How many islands in Estonia 2222. With a tent on the Estonian islands. Memorial in Tehumardi

Initially, I planned to visit Estonia for the New Year, but due to the fact that I held out with the submission of documents for a visa, the passport returned to me after the holidays. As a consolation, I received a Schengen for a period of 1 year. And since the Estonians were so generous, I could not help coming to the Baltic region. Popular tourist routes interest me to a lesser extent. My attention was drawn to a small dot in the middle of the Gulf of Riga - Ruhnu Island.

Despite the small area, finding it on the map is not difficult.
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Separately, I would like to give compliments to the public transport system in Estonia, in my opinion, the best on the territory of the former scoop. You can buy a bus ticket to anywhere in the country through the application on your phone. Already a month before entering Estonia, I could book all the tickets, and the route from Narva to Ruhnu was scheduled by the minute.
The Runo boat to the island of Ruhnu departs from the city of Pärnu, the port of Munalaiu and the island of Saaremaa, you can see the schedule and buy tickets.
An hour before departure, the boat is already in the harbor of Pärnu and waiting for its passengers. There are a lot of people, because we went on the eve of the most fun Estonian holiday - Janov's Day, but more on that later.
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Immediately important information for those who go on a trip to the Estonian islands. It is better to buy all food and drinks on the mainland, since prices on the islands will vary significantly upwards. I didn't do this, of course.
Leaving Pärnu...
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From the city of Pärnu to the island, the boat takes about 3.5 hours, but with a strong wind, the travel time increases.
In half an hour the earth disappears from sight...
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Land on the horizon, Captain!!!
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Despite the fact that Ruhnu is located closer to the Latvian border than to the Estonian one, it still belongs to the latter. A legend is connected with this that after gaining independence in 1919, the Estonians sailed to the island before the Latvians and managed to make a deal with the locals, appeasing them with food and drink. By the way, Latvia does not have a single island at all, while Estonia has 1521 of them.
Meet...
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The population of the island according to the 2015 census is 97 people, in winter about 40 residents live here permanently. Hundreds of tourists from Latvia, Estonia and Sweden come to Ruhnu from June to August, even German flags were on the yachts in the harbor.
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Tourists from Latvia celebrated Green Day - the eve of Ligo or Janov's Day. On this occasion, a large fire was lit on the beach.
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In winter, after the closure of navigation from October to April, a small plane flies to the island several times a week. Ruhnu airport building.
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I had to walk 6 kilometers to the village on perfectly even asphalt. Alexander was my true friend and comrade along the way.
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I won’t even talk about Estonians’ concern for the environment ... you can find a trash can anywhere on the island. Also on the island there is a point for receiving glass containers and recycling garbage.
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Very creative people live on the island, for example, here is a reminder to car and motorcycle enthusiasts about the inadmissibility of speeding on the road.
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And this is a pedestrian crossing in the forest. He appeared here as part of the action of Estonian students to improve road safety.
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After checking into the guest house, I returned to the port to enjoy the sunset. At 23-30 hours.
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As for housing: there are several guest houses on the island, the price of a bed per night starts from 20 euros. All information can be found on the official Rukhnu website.
I stayed in Tiigi's courtyard in such a house.
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Despite the fact that the area of ​​the island is only 12 km², there is something to see here:
Church of St. Magdalena built in 1643 and a new church in 1912.
Most of the interior decoration and unique glass paintings of the old church are in the historical museum of Stockholm. After the second arrival of Soviet power in 1944, the indigenous population of the island - the Swedes fled the island, taking with them almost everything that was of cultural and historical value.
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The interior of the new church.
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Small architectural forms
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The main attraction of the island, of course, is the Ruhnu lighthouse. This year it celebrates its 130th anniversary.
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Its own height - 40 meters above sea level, it rises to all 65. It is unique in that it is the only beacon of a similar design that has survived in the region, reminiscent of aliens from the War of the Worlds. The legendary architect Gustaf Eiffel.
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In good weather you can see the coast of Latvia. I was not lucky(

It is not necessary to go to an exotic country for impressions. Experienced travelers know that discoveries are possible everywhere. And the islands of Estonia serve as proof of their correctness.

The small Baltic state owns about one and a half thousand islands. If you set out to visit each of them for at least one day, you will have to travel for four years!

Therefore, we limit ourselves the most interesting islands and those where discoveries, landscapes, and amazing places await you.

