Pärnu, Estonia

Pärnu

Estonia's summer capital, with a long sandy beach and spa villas.

  • Jun–Aug
  • 1 night
Explore on the map
Nearby hidden places
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Things to do

2 days in Pärnu

Day 1

  1. MorningWalk the long sandy beach and the beach promenade lined with spa villas.
  2. AfternoonExplore the old town, the Tallinn Gate and the Pärnu Mud Baths building.
  3. EveningWatch the sunset from the long stone pier at the river mouth.

Day 2

Walk the bog trails of Soomaa National Park, or take the boat to Kihnu island.

What to eat

Fresh Baltic herring and a slice of Estonian rye bread.

Local tips

Make the most of Pärnu

Beat the crowds

July is busy and lively. June and August are calmer; the rest of the year is very quiet.

Best photo spot

The long beach promenade at sunset, and the wooden villas in the spa district.

Getting there

Buses from Tallinn take about 2 hours.

Don't miss nearby

Soomaa National Park, famous for floods in spring that turn the forests into lakes.

Good to know

Pärnu has a long spa tradition. The beach is shallow and warms up quickly in summer.

Plan your visit

Getting to Pärnu

Getting there

  • Pärnu Airport (EPU)4 km away
  • Tallinn Airport (TLL)115 km away
  • Tallinn120 km away
  • Tartu130 km away

Reachable by car or public transport; a car gives you more freedom to explore the area. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeJun–Aug
TypeHidden town
Good forCoast, Old towns & architecture
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay1 night
CountryEstonia

Questions

Pärnu: good to know

Is Pärnu worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like the coast and historic old towns. Estonia's summer capital, with a long sandy beach and spa villas.

How many days do you need in Pärnu?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Pärnu?

The best time to visit is Jun to Aug. July is busy and lively. June and August are calmer; the rest of the year is very quiet.

How do you get to Pärnu?

The nearest airport is Pärnu Airport (EPU), about 4 km away. Buses from Tallinn take about 2 hours.

What is there to see near Pärnu?

Nearby hidden places include Tallinn (118 km), Cēsis (128 km) and Tartu (130 km).

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