visit estonia haapsalu

10 Top Things to Do and See in Haapsalu

Haapsalu is a small and peaceful town in Estonia, right by the sea. It’s a place that has been around for a very long time, with lots of old buildings and stories from the past. It was even a favourite spot for Russian royals back in the days!

Today, Haapsalu is a popular spot for people who want to relax, explore history, and enjoy nature. There are many fun things to do, like visiting old castle, taking a walk by the sea, or eating yummy food. And there’s even a beach for those sunny summer days! But for me, Haapsalu, just like the rest of Estonia, is all about vibe.

I also think that its a great place for a one-day trip from Tallinn .

OK, now let me break it down for you.

Table of Contents

Haapsalu episcopal castle and cathedral.

Kickstart your adventure with a visit to the impressive Haapsalu Castle . This medieval fortress with an adjoining cathedral is steeped in history, offering a peek into Estonia’s intriguing past. Navigate the extensive defence walls, explore the dungeons, and make sure to climb up the watchtower. From there, you’ll be rewarded with a sweeping panorama of the town, a sight that’s especially breathtaking in the warm glow of sunset.

The Haapsalu Castle is not just known for its ancient history, but it’s also famous for the legend of the “White Lady”. The story tells of a woman who dressed as a man to be with her loved one, a priest, in the male-only castle. When their secret was discovered, the lady was bricked into the castle wall as punishment.

Now, it is believed that the ghost of the “White Lady” appears in the castle’s Baptistery’s window on clear August full-moon nights. This legend has become so popular that every year, Haapsalu hosts the “White Lady Festival” in August, attracting visitors from all over who hope to catch a glimpse of this mysterious figure.

Haapsalu Promenade

From the castle, take a leisurely stroll down the idyllic Promenade. For me its definitely one of the top things to do in Haapsalu. This scenic seaside promenade, adorned with charming wooden benches, is the perfect spot to unwind.

The Promenade has been a beloved spot since the 19th century, not just for locals and visitors, but also for a world-famous Russian composer, Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky,who stayed in Haapsalu in 1867. He loved to watch the sunrise from the shore and marvel at the swans.

To honor Tchaikovsky, a special bench was put up here, more specifically on the Šokolaadi Promenaad (Chocolate Promenade). This bench, known as “Tchaikovsky’s Bench”, is a place where anyone can sit, enjoy the view, and maybe find some inspiration, just like the great composer did all those years ago.

Old Railway Station

Step back in time at Haapsalu’s grand Railway Station, once the longest covered railway station in the world. While trains no longer operate here, the station has been beautifully preserved, serving as a reminder of the town’s bustling past. The Railway Museum located here provides an interesting look into the golden age of rail travel.

Spa Experiences

Haapsalu is renowned for its therapeutic mud treatments, a tradition dating back centuries. Many wellness centers across town offer these treatments, providing the perfect opportunity to indulge in some relaxation. Let the restorative properties of the local mud rejuvenate your body and mind.

One of the best spas in Haapsalu is Fra Mare Thalasso Spa.

Paralepa Beach

Take a break from sightseeing to enjoy the fine sand and shallow water of Paralepa Beach. It’s the ideal place for a refreshing swim or a leisurely picnic. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also rent a paddleboard or a kayak.

Stroll around Haapsalu Old Town

Next, wander the streets of Haapsalu’s picturesque Old Town. Lined with beautifully preserved wooden houses, chic boutiques, and inviting cafés, it’s a delight to explore. Don’t forget to bring your camera – the area is full of photogenic corners.

Visit a Festival

Haapsalu is known for its lively festivals. Plan your visit to coincide with the famous White Lady Festival or the August Blues Festival. These events, full of music, performances, and local traditions, provide a unique insight into the vibrant culture of Haapsalu.

Enjoy Local Cuisine in Haapsalu

Relish the local and international delicacies served at the charming cafés and restaurants scattered around the town. From fresh seafood dishes to hearty Estonian fare and decadent desserts, Haapsalu’s gastronomy scene will undoubtedly satisfy your taste buds.

If you are looking to try Estonian dishes, then you should definitely check out Talumehe kõrts . Another excellent place with nice views is Viigi kohvik .

Bird Watching at Matsalu National Park

Just a short drive from Haapsalu, Matsalu National Park is a bird lover’s paradise. Especially during the migration season, you can observe a plethora of species in their natural habitat. Whether you’re an ornithology enthusiast or simply enjoy being in nature, a visit to Matsalu is sure to be a memorable experience.