Saaremaa

It is the largest and most famous of the Estonian islands. In Saaremaa you can find everything that a tourist's heart desires. On the one hand, there are famous hotels and spa resorts, architectural monuments, restaurants and a golf club.

On the other hand, untouched nature, small farms, tours of protected areas. There is even a lake on this island, which, in turn, has islands! Therefore, a trip to Saaremaa can be safely recommended to absolutely everyone.

Among the attractions it is worth noting the unusual island architecture, many well-preserved churches, public buildings, working windmills, and several antique shops.

Separately, it must be said about the episcopal castle of the 13th century in Kuressaare. It is the only completely preserved medieval castle in Europe. Now it houses the historical and natural museum of the island, including a unique collection of instruments of torture.

Around the castle there is a city park, which is about one hundred and fifty years old.

Nature lovers can see meteorite crater in Kaali, Viidumäe Nature Reserve, Vilsandi National Park. During the migration season, thousands of birds fly to the island, and in the summer, a rookery is arranged on the protected coast gray seals.

You can get to Saaremaa from Tallinn by plane. A round trip ticket costs around 100 EUR.

Also valid ferry crossing from Virtsu to the island of Muhu, which is connected to Saaremaa by a causeway. It is possible to cross with your car, it will cost about 15 EUR. A trip from Tallinn by bus will cost 30 EUR one way.

Read on our website about how to apply for it yourself, and you will find out what documents are needed for this, what is the price of a visa and the addresses of Estonian consulates.

Are you planning to travel to the Estonian capital by bus? Then our help about this type of travel to Tallinn will help you.

Hiiumaa

This island has an amazing variety of nature. In just one walk you can see several landscape zones that imperceptibly replace each other. The island is much less populated than Saaremaa, and there are no large entertainment centers on it. But there are lighthouses.

Lighthouses of Hiiumaa known throughout the world; some of them are historical sights.

In addition to lighthouses, there are enough old buildings and various natural enclaves. The memory of the Swedish settlement remained Cross Mountain.

There are also on the island sandy beaches, not clogged with crowds of vacationers and many small uninhabited islands that can be reached by boat.

The climate here is less rainy than on the mainland, which cannot but please travelers who can stay in hotels or on coastal farms. In summer, the island hosts several music festivals.

There are ferries to Hiiumaa from Haapsalu and from Saaremaa. From Tallinn you can go by bus. In winter, an ice path is laid on the island. In addition, the island has an airport that receives planes from Tallinn. An air ticket costs about 20 EUR.

He is also known to us under the name Moonzund. Although it is located very close to Saaremaa, it is strikingly different from it. It is easy to verify this: the islands are connected by a dam. On the island of Muhu is the most exotic attraction - ostrich farm.

Visitors can feed emus, rhea and kangaroos living there.

A shop is open at the farm. In addition to souvenirs from the ostrich farm, Muhu is worth buying handicrafts. There are hotels on the island for tourists, you can also stay on a private farm.

A visit to this island can be advised to those who want to forget about civilization and spend time in sleepy tranquility. Goes to the island ferry from the port of Rohukula, one-way fare is slightly less than 4 EUR.

Among the places of interest for the traveler, we should mention the Church of St. Olaf, farm museum, juniper fields, two hiking trails with observation towers.

And other islands...

As we have already said, there are a lot of islands and each of them is unique in its own way, each has its own character and its own mystery. Any of these islands deserves a separate written article. But we will try to briefly talk about the most attractive of them.

Kihnu and Manilaid

Kihnu and Manilaid are typical low-lying islands with fishing villages.

Kihnu is included in the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List.

The island is sure to please fans of ecotourism and fishing. Pastoral landscapes, flocks of sheep, silence and tranquility... There is a ferry to navigate to Kihnu, and there is also an air connection.

Osmusaar

Osmusaar has recently attracted diving enthusiasts. Around the island at different times several ships sank, which are explored by lovers of underwater adventures. Rumor has it that treasures were left on one of the ships.

On the island itself, only the lighthouse keeper lives permanently. You will have to get to Osmusaar privately, it is most convenient to do this from the port of Dirhami.

Harilaid

This is one of the most beautiful places in Estonia. Once upon a time, a Soviet radio monitoring station and a border detachment were located on the island. Free access to Hariland was closed, thanks to which and preserved its nature.

On the primer left from the times of the USSR, you can bypass almost the entire island, enjoying the absence of people. The border guards also inherited the barracks, all year round suitable for overnight stay. There is no regular communication with the island.

Read all about, and you will definitely decide to travel in such a reliable and comfortable way.

