What to do on Saaremaa with kids? Saaremaa is Estonia’s largest island and an ideal destination for vacationing with kids. The island is known for its untouched nature, endless forests, picturesque villages, deserted beaches, windmills and the beautiful castle of Kuressaare. Also, the island of Saaremaa has the most sunshine hours in Estonia, making the island a perfect summer destination to go to with kids. We visited the island with our family and in this blog we list the best children’s activities on Saaremaa.
Best travel time Saaremaa with kids
Because of the mild climate, we recommend the summer months of May through September to visit Saaremaa with kids. August can have a lot of precipitation, so you have to take that into account. By the way, we did not have this experience. During our family trip to Saaremaa in August we had 5 days of sunshine and temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees. So you also need a little luck with the weather.
In the morning and in the evening it does cool down quickly and a warm sweater and raincoat is definitely not a luxury. During the summer months, Saaremaa literally blossoms and there are many festivals and outdoor activities. Therefore, this period is also ideal for families and adventurers.
Even though the island is a very popular summer destination among Estonians, it is still an undiscovered paradise, which means that even during the high season you hardly encounter other tourists. You often only share the beach with a handful of people.
Transportation to and in Saaremaa
To explore Saarema, we strongly recommend a rental car. The island is large and the sights are spread all over the island. To get from the boat to the tip of the island of Saaremaa by car, this drive takes about 1.5 hours. Most tourists rent a car in Tallinn and then drive from Tallinn to Virtsu where the boat leaves for Kuivatsu on Muhu.
You can very easily rent a car at Tallinn airport through the organization Sunny Cars. Sunny Cars has a very comprehensive insurance package and good conditions regarding the excess and free cancellation. So take a look online to rent a car at Tallinn airport.
So to get to Saaremaa, you have to drive your car across Muhu Island before you actually get to Saaremaa. The ferry takes only 30 minutes and goes all day. So you never have to wait long. For in the summer months, we recommend booking tickets online in advance at the website Praamipiletid Saaremaale – Hiiumaale | Praamid.ee.
This way you are guaranteed a seat and you don’t have to stand in line. Public transportation is mainly designed to meet the needs of locals, so all bus routes start and end in Kuressaare. There is no bus that connects all the sights, so a rental car is very nice.
Children’s activities Saaremaa
#1 Sorve Lighthouse
At the southernmost end of Saarema is the Sõrve peninsula. Many rare species of birds, insects and flowers can be found here. In the summer, it is possible to climb Sõrve’s famous 52-meter-high lighthouse. From here you have a beautiful view of the surroundings.
It is great to stroll around this peninsula with kids for a while and get your feet in the water, or take a dip in the sea yourself. The kids have fun throwing stones here and you can have a nice picnic with the family on this peninsula or have lunch in one of the cozy cafes and restaurants on this island.
There is also a small playground with a very nice view of the sea, where the kids can have fun.
#2 Angla Wind Farm
Another fun sight to visit on the island of Saaremaa with kids is Angla Windmill Park. This park is located in the west of the island and is very idyllic in the countryside. You can take the family here to see the traditional way of farming at this park. There are also 5 windmills to admire at the park.
Take a walk around the park with the kids and climb on the wooden horses and admire the beautiful surroundings. There is an exhibition and a nice café where you can taste traditional Estonian cuisine. It is also possible to take a look at traditional crafts such as weaving and pottery at the park. A family ticket costs 18 euros and this ticket is suitable for 2 adults and 2 kids up to 18 years old.
#3 Asva Viking village-fort
Asva Viking is located on the edge of an ancient settlement. This amusement park combines several eras. There is a bird and animal park, an adventure park with large playground and a Viking fort with a forge and weapons workshop.
Asva Viking is a great getaway for families with kids. The park combines different eras and offers a mix of history and adventure. In the animal park, kids can see different animals and learn more about them. There is also a large playground where they can climb and scramble. At the Viking Fortress, you can visit the forge and see how Vikings made their weapons.
There are also several children’s activities to do, such as archery and axe throwing. This makes it very exciting for children and kids feel like a real Viking. It is also great to bring your own lunch and have a family picnic in the park. During the summer there are several fun activities and events for both big and small kids.
#4 Kuressaare castle
Kuressaare castle is one of the most famous sights to visit on Saaremaa with kids. This castle was built in the 14th and 19th centuries. There is a museum at the castle and there are fun activities for kids such as archery. You can also do a scavenger hunt with kids at the castle.
Attention! Due to the construction of the castle, it is not possible to walk through the castle with a stroller. Kids up to 8 years old have free access to the castle. Again, family tickets are available and for 2 adults and 2 kids you pay a total of 28 euros entrance to the castle.
