.
Source reference: Priidu Saart, Visit Pärnu.
Source reference: Priidu Saart, Visit Pärnu
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.
Sustainability Recognitions
In 2020, Pärnu was voted the most sustainable destination of the Baltic Sea countries. The city is special because of its sea, rivers, beaches and promenades and its many parks, avenues and forest groves. Pärnu’s diversity and amenities have made it a resort with a 180 year history, which is why protecting and valuing its nature is a priority when it comes to the development of the city. The strengths of the unique city of Pärnu include a friendly, functional and attractive environment with a lively and compact historical city centre.
Pärnu participated in the 2023 Green Destinations Top 100 Stories Awards, with the Sindi Rapids Project.
Thanks to this project, Parnü restored natural fish migration routes and river habitats along the Pärnu River. Replacing the dam with an artificial rapid opened up 214 km of waterway for migratory species like salmon and river lamprey. The project also revitalized the local area by creating a year-round water sports center and boosting tourism, recreation, and property values.
Pärnu received a Green Destinations Silver Award in 2023 indicating advanced progress towards achieving full compliance with the Green Destinations Standard for sustainable destinations.
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