Matsalu National Park

Located in West Estonia, this national park is a birdwatching paradise. Millions of migratory birds visit or nest there annually.

Matsalu National Park includes 50 islands and shoals in addition to its mainland area.

The best birdwatching time in Matsalu is from April to mid-May and then again from September to the end of October. Birds aren't the only winged creatures there — the wetlands attract a variety of butterfly and dragonfly species.

Matsalu is one of three national parks in Estonia to receive a quality label from the European Union of Protected Areas (EUROPARC Federation), recognizing the region's sustainable development of nature tourism.

One of the most exciting sights in the park is Northern Europe's largest flood meadow.

Matsalu National Park protects semi-natural habitats characteristic of Western Estonia (coastal and floodplain meadows, alvars and wooded meadows, reed beds, and small islands) and the area's cultural heritage. The flood meadow is also an important nesting area for the corn crake.

Climb a birdwatching tower, and listen to the melodic songs of warblers coming from the reeds at the mouth of the Kasari River. You can get closer by taking an organized boat excursion or canoe trip.

Matsalu's waterways attract over 270 bird species that either nest there or pass through during their annual migration, it's possible to see huge flocks. For example, over 100,000 barnacle geese stop in Matsalu each spring.

Birdwatching tower at dusk in Matsalu National Park

Photo author: Martti Volt

The land slowly rose from the sea after the Ice Age, and the people who settled on the coast raised cattle, forming a meadow-rich landscape.

To preserve the cultural heritage of the Matsalu region, old haystacks and thatched-roof fishing huts have been restored to tell the story of Estonians' past. Continued cattle grazing preserves the area's biodiversity, as the local species depend on these open grasslands.

The best place to see thatched-roof fishing huts and Matsalu's coastal meadows is on a boat ride up the Kasari River from the Penijõe birdwatching tower to the Kloostri observation tower. If you're lucky, you may see moose or deer from the Kloostri observation tower, which is 16 meters high and offers a commanding view of the surrounding landscape. If you travel back down the river at sunset, you will not only have an amazing view of the sky but also see busy beavers coming and going from their lodges along the riverbank.

Highland cattle grazing in Matsalu National Park

Photo author: Mati Kose

What to do in Matsalu National Park

Take a guided boat trip, visit the Puise Nina peninsula, climb the Haeska, Kloostri, and Keemu observation towers, canoe the Kasari River, and more!

Photo author: Martti Volt

Guide to birdwatching in Estonia

Untouched nature and the massive spring and autumn migrations make Estonia an ideal place for a birdwatching holiday in the Baltics.

Haapsalu

A charming city to use as a base for exploring Matsalu National Park

If you come to Estonia to explore Matsalu National Park, then you'll want a city that's as calm as the surrounding nature. Haapsalu is just the ticket. The city is a birdwatching destination in its own right thanks to its seaside location.

Plus, you can unwind in one of the city's spas after a long day of hiking or canoeing. Make sure to try a medicinal mud treatment; it's what made Haapsalu a famous resort city for the well-heeled of the Russian Empire.