Saaremaa

Saaremaa is the largest Estonian island. It is on the west coast of Estonia. The capital (and only city) in Saaremaa is Kuressaare, which is covered in a separate article.

Understand


The territory of Saaremaa has been inhabited for about eight thousand years. The people of Saaremaa have seen many battles and been ruled over by Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Russia.

Saaremaa has retained its uniqueness due to its location and isolation. In the villages there are still stone fences and houses with thatched roofs. Dolomite, windmills and the famous local home-brewed beer are the symbols of Saaremaa. Saaremaa is famous for its music and its own culture, e.g. Saaremaa waltz.

The islanders' life has always been bound to the sea and the resilience of their womenfolk, kept busy toiling the land while their men were at sea.

The people of Saaremaa love jokes - especially the ones which are about their neighbours - the people of Hiiumaa. The jokes of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa folk may be lost on other Estonians, just as is British humour is sometimes not appreciated "on the continent".



By car
There is a causeway from the island of Muhu, which has a connection with the mainland.

By bus
Buses run to Kuressaare from Tallinn, Tartu and Pärnu. Bus schedules and journey planner can be found at Bussireisid.

By boat
There are ferry connections to the nearby islands of Hiiumaa, Ruhnu and Vilsandi. See: West Estonia and Islands.

By plane
Kuressaare Airport is the only airport serving Saaremaa – flights solely to and from Tallinn.

Get around
Peatus.ee route planner has information about public transport.

See
Besides the following, also the city of Kuressaare has several sights.







Kihelkonna

 * Other sights in Kihelkonna parish: Odalätsi Springs, Kihelkonna Stronghold, site of Estonian's first mud bath (1824), Mihkli Farm Museum from 18th century etc.
 * Other sights in Kihelkonna parish: Odalätsi Springs, Kihelkonna Stronghold, site of Estonian's first mud bath (1824), Mihkli Farm Museum from 18th century etc.
 * Other sights in Kihelkonna parish: Odalätsi Springs, Kihelkonna Stronghold, site of Estonian's first mud bath (1824), Mihkli Farm Museum from 18th century etc.
 * Other sights in Kihelkonna parish: Odalätsi Springs, Kihelkonna Stronghold, site of Estonian's first mud bath (1824), Mihkli Farm Museum from 18th century etc.
 * Other sights in Kihelkonna parish: Odalätsi Springs, Kihelkonna Stronghold, site of Estonian's first mud bath (1824), Mihkli Farm Museum from 18th century etc.

Do
There are many peninsulas, bluffs, lakes and villages worth visiting both in Saaremaa and the nearby islands and islets. The most notable places are Koguva village, on Muhu Island, which is Estonia's best preserved village, and Sõrve peninsula.

Vilsandi National Park is located on the western coast of Saaremaa and counts within its territory nearly a hundred little islets and their surrounding sea. It's a well known place by bird watchers.

Go next

 * Hiiumaa – The second largest Estonian island. Popular for its lighthouses, ancient churches, historical values and the sense of humour of its inhabitants, but scarcely populated. In winter, it can sometimes be reached by car via an ice bridge on the Baltic Sea.
 * Muhu – The third largest Estonian island, and a rural municipality connected to the nearby Saaremaa by an artificial embankment, where ferries to the harbour of Virtsu arrive. Has an open air museum, and its locals are known for still sewing woollen clothes. Sleepy fishing villages, working windmills, thatched cottages, plenty of deer, moose and birds.
 * 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.
 * Vilsandi National Park – Rich in marine fauna, and international bird sanctuary with over 250 recorded bird species, on the west coast of Saaremaa.