Saaremaa and Muhu Islands
Saaremaa is the biggest Estonian island. The symbols of Saaremaa are juniper, dolomite, and windmills. The island is used for cattle-breeding, planting wheat, oats, and barley. Local rye-bread is considered to be the best in Estonia. Local  beer, which is light and sweet, has also a perfect reputation throughout Estonia. A mystical spirit of history dominates here. There are still houses with reed-roofs and stone hedges preserved in local hamlets; local old people still keep national clothing in old chests and speak in their own special dialect. Calm and friendly atmosphere prevails in the Estonian islands. Tourism and resort business is being actively developed here in the last few years. New comfortable spa-hotels are established on Saaremaa, offering high-quality treatment and pleasant relaxation.
Points of interest and recreation areas
- Syrve Lighthouse The lighthouse is situated on the Syrve peninsula at the entrance to the Irben straight. You may observe Latvian coast from there. Probably this is why this cape is extremely popular among Latvian tourists. Long ago Syrvesaar was an island and was separated from Saaremaa by a straight. Some historians think that its name came from Estonian word “serv” (sorv), which means “edge, boundary”. There is also an opinion, that the island was originally known as “Sworbe” or “Swarbe”, which means “hoof” in Estonian. That is probably because the island’s form is similar to that of a hoof.
- Episcopal Castle Kuresaare This Gothic fortress of the 14th century, which is one of the oldest in the Baltics, is definitely worth seeing. There is a “lion’s pit” in the castle, which, according to the legend, was where the bishop threw his enemies.
- Meteorite Crater Kaali A hundred-meter crater was left by a meteor and is nicknamed “the sun’s grave”. Scientist argue about the time of meteorite crash: some think that it happened 2400 years ago, while others say that that is was as long as 7500 years ago.
- Windmills Tireless windmills are also a local point of interest. There are still many windmills on Saaremaa. In the place of Angla, which is in the northern part of the island, there are five of them. Here you can find both the column windmill, the top of which turns completely around its axis, and the Dutch windmill, only the fans of which turn.
- Ostrich Farm on Muhu Island ( EST, EN, RU) Here you will be able to see and even feed the biggest birds, who can’t fly – African ostriches, South-American nandu’s (rhea), and Australian emus, as well as and kangaroos. There is a possibility of arranging a picnic. In a small shop you may purchase an ostrich egg, meat and leather goods.
How to reach:
You can reach the main city of Saaremaa – Kuresaare by ferry from Tallinn, of from a Latvian town of Ventpils - Ferry Traffic (EST, EN)
An air route connects Saaremaa with Helsinki and Stockholm. Kuresaare Airport (EST, EN)
Tourism Information
Kuressaare Tourism Informstion Centre
Tallinna 2, 93813 Kuressaare, tel/fax +372 453 31 20
kuressaare@visitestonia.com
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