Rannarootsi Museum

Last but not least, pay a visit to the Rannarootsi Museum. Dedicated to the local Coastal Swedes’ history and culture, this museum offers a rich insight into the region’s multicultural past. Explore the exhibits to learn about the customs, lifestyle, and traditions of the Swedes who once populated the Estonian west coast.

To sum it up, Haapsalu is a wonderful little town. It’s full of fun things to see and do. Don’t forget to check out these “10 Top things to do and see in Haapsalu” when you visit. This friendly seaside town with its old stories, pretty sights, and tasty food will surely make your trip a happy one.

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• 1 Understand
• 3.1 By boat
• 3.2 By taxi
• 4.1 Museums

Haapsalu [dead link] is a major seaside resort town on the west coast of Estonia , approximately 100 km south-west of Tallinn .

Haapsalu was chartered in 1279 and is well known for its historic and maritime ambience, warm sea water, curative mud baths and friendly residents. It's a wonderful little town with narrow streets for families and romantic couples who enjoy having picnics, walking, visiting spas and taking mud baths, sailing and swimming.

• 58.946703 23.536396 1 Tourist Information Centre ( Haapsalu turismiinfokeskus ), Karja 15 , ☏ +372 4733248 , fax : +372 4733464 , [email protected] . M–F 9–17:00, Sa–Su 10–16:00 .  

Haapsalu has a regular bus connection to Tallinn and Kärdla , and few to Pärnu , among other cities.

Bus schedules are easily available online – read more under Estonia#Get around .

Walking can be an option, but some destinations might be too far for walking.

Haapsalu veetakso provides a water taxi service between the port of Grand Holm in Haapsalu and the port of Österby.

• E.T.X AS takso +372 473 3500, 1700
• Esra takso +372 473 4200, 1300
• Haapsalu Takso +372 473 3330, +372 515 1050, 1200

• 58.949899 23.540722 2 Haapsalu Maria-Magdaleena Church ( EAÕK Haapsalu Maria-Magdaleena kogudus ), Rüütli tn 2 , ☏ +372 4737211 , +372 53015251 , [email protected] . The Estonian Orthodox Maria Magdaleena Church is located in an idyllic area of Haapsalu – on the Promenade. The church was restored to its present state only a few years ago.  
• 58.95062 23.539491 3 Haapsalu Resort Hall ( Haapsalu promenaad ), Promenaadi tn . The timber-laced Resort Hall and the Bandstand on the seaside Promenade were built at the end of the 19th century and are the only ones of the kind that have survived in their original form. The Resort Hall is today, and was in the first half of the 20th century, the centre of summer activities in Haapsalu.  
• 58.914932 23.509192 4 Kiltsi airfield , Kiltsi küla, Ridala vald . Built by former Soviet Union army Kiltsi airfield extends to ca 800 ha area. Concrete runways are 2500 m long, for the airplanes there were 28 hangars. Adventure searchers should be careful in the military settlement and, to avoid possible collapses, not to scale the ruins. Apparently also sometimes used for drag racing.  
• 58.917204 23.483124 5 Ungru Manor ( Ungru lossi varemed ), Kiltsi küla, Ridala vald . The ruins of the Ungru manor used to represent one of the most impressive Neo-Baroque buildings in Estonia, although it was never really finished. The contrasting Soviet airfield remains next to the manor.  

• 58.948758 23.540777 6 Haapsalu Old Town Hall Museum ( Läänemaa Museum ), Kooli tn 2 , ☏ +372 4737065 , [email protected] . The museum is located in the former Town Hall in Lossiplatsi Square. Wander through the historic interior and learn about the old times of Haapsalu. Exhibitions change regularly, so depending when you come you might get to know the old farmhouse, the once-famous resorts of Haapsalu, or the ancient history of the area.  
• 58.938262 23.532281 7 Haapsalu Railway Station/Museum ( Eesti Raudteemuuseum ), Raudtee tn 2 , ☏ +372 4734574 , [email protected] . The Haapsalu Station building was custom designed, because the resort town was a favourite holiday site for the Russian tsars. The complex has four parts – the passenger building, Imperial Pavilion, the colonnade connecting them, and a unique 216-metre-long covered platform. To see historic engines and carriages look behind the train station. The railway station was also sometimes used in making movies.  
• 58.955737 23.528194 8 Museum of the Coastal Swedes ( Rannarootsi Muuseum ), Sadama tn 31 - 32 , ☏ +372 4737165 . Tu–Sa 10–18:00, Su–M 10–16:00 . The museum introduces the thousand-year-old settlements of the coastal Swedes in Estonia. In the house inaugurated by the King of Sweden, you can acquaint yourself with their unique cultural heritage and see a 20-metre embroidered rug that depicts the life of the Estonian-Swedes.  
• 58.953628 23.524892 9 Cyrillus Kreek Apartment Museum ( Helilooja Cyrillus Kreegi mälestuskivi ), Väike-Viigi tn 10 / 2 . Cyrillus Kreek (1889-1962) is known as the composer of choral works and was beloved by the people of Haapsalu. The permanent exposition introduces the composer's life and works. Have a cup of coffee or tea at the museum and listen to the composer's music.  
• 58.948432 23.536986 10 Haapsalu Shawl Museum , Ehte tn 4 . The Haapsalu Shawl, an extremely fine knitted shawl that can be pulled through a woman's ring, has been the symbol of Haapsalu since the last century. In the Shawl Museum, which is located in a jewellery workshop, you can see a permanent exhibition on the past and present of the Haapsalu shawl, examine the extremely fine patterns, and buy one of the masterpieces.  
• 58.934446 23.549731 11 Communication Museum , Tamme tn 21 . Communication Museum offers a review of the development of telecommunications in Western Estonia.  

