Saaremaa in Estonia An Island Gateway
The Nature of Saaremaa
Saaremaa is the biggest island of Estonia and it is famous for its unique natural environment, its ancient churches and of course its greatest tourist magnet, the Kaali meteorite crater. Thanks to the mild maritime climate, the plant and animal life of Saaremaa and the islands around it is very diverse. More then 200 species found on the island – from the “robirohu” as it is known in Estonian (Rhinantus osiliensis) and more than 30 orchids to the ringed seal – are protected. The Viiumae conservation area and Vilsandi National Park are two of almost a hundred such sites on the island, which incorporate parks, cliffs an bluffs, boulders and unique bogs and wetlands. Saaremaa is often depicted by its juniper thickets, typical stone fences and vistas of windmills on the horizon.
The Culture of Saaremaa
Saaremaa Castle - Kuressaare
The only town in the county is the capital, Kuressaare, which used to be called Arensburg. Its main drawcard for tourists is its 13th century castle – the only of its kind still standing in the entire Baltic region. The castle has produced many legends, and these play a big part in the annual Castle Days and Opera Days.
There are legends about he islanders themselves, too. They are said to be wise-cracking chatterboxes you’ll never get a straight word out of. But taking a sauna with a local, followed by some home brew will make a thing or two clear about the island.
To reach Saaremaa
The majority of people reach Saaremaa island by catching the ferry from the port of Virtsu, with ferries departing pretty much evey hour on the hour. The trip across “Suur vain” or Big Strait takes just 30 minutes, and you disembark at the port of Kuivastu on Muhu, a small island joined to Saaremaa by road. From the port you drive across “Vaike vain” or Small Strait to reach the destination. It takes about an hour to drive from Kuivastu to Kuressaare, the capital of Saaremaa.
Coaches make the trip to Saaremaa, with no detours along the way, from Tallinn, Tartu, Viljandi and Parnu. The trip from Tallinn to Kuressaare, for example, takes around four hours. Flights from Tallinn will get you to Saaremaa in just 45 minutes, and the islands airport ís within a stone’s throw of Kuressaare. In summer there are also direct flights to and from the Swedish capital Stockholm.
Ruhnu, Vilsandi and Abruka – the unique small islands surrounding Saaremaa – have their own ferry connections.
Accommodation on Saaremaa
You can find something that suits your style among Saaremaa´s unique cross-section of accommodation. You can spend the night in authentic thatch-roofed farm houses, such as the Jurna tourist farm of Upa, any of a wide range of guesthouses, a variety of villas and urban-style guest apartments or beautiful historical manor houses. If you like,you can rent out an entire holiday home, or find holiday camps with sites for tents and caravans in specially marked areas.
Books:
Estonia Latvia & Lithuania (Multi Country Guide)
