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Photo author: Visit Pärnu

Discover the hidden beaches of Pärnu County

Pärnu County's coastline — all 635 kilometers of it — is open 24/7 year round.

Listen to the calming sounds of the sea

A nature tour of Estonia would be incomplete without a visit to Pärnu County’s picturesque coastline, delightful in every season. In summer, you can watch gentle waves on the shore, while in winter, you’ll see mighty ridges of ice.

It is said that this stretch of coastline enjoys the most sunny days in the eastern Baltic region. The shallow sea of Pärnu Bay warms quickly in summer, making it one of the best places in Estonia to enjoy the beach or meander along the coast.

During peak season, lesser-known beaches will lure you away from the hustle and bustle of Pärnu's crowded central beach. Away from the city, you can enjoy being close to the sea and watch the starry night sky without being disturbed by street lights. Wild coastal meadows and technicolor sunsets are guaranteed to impress even the most seasoned explorer.

Add a dose of culture by visiting the region's museums, and stop by local shops for fresh pastries and handcrafted products.

What to expect along the way

Main attractions: Seven beaches, including one on the UNESCO World Heritage-listed island of Kihnu. Near every beach, we recommend visiting local businesses such as bakeries, farm shops, and theme and adventure parks.
Distance: About 120 km. All of the beaches are within a 15-50-minute drive from Pärnu.
Duration: If you want to explore the entire coast, we recommend at least two days, plus an additional day or two for a visit to the island of Kihnu.
Season: Year-round. When visiting nearby businesses, be sure to check their opening hours, as not all places may be open to visitors without prior notice in autumn and winter.
How to get here: Use your own car or rent one, so you can choose the route that best suits you.
Sustainable choices: Along the way, you will find cafés and small producers offering locally sourced products. Some areas are protected, so when you are out and about, treat nature and the birds and animals that live in it with respect.

Not hidden but a gem nonetheless!

Pärnu Beach

It's only a five-minute drive from the city center — leave the car behind and stroll through the city, instead!

Pärnu Beach is the glittering diamond of Pärnu County, attracting tens of thousands of visitors every year. It is the biggest beach in Estonia, perfect for swimming, surfing, or simply sunbathing. The 2 km stretch of sand is big enough so that you never feel like you have to fight for a spot to lay your towel. The sea is shallow, and the water is always warm, reaching up to 30 degrees, though the water's average summer temperature is 20 degrees. Pärnu is Estonia’s summer capital, so you will find a beautiful seaside promenade for strolling, color-changing fountains, lively beach cafés, restaurants, and hotels. Look for the friendly elephants, which have become a symbol of the city.

The beach is accessible for those with reduced mobility via an in-water bathing area, with the option of using a floating wheelchair with smooth access to the sea, a spacious changing room with a special lift, secure lockers, and special deckchairs on the terrace for sunbathing.

In winter, Pärnu Bay freezes over, and slush ice accumulates on the beach. During the colder months, walkers here are likely to see large, ridged mountains of ice, perfect for climbing.

At the south end of Pärnu Beach is the 600-meter-long Pärnu Beach meadow hiking trail with a viewing platform. At the opposite end of the beach is the Pärnu Jetty, where you can walk all the way out to the end to pledge eternal love to your other half, like in the legends of old.

Pärnu has much more to offer than a beach vacation: there are more than 70 km of bike paths, numerous opportunities for water sports, and a wide range of other activities, including fishing — and ice fishing — trips.

Photo author: Priidu Saart

A favorite spot for summer visitors

Kabli Beach

Distance from Pärnu: About 40 minutes

Kabli Beach is about 20 km north of Ikla, the last village in Estonia before crossing into Latvia. It is a true coastal gem, known for its picturesque sunsets, shallow waters, and sandy beach.

There are camping areas here if you want to stay overnight and enjoy the soothing sound of the sea and watch the colors play in the sky at sunset. This beach is perfect for a short break and a picnic year-round. In the village of the same name, you will find the popular Kabli Bakery, where you can pick up fresh pies and pastries.

Kabli Beach is also a fascinating stop for nature lovers. Just a few hundred meters from the beach is the Kabli Bird Center, where bird migration is studied. The 1.8 km nature trail starts next to the station. By the beach is the Kabli Visitor Center, where you can visit a nature exhibition and learn more about the area.

In addition to the beach views, you can enjoy the beauty of the nearby wetland landscape from the observation tower on the Rannametsa-Tolkuse nature trail on the highest sand dune in Estonia. For museum lovers, we recommend a visit to the tiny Häädemeeste Museum, which showcases the history of the area, fishing, and the development of sailing in Estonia. If you intend to head out for a seaside walk, it is worth grabbing some local fish products from the Nurmeotsa Farm Shop or getting a good meal in first at the Metsaluige Café and Restaurant.

Photo author: Elen Juurma

Peace and quiet close to the city

Reiu Beach

Distance from Pärnu: About 15 minutes

Just a few kilometers outside of Pärnu, heading south towards Ikla, lies sandy Reiu Beach, one of the favourite spots for families with children for its shallow waters. Next to the beach is the popular Lottemaa Theme Park, which is mainly open in summer. You can also cycle from Pärnu to Reiu along a handy bike path. You can go to the beach as part of a visit to Lottemaa, or simply for a swim and to enjoy the view.

