Places to visit in Kuressaare

Nature & parks

Kuressaare Town Park

The town park by Kalda Street in Kuressaare is a historic green space for walks near the bishop's castle. Its development was linked to the town becoming a resort: a park committee was established in 1861, and residents helped with money, young trees and transport. Today the landscaping itself is a point of interest, with around 80 species of trees and shrubs in the park. Some rare plants were planted in 1930 after being obtained from the University of Tartu. A walk also introduces the town's resort past: the nearby Kuursaal was a centre of summer social life. The park is open around the clock throughout the year.

Kalda pst 1, Kuressaare linn, Saaremaa vald, Saare maakond

Nature & parks

Kuressaare Health Park

Kuressaare Health Park is a wooded exercise and recreation area on Kaevu Street in the town of Kuressaare. Lit running and ski trails of 0.6, one and two kilometres wind through the park, and their soft surface is ideal for unhurried exercise. Facilities also include outdoor workout equipment and a children's playground. In winter the trails are used for skiing, and in the warmer months for walking and running. It is a green spot next to the town centre where you can experience Saaremaa's nature without a long trip. Weather and maintenance work may affect the use of the trails.

Kaevu tn 18, Kuressaare

Nature & parks

Panga Cliff

Panga Cliff is in Panga village on the north coast of Saare County. The limestone bank running along the sea rises more than twenty metres at its highest point and opens up views over the Baltic Sea. In the Panga recreation area you can walk, watch coastal birds and stop for a picnic; there is also a dolomite sundial on site. The cliff edge is natural, so take care, especially in windy or wet weather. The reason to come here is the landscape itself: the long coastal escarpment, the expanse of sea and the shifting light of Saaremaa's north coast.

Panga loodusmaja, Panga küla, Saaremaa vald, Saare maakond

Nature & parks

Kaali Meteorite Crater Field

The Kaali Meteorite Crater Field in Kaali village, Saare County, is one of the most remarkable natural stops on a trip from Kuressaare. The largest crater is about 110 metres wide, with Kaali Lake at its bottom. Besides the main crater, there are several smaller impact craters in the surrounding area. A trail lets you take in the landscape and consider how the meteorite impact changed the place. The outdoor crater area and the nearby meteoritics museum are separate sites; check the museum's opening hours and ticket separately.

Kaali maastikukaitseala 1, Kaali küla, Saaremaa vald, Saare maakond

Nature & parks

Mändjala Beach

Mändjala Beach is a sandy beach in Mändjala village, Saaremaa Parish, Saare County, a short drive from Kuressaare. The wide shoreline and the pine forest reaching down to the shore create a spacious place for both swimming and seaside walks. The spot has been known as an official Saaremaa bathing beach since 2014; in season beach services can be found nearby, but they do not determine when the beach itself is open. The beach is accessible all year round, day and night. Before swimming, keep an eye on the weather and water conditions, and keep the beach sand and forest edge clean.

Kämpingu, Mändjala küla, Saaremaa vald, Saare maakond

Nature & parks

Odalätsi springs

Odalätsi springs are located in Saaremaa, in Pidula-Kuusiku village, between forested dunes and a pine forest. Here, groundwater rises to the surface as several springs and forms small watercourses. A nature trail about four hundred meters long runs around the springs, starting near the roadside parking lot. A folk tale about Vanapagan and Suur Tõll is associated with the place, but the legend does not replace the actual history of nature's formation. The short walk is suitable for discovering Saaremaa's forest landscape. In the damp area, slippery roots and ground must be taken into account.

Maie, Pidula-Kuusiku küla, Saaremaa vald, Saare maakond

Nature & parks

Üügu cliff

Üügu cliff is located in the village of Kallaste on Muhu Island in Saare County and is a well-known limestone cliff on the island's northern coast. The cliff stands a little away from the modern coastline because the sea once carved cave-like hollows into the rock at its base. The escarpment, approximately three hundred metres long, allows visitors to observe the shape of the limestone strata and the changing landscape. Dolomite was once quarried here, traces of which can still be seen in the landscape. Üügu cliff is a distinct natural site on Muhu Island and is not another name for Panga cliff on the northern coast of Saaremaa.