Haapsalu is a seaside resort and one of the main attractions is the beach. Famous mud baths can be taken in numerous facilities in Haapsalu.

The town is also well known for its White Lady Days, Old Music Festival, Violin Festival and the August Blues Festival.

• 58.950291 23.541244 1 Africa Beach and Promenade ( Promenaad ja Aafrika rand ), Promenaadi tn . Walk on the sloping promenade and glance dreamily at the sea; check the time at the sundial and have a rest on the bench named for the world-famous composer Tchaikovsky. There is a children's playground on the Promenade and the town’s only observation tower.  
• 58.94815 23.536908 2 Swedish Market , Karja tn 1 . Haapsalu's main street, Karja Street, begins on the Swedish Market. The fountain side is a nice and romantic place to sit.  
• 58.940315 23.517294 3 Fra Mare Thalasso Spa , Ranna tee 2 , ☏ +372 472 4600 . The spa specializes in Thalasso treatments, the basic elements of which are sea mud, seawater, sea scent and sea nutrition present in various treatments. ( updated Jun 2021 )
• 58.95251 23.528893 4 Hestia Hotel Haapsalu SPA ( Spa Hotel Laine ), Sadama 9 , ☏ +372 472 4400 . The spa specializes in mud treatments, which use Haapsalu's own treatment mud. ( updated Jun 2021 )
• Hesburger , Jaama 32 , [email protected] . M–Su 09–22:00 . Finnish fast food chain. ( updated Nov 2015 )
• Peetri Pizza , Tallinna mnt 1 , ☏ +372 58667078 . Su–Th 10–20:00, F–Sa 10–05:00 . pizzeria ( updated Nov 2015 )
• 58.928402 23.534681 1 Koidu Homestay , Männiku tee 28 ( in the southern part of Haapsalu, a little far from the centre if walking ), ☏ +372 5012407 , [email protected] . Very friendly owner – speaks Eesti, Russian and German. A decent accommodation with fire place, sauna, kitchen and near the forest. Single from €17 . ( updated Sep 2017 )
• 58.944223 23.535677 2 Endla Hostel , Endla 5 , ☏ +372 4737999 , [email protected] . The hostel provides a shared kitchen. Single €25/30, double €35/40 low/high season .  
• Pärnu – Estonia's 4th largest city and the summer capital of Estonia, popular for its balneo-therapy complexes and spa centres, surrounded by numerous beaches.
• Noarootsi – A bilingual municipality: Estonian and Swedish. Step into Swedish and Soviet history.
• Hiiumaa – The second largest Estonian island. Popular for its lighthouses, ancient churches, historical values and the sense of humour of its inhabitants, but scarcely populated. In winter, it can sometimes be reached by car via an ice bridge on the Baltic Sea.
• Saaremaa – The largest Estonian and wild seaside character island with castles and fortresses, one perfectly preserved, a beach, a spa and famous mills. Saaremaa is even sometimes called Sparemaa . Furthermore, the island itself is surrounded by a myriad of tiny islands including Abruka with its nudist camps.

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TOP 5 places in Haapsalu, Estonia

Haapsalu is a small romantic resort town in Estonia within just a 1.5-hour drive from Tallinn, loved by families and couples for its calm and serene atmosphere. We have compiled 5 most interesting locations to get you acquainted with the city.

1. Haapsalu Promenade

Being one of the most beautiful places in the city, with the unique wooden carved Kursaal, the promenade starts from the African Beach and ends with the Chocolate Promenade named after the cafe that used to work there.

