Estonia - Cities, Islands & Traditions

Day 1 : Arrival in Tallinn

Take a gentle stroll this evening to get your bearings. Cobbled lanes, merchant houses and slender church spires tell stories of the Hanseatic traders who once made Tallinn one of the Baltic Sea’s key ports. Settle in and enjoy your first taste of contemporary Estonian flavours in a cosy local restaurant.

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Day 2: Exploring Tallinn’s Old Town and Surrounds

Meet your local guide for a walk through the UNESCO-listed Old Town. On Toompea Hill, learn how power has shifted here from Danish kings to the present-day parliament, and admire the onion-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral before stepping into quiet courtyards and along narrow lanes lined with guild houses. Down in the Lower Town, the Gothic Town Hall and atmospheric passages speak to centuries of trade and craft.

During your free afternoon, continue into Kalamaja, the city’s creative quarter, where wooden houses, small studios and cafés show Tallinn’s modern side.

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Day 3: Free Day in Tallinn

A day to follow your interests. Kadriorg Palace and its park offer a peaceful stroll and excellent art collections; the Seaplane Harbour brings maritime history to life; Telliskivi Creative City is great for design boutiques and easy lunches. If you’d like more sea air, wander the promenade towards the harbour or call into the Rotermann Quarter for a look at Tallinn’s blend of industrial heritage and contemporary Nordic architecture.

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Day 4: Tallinn to Kuressaare (Saaremaa Island)

Travel by car and ferry to Saaremaa, Estonia’s largest island, known for windmills, juniper groves and a strong connection to nature. In Kuressaare, your guide introduces the town’s story: a seaside resort with a well-preserved episcopal castle, leafy parks and wooden villas from the spa era. Walk the promenade, hear how Baltic trade and island farming shaped local life, and get tips for the best spa experiences and coastal walks.

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Day 5: Kuressaare at Leisure

Enjoy a full day at your own pace. Relax at one of the island’s spas, cycle through quiet coastal villages, or visit local artisans who continue traditional crafts. Saaremaa’s slow rhythm and open landscapes make it an ideal place to unwind and connect with nature.

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Day 6: Kuressaare to Pärnu​

Continue by road to Pärnu, Estonia’s beloved summer capital since the 19th century. A short city tour with your guide reveals long sandy beaches, leafy parks and a centre dotted with wooden villas and art-nouveau façades. Hear how Pärnu became a fashionable spa resort and why Estonians return year after year. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy the seaside atmosphere.

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Day 7: Kihnu Island

Set out for Kihnu, a small island recognised by UNESCO for its living cultural traditions. Guided by a local host, you’ll learn about the island’s distinctive folk dress, music and handicrafts that have been passed down through the women of Kihnu for generations while the men fished at sea. Visit the lighthouse, village museum and family farms, and hear stories that keep this tight-knit community connected to its past. Return to Pärnu in the late afternoon.

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Day 8:  Pärnu to Tartu

Travel inland to Tartu, Estonia’s oldest town and its centre of learning. Your guide will introduce the university quarter founded in the 17th century, Town Hall Square with its playful fountain, and the leafy riverfront paths that make the city so liveable. Tartu blends academic heritage with a youthful creative spirit; you’ll feel it in the cafés, bookshops and small galleries.

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Day 9: Free Day in Tartu

Follow your curiosity today. The Estonian National Museum offers a compelling look at the country’s cultures and recent history in a striking modern space. For a different feel, wander through Karlova’s colourful wooden houses and street art, or drop into the AHHAA Science Centre. Tartu rewards unhurried exploration - take a seat in a local café and watch daily life roll by.

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Day 10: Day Trip to Setomaa

Travel south-east into Setomaa with your local expert in Seto traditions. Close to the Russian border, this region is home to the Seto people, whose Orthodox faith, language and leelo polyphonic singing form a distinctive cultural tapestry. Visit small villages and chapels, meet local hosts and sample hearty Seto dishes made from simple, seasonal ingredients. It’s a rare window into a community that has preserved its way of life with pride.

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Day 11: The Onion Route

Follow the Onion Route along Lake Peipus, where Estonians and Russian Old Believers have lived side by side since the 17th century. Colourful wooden houses line the lakeshore, verandas hung with strings of onions during harvest. With your guide, step into village life, visit small chapels, and hear how devotion, craftsmanship and the rhythm of the lake shape this region. Return to Tartu in the afternoon.

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Day 12: Tartu to Tallinn by Train

After breakfast, transfer to the station for the comfortable train ride back to Tallinn - an easy, scenic journey that traces river valleys and forests. On arrival, a driver will take you to your hotel. Use your final evening to revisit a favourite viewpoint on Toompea or enjoy a relaxed dinner in the Old Town.

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Day 13: Departure from Tallinn

After breakfast, transfer to Tallinn Airport for your onward flight or continued travels. 

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If you’d like to keep exploring, we’ll be delighted to design your onward journey to Latvia’s elegant capital Riga or Vilnius in Lithuania. Alternatively, extend your journey to experience the Nordic lifestyle with a ferry crossing to Helsinki in Finland or Stockholm in Sweden.