National parks in Estonia

Untouched forests, hidden bog lakes, and long, winding coastlines

Estonia’s six national parks are some of the country’s most significant natural resources.

Though Estonia may not cover a lot of territory, each park has a unique identity. In Western Estonia, you’ll find coastal and wooded meadows and dozens of small islands and inlets — paddle from one island to another through shallow seawater and enjoy an incredible sunset from the slow-flowing river bed. A few hundred kilometers to the east, you can marvel at large primeval forests, lake-rich peat bogs, marshlands, and a gently rolling landscape filled with the rich cultural heritage of Setomaa and the Old Believers. The climate also varies by region — flowers bloom under a warm spring sun in the west, while skiers hit the cross-country trails in the east.

Sustainable travel is a timeless tradition, not a trend.

The European Federation of Protected Areas (EUROPARC Federation) has recognized Lahemaa, Matsalu, and Soomaa National Parks for developing sustainable nature tourism in their respective regions.

Thanks to the compact size and effortless accessibility of Estonia's national parks, you can get lost in the wilderness — and then find yourself back in civilization in the blink of an eye.