How To Spend An Afternoon In Muhu Estonia

Muhu is Estonia‘s third largest island. The population is rather small, making it a wonderful destination for those looking to explore a beautiful coastal environment as well as some interesting architecture set against natural landscapes. Plan an afternoon visit to Muhu via the connecting causeway from Saaremaa Island, Estonia’s largest island.

Muhu Museum

Start your afternoon in Muhu at the Muhu Museum to get a taste for rural Estonian culture and traditions of times gone by. The Muhu Museum is an open-air museum that displays old wooden buildings with traditional Estonian architecture. Within the Muhu Museum, guests can see the home of the famous Estonian writer Juhan Smuul, a schoolhouse, windmills, and an exhibition of Muhu’s national costumes and textiles.

Koguva, Saare County, Estonia, +372 501 1566

The Eemu Windmill is one of the most popular things to see on Muhu Island. Wooden windmills were formerly very very important in Estonia, as they were used to power mills. Though no longer economically important, the Eemu Windmill now serves as a working example of Estonia’s wooden windmills.

Linnuse, Saare County, Estonia, +372 501 1566

Muhu St. Catherine’s Church

The next highlight of Muhu Island is the impressive Muhu St. Catherine’s Church. This church is the most renowned example of Gothic architecture in Estonia and was built in a monumental style. The church also contains fragments of original paintings from the 13th century, which are interestingly very unlike those from other churches in Estonia, as they don’t show people or plant motifs.

Liiva, Saare County, Estonia

Colorful doors and clothing

While traversing Muhu Island, visitors should keep a look out for the colorfully painted doors adorning beautiful houses. Muhu Island is known for its colorful doors. Additionally, Muhu is renowned in Estonia for its brightly colored traditional costumes and textiles. Surely, items made from these stunning textiles would make a great souvenir.

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Getting out into nature

Estonia is a country of stunning nature protected by numerous national parks. Hike the Uugu area of Muhu Island, and climb up to the Uugu Bluff for views of the sea. Due to past erosion from the sea, the Uugu Bluffs have cave-like basins — perfect for those looking to explore even further off-the-beaten-path.

Uugu Bluff, Saare County, Estonia

Padaste Manor

Enjoy an amazing meal or spend the night at Padaste Manor, which dates back to the 15th century. Foodies will certainly be surprised that the restaurant at Padaste Manor was voted the number one restaurant in Estonia for five years in a row, which should be credited to the quality of Matthias Diether, the restaurant’s Michelin-star chef.

Muhu Island, Saare County, Estonia, +372 454 8800

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