Pärnu Resort Elephant recommends
Discover Pärnu by following the Resort Elephant’s recommendations – admire beauty, climb high, take a dip, experience culture, cross boundaries!
The birth of the Pärnu resort town is considered to be in the year 1838, when the first bathing facility by the sea began operating. In the summer, seawater baths and sea bathing were offered, while in the winter, you could enjoy a hot sauna. A century later, elephants visited the popular resort town as part of a travelling exhibition. Perhaps inspired by these exotic visitors, large wooden elephants were built in the sea in the late 1950s, with slides running down their trunks into the water. To mark the resort’s 175th anniversary, an elephant was once again installed in the sea – as a symbol of the joy of resort life, and as a fun water slide for children. An elephant family made of artificial grass was later placed near the Beach Park, to keep the sea elephant company. After that, elephant sculptures appeared in the city, and so the invasion of the elephants and the love for them continued.
There is, however, another fascinating layer to the elephant story – around 80 years ago, in the area between the current theatre building and the library, stood the gatehouse of a medieval order castle, which people called the Elephant Barn because of its appearance. This, in turn, gave its name to the street in front of the building.
Discover Pärnu following the Resort Elephant’s recommendations! Pick a suitable theme or activity and put together a lovely day.
What to expect along the way
- Route highlights: Within the five different themes you will find nature, culture, architecture and spa highlights. While getting to know Pärnu, you will certainly encounter a Resort Elephant or two.
- Length of the journey: Most places are located no more than 2 km from one another.
- Duration: 1–3 days depending on the chosen sites.
- Visiting time: Year-round (a few places are only open in the summer.)
- How to get here: Suitable for exploring on foot; for more distant locations, go by car.
- Recommendation: Create your own route based on the themes or individual sites.
Places that catch the eye – admire their beauty!
Elephants are one of the few mammals that can recognise themselves in the mirror. If you’ve finished admiring your reflection, take a look at the beautiful sights around you.
The Pärnu River that flows along the edge of the city centre and its bridges offer picturesque views. Surrounding the river is the 8-km-long Jaansoni Track, where the right bank offers several naturally beautiful photo spots. On the left bank you will find both historic houses and street art.
Visit Vallikääru Park, where the PÄRNU installation is located and makes a great backdrop for photos. A walking path to the Pärnu Mole begins nearby, offering wonderful natural views.
In the city centre, one of the most striking dining spots is the pancake café PanKaagid, while on the Supeluse summer promenade by the beach, you will find the romantically nostalgic café Supelsaksad.
While walking along the beach promenade, visit the 600-metre Pärnu coastal meadow hiking trail. From the viewing platform you can check whether the Resort Elephant slide is on the beach or not.
Photo author: Valdis Skudre
High places – climb higher!
Modern elephants are on average up to three metres tall and actually walk on their toes. If you would like to see Pärnu from a higher perspective, check out the Resort Elephant’s recommendations.
A suitable place to start climbing higher is in the Pärnu Old Town. The medieval Red Tower has lost almost half of its height over the past six hundred years and no longer offers views, but the museum’s attic floor houses a unique circular panoramic cinema, where a 10-minute animated film tells the story of the last 15,000 years in this region.
In the beach area, the Romantic Bar on the 8th floor of Tervise Paradiis Spa Hotel is worth a visit, offering a captivating sea view. The building also houses the à la carte restaurant Purpur – what could be better than enjoying delicious food with a view of Pärnu’s shoreline?
Those seeking more adventure can challenge themselves in the summer by visiting Valgeranna Adventure Park, located outside Pärnu in Valgeranna. The Valgeranna observation tower is also located there, and climbing to its top offers beautiful natural views all year round.
Photo author: Visit Pärnu
Wet places – take a dip!
An elephant drinks up too 200 litres of water a day, which is why they usually stay close to sources of water. Please do not drink river or sea water, but spending time by bodies of water – or even on them – is strongly recommended.
Regardless of the season, you can visit Pärnu Beach and walk along the Pärnu beach promenade. You will certainly encounter a Pärnu Resort Elephant there.
Elephants are said to be very good swimmers, but they cannot surf – that activity is meant for you. Pärnu Surf Center offers kitesurfing training both in the summer and winter.
Why not go on a fishing trip with Pärnu Kalatakso – by speedboat in the summer and amphibious vehicle in the winter. Pärnu Cruises organises regular boat trips in Pärnu Bay and on the river during the summer season.
Of course, you can also swim and relax elsewhere – for example, in spas.
Photo author: Priidu Saart
Cultural places – experience culture!
Elephants are excellent judges of people – they can distinguish a person’s gender, age and even nationality by their voice. They probably wouldn’t recognise Estonians. But you can get to know the local culture and life better by visiting Pärnu’s key cultural landmarks.
Pärnu is the birthplace of the Republic of Estonia – the Estonian Declaration of Independence was first read aloud here on 23 February 1918. This important event is commemorated by the Monument to declaring the independence of the Republic of Estonia on Rüütli Street. Nearby is the Museum of New Art, and not far away is the Pärnu Museum, where you can explore the history of Pärnu.
Maarja-Magdaleena Guild is a centre for applied arts and crafts, where you can make things yourself in workshops. Your walk may then take you to the Tallinn Gate, a part of the former defensive structures. All these places help create a cultural-historical atmosphere.
Architecture enthusiasts can head towards the beach. You will pass one of our finest Art Nouveau buildings – the magnificent Villa Ammende. In the heart of the beach area stands the Pärnu Beach House, completed in a functionalist style for the resort’s 100th anniversary. The historic Beach Hotel is also worth admiring.
Nearby are the Pärnu Kuursaal, long the centre of resort life, and one of the most important symbols of the Pärnu resort – the Pärnu Mud Baths, now home to a boutique spa. Legend has it that thanks to elephants trampling the sea mud, Pärnu’s therapeutic mud is among the healthiest on the planet.
Photo author: Viktor Tund
Exciting places – cross boundaries!
An elephant gathers information about its surroundings using its trunk. The trunk helps it break branches, take water, splash its body, scratch its eyes and cover itself with mud. How do you break branches, assess danger and challenge yourself?
At the exotic MiniZoo terrarium you will meet finger-length baby snakes, large pythons and boas.
If you are brave enough to climb, Ronimaa Climbing Center is waiting for you. You can experience adventure in an action-packed Pärnu Paintball battle.
Thrill-seekers will find suitable challenges at the Porsche Ring racetrack or in the Pärnu Escape Room.
New experiences can also be found in spa centres. At the Estonia Resort Hotel & Spa, you can float in a Dead Sea salt pool. The boutique spa at Hedon Spa & Hotel features a tepidarium with air salt concentration similar to the Dead Sea coast. At the “Viiking Saaga” water and sauna centre, you will find a snow sauna unique in the Baltics.
Photo author: Visit Pärnu
Although Pärnu is known as a summer capital, the Resort Elephant has selected experiences that can be enjoyed all year around, because summer is a feeling, not just a season!
By the way, elephants are among the most intelligent mammals and have excellent memories! Our Resort Elephant also has a good memory – it knows Pärnu well and knows exactly what to do and where to go.
Once you have discovered Pärnu, the Resort Elephant recommends heading outside the city to see what exciting things can be found nearby. Explore, for example, the hidden beach gems of Pärnumaa or take a tour to Soomaa.
Last updated
12.01.2026