Location: Haapsalu promenade

2. Railway station and museum with extraordinary long covered platform and imperial pavilion

The outdoor exhibition embracing locomotives on tracks is available around the clock and is free of charge. Indoors, you can get acquainted with the history of Estonian railways, explore the old post office and learn more about the development of communications.

Location: Raudtee- ja sidemuuseum Haapsalus

3. Bishop’s castle in Haapsalu

Being one of the best preserved castles in Estonia, Bishop’s castle is known to be a place where the ghost of the White Lady resides. Entrance to the territory of the large courtyard of the castle is free; admission to the museum in the main part of the castle is paid.

Location: Haapsalu piiskopilinnus

4. Old city

We recommend walking along the narrow streets, admiring the wooden houses, visiting one of the local restaurants and immersing yourself into romantic vibes of this city.

Location: Haapsalu vanalinn

5. Ruins of Ungru Castle

One of the grandest neo-baroque buildings in Estonia was created following the example of Mercerburg Castle, but has never been completed. For decades, the castle was empty, which led to its collapse in the 1940s. Nowadays, the ruins of the castle have been substantially preserved.

Location: Ungru lossi varemed

Material prepared by Juliana Iljina (Facebook: Places to travel in Baltic States; Instagram: jusjka )

Top 7 BEST Things to do in Haapsalu (Estonia)

Haapsalu is a beautiful seaside town of Estonia on its western coast. Salt mud spas are famous in this town which was first incorporated by the Romanov family from Russia. It is a very old town having its origin dating back to 1279.

It is due to this reason you will find many ancient structures, wooden houses, castles , and buildings in this gorgeous seaside resort. The best way to reach Haapsalu is by reaching Tallinn and then hiring a bus or cab from there.

Haapsalu is a beautiful summer tourist destination and quite small to be explored quickly. The Haapsalu landmarks are very appealing due to its charming romantic setting from the medieval period. From panoramic heritage sightseeing to strolling across the narrow street, going for a romantic walk in the lovely beach promenade , and rejuvenating yourself in mud spa.

Haapsalu offers you a whole lot of adventure. Wondering what to do in Haapsalu? The Haapsalu travel guide is here to help you with the best places to visit in Haapsalu and the things to do in Haapsalu .

Table of Contents

Haapsalu Castle

This is a breathtaking tourist attraction in Haapsalu. It is also famous in the town as Bishop’s castle and houses a church inside it. It belongs to the period of the 13th century covering 30,000-sq.

Meters area with a height of 10 meters. The castle glorifies the ancient gothic architecture. It used to serve as the residential location of Bishop of Saare-Laane in the 13th century.

Half of its parts were destroyed in the 1710’s Northern War leaving the current ruined structure. The castle features the 13th-century watchtower in the western region.

The castle church also has a legend associated with it, which says that during every full moon in August , a figure of white lady appears on the Chapel’s inner wall of the castle’s church. It is a must-visit heritage destination .

Africa Beach and Promenade

This is among the best things to see in Haapsalu. The beach area with its assembly hall and the lovely sloping promenade give you dreamy views of the surrounding sea area.

You can opt for a romantic stroll in the breathtaking promenade, watch the time ticking its way out in the sundial or even relax at the promenade benches gazing at the breathtaking view of the sea.

The promenade stretches from the African beach to the Chocolate promenade. It also houses the monument of Carl Hunnius who discovered Haapsalu’s curative mud. It serves as a beautiful family destination, as well.

Estonian Railway Museum

The railway museum is a famous landmark in Haapsalu at the Emperor’s Pavillion in Haapsalu railway station. The museum in the form of its former railway station lets you explore its past railway history through different models and exhibits.

The old station gives you a time travel tour into the period of 1903 to 1905. The museum looks very colorful featuring a 214-meter extended platform.

In the early times, this was the primary communication hub from the other Estonian destinations to Haapsalu sea resort.

You can see the display of many historical railway locomotives here, hear their sound and even pay a visit to the stationmaster from the period of 1930. It also takes you to the tour of the evolution of the telecommunication system from the ancient to recent times.

Haapsalu Bay

Haapsalu Bay is a beautiful destination in the town, especially for the bird watchers. It offers heart-warming activities in Haapsalu for the tourists.

In the summers you can go for kayaking with a two hours trip to the nearest Homi Beach while in the winters, you can enjoy ice skating on the bay waters. The skating trip is usually from the Haapsalu city center area or the Paralepa beach towards the bay.

