6 Weekend Getaways in Estonia in Winter Worth Leaving Tallinn For

Not every place works in winter – these are the weekend getaways in Estonia I’ve actually enjoyed outside Tallinn when the weather turns cold.

After living in Estonia and testing these places myself in the darkest months, I realised that winter trips here aren’t really about entertainment. They are more about atmosphere and warm interiors.

This article focuses on my favorite weekend getaways in Estonia in winter, especially places that make sense from Tallinn between November and early spring. These are destinations where winter adds something instead of taking it away and provides a good reason to slow down without getting bored.

So if you are visiting the country sometime during the winter season, here are my favorite suggestions for what is unique to do in Estonia besides Tallinn.

Most Interesting Trips in Estonia in Winter

Tartu City – the most stimulating winter getaway

If there is one place outside Tallinn that actually feels as alive in winter as the capital city, that’s Tartu. It’s the only city in Estonia (after Tallinn) where you can arrive anytime in winter and still feel movement, culture, ideas, and daily life around you.

There are a lot of things to do in Tartu in winter that can keep anyone busy for a few days at least. You can spend hours inside world-class museums (I absolutely loved the AHHAA Science Centre, Estonian National Museum, University of Tartu Museum), go explore old town where everything is walkable even in cold weather, walk by the river, climb the Toomemägi hill, or visit the cathedral ruins.

There are also lots of interesting cafes, evening concerts, and what I like – a couple of nice spa hotels where it is easy to spend the whole day swimming in the pools or relaxing in the saunas.

Even in January and February, after the Christmas markets close, Tartu still feels interesting – students, locals, various events, museum exhibitions, and light decorations keep it moving.

NOTE: You don’t need to rent a car for this trip. What makes it easy and a bit more interesting is the train journey from Tallinn and back. Buy tickets directly on Estonia railway company website.

Rakvere + Palmse/Vihula combo – Scenery & culture-heavy winter Escape

This suggestion can be split into two day trips from Tallinn in winter, but if you are limited on time and want to see a bit of the country, I’d better recommend not returning to Tallinn and staying overnight in the area (giving some interesting suggestions below).

With this winter getaway, you get one real city experience and Lahemaa’s historic estates, all reachable by car (with a bus it’s going to take twice more time).

Rakvere is an underrated city with some of the best museums in Estonia (where you can literally spend the whole day just in museums), but on this trip, I recommend you visit the castle with the indoor exhibits and some performances throughout the day. In the city, I also like the sculpture park, modern theatre building and compact centre, all easy to explore even when it’s cold.

The next part is Palmse or/and Vihula (you can visit them the first thing in the morning after leaving Tallinn or during the next day on the way back). Both manors stay heated in winter because they operate as official museum and hotel properties, so you are not going to freeze.

Palmse is the bigger, more educational one – good if you want history, architecture and indoor time. Vihula is stronger for atmosphere if you want to stay overnight: the mill area, pond, vodka museum, and spa building give you something to do even when it gets dark early.

🚗Other places to visit on the way (with a car it’s a delight) – Valgejoe Veinivilla winery, Viru bog, Jagala waterfall, Sagadi museum (waterfall with the bog are very pictureskue in winter when it’s been snowing).

📌Things to Know: If you want an atmospheric stay, then besides Vihula Manor, there is also Sagadi Manor Hotel, and the more sophisticated Aqva Hotel & Spa in Rakvere.

Most atmospheric + comforting

Pärnu – the easiest winter Trip From Tallinn for warmth & comfort

If you are visiting Estonia in winter and want to go somewhere else in the country where it feels good in cold weather, Pärnu is one of the safest choices. Thanks to its heavy focus on wellness, nice cafes, and its location by the beach (yes, even in winter), it is easy enough to spend two full days here without getting bored.

If Tallinn in December, January or even February feels too grey, Pärnu gives a restorative atmosphere. It also never feels abandoned since cafes work on the same schedule as in summer and everything works as usual.

I like it for the combination of short distances when you can hide quickly in warm indoor spaces if it feels cold, and excellent wellness centers. And in fact, this is also one of the most affordable places in Europe in winter.

You don’t even need to plan much here (besides choosing a place where to stay because there are so many nice options) – you arrive, check into a spa hotel, walk to the Old Town and then to the seaside, sit in a lovely cafe, and finish the day in saunas or warm pools.

