Activities & Adventure Tourism in Estonia

Water sports & leisure
Estonia’s 3000-kilometre coastline welcomes visitors to ports, islands and to paddle across rivers and lakes. There are many options for adventure and adrenaline lovers and also for more relaxing leisure.

Some of the fantastic water activities in Estonia include: sea tours on historical ships for those looking for something relaxed yet memorable, kayaking and canoeing for those who like to discover on the go, and of course there’s windsurfing if you are looking to jump right in.

If you are into sports and competition, Võhandu Marathon will test your endurance. In one day you have to cross 100 kilometres of interesting and at times extreme river. It’s an awe-inspiring challenge for all canoeing friends.

Sail in Estonia
Estonia, a secret well kept on the coast of Baltic Sea, is much closer and accessible than you think. Its winding coastline is by far more lengthy than its land border, surrounded by roughly 2000 islands. Vibrant atmosphere packed with many regattas, Estonia is a place well worth exploring by boat.

Estonia has smaller and bigger yacht marinas to choose from located across the coastline and islands. In a matter of days, or in some cases hours, you can reach Estonian ports and marinas from neighbouring countries such as Finland and Sweden. By the shortest route from northern coast across the Gulf of Finland to Finland is just 25 nautical miles.

Cycling and bicycle trips
Estonia is a great place for travelling by bike – short distances, not a lot traffic on the roads, diverse nature scenery, well preserved local culture and traditions, privacy, and continuously developed network of bike roads support this environmentally friendly mode of transport in every way.

Estonia is also a safe place for taking bicycle trips, as our main roads are all paved and have sparse traffic, while still passing through populated urban areas.

You can choose to bike though the flatlands of northern and western Estonia, or enjoy southern Estonia with its rolling hills, lakes, fields and forests. Summer days in Estonia are so long that you can circle the entire country on bike in just 10–14 days. Accommodation locations are situated closely enough for you to reach the next one within a day’s journey. It is also easy to find designated campsites or to put your tent up in beautiful nature scenery of your own choosing; camping without a permit is allowed in designated and marked camping spots in state-owned forests.

The Eurovelo route that passes through Estonia starts from the Latvian border, runs along the coast and the islands, passes Tallinn and heads to the Russian border via the northern coast (Saint Petersburg is only 140 km away from the border). Additionally, there are signs for a selection of local and regional bike routes. You get a whole new experience when travelling through Estonia on a bike (as opposed to car drives), meadows and forests alternate with villages and it is perfectly usual to stop at the nearest farm to ask for a glass of cold water.

There are plenty of places that lend out equipment, in cities, but in tourism farms and spas as well. If you would like to get help from local tour operators, be sure to check the routes and trips listed below. Bike trip organisers can lead you to delightful locations that are tricky to find on one’s own and show a lot of interesting places that you might not notice when travelling on your own.

Golf
A round or two of golf is a great way to spend a morning or a late afternoon, especially during the long days of Estonia’s midsummer.

Estonia has several natural golf courses, all located in the midst of beautiful, untouched nature. Estonia’s 18-hole golf courses tend to be flat and are usually open from May until November with equipment available on the spot. Many golf courses have special offers available for those looking to take their next break in Estonia.

If you’re a beginner looking to develop your golfing skills, head to the nearest club and pass a short introduction to golfing. The more experienced players in possession of Green Card can rent golfing equipment on-site and head out without having to pass prior training.

In addition to traditional golf, disc golf has also been gaining a lot of popularity in Estonia in the recent years – following the U.S., Canada, Finland and Sweden, Estonia ranks 5th in the world for the number of registered disc gold players! Disc golf in a sports game that can be practiced all year round. It isn’t very demanding physically and has rules similar to those of regular golf. The aim of the game is to throw a flying disc into special baskets with as few throws as possible. There are 18-hole or 9-hole courses with scenic nature in various locations across Estonia.

Sports & games
Probably you have already heard about Estonia’s beautiful nature, which also offers many interesting possibilities for outdoor recreation. Different options also offer to do sports in indoor conditions.

Start your day with a run in the neighbourhood, at the same time exploring surroundings. You will also find free outdoor gyms – remember there is no bad weather, there’s only wrong clothing. Take a relaxing trip on the water with a canoe or go orienteering in the forest.

There are also many different and beautiful golf courses and tennis stadiums. Tennis can also be played in indoor conditions as well as many indoor minigolf courses offer a challenge and a lot of fun. End the evening with an uplifting game of bowling, perfect for a group of friends and family.

Adrenaline rush
Want to add some spice to your holiday? We guarantee you will leave Estonia with an adrenaline rush.

Push the limits of your adventure holiday in Estonia with off-road racing, go karting and rallying, or test your climbing-sliding-swinging skills at a nearby adventure park.

Perhaps you are up for some anti-gravity excitement instead? Why not peek down at Estonia from the sky for that fantastic new point of view. You can jump and skydive across the blue or join an hot air balloon flight and view the mishmash of endless greenery, medieval rooftops and modern towers.

Winter adventures
The beauty of Estonian winter attracts a crowd of admirers from the locals and internationals alike. During this time of the year you’ll find Tallinn Old Town at its most charming and can head out to the country for a lungful of fresh crisp air.

Winter in Estonia lasts from late November until late March with temperatures ranging from mild plus degrees to as low as minus thirty (-30°C). The daylight hours tend to be brief, which is perfect for those looking for a cosy winter romance in a lit up medieval surroundings, or yearning for a much obliged reset in a cute cottage in midst of the wintry nature.

Marvel at the spectacle of frozen waterfalls, the coastline and sea, and the country’s snow-covered forests and national parks. If the winter is sufficiently cold and the sea is frozen, you can even experience the amazing feeling of driving from the mainland to the islands across Europe’s longest ice road.