If you want to have a good rest, and at the same time get treated, then we bring to your attention this one.

Read about the magnificent medieval castles and estates of Estonia at this link: Here you can find out more about Kuressaare Castle on the island of Saaremaa.

axi

This island is remarkable for its unusual stone labyrinth, which gives rise to many legends and versions. In addition, it lives musk ox family. If you get to this island, you will surely find an empty house in which the same travelers stop for the night.

Ruhnu

Ruhnu is a small island with a measured life and beautiful nature. The oldest wooden church in Estonia stands on the island. Other attractions include the lighthouse, designed by Eiffel.

There is a small museum, a well with healing water and marvelous beaches. Farms welcome tourists. You can get to Ruhnu by mail boat.

Prangli and Naissaar

Both islands have a rich military history. Both fortifications and fortifications from different times have been partially preserved. On Prangli there is a monument to the ship "Eestirand" and a traffic light that regulates ... the work of the bar.

Naisaar is famous for the fact that you can drive along it in a wagon. And on this island there are music festivals. Both will have to be reached by mail boat or privately.

Abruka

This is deer island. Once they were brought to the reserve, but they have bred and now there are almost more of them than permanent residents.

People rarely come to the island of Abruk for more than one day, and the easiest way to get there is from Saaremaa by boat, having agreed in advance.

Continuing the list

The listed islands are far from all worthy of a visit, at least with a short excursion. As patterns flow and change in a kaleidoscope, so do the islands of Estonia: moving from one to another, you are surprised at their dissimilarity and isolation.

And, if you visit at least one of them, then you will definitely want to see others, and try to unravel the mystery of the magical attraction of small patches of land in a harsh sea. Well, after all, it only takes four years to visit each of the islands!

Saaremaa Island is a wonderful land, which used to include the territory of the entire Moonsund archipelago. The former name is Kupessaare, which means "land of storks". Another name given to him is Ezel.

Location

This point is the largest island formation in all of Estonia, as well as among such a territory as the Moonsund Archipelago. The area is more than 2.6 thousand square meters. km, and a population of just under 30,000.

In the north it touches the Syrvesyaar peninsula. Only Gotland, Zeeland and Funen are larger than the island of Saaremaa. The administrative center here is Kuressaare. By measuring this piece of land surrounded by water, one can count 88 km between the extreme southern and northern points, and between the eastern and western - 90 km. There is a connection with Muhu - an island located in the neighborhood. There is a dam on the Väike-Väin strait, you can drive through it on an organized road. Between the ports of the villages of Kuivastu and Virtsu they move by ferry.

Place Features

In the capital of the island of Saaremaa - Kuressaare - there are 16 thousand inhabitants. There is a bay with the same name on the south side. The largest city is followed by Orissaare, which can be reached by going to the northeast. The length of the embankments is 1300 km. The peninsulas go deep into the sea for a long distance. The number of small islands reaches six hundred.

In the Gulf of Riga, at a distance of 30 km from the main land, Syrve is located. Its end is at the southern point of the archipelago. There is a village called Sayare. A notable object is the lighthouse, 52 meters high, which was built in 1960.

The island of Saaremaa (Estonia) has rocky shores. There are breaks. For example, the height of Panga Pank, located in a bay called Kyudema, is 22 meters. Undva-Pank, located on the territory of Tagamõisa, in the northwestern side, can also be called steep.

The riches of the lands

The Kaali meteorite crater is one of the attractions that attracts increased attention of tourists. The landscape is mostly flat. The highest point is a hill called Raunamägi (54 m), which is near Kihelkonn, in its western part. In 1957, the Viidumäe Nature Reserve was founded here.

There is also a large number of wooded areas (about forty percent of the territory occupied by the island of Saaremaa). The largest lakes here are Suur-Laht, Karujärv, as well as Mullutu-Lakht, which is near Kärla. Geologists are extremely interested in dolomite mined in local quarries. During the late ice age, there was an extensive ice layer that pressed on the earth's crust. It is for this reason that today the described territory is characterized by depression.

When the Moonsund archipelago was subject to melting, the surface began to rise. In a year it reaches two millimeters. Above sea level, the island rises on average 15 meters.

Nature

The climatic conditions here are largely due to the fact that this island is located in the east of the Baltic Sea. The weather there is moderate, mild, which is typical for areas close to the sea.