On the beach, you will find a picnic area and an upturned boat, where you can shelter from the wind or hot sun. In summer, a café serves light meals and ice cream on the beach. The views are particularly beautiful if you visit Reiu Beach in the evening, when you can watch the sun set over the sea or forest, depending on the time of year.

You can stop for a meal nearby, for example, at Pärnamäed Bakery and Café. For more festive occasions, the Eagle Restaurant at Pärnu Bay Golf Links is a particularly good choice, as it serves locally sourced seafood. After your meal, you can take a walk along the Reiu-Raeküla health trail, which can also be used for long cross-country skiing sessions in winter.

Photo author: Elen Juurma

Wonderful white sands

Valgerand

Distance from Pärnu: About 15 minutes

Only 10 km west of Pärnu is Valgerand Beach, named for its exceptionally white sand. In addition to being a much-loved swimming spot, Valgerand is an ideal place for active recreation. Park your car at Valgeranna Golf Course and walk through the woods to the Valgeranna Adventure Park, and from there to the seafront lookout tower, playground, and disc golf courses.

Compared to Pärnu Beach, Valgerand is less crowded and more spacious. A number of rest areas and campsites can be found near the beach, where you can enjoy a picnic or pitch a tent to stay overnight.

Driving on from Valgeranna towards Saulepa, you will traverse the Valgeranna coastline, offering views over Pärnu Bay. The road runs along the shore and crosses the Audru Polder Nature Reserve, a protected area for endangered birds, including several rare species.

A unique experience awaits at Valgerand Wine Cellar, where you can take a workshop that combines Estonian berry wine production with Mediterranean pizza-making. A little further on, you can stop for refreshments at a quirky local eatery, called Vana Kooli Café.

Photo author: Viktor Tund

A haven for nesting birds

Kavaru Harbor

Distance from Pärnu: About 30 minutes

Driving through the seaside villages from Valgeranna towards Tõstamaa, turn off at Kavaru Harbor. From here, you will have beautiful views of the expansive beach meadow, home to sea eagles and other nesting birds. This little harbor has everything you need for a pleasant rest stop: a picnic area, a campfire, a children’s playground, and a traditional village swing. Next to the harbor is a net shed where you can take shelter in inclement weather.

Tõstamaa, the regional center, is located about 20 km from Kavaru. Here you will find several churches, the Tõstamaa handicraft store, and Tõstamaa Manor, dating back to medieval times and surrounded by a beautiful park. Tõstamaa school and museum are based here.

Kavaru Harbor on the Romantic Beach Road

Photo author: Romantiline Rannatee

A stretch of sand all to yourself

Matsi Beach

Distance from Pärnu: About 50 minutes

Driving from Tõstamaa in the direction of Varbla, you will come to a true coastal gem: quiet Matsi Beach and campsite, bordered by undulating coastal dunes and pine forests.

The beach is very private and rarely attracts large crowds. It is a wild, sandy beach, making it a good stopping point for those exploring the area by car, bike, or camper van. Take advantage of the rest areas and campfire spots near the beach, or pitch a tent at a campsite with stunning sea views.

We also recommend visiting the nearby Matsi Harbor and following the seaside path, which winds its way through rocky meadows to Sõmeri Lighthouse. A couple of kilometers from the harbor is the Sõmeri birdwatching tower, which offers views of the bay and the chance to observe local birdlife.

Photo author: Priidu Saart

Don’t forget Kihnu!

Rock City Beach

Ferries to Kihnu leave from Munalaid Harbor, which is about a 40-minute drive from Pärnu.

When traveling around Pärnu County, be sure to visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed island of Kihnu, where you will find a unique culture, beautiful nature, and hospitable locals.

Kihnu is the perfect size for exploring by bike. Most of its attractions are just a few kilometers apart, and you can rent a bike on arrival at Kihnu Harbor. You can also stay overnight on the island in a cozy homestay or at the local campsite. There are other beautiful places to pitch a tent in the wild, too.

Kihnu’s most famous swimming spot is Rock City, a sandy beach on the edge of a pine grove, just 800 meters from the harbor. From there, you can walk along the shore to Pilli and then to the 4-km-long Kakra Spit.

It is said that many moons ago, the men of Kihnu planned to build a bridge between the island and the mainland with the help of the men from Tõstamaa. However, while the islanders began the work, the mainlanders failed to uphold their end of the bargain, leading to the creation of the Kakra Spit.

Any exploration of the island should include a visit to Kihnu Museum, where you can learn about what makes this place special. Locally made products, from ice cream to handicrafts, can be purchased at the Kihnu Kaubamaja store. For the best views of the island, climb the stairs to the top of Kihnu Lighthouse.

Photo author: Juhani Särglep and Katri Palm

Summer is a vibe, not a season!

Although Pärnu is known as Estonia’s summer capital, the city’s beaches and those elsewhere in the county are worth visiting all year round.

To find out more about Pärnu County, take a look at these recommendations or check out this tour of Soomaa, a magical place with beautiful bogs, famous for its fifth-season floods, and home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed dugout canoe.