Apart from these, the bay is home to more than 20,000 migratory bird species. The Birdwatching tower at the harbor gives you a sight of various kinds of migratory bird species swimming across the bay or drinking water, which serves as a visual treat. The white-tailed eagles are the main attraction here. The destination is very enchanting and perfect for rejuvenation.

Haapsalu Festivals

Another on the list of the things to do in Haapsalu, aside from Haapsalu sightseeing areas, its festivals form a significant part of the trip. One of its biggest festivals is Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy film festival.

It takes place with April ‘s full moon when the entire town gets crowded with creepy zombies. It celebrates the recent releases of the horror and fantasy films for four long days with various happening parties.

Next, is the Haapsalu Early Music Festival, which is organized every year at the Dome church at the beginning of July . It brings together the best musicians from Europe and Estonia under one roof with unforgettable music events.

Another one is the Tchaikovsky Festival , which is also the gathering of artists from a different field across the world with grand musical concerts. These three are the biggest festivals in Haapsalu which you must see once in a lifetime. There are many other monthly festivals as well.

Haapsalu Old Town Tour

The old town of Haapsalu lies on a peninsula and covers a total area of just 10.59 sq.km. The seaside town area is segregated into two parts. One part features the Old town housing the Kooli, Jaani, Vee, Linda, Vaike-Mere.

And Ruutli streets and wooden houses in the area around Haapsalu castle, Townhall and other old monuments while the other part features the 20th-century mud spas and various café and restaurants .

The Africa beach with its promenade area and the town museums add more charm to the 700 years old city. You can easily go for a walking tour to explore the town and capture some beautiful photographs to make your trip worthwhile. This is indeed one of the best things to do in Haapsalu .

Haapsalu Town Hall Museum

The Town Hall Museum in Haapsalu belongs to the period of 1929, but it was opened for public access in 1950. It had its first exhibition in the 20th century while its exhibits were initially showcased at the Haapsalu castle watchtower.

The museums display different antique exhibits that give you a tour of Haapsalu’s history and also expose you to its local culture. It also portrays the urban lifestyle of Haapsalu and the town ambiance.

It also showcases an old pharmacy from the historical period and the Mayor’s office due to ancient times. History buffs will love visiting this charming museum.

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Africa Beach and Promenade

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Promenaadi tn 3, Haapsalu linn, Haapsalu linn, Lääne maakond

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Haapsalu Estonia: My top 5 things to do in one of Estonia’s prettiest seaside towns

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• Visit Haapsalu by doing a day trip from Tallinn

The wide open spaces of Estonia surround us as Tallinn fades into the distance.  On the outskirts of the city, we notice the solid concrete apartment buildings dotted by the highway.  Having spent the past two days plodding around the cobblestoned lanes of the beautiful medieval city, the contrast is both stark and immediate.  Many visitors to Tallinn don’t get to explore much outside the centuries-old city walls which is a shame. Estonia is a country of great contrast and to be able to see this, you need to venture out a little further.  

Estonia is a country with rich and deeply-rooted ethnic history that can’t always be easily seen in a city that has been gracefully restored to its former beauty.  Whilst the Russian Orthodox Church, the onion-domed St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral stands proudly on Toompea Hill, and the KGB Prison reminds visitors of this heinous regime, much of the Russian influence is more subtle.

In other parts of Estonia, particularly as it nears the Russian border, the influence is more striking.  It takes your mind away from thinking Estonia is just about one pretty city and makes you think much more deeply about where this country has been, and what makes it so amazing today. 

On our first road trip, we headed south-west of Tallinn to the small town of Haapsalu.  So small, this town surrounded by the sea is only 10.5 square kilometres in area.

Where is Haapsalu Estonia?

History of haapsalu, admire the wooden houses , visit the episcopal castle, walk around the peninsula, visit the town hall and museum, eat at some great local cafes and restaurants, how to get to haapsalu estonia, best time to go to haapsalu estonia, watch our video of haapsalu estonia below.

Haapsalu is located on the Baltic Sea on the west coast of Estonia.  It is about a two and a half hour drive from the centre of Tallinn, mostly on highways.  Based on 2017 population figures, Haapsalu is the 14th largest city in Estonia.  This might lend itself to sounding like it’s quite a reasonably sized town.  In fact, the top five cities of Estonia, Tallinn, Narva, Tartu, Parnu, Kohtla-Jarve account for 46.5% of the total population.  This leaves the other cities with less than 20,000 inhabitants each.  Haapsalu, at number 14 has just over 10,000 residents.  

The city has been around since the 1200s although it really came to prominence in the early 1800s when it became known as a spa town.  Known for the healing properties of the mud, it drew the attention of Russian Czars, who claimed Haapsalu as their summer retreat.

