Delightful and charming small towns in the heart of Estonia
There are towns in the heart of Estonia that you’ll only see if you slow down and take your time. Türi, Paide, Põltsamaa, Viljandi, Tõrva are waiting!
While driving through country Estonia, you’ll see the sun casting golden rays through the trees and green fields alternating with winding roads. Keep an eye on the road signs throughout your journey, and take the time to get to know the towns along the way. These towns are like little secrets just waiting for you to slow down and turn off the main road.
So feel free to veer off the main road and onto the slower lanes of these lesser known parts of Estonia. You’re sure to have an exciting journey through the country – one that will turn out to be an amazing trip no matter the season!
What to expect on the route
- Elements: 5 small towns, festivals, museums, wine, manors and castles, bridges, parks, lakes, health trails, caves, spas, flowers.
- Distance: ~160 km
- Duration: Take your time. The journey takes at least 3 days. However, we recommend at least one day for each of the five towns along the way.
- Season: Year-round
- How to get here: You can visit them by bike, car, or bus. Alternatively, take the train, because rail travel is a win for the environment. The modern, spacious FLIRTs (Fast Light Innovative Regional Trains) will get you to Türi and Viljandi with a very small carbon footprint. Nestle into a comfortable window seat and count the minutes till your journey begins!
- Sustainable choices: The food we recommend you try along the way is hailed by top chefs and locals alike. If you’re traveling in summer, it’s worth keeping in mind that all of the swimming spots you’ll come across boast great water quality. Just jump in and enjoy!
Source: Magnus Heinmets
Türi – Estonia’s spring capital
In Estonia, how eagerly people are anticipating the arrival of spring is signalled by them bustling about the streets of small towns with brooms and rakes in hand. Türi is no exception in this regard: in March, the otherwise sleepy town becomes Estonia’s spring capital.
A couple of months later, in May, the locals prepare for the famous Flower Fair. Everyone who loves flowers and gardening looks forward to the event. Thousands of visitors come from near and far, eager to discover new plants and simply enjoy the flowers.
But Türi has more to offer than just garden-city beauty. Next to the railway crossing you’ll find a grey museum building whose exhibits give visitors the chance to explore history.
Stories from the past at the Estonian Broadcasting Museum bear witness to how the small town has changed over the years. These stories have been preserved on the outside walls of the museum, making it one of the few permanent outdoor exhibitions in the country. A window to the past opens doors to the future.
All of this spins visitors a rich and varied tale of Türi, one full of flowers, apples and radio waves.
Paide – The heart of Estonia
Paide’s location couldn’t be more central: it sits at the very heart of the country. This ‘oldie’ of Estonian towns and cities, with its long and turbulent history has lived through good and bad times, the joy of celebrations and the sadness and horror of war.
Once known as Wittenstein, Paide tells its stories through museum exhibits. Paide Vallitorn, which towers over the city, recounts the tale of the city through history. The Wittenstein Activity Museum on the main street offers action-oriented visitors the chance to take part in a variety of workshops, including those of a pharmacist, doctor, blacksmith and brewer. Paide has produced some global names. Arvo Pärt, for example, is the living composer whose works are most frequently performed around the world.
Paide is surrounded by bogs, which means it’s easy to walk from the town centre to the bogs and then beyond, out of town, along the hiking trail known as ‘Paide talitee’. It comes to an end at the Wine Trail, offering you the chance to learn more about wine-making in the Estonian Wine Chamber.
There’s a well-maintained 15 km cycling path between Paide and Türi that passes Kirna Manor along the way, which will appeal to anyone with a penchant for green living.
Source: Visit Järva
Source: Magnus Heinmets
Põltsamaa – The seat of the King of Livonia
Põltsamaa, a verdant town in the middle of Estonia, has something of a regal feel to it thanks to its roses, bridges, parks and wines. But the pride and joy of the town is its beautiful castle, the crowning glory of which is its tower. Boasting a spectacular observation platform, it rises over Põltsamaa on the banks of the river that runs through the town. Commit the wonderful views to memory and take a photo as a keepsake. The Wine Trail also passes through the castle courtyard.
Take time to enjoy a leisurely stroll over the 19 bridges that crisscross the Põltsamaa River, connect the town to its river islands and tower above its castle moat.
Rose Island, on which you can admire 2000 rose bushes, is a must-see attraction in Põltsamaa. Walk among them and enjoy the beautiful scents!
There are plenty of attractions around Põltsamaa, including the Kuningamäe Karting Track, Toretalu Farm’s corn labyrinth and the WPark water park.
Põltsamaa is a fascinating oasis of greenery which invites you to discover its beauty and historical treasures. The fact that it was once home to the King of Livonia adds a touch of dignity to the town.
Source: Rivo Veber
Viljandi – A youthful old town
Deep in the heart of the country, on the shores of Lake Viljandi, you’ll find a timeless Hanseatic town in which history and modernity intertwine. It invites you to uncover its secrets while telling stories of times past. Viljandi is known for its unique atmosphere and charming cultural environment.
You’ll feel folk culture all around you in Viljandi. At the end of the summer, the streets are filled with musicians and dancers for the annual folk festival, at which folk music offers a taste of a bygone era.
You feel the ancient seeping into the modern every step of the way here – from the castle ruins to the hills covered in sheep, and from the suspension bridge to the town’s church towers.
In the town centre, old wooden buildings line cobbled streets which are perfect for strolling and where you’ll find cosy old cafés with very modern menus. Some of them even boast the Bib Gourmand Michelin seal of approval!
The Kondas Centre, the Estonian Traditional Music Centre and the Museum of Viljandi and its exhibition halls are full of heritage and culture.
Viljandi is a place that leaves you with a lasting impression. History and modernity go hand in hand here. It’s somewhere that folk culture flourishes and everyone will find something close to their heart. It's a youthful old town just waiting to be discovered that’s sure to offer you unforgettable experiences.
Source: Georg Svidlov
Tõrva – A resort town in the Mulgi region
Despite the fact that its name means ‘tar’, Tõrva shines bright for its beauty and diversity. The modern town centre, surrounded by green parks and water, is as impressive as it is cosy. The famous Tõrva sand sculptures which adorn the heart of the town have become a real drawcard for tourists. New ones are created every year with a different theme.
The town boasts four lakes, with plenty of recreational areas along their shores, especially in summer. Come and enjoy the beach fun at Lake Vanamõisa for yourself!
Active holidaymakers will enjoy Tõrva’s health trails, which wind around the city like a green ribbon.
Tõrva has a warm welcome for vacationers all year round, offering them the chance to soak in the warm waters and enjoy the water treatments at Veemõnula and Castle Spa Wagenküll. If you like fireworks, be sure to travel to the resort town during the Fire Days festival.
The area around Tõrva is also ideal for varied and enjoyable holidays. The fantastical Alice in Wonderland theme park at Taagepera Castle is just a short drive away. Kaasiku Farm Zoo, the Helme caves and the mystical Helme Ruins only add to this sense of magic. The crowning jewel is the Mulgi Experience Centre, which conveys the true nature of the locals.
Tõrva is a mystical place that will find a home in your heart.
Make the most of everything you see and experience along the way, and remember these little Estonian towns as the lovely places they are. Behind every door is a universe of unexpected stories. Pick the towns that best fit your journey and set your course!
Spend as much time with us as you like – you’ll be more than welcome.
Let the new adventure sweep you away.
Last updated
21.04.2025