Pärnu County Essentials

Pärnu County spans Estonia’s southwestern coast, featuring a mix of cultural heritage and diverse landscapes. This collection highlights the UNESCO-listed Kihnu island traditions, the sandstone caves of Tori, and the medieval ruins of Soontagana Stronghold situated in the Avaste bog. Along the coastline, you'll find the Lottemaa theme park, championship-grade links golf, and historical landmarks like the 17th-century Audru church. From the birdwatching towers of the Pärnu coastal meadows to the vintage interiors of local eateries, these sites represent the region's historical and natural breadth.

Pärnu County Essentials — Harita

Ilme Parik / CC BY-SA 4.0

A

Tori Hell

A Devonian sandstone cave on the bank of the Pärnu River. According to Estonian folklore, it was once considered the entrance to the underworld.

Ivo Kruusamägi / CC BY-SA 3.0

B

Kihnu Püha Nikolai kirik

An 18th-century Orthodox church on Kihnu Island. It was originally a Lutheran building before being converted in 1848 to accommodate the island's growing Orthodox community.

C

Lottemaa

The largest theme park in the Baltic States, based on the popular Estonian animated film series 'Lotte from Gadgetville.' It features interactive inventions and live performances.

Zosma / CC-BY-SA-3.0

D

Soontagana Stronghold

An ancient Estonian hill fort located on a bog island. Accessible via a boardwalk through the Avaste bog, the site features reconstructed stone walls and earthworks.

E

Pärnu Bay Golf Links

A professional 18-hole links-style course designed by Lassi Pekka Tilander. The coastal layout features wide fairways and sandy soil along the shores of Pärnu Bay.

Modris Putns / CC BY-SA 3.0

F

Allikukivi koopad

A system of narrow sandstone caves carved by spring water. The largest accessible cave is approximately 33 meters long, located in the Allikukivi primeval valley.

Tuderna / CC BY 3.0

G

Häädemeeste tulepaak

A coastal beacon located on the Gulf of Riga. It serves as a navigational aid for vessels traveling along the southwestern Estonian shoreline.

H

Supelsaksad

A cafe housed in a historic wooden villa in Pärnu. It is recognized for its vintage-inspired interior, traditional cakes, and regional Estonian cuisine.

IvoFalk / CC BY-SA 3.0 ee

I

Audru Püha Risti kirik

One of the few surviving late 17th-century Lutheran churches in rural Estonia. It features a unique wooden steeple and a historic pipe organ.

HendrixEesti / CC-BY-SA-3.0

J

Tahkuranna Jumalasünnitaja Uinumise kirik

A brick Orthodox church built in 1872. It is situated near the birthplace of Konstantin Päts, the first President of the Republic of Estonia.

K

Linnuvaatlustorn

An 8-meter-high observation tower located on the Pärnu coastal meadow. It provides views of the local bird sanctuary and the surrounding protected wetlands.

L

Valgeranna vaatlustorn

A 9-meter-high tower situated at Valgeranna beach. It offers panoramic views of the Gulf of Riga and the pine forests lining the coast.