The Old Town of Haapsalu is built around what looks like a lake.  It’s actually a peninsula that has two eskers.  I’d never heard of an esker until we visited here.  An esker is a narrow ridge that has been formed as a result of glaciers melting, leaving behind hardened sand and gravel.  The Baltic Sea comes into the lower area on the peninsula between these two eskers, forming what looks like a lake from ground level.

My top 5  things to do in Haapsalu Estonia

In the Old Town of Haapsalu, the wooden houses are a unique type of architecture and not at all what I expected to see here.  

Built during the 13th century as a square building of defence, it had many parts added to it over the centuries.  The castle, also known as Haapsalu Castle, also had a circular wall, which can still be seen in the main street of the town, although during the 16th century, continuing conflict saw the wall damaged.  Inside the walls of the castle, another unique form of defence can be seen.  Large hills of soil became another line of fortification.  

By the end of the 17th century, the castle became dilapidated and as some say, haunted.  The attached church remained and has been in use continuously since then.  

Today, it is a beautiful spot to walk around, with large areas dedicated as parkland.  It’s also now undergoing some serious renovation.  An arduous and expensive task I’m sure.

I really want to say walk around the lake as that is exactly what it looks like.  On the day we are here it is smooth and calm, but with a bitter wind blowing in from the sea.  Still, the locals are out, pounding the pavement as they walk their dogs and themselves around the water.  

It’s a little voyeuristic as we are walking behind many of the waterfront houses here, many of them appearing to be closed as winter approaches.  It just gives me a better chance to have a peek and check out the buildings.

In the centre of the old medieval town, you’ll find several cafes, restaurants and boutiques.  You’ll also find the old Town Hall, built in 1775.  In 1946, ownership of the Town Hall was handed over to the museum, who opened the first permanent exhibition in 1950.  

Food is always going to feature in any top list of things to do and it’s no different in Haapsalu.  Surprisingly, for a small town, there are several very good quality spots to grab a quick bite or to settle in for something a little more leisurely.

Hapsal Dietrich

On Karja Street, you’ll find many cafes and other places to eat in Haapsalu.  Whilst Muuriaare Cafe is often the headline act, we really liked Hapsal Dietrich.   An unassuming building from the exterior, inside it’s a place of chic comfort, with several pieces of furniture and decor from the original cafe and owners.  

Wiigi Kohvik

For lunch, you can’t miss Wiigi Kohvik , a location right on the water with a beautiful view.  The restaurant sits on the ground level of a gorgeous three-story timber building, in typical Old Town style,  Out the back, the restaurant is enclosed in glass, perfect for the freezing days like today.

With a seasonal menu that changes often, you know the food is fresh.  We sit and watch the world go by, outside on the walkway, whilst the chef makes up our tasty food as we order.  As much as I love my moist, tender pork, sitting on a generous bed of smooth potato puree and honey, mustard sauce, I can’t help but wish I had just ordered three more of our entree! 

Our share plate of “breaded goats cheese with caramelised nectarine” showed promise on paper but wowed us when it arrived.  With small balls of deep fried goats cheese in my mind, can you imagine how excited I was when this enormous piece of fresh goats cheese was placed in front of us?

Freshly made gingerbread tops and tails the cheese, with a soft, caramelised nectarines providing a gooey top.  Lightly toasted, flaked almonds sealed the deal.  The accompanying fresh salad was good, very good, but seriously, who could beat this delectable treat.  We savoured every mouthful.

Stirling’s choice of pan-fried pike perch didn’t get off the starting blocks as there was no fish left.  I was tempted to throw a line in the water out the front but it was probably best that he didn’t have to wait for me to produce his lunch.  Instead, he opted for the seafood pasta with garlic.  There was no mistaking the garlic either as he ate it and for the next eight hours!

We drove to Haapsalu from Tallinn, taking us just over two hours to reach the town.  The highway driving is easy, but of course, this is also weather dependent.  It’s reasonably straight driving, with no mountains.  

Check out the pricing and availability of hire cars in Tallinn here .

Buses also connect Tallinn to Haapsalu.  Buses depart from the Tallinn Central Bus Station and arrive at the Haapsalu Bus Station.  For accurate times and ticket prices, check this website .

There is no train service to Haapsalu, although the bus station is actually now at the front of the former station.  It’s worth driving to the station just to have a look at the beautiful building.  Today, the Haapsalu Railway Station is the home of a railway museum, complete with rolling stock outside.

