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- Kuressaare (note) — Saaremaa is an island, not a single city; when people say ”Saaremaa city” they usually mean Kuressaare, the island’s main town. I’m listing the top 10 visitable highlights inside Kuressaare itself so you get the real town vibe rather than the whole island.
- Kuressaare Episcopal Castle (Saaremaa Museum) — A remarkably intact medieval fortress right by the sea. Walk the moat and towers, explore the museum inside (history, ship models, local crafts) and catch summer medieval fairs or open-air concerts in the courtyard.
- Castle Park and Promenade — The green ribbon around the castle with old linden trees, paths and benches. Great for a lazy stroll at golden hour and for watching locals walk dogs, do tai chi or launch small boats from the nearby quay.
- Kuressaare Old Town
- Kuressaare (note) — Saaremaa is an island, not a single city; when people say ”Saaremaa city” they usually mean Kuressaare, the island’s main town. I’m listing the top 10 visitable highlights inside Kuressaare itself so you get the real town vibe rather than the whole island.
- Kuressaare Episcopal Castle (Saaremaa Museum) — A remarkably intact medieval fortress right by the sea. Walk the moat and towers, explore the museum inside (history, ship models, local crafts) and catch summer medieval fairs or open-air concerts in the courtyard.
- Castle Park and Promenade — The green ribbon around the castle with old linden trees, paths and benches. Great for a lazy stroll at golden hour and for watching locals walk dogs, do tai chi or launch small boats from the nearby quay.
- Kuressaare Old Town & Town Square (Raekoja plats) — Compact streets of wooden houses, a small market square and friendly cafés. It’s where you feel the town’s rhythm: morning markets, late-afternoon coffee and a handful of craft shops selling local wool and smoked fish.
- Kuressaare Harbour and Marina — Small fishing boats, pleasure craft and a working quay give the town its salty edge. Walk the piers, watch gulls, buy fresh fish from the vendors and take short boat trips or seal-watching tours out of here in season.
- Kuressaare Beach — A shallow, sandy beach within easy walking distance of the centre; safe for swimming and sunbathing in summer and perfect for sunsets any time. It’s the quickest way to feel like you’re on an island without leaving town.
- Kuressaare City Theatre (Linnateater) — One of Estonia’s small but lively regional theatres. Catch a play or a concert to sample local culture and language up close—English surtitles or English-language events pop up in season.
- Local food stalls, smokehouses and cafés — Kuressaare’s compact size makes it easy to taste island specialties: smoked fish, kama (local cereal mix), black bread and simple seafood dishes. The weekly market and a couple of long-running smokehouses are where flavour meets local stories.
- Roomassaare peninsula and nature strip — A short walk from town centre, this low-lying coastal area has reed beds, bird hides and quiet shoreline paths. It’s a good half-hour escape for birdwatching, tide pools and a sense of wildness right beside the harbour.
- Kuressaare Cultural Centre and seasonal festivals — The hub for exhibitions, music gigs and town events (film nights, folk festivals, small craft fairs). Check the schedule—Kuressaare’s calendar fills up in summer with intimate, local events that reveal island life.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.