Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Saaremaa?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Saaremaa?
Many travelers spend two to four days in Saaremaa during their visit. After all, the calm island has plenty to explore such as the small town charm, the restaurant scene, and the gorgeous scenery.
Saaremaa is a rural Estonian island that feels like its frozen in time. The peaceful countryside is best explored with a car, which will let you see the unique rural culture and interesting sights throughout the island. There are local museums, small beaches, and a natural landscape that feels untouched and authentic.
Do you have one or two days to visit Saaremaa? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Saaremaa?
Saaremaa is a great place to visit if you want to avoid the tourist crowds. It has some interesting activities and attractions. So with one day, you'll probably feel rushed to see everything the island has to offer. You really need more time to savor the small town atmosphere, sample the delicious cuisine, take in the beautiful scenery, and relax at the beach. Many visitors prefer to have two to four days to fully enjoy the island. If you have one day or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.
How to spend a day in Saaremaa
The small-town atmosphere of Saaremaa is one of the main reasons that visitors come here. Spend at least part of your day exploring the town to see the many sights and attractions. The island is known for its traditional atmosphere and slow pace. It's a popular summer destination with locals who enjoy the area's beaches and spas. Kuressaare is the activity center of the island. It's also where you'll find Kuressaare Castle.
The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. Like most things on the island, traditional local food is still the norm here. The island is known for its smoked fish, homemade bread, and locally brewed beers. Popular fishes include garfish, herring, and flatfish, which you can enjoy at a local restaurant or one of the pop-up cafes that are popular during the summer months. You'll find the highest concentration of restaurants in Kuressaare, but there are still many options further out. It's also fun to visit during September during the Saaremaa Food Festival.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Saaremaa?
A weekend is generally not enough time to enjoy the scenery and sights of Saaremaa. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to savor the small town atmosphere, sample the delicious cuisine, take in the beautiful scenery, and relax at the beach. To genuinely appreciate the highlights of the calm island, a more lengthy visit is recommended. Many travelers opt for two to four days to fully explore the area. After all, Saaremaa is a small island with a some good sights and activities, but still hosts a fairly small number of tourists. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your journey.
Saaremaa, Estonia
How to spend 2 days in Saaremaa
With a weekend (two to three days) in Saaremaa, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the island has to offer.
The beautiful beaches await you in Saaremaa, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. The beaches are quiet and relaxed, even during the summer months. In town, the best beach is Kuressaare Beach. Outside of town you'll find other nice beaches such as the sandy beaches between Mändjala and Järve. The beaches in Tuhkana and Jõiste villages are also well known. For swimming, most people prefer to visit Lake Karujärv.
Saaremaa is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The island has a classic beauty that feels frozen in time.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Saaremaa, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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