Kuressaare

Kuressaare  is the capital of Saaremaa, the largest of Estonia's islands.

Understand
The earliest records of Kuressaare is a document written in 1381 that mentions that the town housed the fortified residency of a local Catholic bishop and that it was the main center for the islands of western Estonia. Kuressaare used to be known as Arensburg, and it received city status in 1563. The town has a population of around 13,000 (2018).



By bus
Several buses run daily between Kuressaare and Tallinn's main bus station. The trip takes 4 hours and traverses the strait between the mainland and the islands by means of a 30-minute ferry.

Bus schedules are easily available online – read more under Estonia.

Do

 * Health spas. The city has a large number of spas.
 * Football: FC Kuressaare play soccer in Meistriliiga, Estonia's top tier. Their home ground Kuressaare Linnastaadion (capacity 2000) is 1 km south of town centre. The playing season is March-Nov.
 * Football: FC Kuressaare play soccer in Meistriliiga, Estonia's top tier. Their home ground Kuressaare Linnastaadion (capacity 2000) is 1 km south of town centre. The playing season is March-Nov.
 * Football: FC Kuressaare play soccer in Meistriliiga, Estonia's top tier. Their home ground Kuressaare Linnastaadion (capacity 2000) is 1 km south of town centre. The playing season is March-Nov.

Buy
There are several malls around town as well as some smaller shops in the town centre.


 * In the city center, next to the tourist office, is a brown building. There are some clothes shops, a bookstore and a kiosk.
 * In the city center, next to the tourist office, is a brown building. There are some clothes shops, a bookstore and a kiosk.
 * In the city center, next to the tourist office, is a brown building. There are some clothes shops, a bookstore and a kiosk.

Go next

 * Pärnu – Estonia's 4th largest city and the summer capital of Estonia, popular for its balneo-therapy complexes and spa centres, surrounded by numerous beaches.
 * Hiiumaa – Estonia's second largest island.