Moving to a new country is more than just getting a new address and forming new habits. Adapting also happens through the little things – when you begin to feel how cities ‘breathe’, what the light is like in different seasons, and how much of Estonia is covered by nature. A genuine sense of belonging usually arises when you are simply being – watching the waves or listening to the forest.
The good news is that Estonia offers many opportunities to simply be. Many of the places that give you the most authentic feel for this country are completely free. They are open 24 hours a day, all year round, and require nothing more than the desire to go and see them. Below is a selection of places across Estonia that are well suited for those who are just beginning to establish ties with their new homeland. Please note: in dark and slippery conditions, it is important to take the weather into account, choose suitable footwear, and maintain a calm pace.
A place that shows how important space is
The coast of Northern Estonia and the coastal areas of the Virumaa region give Estonia its distinctive character. In Ida-Viru County, on Narva-Jõesuu beach, you can experience wide open spaces, pine forests, and a horizon that does not end with a house or road. Walking by the sea, it is easy to notice how much Estonians value space – the opportunity to be alone without feeling lonely. The same place affects us differently in different seasons – in summer, the sea is bright and inviting; in autumn, it is harsh and dark; in winter, it is crisp and quiet. This alternation teaches you to get to know Estonia not by calendar days, but by the rhythm of nature.
A place for your mental health
When trying to understand Estonia, visiting our bogs is just as important as exploring the cities and learning the history. Mukri bog is one of those places where nature is accessible even if hiking is not your daily habit: boardwalks lead through the open landscape, where you can enjoy the horizon and the silence. In the bog, you do not have to do anything – you can just be there. Many new residents say that bogs are wonderful for their mental health: they are able to slow down and focus on the minor details, such as the sound of their footsteps on the boardwalk. In winter, bogs become winter wonderlands; in summer, there are different scents and birdsong; in autumn, the leaves turn bright colours; and in spring, water and light take over once again.
The largest waterfall in Estonia
If you want to see something that seems both familiar and surprising, go to the Jägala Waterfall. It is the largest waterfall in Estonia and a good example of how nature can be powerful here, even when distances are short. The waterfall is particularly powerful during the spring floods, but it also is worth visiting in autumn and winter – when it is cold, ice formations appear, transforming the landscape into something almost sculptural. Jägala Waterfall is perfect if you do not have much time: a short stop here will remind you that the ‘silence’ here does not always mean a flat landscape – there is also movement and energy here.
More than just a green background
In Estonia, forests are more than just a green backdrop – they are part of everyday life, a way to relax, and often something that can only be understood when you are there. Therefore, it is worth exploring the RMK hiking trails, which cover the entire country and offer routes with varying lengths and features. RMK trails are a good choice if you want to move safely and independently: the trails are mostly marked and easy to follow. You do not have to go far to get out into nature – often, a bus ride or a short drive is enough. On these trails, you quickly get the feeling that in Estonia, it is possible to organise your life in such a way that nature is not a ‘special event’, but a normal part of the week.
Lively in summer, meditative in winter
Seasonality is particularly evident on the Estonian west coast. Valgeranna Beach is a great place to experience how a place can be completely different depending on the season: lively and bustling in summer, spacious and almost meditative in winter. Walking by the sea, you will also begin to notice the unique nature of Estonian light – long evenings in summer and short days in winter, which the locals tend to adapt to rather than fight against. The meeting of the beach and the forest gives you a choice: you can either go for a long walk or just sit and watch the weather change. This simple action helps new residents feel that in Estonia, you do not always have to be rushing somewhere – sometimes, just being there is enough.
High limestone cliffs and the open sea
If you want to experience the northern and slightly harsher coastal character of Estonia, one of the most impressive places to do so is the Pakri coastal cliff. High limestone cliffs and the open sea create a feeling of being both near and far – Tallinn is not too far away, but the landscape is completely different. The weather is always part of the experience at Pakri: the wind, the fog, and the rapidly changing sky. Here, you will understand why Estonians often talk about the weather – not for the sake of small talk, but because the weather really shapes a place.
A country with many faces
In southern Estonia, the landscape and atmosphere of Estonia change. The Haanja Upland offers hills, views, and quiet roads that differ from the flatter landscapes of Northern Estonia. This region helps us understand that Estonia is not just ‘one small flat country’, but a country with many faces. In Haanja, you can enjoy the calmer rhythm of rural life and find direct contact with nature. If you are used to the city, Haanja gives you the opportunity to experience space in a way that does not feel like emptiness, but rather like a holiday.
More than just a park
Even in urban environments, there are places in Estonia where you can switch gears without having to travel far. Kadriorg Park is one of the best examples in Tallinn of how a park is not just a ‘pretty place’ but an integral part of the urban space. People walk here in every season: in the morning on their way to work, during their lunch break, and in the evening with family or friends. In Kadriorg, you can see how Estonians use public space: they are calm and quiet. For a new resident, this may be a good place to get used to the pace of city life, with greenery always nearby to provide balance.
Calm and dramatic at the same time
The uniqueness of Estonian nature is particularly evident in places where the landscape has been shaped by water and time. The Taevaskoda outcrop is a place where sandstone outcrops, forests, and the river combine to create an environment that feels both peaceful and dramatic. It is easy to understand why stories and folklore are so beloved in Estonia – the landscape itself creates a feeling that there is something more hidden here. Taevaskoda is perfect for days when you want to enjoy nature not just as a walk, but as a memorable experience.
A peninsula with its own character
The islands give Estonia a unique dimension and are just as important as the mainland. The Sõrve Peninsula offers space and tranquillity that is hard to find elsewhere. The sea and wind are ever-present at the edge of the peninsula, making it clear how much nature influences human existence: how you move, think, and plan. Here, it is easy to see that life in Estonia does not have to be fast-paced to be meaningful. It is often in places like these that a new habit emerges – to go back. Not to see, but to be.
Places to return to
If you want to get to know Estonia faster, choose one place and visit it repeatedly: the same beach in different months, the same bog in different light, and the same coastline in different winds. This is how Estonia transforms from points on a map into an experience. At some point, you will realise that these places are no longer places to go, but places to go back to. That is how you will know that this country is gradually becoming your homeland.
Article was published in the Settle in Estonia newsletter, which is designed to support new migrants in their adaptation process and help them feel at home in Estonia more quickly. The newsletter helps make adaptation easier and keeps readers informed about important information needed for everyday life in Estonia. You can subscribe to the newsletter here.