Places to visit in Pärnu

Museums & science

Red Tower

The Red Tower is Pärnu's oldest surviving building and a rare material trace of the medieval town of Uus-Pärnu. The tower was built in the 15th century as part of the defensive fortifications; for several centuries it was also used as a town prison. Three floors of the massive stone structure have survived to this day. Today it houses a branch of the Pärnu Museum: the exhibition introduces the history of the medieval town and the tower itself, and the upper level features a circular panoramic cinema. A ten-minute animated film takes the viewer through approximately 15,000 years of the region's history, from the Ice Age to the present day. It is a compact yet particularly characteristic historical attraction in the center of Pärnu.

Indicative price: Adult ticket — 8 €/person; concessionary — 6 €; family — 17 €. Panoramic film included. Private guided tour — 55–65 €/group + tickets.

Hommiku tn 11, 80011 Pärnu

Museums & science

Pärnu Museum

The Pärnu Museum is the city's main historical museum, offering a view of the development of Pärnu and Pärnu County within the context of Estonian and Baltic regional history. In 2026, a new permanent exhibition opened here, built around four major themes: the early settlement of the region, the history of two medieval towns, the birth of the nation-state, and the transformation of Pärnu into Estonia's summer capital. The exhibition covers over 11,000 years of history, from the first settlements to resort culture and the establishment of the independent republic. In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum features an open storage facility with items not typically displayed and gallery spaces for temporary projects. The museum is located in the city center in a reconstructed historic warehouse building.

Indicative price: Adult ticket — 15 €/person; concessionary — 11 €; family — 31 €. Private guided tour — 55–65 €/group + admission tickets.

Aida 3, 80010 Pärnu

Museums & science

Koidula Museum

Koidula Muuseum is a literary and historical museum in the Ülejõe district of Pärnu, dedicated to Lydia Koidula and her family. The exhibition is housed in the wooden building where the Jannsen family lived and a school operated in the mid-19th century. Here, visitors can explore the life of the poet, the work of her father Johann Voldemar Jannsen, and the beginnings of Estonian-language journalism, including the newspaper Perno Postimees. Recreated school and living spaces help convey the atmosphere of the national awakening period. A garden next to the house adds to the historical experience.

Indicative price: Adult €10; concession €7; family €21; children under 8 free.

Jannseni 37, 80032 Pärnu

Museums & science

Museum of New Art

The Museum of New Art is a contemporary art museum on Rüütli Street in central Pärnu, known for changing exhibitions and international projects. Founded by artist and documentary filmmaker Mark Soosaar, the museum brings together works of visual art and an extensive video archive of documentary films. Its programme includes painting, photography, sculpture and experimental artistic practices. One of its traditional themes is exhibitions exploring the human figure and the relationship between art and society. It is a cultural stop in the historic city centre where the exhibitions change throughout the year.

Indicative price: Adult €10; reduced €6; family €23; children under 8 free.

Rüütli 40a, 80010 Pärnu

Museums & science

Tori Stud Farm

Tori Stud Farm is in the small town of Tori in Pärnu County, beside the road towards Soomaa. Founded in 1856, the stud still breeds Estonian and Tori horses today. The historic stables and the stud's museum tell the story of horse breeding and the local area; the exhibition also includes horse-related objects and hands-on activities. Horses and the stable setting can be seen according to the stud's visiting rules, while riding and horse-drawn carriage tours must be booked separately. The museum ticket and a visit to the grounds only are priced differently.

Indicative price: Adult museum ticket €8; reduced €6; family ticket €16; grounds only €3

Pärnu mnt 10, Tori alevik, Tori vald, Pärnu maakond

Museums & science

Pernova Nature House

Pernova Nature House is a nature education visitor centre on A. H. Tammsaare Boulevard in Pärnu. In the grass-roofed building you can explore a permanent exhibition of animals, birds and plants, visit the winter garden and discover the sound and film cave. Dome cinema and planetarium shows offer a different angle on nature and outer space. The exhibitions and activity areas suit a family visit; the planetarium programme depends on the day's schedule. The standard day ticket covers the nature house exhibitions and the film shows held during your visit.

Indicative price: Adult day ticket €11; child aged 4–7 €4; pupil, student or pensioner €8; family ticket €30

A. H. Tammsaare pst 57, Pärnu linn

Museums & science

C. R. Jakobson Farm Museum

The C. R. Jakobson Farm Museum in Kurgja village, northern Pärnu County, introduces the life of a figure of the national awakening in a working farm setting. In the main house, built to Jakobson's designs, you can follow the story and activities of his family, while outdoors there are historic farm buildings and agricultural work to see. The mill, the sauna house and the stops along the nature trail reveal different sides of 19th-century rural life. The Sakala hiking trail starts near the museum, so a farm visit can be combined with a walk around Kurgja.

