We have designed for you a 2-3 days route along the top sights of southern Estonia.
Piusa Caves are underground tunnels with sand columns where glass sand was manually mined from 1922 to 1966. The length of the passages in the caves reaches 10 kilometers, and they occupy more than 40 hectares.
Now the territory bears the status of a reserve and is considered the largest bet hibernating place in Northern Europe. There is also a museum, a workshop for children, a cafe and an observation deck. You can enter the caves only with a guide.
We recommend strolling through the territory above the caves and reaching a quarry inhabited by rare species of amphibians.
Address: Piusa Cave Museum, Põlva maakond
Price and time: https://piusainfo.wixsite.com/piusa/glavnaja
The ruins of Vastseliina Castle (in German, Neuhausen) are included in the list of 21 unique objects in Southern Estonia.
The Episcopal Castle, built in 1342, was one of the most powerful defensive structures in Livonia, destroyed during the Northern War.
When visiting the complex, visitors can climb the castle tower and walk through the open-air museum with a large park surrounding the castle hill.
Address: Vastseliina Piiskopilinnuse elamuskeskus
Price and time: https://vastseliinalinnus.ee/en/contact/
The trail starts from the ruins of Vastseliina Castle and runs along the ancient valley of the Piusa River to the village of Lindora. The total length of the trail is 15 km. Along the way, you can follow wooden signs and see picturesque sandstone outcrops and places where mills used to stand.
On the way, make sure to look at the mountain wall of Härma, 43 meters high and 150 meters long – this is Estonia’s highest sandstone outcrop.
Address: 57.729162, 27.361827
Work time: 24/7
Price: free
Suur-Munamägi is the highest peak in the Baltics: 318 meters above sea level. The first tower at this place was built in 1812.
In good weather, you can even see the Pskovo-Pechersky Monastery from the tower of Suur-Munamägi.
Address: Suure Munamäe vaatetorn
Price and time: http://suurmunamagi.ee/en/page/34/
The trail along the Luhasoo Landscape Reserve forms a 5 km circle. In the middle of the path on a swamp island there is a small forest house to accomodate.
Address: 57.640603, 26.887318
Work time: 24/7
Price: free
The 30 m high Pesapuu observation tower resembles a tree with two nests – viewing platforms. In the evening and at night, the tower is illuminated with multi-colored lights, which attracts visitors no less than during the day. In daylight, from the top you can see the Nightingale Valley (Ööbikuorg) and the Estonian county of Võru.
Address: Rõuge Pesapuu vaatetorn
Work time: 24/7
Price: free
This is the only canyon valley in Estonia with a depth of 15-20 meters. At the bottom runs a quick creek Anni, whose water is believed to have healing and anti-aging properties. On the sides there are steep sandy rocks of various colors of 5-6 meters high.
Please note, dogs are not allowed as well as drawing on the walls and crawling on sandstone to prevent the destruction of the canyon. Also, keep in mind that the object is not illuminated in the dark.
Address: Hinni Kanjon
Work time: 24/7
Price: free
Sangaste Castle was inspired by the famous Windsor Palace in England. Its visitors are welcome to explore the luxurious halls, stables, creameries, barn, water tower and arboretum park. In addition to excursions, you can also stay overnight or try local dishes in the cozy restaurant.
Sangaste Castle is included in the list of 21 unique objects of Southern Estonia, marked ‘yellow’ by National Geographic.
Address: Sangaste castle, Lossiküla
Price and time: https://www.sangasteloss.ee/en/
Helme caves are old grottoes near the ruins of an ancient castle. The caves were created by springs, but later people expanded them to use as defensive shelters. Nowadays many of them have crumbled.
Along the hill, from the caves, there winds a boardwalk to a stream with spring water and to a meadow with a swing.
Address: Helme caves
Work time: 24/7
Price: free
The restored Taagepera castle complex is a place where you can not only have a look at the historical manor, but also relax in a chic spa center and hotel, furnished in the style of the 30s. The castle was built over 100 years ago in the art nouveau style, intertwining elegance with a rustic atmosphere and uniting luxury with history.
Address: Wagenküll Hotell OÜ, Taagepera küla
Preliminary admission: https://www.wagenkull.ee/en/contacts/
Being one of the largest, up-to-date and stylish museums not only in the Baltics, but also in Europe, Estonian National Museum exhibits ethnographic and cultural artifacts, objects of creativity and culture of the Estonian people. The museum also acquaints visitors with the history of neighboring peoples closely intertwined with Estonia.
Additional information: erm.ee
Material prepared by Yulianna Iljina (Facebook: Places to travel in Baltic States; Instagram: jusjka)
