17 Best things to do in Pärnu
In June 2022 we made a 2-week road trip in the Baltic States. We started in Vilnius (Lithuania), rented a car, and explored as much as we could on the way to Tallinn (Estonia) while stopping by Latvia.
Pärnu was our 3rd stop in Estonia during our 11th to 13th day of travel in the Baltic states.
Pärnu is a beach resort city crossed by the Pärnu River and within the Pärnu bay. The city is famous for being a summer holiday location, its 19th-century timber villas and for sandy Pärnu Beach. But it is also known for its Mud bath and its mole
Pärnu only has 40 000 inhabitants over 32.22km². It is a really pretty city and without a doubt one of our top destinations in Estonia.
If you too are planning a trip to the Baltic states and to Pärnu, then let ‘s dive in these best things to do in Pärnu
Table of Contents
Mapping the day
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Getting there
As always in Estonia, and in the Baltic states, the best way to get around is by car. It is not possible to fly there, and the closest airport are Tallinn and Riga. However, Pärnu Airport should be soon open. But there are also a few other options. International busses arrive at the Pärnu Bus Station from several major European cities (Riga, Vilnius, St. Petersburg, Minsk) as well as directly from the Tallinn Bus Station. Buses travel between Pärnu and Tallinn every 30 minutes to 1 hour.
For buses you can check :
- ee (domestic routes)
- Luxexpress (international routes)
- Ecolines (international routes)
Moving Around
Once in town, everything can be done walking. You won’t have to touch your car to discover the beauty of this beach town.
Only if you wish to go to Soomaa National Park, you will have to take your car or a bus.
When to Visit
You can visit Pärnu all year round but be aware that temperature varies from the extreme 30°C in summer to freezing -25°C in winter. Also, the length of the day varies a lot from 4h in winter to almost 18h in summer.
The touristic season is mostly July and August and is made of local tourism. Generally, the Baltic states are not the most touristic countries in the world nor in EU.
The best time to visit it in term of weather are from May to September but we would without a doubt recommend June as the best month to visit it. Out of 16 days in the Baltic states, we only got 2 of them with rain. It wasn’t yet too hot and wasn’t too cold and really enjoyed it.
Where to Stay
We stayed 2 nights in Pärnu which was really great. But if you want to have more time and enjoy the beach longer, adding a 3rd night would be great
- (€): Villa Ene
- (€€): Austri Villa
- (€€€): Villa Ammende Restaurant and Hotel
We stayed at Austri Villa and it was really great. The villa was super nice, the studio spacious and the location perfect. Plus, the price is really great for what you get.
What to Eat
While we were in Pärnu, we mostly ate at our place. And also tried a local pizzeria Steffani. We loved so much the super thin pizza that we went there twice 😊
Best things to do in Pärnu
City center
Pärnu city center is super small, yet it is great place to visit. The main street is super cute. Filled with local store where you can get souvenirs, wooden stuffs, local clothes…
Maarja-Magdaleena Gild MTÜ
One of the best stores in town is the Maarja-Magdaleena Gild, a place where you can get local arts and handicraft. You can also order some custom work if you want, and they also have a café right in front.
Town Hall
On your way around the city center, you can make a quick stop at the town hall. Located in a house built in 1797 by the merchant P.R. Harder; with its early-classicist decor, it was one of the most prominent houses in the city at the time it was built.
Parnu Museum & Museum of New Art
If you are interested in museums, you should consider the Pärnu Museum that present and preserve local history.
Museum of New Art is an art gallery. The museum’s collection contains more than 400 works, and more than 1200 documentaries are kept in its videotheque.
Punane torn
Also known as the Red Tower, is the only remaining building of medieval Pärnu Fortress. The tower is named after the red bricks which are used to line the inside and outside of the tower. It was built in 15th century, was used as a prison and is now a museum.
Pärnu River
One cool thing to do in Pärnu is to walk along the Pärnu river. You can go a short or a long walk, but both are nice to do. The Pärnu river is one of the biggest rivers in Estonia.
Valli Park
Valli Park is a small park in the city center, is has a nice promenade along the shore, a romantic pedestrian bridge over the valley and the highest fountain in Estonia, built in the middle of the valley.
Pärnu Rannapark
The Pärnu Rannapark is the biggest park in town (and the second in Estonia), it is also known as the beach park. With over 45 Ha, you will have plenty of place to walk amongst greenery.
Pärnu muul
That’s probably the top things to do in Pärnu. The mole of Pärnu was made in 1869 to expend the river and make it possible for ships to safety enter the Harbord.
The mode is made of 2 side. One on the port side and one on the park side. The park side one is around 1.5 to 1.8km long. And if you walk all the way to the end, you will find a little lighthouse.
Pärnu Bath
Called Hedon SPA & HOTEL, Pärnu Mud Baths is a hotel notable for its mud bath therapy services. The neoclassicist building was constructed in 1926–1927.
Pärnu Beach
The Pärnu beach is one of the most famous beaches in Estonia. It is a huge sand beach in the Pärnu bay. The water is warm and the sand stunning.
We loved it! Especially that in Estonia, it isn’t that hot, so you can really enjoy it without burning!
Pärnu rannaniidu matkarada
Or the Pärnu coastal meadow hiking trail, is a 600m hiking trail with a viewing platform, standing right by the sea in the middle of the Pärnu beach. It was constructed for visitors to be able to explore the unique ecosystem of the city.
May Bird Watching Tower
A bit further and through the meadow is the May Bird Watching Tower. This 200m tower was design for watching May bird and the meadow.
Timber House district
That’s a simple thing to do, stroll around the area between the beach and the city center. Made mostly of 19th century villas in timber. It is quite a nice sight.
Soomaa national park
If you like hiking, then Soomaa national park is the place to go. Known for its hiking through the bogs. You can find little pools at the end of the main trails where you can swim. This is best done on your way to or from Pärnu and as a full day drip.
An amazing 2-day Pärnu Itinerary
Day 1:
- City center
- Maarja-Magdaleena Gild MTÜ
- Town Hall
- Punane torn
- Parnu River
- Valli Park
- Pärnu Rannapark
- Pärnu muul
- Hedon SPA & HOTEL
- Pärnu Beach
- Pärnu rannaniidu matkarada
- May Bird Watching Tower
- Timber House district
Day 2
- Soomaa national park
Laps räägib siis kui kana pissib – Kids speak when hens pee
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