Saaremaa: Nature, Coastal Trails and Island Culture

Saaremaa combines protected natural areas, coastal landscapes and an unusually rich cultural history. The Estonian island is part of the West Estonian Archipelago Biosphere Reserve, which includes juniper and coastal meadows, swamps and peat bogs. This means that the choice of where to stay depends primarily on whether you want to focus on nature observation, hiking, island cuisine or historical sites.

Nature between Coast, Bog and Cliff

Saaremaa offers hikers and active travellers several clearly different landscape experiences. The island’s nature trails are well marked and equipped with information boards. A 260-kilometre hiking trail connects existing nature and hiking trails through Saaremaa’s most beautiful natural areas. The coastal trails can be explored on foot or by bicycle using the NaviCup app.

The Koigi study trail is located in the Koigi Landscape Protection Area. Koigi bog has a 4.8-kilometre hiking trail with a boardwalk around Lake Pikkjärv and a nine-metre-high observation tower. The Panga Recreation Area offers a different coastal experience, with opportunities for watching the sunset, picnicking, birdwatching and nature photography. Panga cliff reaches a maximum height of 21.3 metres and stretches for approximately 2.5 kilometres.

Vilsandi National Park can also be explored via specific trails and information services. The eight-kilometre Vilsandi study trail runs along the southern coast beside the coral reefs to a lighthouse and then returns through the forests of the northern coast. The visitor centre provides information about hiking trails, campfire sites and attractions in the national park, features a permanent exhibition on nature, history and cultural heritage, and, with advance registration, organises free nature events and natural history education programmes. The west coast of Harilaid is suitable for observing birds and seals.

Historical Sites and Maritime Orientation

Kuressaare Castle is the only fully preserved fortress complex in the Baltic States. In the castle, the Saaremaa Museum presents permanent exhibitions on Saaremaa’s history, contemporary history and island nature. Another prominent landmark is the Sõrve Lighthouse: it is 52 metres high and the tallest lighthouse on the Baltic Sea.

The island’s history also includes St Catherine’s Church in Karja, which dates from the 13th century and is known for its carvings and stone sculptures, as well as Reomäe Convent. It is the only traditional convent with a communal way of life in the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church. The main church was built in 1873, and the iconostasis is protected as a heritage monument. Those who want to focus their stay more strongly on culture and history will therefore find different points of interest here than along the nature trails and coastal sections.

Island Cuisine and Further Experiences

Saaremaa also has its own culinary profile. Juniper is used for syrups, infusions, sweets, spices, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic gins. Smoked fish is considered an indispensable part of island cuisine; home-brewed beer is regarded on Saaremaa as an accompaniment to smoked fish. Mändjala became Saaremaa’s official beach in 2014. The Asva Viking Village offers an animal and bird park, archery and axe throwing.

For further geographical orientation, the following subregions are available: Muratsi Muratsi, Pidula Pidula, Raugi Raugi, Metsaääre Metsaääre, Salme Salme, Siiksaare Siiksaare, Kuralase Kuralase and Valjala Valjala. These are joined by Pamma Pamma, Nurme Nurme, Igaküla Igaküla, Kuressaare Kuressaare, Lilbi Lilbi, Kõõru Kõõru, Haeska Haeska and Laugu Laugu.

Further options include Kirikuküla Kirikuküla, Tumala Tumala, Pihtla Pihtla, Valjala Parish Valjala Parish, Rannaküla Rannaküla, Laimjala Vald Laimjala Vald, Muhu Vald Muhu Vald and Mustjala Mustjala. Also represented are Kihelkonna Kihelkonna, Leisi Leisi, Pöide Pöide, Torgu Vald Torgu Vald, Ruhnu Ruhnu, Haapsu Haapsu, Nässuma Nässuma and Kaarma Parish Kaarma Parish. The list concludes with Kärla Kärla, Orissaare Orissaare, Lümanda Lümanda, Orissaare Parish Orissaare Parish, Koguva Koguva and Mustjala Mustjala.