This is a town that comes alive in summer.  For obvious reasons, the beaches are at their best when the days are longer and warmer.  Despite this, we actually really enjoyed being in Haapsalu outside of the busy summer period.  With fewer people, there was no rush, making this tiny town seem even cosier.

Where to stay in Haapsalu

If you are doing more than a day trip from Tallinn, you’ll need somewhere to stay.  Given its reputation as a spa town, why not look at these spa hotels.

Fra Mare Thalasso Spa  

Read the reviews and check availability on Trip Advisor.

Spa Hotel Laine  

Read the reviews and check availability on Trip Advisor .

For all hotels,  B&Bs, apartments and other places to stay in Haapsalu or nearby, you can find them all on Trip Advisor , where full reviews, pricing and availability allow you to book directly.

Beer and Croissants was a guest of Visit Estonia at the #storyttellersnest in Tallinn.  We created our own itinerary so that we could see all the places in Estonia that we wanted to personally see.  We are appreciative of Visit Estonia providing us with our vehicle so that we could drive around Estonia with ease.  As always, all editorial content, opinions and images are entirely our own.

About The Author

Kerri McConnel

A former corporate business executive, Kerri is the content creator for Beer and Croissants, a trusted source of detailed guides on motorhome travel, road trip itineraries, and destinations.

Together with Stirling, they are motorhome experts, having independently road-tripped their way across much of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand since 1995. Back home in Australia, they own their own motorhome and can always be found on a regional road trips, taking in towns that often no one has heard of.

They are responsible travellers; long, slow trips in motorhomes, spending time in small regional communities where the tourists usually don't wander, and spending money in their small economies. And where possible, they travel in shoulder and off seasons, so they don't add to the tourist rush.

As an Honorary Barge Lady for Barge Lady Cruises and a regular on European Waterways vessels, Kerri is also an expert on luxury barge travel in Europe, having completed five barge cruises in France and Scotland.

Kerri is a Digital Travel Publisher Member and former board member and treasurer of the Australian Society of Travel Writers (2020-2023).

Everything written and produced on this site is our own work. there's no AI and if we've written about it, you can trust we've been there, done that!

Read more about Kerri here

1 thought on “Haapsalu Estonia: My top 5 things to do in one of Estonia’s prettiest seaside towns”

Wow! This looks like a great holiday Kerri. So pretty and the food, well, yummy doesn’t seem to do it justice. On my list!

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The Imagination Trail

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Haapsalu, Estonia: a holiday hotspot for the tsars and Tchaikovsky

The Imagination Trail September 8, 2019 7 Comments

Estonia , Europe

castles , cities , culture , Estonia , Europe , Haapsalu , solo travel , spa , Tallinn , Tchaikovsky , The Imagination Trail , tsar

It was my final full day in Estonia, and I woke to the sound of heavy rain pummelling the road outside my hostel in Tallinn. Having already spent a couple of days exploring what the capital had to offer , and taken probably the most popular day trip from Tallinn, a hop over to Helsinki on the ferry, I decided to take a gamble on the weather out on the west coast of Estonia being a bit more amenable to getting out and about, and to hop on a bus out to Haapsalu for the day.

Tallinn’s bus station sits just outside of the Old Town – it was a 30 minute walk from my hostel, but the tram which runs between the airport and the city stops there too. It was easy to navigate and to find the right stop. I’d bought my bus ticket online , receiving a mobile ticket that I could simply show to the driver from my phone, but you can buy your ticket on the bus from the driver too. The long-distance buses going to Riga and St Petersburg looked busy, but on this rainy day there were only a handful of other passengers on my bus heading out to the coast.

It was a one and a half hour trip on a comfortable coach to reach Haapsalu, one of the oldest towns in Estonia. Founded in 1279 as a Prince-Bishop’s ruling centre, it later became famous in the nineteenth century when a doctor claimed that the local sea mud had therapeutic properties, and opened the first mud cure resort in the town. This attracted the attention of Russian royalty, and Haapsalu became a favoured holiday destination for the tsars from thereon. The bus from Tallinn stops just outside the old Railway Station, where in 1904 a 216 metre platform – exactly the length of the Tsar’s personal train – was opened. At the time it was the longest train station platform in Northern Europe and today, even though trains no longer run to Haapsalu, the regal-looking platform is still there to wander along in all of its splendour.

Haapsalu is small and walkable, so it didn’t take me long to find my way from the station into the centre. Along the way, and into the Old Town, I strolled along streets lined with beautiful wooden houses.

The centrepiece of the Old Town is Haapsalu Castle and Cathedral, a feature of the town dating back to its founding in the thirteenth century. The medieval walls, towers and gates still stand. There’s a small museum inside the castle buildings, but I was happy to just wander around the grounds.