#5 Muhu Ostrich Farm
A fun kids’ outing you can do in Saaremaa with kids is the Muhu Ostrich Farm. Ostrich Farm is not on Saaremaa, but on the island of Muhu which is connected to Saaremaa by a bridge. At this exotic animal park you can admire ostriches, zebras, alpacas, wallabies, emus and kangaroos. It is not a big park but it is great fun to admire the animals up close.
It is also possible for kids to feed the emus and ostriches. Kids are also allowed to pet the friendly ponies, rabbits and alpacas at this farm. You can book a tour to learn more about the park’s ostriches and other animals. The park is open from mid-May through mid-September.
#6 Day at the Beach – Tuhkana Beach
A day at the beach is definitely not to be missed on Saaremaa with kids. Even in summer it is still wonderfully quiet and you only share the beach with a handful of people. On the east coast there are small, quiet and secluded beaches everywhere that you can visit. The water here is shallow and the waves small, making the beaches ideal for families with small kids.
Tuhkana beach in the north of Saaremaa is one of the best beaches on the island. Via wooden planks you walk from the parking lot through the forest to the 500-meter-long sandy beach. Unlike the beaches in the south and west, the water gets deep very quickly here. It can also be quite windy.
#7 Ohesaare bank
On the Sorve peninsula is a 500-meter-long and almost 4-meter-high limestone coast. This stretch of coast is famous for the stone towers that visitors from all over the world build. We found this amazing to see. Fantastic also for kids who definitely like to build a tower too. Admission to the Sorve Peninsula is free.
#8 Kaali Meteorite Center
The Kaali Meteorite Center and its meteorite craters are among the rarest natural wonders on Saaremaa. About 7000-7500 years ago, the Kaali meteorite struck and caused damage similar to an atomic bomb. The meteorite disintegrated at a height of 5-10 km above the ground and created a large crater 110 meters in diameter and 22 meters deep, surrounded by eight smaller craters.
You can enjoy walking the trails here with the kids and admire the impressive craters. Admission to the craters is free. Although it is in fact “just” a pond, the surroundings are beautiful and well worth seeing. There is also a small museum with changing exhibits about the meteorite.
Admission for adults is €1.50 and €1 for kids, making the Kaali Meteorite Center an affordable and educational outing for the whole family during your visit to Saaremaa with kids.
Family-friendly restaurant Saaremaa
You can have great food and drink on the island of Saaremaa with kids. You have plenty of family-friendly restaurants on Saaremaa where you can go for a bite to eat and a drink with the family. We list some of these options below.
George Ots Spa Hotel Restaurant: this award-winning restaurant has been listed in the White Guide Nordic for the fourth time in a row. The restaurant makes every effort to satisfy both large and small guests. There is a nice children’s menu with both traditional and Western dishes. Kids’ dishes start at €5. There is also a playground and a kids’ club. Here you can create your own pizza or pasta, which of course is great fun for kids.
Salme Sai Bakery: this cute bakery in Salme is ideal for families. Delicious cakes and pastries are sold throughout the day. There is a fun play corner for the kids, while parents can enjoy a cup of coffee. Next to the bakery there is a large thrift store, perfect for a browse through. This bakery is the perfect place for breakfast and lunch with the family.
Restaurant Veski: This restaurant is one of the oldest restaurants in Kuressaare and is housed in an 1899 mill. Veski offers local dishes, homemade beer and schnapps. The menu includes salads, soups and roasts, and a children’s menu is also available. The beautiful garden and cozy terrace are open all summer.
With both indoor and outdoor playgrounds, this is an ideal place for families. Restaurant Veski is listed among the 100 best restaurants in Estonia.
Family-friendly hotel Saaremaa
We slept in Järve Cottages during our vacation on Saaremaa with our family. Järve Cottages is only 400 meters away from the sea and about a 5-minute drive from the cozy village of Salme. Here there are some beautiful and traditional wooden cottages and there is a camping area for campers. The distances between the houses is large so you will hardly meet your neighbors.
The kids will have a great time here and there are several small playgrounds, swings, a trampoline, a rabbit hutch and a pond where you can feed the fish. Every morning the animals are taken care of on the small farm with peacocks, rabbits and goats. Perhaps your kids will enjoy helping too.
The (high) season on Saaremaa is short, so book your stay at Järve Cottages in time. Prices for a cottage (with shared bathroom) start at 45 euros per night.
Of course, you can stay at plenty of other family-friendly accommodations on Saaremaa with kids. We list some of these family-friendly accommodatues in Saaremaa below. Click on the blue link for more information.
Budget accommodation: Kuressaare Central Hostel
Mid-range accommodation: Johan Suites & Spa
Luxury accommodation: Meri Seaside Hotel & SPA
Also check out the entire list of family-friendly accommodations in Saaremaa.