Andovälja, Kallaste küla, Muhu vald, Saare maakond

Nature & parks

Ohessaare cliff and stone towers

Ohessaare cliff and stone towers are located in Saaremaa, in Ohessaare village on the western coast of the Sõrve peninsula. The low limestone bluff reveals rock layers deposited during the Silurian period, within which fossils can be noticed. There are numerous flat stones on the shore, and visitors have over time stacked them into stone towers of varying heights. The open sea coast, stony ground and changing light make the place a unique nature observation spot. This is not the same object as the Sõrve lighthouse or Panga cliff. When moving on the shore, one must account for waves, wind and uneven stones.

Kubja, Ohessaare küla, Saaremaa vald, Saare maakond

Nature & parks

Harilaiu hiking trails

The Harilaiu hiking trails are located in Saaremaa, in Vilsandi National Park, which is known for its beautiful nature and diverse wildlife. Here you can choose between two hiking trails: 6 km and 11 km. The short trail takes you to Laialepa Bay, while the longer trail leads to the Kiipsaare Lighthouse, where you can enjoy the trees and bushes swaying in the wind, the golden sandy beach, and the rocky coastal areas. The western coast of Harilaiu is a great place for bird and seal watching. The hiking trails are open year-round, allowing you to enjoy nature at any time. Park your car at the beginning of the trail and discover the beauty of Harilaiu in summer or winter.

Kõruse-Metsaküla küla, Saaremaa vald, Saare maakond

Nature & parks

Vilsandi hiking trails

Vilsandi hiking trails are located on Vilsandi Island in Saare County and start from the observation tower in the center of the island. The approximately eight-kilometer educational trail runs along the southern coast towards the lighthouse and returns through the forest along the northern shore. Another trail heads towards Vesiloo and passes by a fenced observation area; protected areas and signage must be respected. The island can be accessed by boat from Papissaare harbor, so the hiking plan should take into account the schedule of connections and the weather. Before setting out, information about the routes can be obtained from the visitor center in the village of Loona.

Vikati sadamatee, Vilsandi küla, Saaremaa vald, Saare maakond

Nature & parks

Koigi Bog Hiking Trail

The Koigi Raba hiking trail is located in Saaremaa, in the village of Koigi, and it is an ideal destination for nature lovers. The trail is 4.8 km long and covered with wooden blocks, making the walk comfortable. The hiking trail takes you through a beautiful bog, in the center of which lies Lake Pikkjärv. The trail also offers a cozy observation tower with picturesque views over the bog. In summer and autumn, it is possible to pick cranberries along the trail. Koigi Raba is also known for its legends, including the tale of the women's lake, whose water is formed from the tears of women. The trail is open year-round, allowing you to enjoy nature at any time.

Sarapiku, Koigi küla, Saaremaa vald, Saare maakond

Nature & parks

Muhu Ostrich Farm

Muhu Ostrich Farm is an animal park in Nautse village where you can see exotic birds and animals up close. The farm is home to ostriches, emus, zebras, red kangaroos, alpacas, Poitou donkeys, ponies, porcupines and rabbits. Following the instructions, visitors can feed the ostriches and emus, and there is a farm shop on site. The place is especially good as a family stop on Muhu island, since besides watching the animals there is a picnic area and a children’s playground. The farm is open to visitors regularly during the summer season.

Indicative price: Adult 6 €; child aged 4–16 4 €

Laasu, Nautse küla, Muhu vald, Saare maakond

Nature & parks

Salme Disc Golf Park

Salme Disc Golf Park is a free disc golf course in Salme small borough, running around the seaside beach park and pine grove. The course takes players across open areas and through forest corridors, and some throws pass near the Salme River. Bring your own discs, as the public course is intended for independent use. A beach volleyball court and a children’s playground are in the same area, so disc golf can be combined with a longer stop in Salme beach park. The course is open all year round, day and night.

Indicative price: Free

Sõrve mnt 1, Salme alevik, Saaremaa vald, Saare maakond