I carried on down to the bay where I turned onto the promenade for a stroll. With the puddles on the ground and a dampness in the air suggesting that it had been raining here too, there were not many other people around apart from a jogger or dog-walker here and there, so it was a peaceful walk. There were more pretty, colourful wooden houses lining the esplanade, and plenty of swans, ducks and other birds around the shore. I soon spotted a statue a little way out in the water, and as I got closer I realised that it was a polar bear; even with my librarian super-searching skills I have yet to discover why it was decided to put a polar bear there, so if anyone knows, please do enlighten me!

Another famous visitor to Haapsalu in the nineteenth century was the renowned Russian composer Pjotr Tchaikovsky, who enjoyed walking along this very promenade and watching the sunrise over the water; it is claimed that his time here inspired one of his symphonies. Further along I found the Tchaikovsky Bench, a memorial to this particular holidaymaker. Apparently it’s supposed to play a symphony to you when you get close to it, but I couldn’t get it to work – perhaps it had had too much rain!

Further along the promenade I came across a couple of the spa resort hotels where visitors still come to Haapsalu to enjoy the healing effects of the sea mud. If I had been staying in the town longer I would definitely have booked in for a treatment to see what it was all about.

As I walked back into the Old Town the sun was coming out, and the colourful houses, buildings and churches were looking particularly pretty. The cafes were all open for business and there were plenty of people out and about.

Arriving back at the old railway station to catch the bus back to Tallinn, I finally spotted a train that was in fact in service; the little red sightseeing road train, Peetrike, which operates a brief tour around Haapsalu during the summer months. Judging by the number of families waiting to get on, it seemed to be a popular attraction.

Haapsalu was for me a very worthwhile day trip from Tallinn; not only did I escape the rain, but I enjoyed wandering around a beautiful town with a vibrant history, and it was a fantastic opportunity to get a glimpse of Estonia outside of its famous, well-visited capital, which I suspect many visitors to Tallinn don’t manage to do.

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Looks so pretty! I’m adding it to my list since I’ll be visiting Estonia in a few months!

Eep! I thought the polar bear statue was real for a second! It is a very cool statue, even if you didn’t find out why it was there!

Haapsalu looks like a gorgeous place to wander around on foot, especially with Haapsalu Castle.

This is such an interesting piece of travel story! Tsar, the very name, evokes a strong sense of nostalgia and history lessons. I am planning to visit Russia this year and Eastern European countries subsequently. Lets see how life favors!

The town looks so cozy and the castle is just amazing! I will definitely add it to my list of what to visit in Estonia since I want to go there anyway 🙂

This looks so charming! That polar bear is super weird though —even after you mentioned what it was I had to look real hard at the photo 😂

I just booked my trip to Europe later this year and already decided I am going to Estonia so this is a great read. How long would you say was needed in Haapsalu to see what you would want to see? I’ll keep it in mind for a day trip

Thanks Emma! I would say one day is enough to see the city really – it’s quite small – but if you wanted to experience some the spa treatments with the mud there perhaps you might book an overnight stay.

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Haapsalu Travel Essentials

Ideal duration: 1 day

Best Time: June - August

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"Coastal Charms in Haapsalu"

Haapsalu tourism.

Haapsalu is a small seaside town in Estonia with a strong medieval history. Located on the north-west coast of the country, it is a great destination for travelers looking for an offbeat vacation.

The main reason to visit Haapsalu is its picturesque medieval old town. The town is surrounded by a beautiful coastline and many beaches, making the perfect spot for a beach holiday. The main tourist attractions include the ruins of the 13th century Haapsalu Castle, the Haapsalu Railway Station, the Haapsalu Old Town with its cobblestone streets, and the Town Hall. Other attractions include the Haapsalu Episcopal Castle, the Pirita Convent, and the Haapsalu Town Hall. The region also has a number of great activities, such as hiking, biking, sailing, and fishing. Shopping is also popular in Haapsalu, with a wide variety of stores, boutiques, and markets. Highlights of Haapsalu include its white sandy beaches, the old town, the castle, and the railway station. It is also worth visiting the Haapsalu Regional Museum and the Haapsalu Episcopal Castle. Haapsalu is a hidden gem in the Baltic Sea and is the perfect destination for a quiet getaway. It is easily accessible by train, bus, or car, and there is plenty of accommodation to choose from. When planning a trip to Haapsalu, remember to take some time to explore the town's rich history and culture. There are some great restaurants and bars in the area, too, so don't forget to sample the local cuisine.

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