The Top Things to See and Do on Saaremaa Island

Kuressaare Castle is the best-preserved fortress in the Baltics. Built in the late 14th century, it now houses the Saaremaa Museum, where you can learn more about the history of the island and its occupation by the Soviets and Nazis. Kids will love the treasure hunt and archery lessons whilst adults can sit and ponder the Baltic Sea views from the rooftop cafe.

There’s no better place on the island to watch the sun go down than at the Sorve Lighthouse. Erected in 1960, it is the tallest lighthouse in the Baltic Sea and occupies Saaremaa’s southernmost point. For a small fee, climb the 145 steps to the top and reward yourself with views all the way to Latvia from its high vantage point. Surrounded by white sand beaches and wide-open skies, it’s a particularly photogenic spot.

Once a 19th-century working windmill, Saaremaa Veski is now a popular restaurant. Tuck into local specialities such as cheese balls and wild boar tenderloin, all served on tables set amid the building’s original machinery. During the summer months, kick back in the garden decked with stone tables and comfy beanbags whilst the third-floor terrace is the place to enjoy spectacular views of Kuressaare.

Saaremaa’s flat roads and low traffic density make it an ideal cycling destination. Rent a bike from Saaremaa Day Tours, situated next to Restaurant Ku Ku in central Kuressaare. Explore the cycling trails around the city or, alternatively, take any of the main roads leaving the city to the west, north or east. In the north of the island, a popular coastal route starts in Kihelkonna and runs for around 65km (40mi) to Leisi.

The world’s eighth youngest giant crater site is situated a 15-minute drive from Kuressaare. Around 7,500 years ago, an earthbound meteorite broke into several pieces just above this hallowed area. The largest fragment created a 110m (361ft) wide and 22m (72ft) deep crater. During the first century CE, it was believed to have been used for sacrificial rituals by the island’s inhabitants. Today it’s filled with water, but you can still stroll around its edge.

Estonia’s third-largest island is connected to Saaremaa by a causeway as well as a regular ferry service to the mainland. Its lush landscapes, thatched cottages and traditional costumes have remained unchanged for centuries, earning it a nickname as “the place where time rests”. Key attractions include the open-air museum in Koguva village, the 13th-century Saint Catherine’s Church and Alexander restaurant at the five-star Padaste resort, one of Estonia’s finest eateries.

Created as a bird reserve in 1910, Vilsandi National Park is the oldest protected area in the Baltics. It consists of more than 150 islands, islets and reefs off the west coast of Saaremaa. It’s also one of Estonia’s premier spots for bird-watching, hosting almost 250 visiting and nesting species, including the white-tailed eagle and rare Steller’s Eider. Keep your eyes peeled for grey seals, too.

Pack a picnic before heading to Angla Hill, where you’ll see the only remaining windmills on Saaremaa. The hilltop attraction consists of four trestle windmills dating from the early 19th century. Kids will appreciate the farm animals in a mini-zoo, plus there’s a souvenir shop and a museum dedicated to local folklore. Enjoy your picnic on one of the wooden tables scattered outside, or head to the cafe to sample home-cooked regional dishes.

Saaremaa has more spas than any other destination in Estonia. One of its best can be found within Kuressaare’s four-star GOSPA Georg Ots Hotel, situated on the waterfront overlooking the castle and sea. Its wellness centre features nude Finnish and infrared saunas, a jacuzzi, hot and cold pools, plus treatments using the hotel’s own Kena products, developed from Saaremaa’s natural resources. Tailor your spa break by choosing from a menu of two-night, all-inclusive packages.