A small European country that receives few visitors is made up of 2,000 islands and is a relatively short hop away from the UK.
If you’re looking to push the boat out and explore somewhere new this year, then perhaps Estonia will float your vessel. The Northern European country tempted 70,000 Brits to make the journey in 2024, according to ETIAS, compared to a staggering 17.8 million that visited Spain. That’s 254 times more Brits heading to Spain than to the former Soviet nation.
While it might not boast the same pull of sangria, guaranteed sunshine and access to Full English breakfasts, Estonia has a lot else going for it. For one, it’s a place a rare natural beauty. Over half of Estonia is covered by forests and peat bogs and the country has more than 2,000 islands.
Among them is Naissaar, which is home to the ruins of abandoned Soviet military bases. It sits just off the coast of the capital, Tallinn, but is devoid of residents in the winter and has a wild, half-forgotten feel to it. Another is Hiiumaa, famous for lighthouses, empty beaches and forests. It is a very peaceful, with a slightly mystical feel, that is perfect for cycling, birdwatching and escaping the crowds.
The Mirror’s Ines Santos visited one of the better-known of the Estonian islands last year. “As I stepped off the ferry onto Estonia’s largest island, Hiiumaa, all I could hear were birds. All I could see were trees. No big buildings, no tourist attractions – just space to breathe and land untouched by mass tourism. It felt like a place still undiscovered. (And with the third fewest visitors in Europe, it kind of is),” she wrote.
Ines quickly fell in love with the country, enjoying the pace of life and the attitude of those who live there. “Estonian life is relaxed. There’s no ‘hustle culture,’ so people have time for hobbies, and visitors like me get to join in,” she continued. “Sauna culture in Estonia is woven into daily life much like in Scandinavia. In fact, the country feels like the laid-back cousin of the Nordics, with similar design, a love for nature, and a fish-rich diet – but shaped by a very different history.
“Tallinn’s Old Town is full of cobbled streets and medieval buildings that still echo traces of both German and Soviet rule. Estonia only became independent in 1991, and it still wears its freedom with quiet pride. The next morning, I ferried to Estonia’s biggest islands: Hiiumaa and Saaremaa. That’s where the true beauty of the country lies. The ferries here are spacious, modern, and spotless – they feel more like floating lounges than basic transport. There’s many indoor and outdoor viewing decks, a café, and even a convenience store onboard.
“My first activity in Hiiumaa ended up being a favourite: horse riding along Käina Bay, a seaside bird paradise in the Kassari Landscape Reserve. I rode a horse named Custiv through wetlands and woodlands, and he was the best – he did not go off track and followed all my instructions!”
Tallinn packs an impressive amount into its compact size, blending medieval charm with modern creativity. The easiest place to start is Tallinn Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where cobbled streets, merchant houses and towers lead to Toompea Hill for panoramic city views.
For culture, head to Kadriorg Park, a leafy area built by Peter the Great, and tour the elegant Kadriorg Art Museum. Nearby, the Seaplane Harbour Museum offers one of Europe’s most engaging maritime exhibitions.
To see modern Tallinn, explore the Telliskivi Creative City, which is packed with street art, cafés and independent shops, or stroll along the revitalised Noblessner waterfront.
Rummu Quarry is one of Estonia’s most striking and unusual places to visit, combining raw natural beauty with haunting history. Once a limestone quarry and Soviet-era prison labour camp, it was abandoned in the 1990s and gradually flooded, leaving submerged buildings and machinery beneath crystal-clear turquoise water. Today, it attracts visitors for swimming, snorkelling and diving, as well as hiking the surrounding ash hills for panoramic views. The contrast between the vivid water, stark white limestone and half-sunken ruins makes Rummu Quarry feel otherworldly.
The most affordable time to visit Estonia is January to March, but for warmer weather, May is ideal. Hiring a car in the capital can cost as little as £6 per day, and you can stay at Dream Stay – Mere Residence Apartments from £51 per night (for two people). Estonia was recently included on a list of must-visit places by DiscoverCars.com.
Flights from London take just shy of three hours and are available for £17 this month.