Rest in the Baltic States is good because in summer it is quite warm here. The winter period is also soft. There may be a large amount of precipitation and rapid weather changes due to strong winds. This usually happens in autumn and winter. In July and August, the average temperature ranges from 16 to 20 degrees, sometimes 25. The coolest period is February, when frost can be minus 4.

Flora and fauna

Saaremaa is also characterized by a rich flora and fauna, which is greatly facilitated by the mild climate of the coastal areas. 80% of Estonian vegetation species can be found on one of the islands. The state protects most of them.

One of the rarest types can be called a rattle that grows in the lowlands with swamps. As many as 35 varieties of orchids are represented. There are also many interesting animals here. Seals have chosen coastal areas. Birds fly here. Also for birds, this is a place of rest in spring and autumn. For the most part, it was chosen by loons and goose. Once here, you can look at the ostrich farm.

Fortress

The Pikk Herman tower became the central building of the fortress. This building functioned as an administrative center. There were a lot of people here. During the uprisings and wars, there was complete security here.

Restoration took place in the 20th century. The result was a sample of a knight's fortress. Some researchers have made the assumption that before the appearance of the stone structure, there was a wooden structure here.

You can have a great time and relax in the urban park area of ​​Kuressaare. In the 19th century, the landscaping process began here. It was then that this point began to gain fame as a resort area.

Buying tours to Estonia, people paid much more attention to the island of Saaremaa. This was due to the beginning of the work of the clinic, which used the valuable properties of local clay.

In 1861, a park committee was formed. In addition, residents of the city made a lot of efforts to develop this territory, who made donations, brought seedlings, helping with carts and horses. In 1930, representatives of the plant world of rare species appeared here. They were pre-ordered from the University of Tartu. So the flora here was created just wonderful and diverse. In total, there are about 80 types of bushes and trees.

Architecture

Rest in the Baltics is a great way to get rid of stress and saturate the soul with vivid impressions. It would not be superfluous to visit the local town hall, the beginning of construction of which dates back to 1654. This building was created on the initiative of Count Delagardie.

The architecture of the building is simple and austere. It can be attributed to the northern baroque. The impression of visiting the town hall is quite strong. A majestic detail is the portal, on which the date 1670 is inscribed, as well as an inscription in Latin in the area of ​​the cornice. Going inside, you can see the largest painting in all of Estonia on the ceiling. Walking along the first floor, visitors enter the tourist information center, as well as the gallery of the town hall. It is also possible to look into the City Council.

Tours to Estonia are sold out pretty quickly thanks to the numerous attractions here. Without going too far from the town hall, you can stumble upon another interesting point - the tower, which was previously used as a fire station. It was erected in 1911, hoses were dried in the building, starting from 1958. Subsequently, a new depot was created near the bus station. Then the old point was leased. Now they are privately owned. Today you can visit here to have a delicious meal at the Pritsumaya Grill and Bar restaurant.

No less remarkable point is the Kursaal, which was created according to the project of a local pharmacist. The building was built over 8 months. Opened in June 1989.

A restaurant complex was located in the central white hall, on the territory of the right wing there were offices and a kitchen block. The theater hall served as a stage for performances by Estonian artists.

Often there were troupes from Germany. This building functioned only during bathing, that is, in the summer. In 1989, the building was awarded the title of the best architectural composition created in 1988 in Estonia.

It's nice to go to a tavern called "Veski", which is a type. There are only two more similar buildings that are located in the city and are still functioning.

Another institution is no less popular. It is located on the territory of the former mill. Previously, this place was called Trey, since that was the name of its owner and creator. This point was founded in 1899 and functioned successfully until the Second World War. In 1972, restoration was carried out here, so that already in 1974 it was possible to get into the local cafe. The state has given the mill the status of an important architectural monument. Its height is 24 m including the blades.

Curious to visit

The tower of Kuressaare was built in accordance with the plan of the Swedish magnate Count Delagardie, who was the ruler of the local lands from 1648 to 1654. In 1663, all construction work on this project was completed.

The building style is baroque. The building is carved out of stone on a stepped pediment. Decorations make up volutes. The forged weather vane on the spire dates from 1664. In the past, this place was used for weighing goods. In the 19th century, the city's postal station was established here. Since 1906, the private telephone station of the island began to work.

In addition, the described lands have many more interesting sides, wanting to see which people come here from all over the world. Estonia is truly rich in beautiful territories, one of which is Saaremaa.

Our main goal on this trip was the island of Saaremaa. The largest and most populous of Estonia's many islands. Although the word densely populated in this case can mislead the reader. You might think that tens or hundreds of thousands of people live here. In fact, about 30 thousand people permanently live on the island.

