A Very Child-Friendly Island or Our First Trip to Saaremaa
It has been two years since I left my home country to live in cold and windy Estonia. Time flies so fast in a busy daily life… Unfortunately, I didn’t travel a lot around Estonia. At the end of the year, my family decided to change the situation for better.
We’ve heard such positive things about Saaremaa from Estonians and people who have visited this nice place. We like to travel and it made me think… Why we still haven’t been there?!
Estonia has a few islands: more than 1500 pieces lie on the Baltic costs. One rainy day we finally decided to visit the biggest Estonian Island — Saaremaa.
We booked a room at a hotel and bought our tickets in advance. We had a plan for everything, because it was a family trip. Of course with our little Boss. At the time of traveling, he was 1.7 years old. But he was already an experienced traveller. This time we travelled by the Lux Express comfortable bus. Chair’s TV was very helpful during the trip. Now moms understand me well :) On the ferryboat we were surprised to found a playing corner for little travellers (children’s area) and baby changing room. A journey of only 25 minutes. In total around 4 hours from Tallinn to Kuressaare station.
We spent 2 lovely days in Kuressaare, in the capital of Saaremaa Island. It’s interesting to note that Estonia has a several unofficial capitals except official Tallinn: summer capital Pärnu; winter capital Otepää; Saaremaa’s Kuressaare.
I think, 2 (may be 3) days is quite enough to relax and to see all the main places here. It’s a small town basically oriented to the SPA relax. You will find a lot of SPA offers here. We lived in the SPA hotel "Rüütli". They provided good conditions for families with children. Very nice and free playing area with different toys, aqua center with separate swimming pool for little one. Very simple aqua center: swimming pool slide, one jacuzzi with a bad smell, one sauna, a bit colder water in the pool then we expected. It’s not the best place where we’ve stayed, but in general we were satisfied with the services received.
We had a room with an amazing view on the Castle. It was the famous Kuressaare Episcopal Castle, the main showplace of Saaremaa. You need to see it! I strongly reccomend to visit museum inside of the Castle and walk around. Very beatiful view on the Castle in the evening due to the evening lights. We also had a possibility to enjoy the sea side view from our balcony.
Kuressaare is a very quiet and beautiful place to stay. Cosy streets, interesting historical buildings, beautiful nature, no crowds of people.
This place basically for families with children and persons of ripe years. But it also suits well for those who wants to escape from the city and enjoy the nature’s beauty.
Near the Castle you will find 2 open-air playing grounds for children.
Almost all restaurants offered a special children’s menu and children’s area with toys. Very comfortable for families with small children.
We were lucky to have a dinner in the John Bull pub. Very interesting and extraordinary place with a view on the Castle. They provided a dish of the day offer for a very low price. You can try here a very tasty cherry flavoured beer.
We also were expressed by the Saaremaa Windmill “Veski”. Amazing place, delicious soup in bread bowl, a rich selection of local food, and aromatic herbal tea.
Things to do in Kuressaare:
– to walk around Kuressaare Episcopal Castle
– to visit museum inside of the Castle
– to relax in the SPA area
– to feed swans and ducks
– to try Saaremaa local drinks (beer, apple cider, herbal tea) and food (dark bread and smoked fish)
– to forgot about everything and enjoy the nature
