Pärnu
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Pärnu is located in southwestern Estonia on the coast of the Baltic Sea. It houses approximately 41,000 residents and is definitely the summer capital of Estonia due its sandy beaches and spas.
Beach
Just 15 minutes walking from city centre is the famous beach, which gathers thousands of sunbathers annually from the Baltic states, Finland and Russia. For its maritime climate Parnu has warm summers and mild winters. No wonder many Estonians think that summer is not a summer without the trip to this beach.
Spas
Pärnu is well-known for its luxurious spas and specially the Parnu Mud Baths (Ranna puiestee 1) pampers visitors in extraordinary way with its warm mud treatments. Also the Tervise Paradiis waterpark (Side 14) with its open-air pool and jacuzzis is the chance to find harmony of the soul.
For children
Lottemaa theme park about 10 kilometres from Pärnu is biggest its kind in the Baltic states. It its concentrating on the Estonian fairytale character Lotte the dog and entertains with six houses telling the story, and a beach for swimming.
The Mary Magdalene Guild maintains handicraft centre in address Uus tänav 5. Here smallvisitors can craft e.g. T-shirts or a key fob in art workshop.
What else to see
Soomaa national park
Soomaa is the great site for an adventure-seeking wanderer. Here is the largest sand dunes of the mainland Estonia, several beautiful hiking and study trails. Visitors has also chance for canoeing from April until October.
Church of Jekaterina
Among the religious sites of Estonia, the Baroque Church of Jekaterina is the pride of Pärnu.
It was completed in 1768 and built by order the Russian tsarina Catherine II.
Tallinn Gate
This gate with an embankment was known as Carl Gustav Gate until 1710. It is only survived 17th century gate of its kind in the Baltic states
How to get to Pärnu
Pärnu is easily reached from Tallinn by bus, train or car. It is situated 130 kilometres from Tallinn. Bus trip from Tallin to Pärnu takes about two hours and costs 8 euros. Bus schedules and prices can be found here.
Also the train is a comfy way to explore Estonia. Train from Tallinn to Pärnu costs about 5-6 euros. Train schedules can be found on the Elron website.
Top 5 of Pärnu
- Spas
- Sunbathing in beach
- Cycling
- Lottemaa theme park
- Trekking in Soomaa
Text: Timo Hellman
Photographs: Visit Estonia / Indrek Aija, Tõiv Jõul, Veekeskus, Ojar Kristal and Jaak Nilson[/fusion_text]
