ESTONIA is most known for its medieval town of Talinn, but there's a hidden seaside gem that completely knocks it out of the park.
Families looking for a budget-friendly summer destination need look no further as the Kuressaare Beach in Saaremaa island, Estonia, is perfect for adults and children alike – with adventure parks, a viking village and a sandy coastline.
Why Kuressaare on Saaremaa island?
While most families opt to travel to hotspots like France or Italy, a town on the largest island of the Muhu archipelago offers a far more affordable alternative.
Not only is Kuressaare beach known as one of the warmest in Estonia, but it’s also home to a playground, making it ideal for families with young kids.
Children can climb, swing and build sandcastles on the bay while parents relax on the beach and take advantage of the sunny weather.
While July is the warmest month for the location during the summer, the hot temperatures continue on until mid-September.
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Besides lounging and swimming, families can take excursions to adventure parks, viking villages and soak up the culture with castles and museums all within a 30-minute radius.
Food and drink are also on the cheap side with dishes starting from as little as £5 from Kessu Cafe.
Hotels are also extremely affordable too with a night at the Vinoteegi Residents, a four-star hotel, costing as little as £62 per person per night.
How do I get there?
The easiest way to reach Kuressaare is to jump on a flight to the capital of Estonia, Tallinn, before taking a quick plane to Kuressaare Airport.
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Wizzair and Ryanair operate flights to the capital from a range of different UK airports, including London Stansted, Luton, Gatwick and Heathrow as well as Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow.
Sun Online Travel has found one-way tickets to Talinn starting from £62 during the school summer holidays and the flight takes just over one hour from the UK.
Flights from Talinn Airport to Kuressaare Airport, meanwhile, start from £23 and it takes just 40 minutes.
From there, it’s just a five minute drive to the beach. And for those who would rather take public transport, there’s a £1 bus that takes you into the town too.
What is there to do in Kuressaare?
Besides tanning by the beach and taking advantage of the spas in the area, there’s plenty of culture to soak up and activities to take part in.
The Kuressaare Episcopal Castle is just a six minute walk away and is one of Estonia’s best-preserved fortresses. Built in the 14th century, it has guided tours, treasure hunts and archery.
While adults pay £8.60 to get in, children under the age of five go for free. Meanwhile, a family ticket with two teenagers costs £21.60.
There are also several adventure parks near the area, where kids and adults alike can have a go at ziplining.
The WOW Family Attraction and Interactive Leisure Centre is just a six-minute drive from the beach too.
There are slides, trampolines, a climbing structure with tunnels and football on offer for kids aged 6-16. Plus, an obstacle course where kids walk on a net five metres high and move with the help of rope and ladders.
In addition, they have a virtual reality corner for games, a building house and slide for youngsters and a water-powered play area for all.
The main square of the old town of Kuressaare also has a range of antique shops, art galleries and restaurants to explore.
This includes the Saaremaa Veski, a windmill that was turned into a restaurant that serves £10 burgers and £6 meals for children.
Built in 1899, it was first an Orthodox Church before burning down and being rebuilt as a windmill in the 1780s. It’s since been declared an architectural monument of national importance.
Meanwhile, the Asva Viking Village is just 30 minutes away, too, where families can try their hand at archery, axe throwing and horse riding. Not to mention the animal and bird park and playground on site for kids to enjoy.
Tickets to the village cost £8.60 for adults while a family of two adults and two children can go in for £30. Extra attractions like horse riding, meanwhile, can cost anywhere between £4 and £13.
One of the most interesting tourist attractions on the island is in Kaali, which is the site of the last giant meteorite impact to occur in a densely populated area.
The meteor, which broke into several pieces, crashed onto Saaremaa 7,500 years ago and created nine craters.
What else do I need to know about Saaremaa island?
The local language is Estonian but you can expect English to be spoken at most establishments.
There is a two-hour time difference, with the UK two hours behind.
The currency is the euro, with £10 currently worth €11.58.
Brits can stay in Estonia for up to 90 days without a visa.
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However, your passport must have at least three months left on it on departure from Estonia and the passport must have been issued within the last 10 years.
You may also be required to show supporting documents, including an invitation letter, proof of lodging, return or round-trip ticket.
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