Indicative price: Adult €8; pupil, student or pensioner €6; family ticket €16

Kurgja-Linnutaja talu, Kurgja küla, Põhja-Pärnumaa vald, Pärnu maakond

Museums & science

Estonian Museum Railway in Lavassaare

The Estonian Museum Railway in Lavassaare is a museum introducing the history of narrow-gauge railways, located in the small town of Lavassaare in Pärnu County. Situated on the former peat industry site, the outdoor exhibition features dozens of locomotives and carriages, including steam locomotives. Indoors, visitors can examine old photographs, tools, and documents that explain the role of the railway in Estonia's transport history. During the summer season, museum train rides are also organized, but their availability must be checked separately. The exhibition is suitable for engineering enthusiasts and families, offering something completely different from the museums in downtown Pärnu.

Ülejõe tn 1, Lavassaare alev, Pärnu linn, Pärnumaa

Museums & science

Sindi Museum

Sindi Museum is located in Pärnu County, in the town of Sindi on Pärnu highway in a historic small building. The museum introduces the history of the textile industry and the Sindi factory, the lives of the workers, and the development of the town. The exhibitions feature items, documents, and photos that tell about local school, sports, and community life. Additionally, 20th-century handicrafts and domestic tools can be seen. The building itself is connected to the history of early cooperative activities in Estonia. The museum is a standalone historical attraction, not part of the Sindi health trail or riverside park.

Pärnu mnt 26a, Sindi linn, Tori vald, Pärnumaa

Museums & science

Kihnu Museum

Kihnu Museum is located in Linaküla on Kihnu Island, in Pärnu County, in a former school building. The exhibition introduces the daily life of the island's people, seafaring, handicrafts, and folk costumes, and helps to understand Kihnu's living cultural heritage. The museum also features works by local folk artists and stories of Kihnu's famous people. If desired, one can participate in a guided tour or workshop; the building also has a souvenir shop offering local handicrafts. When planning your visit, consider the ferry connection from Munalaiu harbor and check the schedule for that day before setting off.

Indicative price: Full ticket 5 €, reduced ticket 3 €, family ticket 10 €; preschool children free.

Linaküla küla, Kihnu vald, Pärnu maakond

Museums & science

Häädemeeste Museum

Häädemeeste Museum is located in Pärnu County and is an inspiring cultural and heritage center that showcases the unique history of the Häädemeeste region. The museum highlights the rich cultural heritage of the area, from fishing and sailing to church, school, and community movements. Visitors can dive into centuries past by exploring interesting and practical items from farmhouses that reflect the living and working conditions of rural people about a hundred years ago. It is a great place to learn about Estonian history, the heritage of Pärnu County, and the life of coastal communities. The museum also offers meaningful guided tours that highlight details you might not notice yourself. The wisdom of Häädemeeste, that "Life must be and the fire must burn", lives on in the museum, providing visitors with a meaningful experience.

Pärnu mnt 13, Häädemeeste alevik, Häädemeeste vald, Pärnu maakond

Museums & science

Car Museum

The Car Museum is a technology museum in Loomse village beside the Via Baltica highway, focusing on the history of cars in Estonia and the world. The Halinga museum’s exhibition features more than 80 vehicles from different manufacturers: cars driven in Estonia during the Soviet era, European and American classics and pre-war rarities. There is also a separate collection of model cars, and the museum’s collection keeps growing. A 1963 Rambler on display is linked to Paul Keres. The museum is at kilometre 103 of the Tallinn–Pärnu road and makes a good independent stop in Pärnu County.

Indicative price: Full ticket 15 €; reduced 8 €; family ticket 30 €; children up to 6 free

Muuseumi, Loomse küla, Põhja-Pärnumaa vald, Pärnu maakond

Museums & science

Lihula Museum

Lihula Museum is housed in the main building of Lihula manor on Linnuse tee and presents the history of Lihula and southern Lääne County. The permanent exhibitions cover Baltic German cultural history, local folk costumes and floral embroidery, Lihula’s silversmiths and people connected with the area; the museum also covers archaeological research at Lihula castle. Completed in 1840, the manor house provides a distinctive setting for the history exhibitions, and together with the nearby castle hill the museum makes a rewarding stop in Lihula’s historic centre.

Indicative price: Full ticket 6 €; reduced 3 €; family ticket 14 €; on the second Tuesday of each month 2 €

Lihula mõis, Linnuse tee 1, Lihula linn, Lääneranna vald, 90303 Pärnu maakond

Museums & science

Seljametsa Museum

Seljametsa Museum is a local history museum in the former Pustuski dairy in Seljametsa village, presenting the history and cultural heritage of the Paikuse area. The collections and exhibitions of the museum, founded in 2001, include work and household tools, furniture, everyday objects, school textbooks, books and local handicrafts. The museum has also received items from people in the surrounding area, so the exhibition is closely tied to the story of the local community. In addition to regular visits, guided tours and museum lessons with workshops are offered.

Indicative price: Full ticket 3 €; reduced 1 €; guided tour for 1-10 people 10 € + museum ticket

Seljametsa kool/3, Seljametsa küla 86601, Pärnu linn