How to get to the islands of Muhu and Saaremaa

When we first planned the trip, it seemed to me that upon arrival we would find ourselves on an almost deserted island with rare dwellings and wild places. In part, I was not mistaken. But only in part. In fact, Saaremaa is a quite civilized place with a developed infrastructure and excellent transport accessibility. Suffice it to say that the island has its own airport, where regular flights of the Transaviabaltika airline are organized. These, of course, are not huge liners, but small 19-seat Jetstream-3200 jets, nevertheless.

You can buy plane tickets from Tallinn to Saaremaa and back directly on the airline's website.

Ferries are considered the real pride of the islanders. These seemingly non-giant ships transport, it seems, the entire population of Estonia, along with all the buses and trucks, in one flight. Not yet fully moored to the shore, this “boat”, like a whale, opens its giant mouth and touching the shore, like insects, releases “tiny” twenty-ton trucks, cars and midget passengers ashore.

In fairness, it must be said that the ferry does not run between the mainland and the island of Saaremaa, but between the mainland of Estonia and the island of Muhu. Muhu, in turn, is connected to Saaremaa by a bridge, or better, by an isthmus.

About the islands of Estonia

Estonia can be safely called an island state, although it sounds very unusual. Estonia has 1521 islands in the Baltic Sea. The largest and most populous is Saaremaa, which will be discussed later. Its area is 2,673 sq. km, and the population is about 33 thousand people. The smallest island - Saarnaki - is only about 15 sq. km., there are no inhabitants on it at all. On the smallest inhabited island, Heinleid, with an area of ​​just over 15 sq. km. only 48 people live permanently. There is also Vohilaid Island. It is notable for the fact that as many as 7 people live here. Most of the islands are located within a short ferry ride from the country's west coast. Boats and small ferries also run between the islands. The islands most visited by tourists are Saaremaa, Hiiumaa, Kihnu, Ruhnu and Vormsi. During our trip we lived on the island of Saaremaa and made a short trip to the island of Muhu.

Saaremaa

It is worth writing a few words about the island itself, because Saarema is not just a part of the state of Estonia, but a special part of it. Special not only because it is an island territory - the islanders (Saarams) consider themselves, if not a separate state, then at least a special part of Estonia with a special status. The locals even speak a special Estonian dialect. You will rarely meet Russian speakers here, as well as English speakers, by the way.

In its history, the island has changed “owners” more than once - Swedes, Russians, Estonians ... By the way, the islanders have a lot of fun when tourists try to pronounce the name of the island the way it is spelled, that is, stretching the vowel “a”. In fact, the name is simply pronounced “sarema” or even more commonly “sarem”. There is one city in Saaremaa, which is considered the capital or, more precisely, the regional center - Kuressaare.

The island is replete with various attractions, the main of which is the Bishop's Castle in Kuressaare. However, besides the castle, there is something to see on the island - there are almost more medieval churches preserved here than in any other region of Estonia, and each of them is very interesting. In the same Pyde, the church is striking in its massiveness - it is almost like a small castle. And here you can also see the windmills, which are collected in one place in the museum in Angla or scattered around the island and lighthouses located in different parts of Saaremaa. But all this will be discussed in detail in future articles.

How to travel around the island

When planning a trip to the Estonian islands, remember that it will take more than one day to see Saaremaa alone, so you should not count on the fact that you will have time to see even the most popular ones during a regular vacation.

The best way to get around the island is with your own or rented car. More extreme on a bike or bike. The least convenient, although possible, is by bus. The roads in Saaremaa are mostly asphalted and of quite decent quality, there are primers, but you can also move along them without difficulty and fear in an ordinary passenger car.

If you travel around the island by car, you should remember that there are very few gas stations here and most of them are concentrated in Kuressaare, gas stations can also be found in the north and east of the island and, perhaps, everything ... At the same time, some places on the island seem completely uninhabited, meeting a living person here seems like a great success. So the fuel level should be monitored carefully.

Where to rent a car in Saaremaa

There is only one rental office on the island, which is located at Kuressaare Airport. Here you can choose or the desired car.

Where to stay on the island of Saaremaa

To begin with, I’ll tell you where we stopped during our trip to Estonia. I wanted a quiet place with a minimum of people in the area and preferably by the sea. Well, at a reasonable price, of course. As a result, we found a guest house, or rather a complex of houses