Spa culture is part of daily life here, and this is what elevates Pärnu as a winter destination in Estonia. I stayed in Hedon Spa and Estonia Resort Hotel & Spa and both were amazing (just with different approaches) offering warm pools, multiple saunas, relaxation rooms, and treatments – essentially ready-made winter days where you don’t need to leave the building.

Haapsalu – the quietest SPA winter escape (without feeling dead)

Haapsalu is like a quieter version of Pärnu, which still feels nice in deep off-season, even without the snow. It is great for a day trip from Tallinn or for a full getaway.

The first thing that works here in winter is the atmosphere: wooden houses, promenade along the frozen or misty sea, empty but somehow comforting streets, and a couple of nice spa hotels just like in Pärnu…

But you need to know that it is very, very quiet… although not depressing. You get space to walk and slow down, and enjoy the cafes’ atmosphere together with the castle museum, which is quite big and interesting.

Everything is within walking distance, which is why walks in cold weather are not bothersome. And if you stay overnight, Fra Mare Thalasso Spa turns the experience into a warm mini-retreat.

Spend the day walking by the sea, wandering through the castle grounds, stopping for coffee and cake, and then end your evening (and start the following day) in a sauna or warm pool while outside everything is dark.

NOTE: There is no need to rent a car for this trip (although if you do, there are other stops to make along the way). A LUX Express bus from Tallinn to Haapsalu runs a few times a day and costs €9–10 one way.

Arvo Pärt Center + Keila-Joa Schloss Fall + Laulasmaa – Lesser-Known Route for music, forest, Spa & nordic Cabin

This is one of my favorite winter getaways in Estonia around Tallinn because it is easy to get to all the places (you can go by car or by bus), is possible to see a lot within a short period of time, and do various activities on one trip, such as:

• To get to know the most famous Estonian composer
• See unique Estonia-style architecture
• Experience coastal nature that feels very different from the usual Tallinn surroundings.

If you rent a car, drive towards Keila-Joa waterfall, which is situated by a restored historic manor with a long history of Russian nobility and scientific experiments of the 19th century.

The waterfall itself is so beautiful in any season, but in winter it gets partially frozen (when cold enough) with photogenic spots around it and easy walking trails. You can also visit the manor (during dark hours in winter it is beautifully illuminated) or even stay overnight there, walk through the rooms and see exhibitions.

Other stops to make are Arvo Pärt Center (Estonia’s most important cultural space dedicated to the world-famous composer) and Lohusalu Rand with its interesting coastline and scenic spots.

For the night, stay in LaSpa Hotel, one of the most reliable spa hotels near Tallinn. They have a nice spa center, which is possible to visit for outside guests even without booking a room.

TIP FROM ME: I also like this area for forest cabins and Nordic-like stays. I myself wanted to stay in this Dream Corner or in Rahusalu Flow House, but there are other similar properties nearby if you would like to have a similar experience.

Nature-Focused Trips in Estonia (Still Good in Winter)

Otepää + Pühajärv – Getaway to Southern Estonia for snow, forests, and winter atmosphere

These two are great to visit for a classic Estonian winter landscape with actual snow, frozen lakes, and pine forests (of course, on days when temperature is below zero, so snow stays on the ground).

The Pühajärv area gets proper winter while Tallinn stays grey and rainy, so if you want a snowy experience while in Estonia, you can plan to drive here (but again, when temperature is low and it’s been snowing).

The Pühajärv lake is surrounded by forest trails that stay beautiful in deep winter. You can hike/ski around it or on it if it’s been cold enough for a long time, which has made the lake freeze.

In Otepää, there is a chance to rent skis or snowboard (in a small shop next to this pub) and go skiing in the forest or hills nearby.

You can come here by car or bus for a day or stay overnight at Pühajärve Holiday Resort with a very nice pool.

Will Be Spending Time in Tallinn in Winter Too?

Here are some of my tips for what to do and where to find good food:

• Spending 3 Days in Tallinn – alternative way to see this city in any season
• Non-Touristy Side of Tallinn – areas and alternative places to explore outside Old Town
• Best Breakfast & Brunch in Tallinn – my favorite places in and around the city center
• Most Delish Cinnamon Buns – my favorite places to find them
• Day in Nomme – a lesser-known neighborhood in Tallinn with a few hidden corners
• Tallinn in the End of Fall – how to actually enjoy it no matter what the weather is like