Saaremaa is the biggest island in Estonia. It sits in the Baltic Sea, and it is famous for its calm nature, old windmills, medieval castle, and fresh sea air.
If you want a quiet holiday away from big cities, Saaremaa is a great choice. This guide will help you plan every step of your trip, from getting there to finding fun things to do.
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How to Get to Saaremaa
Saaremaa has very few direct international flights, usually just seasonal ones to Helsinki. Because of this, most travelers fly into Tallinn first.
Getting to Tallinn
Tallinn is Estonia’s capital and has good flight links to many European cities. When you look for flights, use a site like Expedia so you can see many airlines at once, compare prices, and choose the best deal for your dates.
From Tallinn to Saaremaa
After you land in Tallinn, you have three main ways to reach Saaremaa:
- Domestic flight: Take a short flight from Tallinn to Kuressaare (the main town on Saaremaa).
- Bus: Direct buses run from Tallinn to Saaremaa and are a good choice if you don’t want to drive.
- Car + ferry: Drive (or take a bus) to the west coast of Estonia, then take a ferry.
About the ferry
The ferry does not go straight to Saaremaa. It sails from Virtsu to the smaller island of Muhu. From Muhu, you continue by road across a short causeway to Saaremaa. You can check ferry times and buy tickets on the official TS Laevad ferry website, Praamid.ee.
Getting Around the Island
Saaremaa is a big island, and public transport is limited. Buses exist, but they do not run often, and many small villages, beaches, and viewpoints are hard to reach without a car. Because of this, renting a car is the best way to explore Saaremaa at your own pace.
You can find good car rental deals through Discover Cars. This site lets you compare rental companies side by side, so you can see the full price with no hidden fees. Renting a car also gives you the freedom to stop at small farms, local shops, and quiet beaches that you would miss on a bus.
Driving on Saaremaa is easy and relaxing. The roads are quiet, and the views of forests, fields, and the coast make every drive enjoyable.
Where to Stay in Saaremaa
Kuressaare is the main town on Saaremaa, and it is the best base for most visitors. It has the famous Kuressaare Castle, a nice harbor, restaurants, and small shops. From here, you can drive to almost any part of the island in under an hour.
For booking a place to stay, Hotels.com is a simple and reliable choice. It offers many types of rooms, from budget guesthouses to comfortable hotels with spa services, and it often has flexible cancellation options. This is useful if your travel plans change.
If you like to see all your options on a map before you decide, try Stay22. This tool shows hotels, guesthouses, and rentals as pins on an interactive map. You can see exactly how close a place is to the beach, the town center, or a specific attraction you want to visit. This makes it much easier to choose a location that fits your plans.
Top Things to Do in Saaremaa
Visit Kuressaare Castle. This medieval stone castle is the symbol of Saaremaa. It sits by the sea and has a museum inside where you can learn about the island’s history. Walking around the castle walls at sunset is a popular activity for visitors.
See the Kaali Meteorite Crater. Thousands of years ago, a meteorite hit Saaremaa and left a large crater surrounded by trees. It is a strange and peaceful place to visit, and it is one of the most unique natural sites in Estonia.
Explore the Windmills of Angla. Angla is home to a row of old wooden windmills. They show how people used wind power in the past, and the site also has a small open-air museum with traditional farm buildings.
Relax at Sõrve Peninsula. This is the southern tip of the island. It has quiet beaches, a lighthouse, and old military bunkers from World War II. It is a great spot for walking and taking photos.
Walk along Panga Cliff. Panga Cliff is on the north coast of Saaremaa, and it is one of the tallest cliffs in Estonia, reaching about 21 meters (70 feet) high. In old times, people believed the cliff was a sacred place, and they used to bring gifts here to please the sea gods.
Today, it is a peaceful spot to walk along the edge, watch the waves hit the limestone rock, and enjoy wide views over the sea. Sunset is a great time to visit, and it is an easy stop if you are driving around the northern part of the island.
Try local food and spa culture. Saaremaa is known for its spas, black bread, and smoked fish. Many hotels offer spa treatments, and small local restaurants serve traditional Estonian dishes made with island ingredients.
To find guided tours that fit your interests, check GetYourGuide. It lists activities with real reviews from other travelers, so you know what to expect before you book. This is especially helpful if you want a local guide to explain the island’s history or nature in more detail.
Best Time to Visit
Summer, from June to August, is the most popular season. The weather is warm, days are long, and all the tours and boat trips are running.
Spring and early autumn are quieter, with fewer tourists and lower prices on hotels and car rentals.
Winter is very calm and cold, and many small businesses close, so it is not the best time for first-time visitors.
Packing Tips
Bring layers, even in summer, because the sea wind can be cool in the evening. A good pair of walking shoes is important since many attractions, like the crater and the windmills, need some walking on grass or gravel paths.
If you plan to visit the coast, pack a swimsuit, since some beaches are lovely on warm days.