Download GPX file for this article
58.2522.483333Full screen dynamic map

From Wikivoyage
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Kuressaare [dead link] is the capital of Saaremaa, the largest of Estonia's islands.

Understand[edit]

A tower of Kuressaare's castle

The earliest records of Kuressaare is a document written in 1381 that mentions that the town housed the fortified residency of a local Catholic bishop and that it was the main center for the islands of western Estonia. Kuressaare used to be known as Arensburg, and it received city status in 1563. The town has a population of around 13,000 (2018).

Get in[edit]

By plane[edit]

  • 1 Kuressaare Airport (URE IATA) (3 km from the town). The quickest way to reach Saaremaa is by air. The regular flights between Tallinn and Kuressaare are operated by Transaviabaltika Sunday to Friday, all the year round. It takes 40 minutes to fly from Tallinn to Kuressaare, and there is a bus waiting the passengers at Kuressaare Airport. Kuressaare Airport (Q892425) on Wikidata Kuressaare Airport on Wikipedia

By bus[edit]

Several buses run daily between Kuressaare and Tallinn's main bus station. The trip takes 4 hours and traverses the strait between the mainland and the islands by means of a 30-minute ferry.

Bus schedules are easily available online – read more under Estonia#Get around.

Get around[edit]

Map
Map of Kuressaare

See[edit]

  • 1 Saaremaa Museum / Castle (Kuressaare Episcopal Castle). May–Aug daily 10:00–19:00, Sep–Apr W–Su 11:00–18:00. The fortress is well preserved and located in the city center. €6.

Do[edit]

  • Health spas. The city has a large number of spas.
  • 1 Spa Hotel Rüütli, Pargi 12, +372 454 8100. The spa’s water park features a 25-meter 4-lane swimming pool, a 52-meter water slide, a children’s pool and hot tub, and a steam room.
  • 2 Grand Rose Spa, Tallinna 15, +372 666 7000. The spa and sauna center features a swimming pool, cold water pool and Japanese pool, small children’s pool, jacuzzi and foot baths, 2 steam baths, juniper sauna, Finnish sauna, birch sauna, aroma sauna, salt room, Garra Rufa fish pedicure, relaxation rooms and massage facilities.
  • Football: FC Kuressaare play soccer in Meistriliiga, Estonia's top tier. Their home ground Kuressaare Linnastaadion (capacity 2000) is 1 km south of town centre. The playing season is March-Nov.

Buy[edit]

There are several malls around town as well as some smaller shops in the town centre.

  • 1 Auriga Center, Tallinna 88, Kudjape, +372 452 2500. M-Sa 10:00–20:00, Su 10:00–18:00. The biggest mall in Kuressaare, located at the edge of the town. Offers clothes shops, restaurants and a cinema.
  • 2 Saaremaa Kaubamaja, Raekoja 1, +372 5307 0169. M-F 10:00–19:00, Weekend 10:00–16:00. Has a sports shop, a department store and several other smaller shops.
  • In the city center, next to the tourist office, is a brown building. There are some clothes shops, a bookstore and a kiosk.

Eat[edit]

Drink[edit]

Sleep[edit]

Budget[edit]

  • 1 Server Backpackers, Tolli 7, +372 5050409. Dorm from €15.
  • 2 Guesthouse Laurits, Kauba 5, +372 56499227. Excellent ratings. From €17.

Mid-range and splurge[edit]

Go next[edit]

  • Pärnu – Estonia's 4th largest city and the summer capital of Estonia, popular for its balneo-therapy complexes and spa centres, surrounded by numerous beaches.
  • Hiiumaa – Estonia's second largest island.


This city travel guide to Kuressaare is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.

Create category