Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Saaremaa?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 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 3, 4, or 5 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 3 days enough time in Saaremaa?
Many visitors choose to spend around three days exploring Saaremaa. This would give you the chance to experience the island's most popular activities such as the small town charm, the restaurant scene, and the gorgeous scenery. Since many visitors prefer to spend around two to four days here, we have a few suggestions of things to do.
How to spend 3 days 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.
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.
After you've explored most of Saaremaa, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Saaremaa.
Is 4 days enough time in Saaremaa?
Four days provides more than enough time to explore the entirety of Saaremaa at your own pace to savor the small town atmosphere, sample the delicious cuisine, take in the beautiful scenery, and relax at the beach. Then, use your hotel as a base to take some day trips or get out on the water, as this island offers plenty of options
Saaremaa, Estonia
How to spend 4 days in Saaremaa
With 4 days in Saaremaa, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the island has to offer.
Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Saaremaa.
Is 5 days enough time in Saaremaa?
With five days, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Saaremaa has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind around the island or use your hotel as a base for further exploration. You can relax while enjoying the small town charm, the restaurant scene, and the gorgeous scenery at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
How to spend 5 days in Saaremaa
With 5 days in Saaremaa, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy everything the island has to offer at your own relaxed pace. You'll want to spend plenty of time relaxing on the beach and exploring the town. You can also relax at your hotel, or casually explore this island looking for hidden gems. Also, consider taking some day trips to nearby destinations where you can explore more of the region.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Saaremaa, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.