{"id":13342,"date":"2024-07-03T09:26:45","date_gmt":"2024-07-03T06:26:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visitsaaremaa.ee\/discover-the-islands-with-the-help-of-locals\/"},"modified":"2026-03-24T15:15:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T13:15:15","slug":"discover-the-islands-with-the-help-of-locals","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.visitsaaremaa.ee\/en\/discover\/discover-the-islands-with-the-help-of-locals\/","title":{"rendered":"Locals"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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The locals of Saaremaa and the smaller islands are known for their hospitality and open hearts. Visitors are warmly welcomed and islanders are happy to share their activities and traditions with them. While on the islands, you will always find friendly people eager to share the joys of their everyday lives with guests.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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With their interesting lingo, sharp wit and big hearts, the people of these islands are one of the main reasons to visit them in the first place.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Where the locals are the destination<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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We feel the best way to experience a <\/span>destination<\/span> and its culture is through the eyes of the locals. The everyday stories, traditions and even routines that are steeped in island culture make our islands special to the world. Everything our creative and enterprising inhabitants do and make is what makes our islands special. It distinguishes us from other destinations around the world.<\/span><\/span>
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More and more visitors are looking for that real, authentic feeling that makes their chosen destination unique. You\u2019re not just a tourist, but a guest in our home. We don\u2019t have big hotel chains or name brands. What we do have are small, genuine family businesses where real locals welcome you.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Visitors are treated to the very best, and given good advice. Step into backyards and gardens to find out how the locals live and what they do. Get a taste of genuine life on the island. We recommend that when exploring the islands you allow yourself to get carried away by the local way of life and accept the challenge of feeling like a local. Even if only temporarily!<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Locals will treat you like the apple of their eye <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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We believe everyone should befriend at least one local on the island, no matter how short your trip or how distant a visitor you are.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve made it here, you\u2019re sure to find that local who\u2019s ready to greet strangers on the road as if they were old acquaintances, and point out the best beaches and places to buy smoked fish. Bear in mind, however, that the best forests for mushrooming will remain a closely guarded secret! Don’t miss any opportunity to visit the islanders and find out more about their lives. Creativity and entrepreneurship are in our blood.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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We\u2019re characterised by a cheerful disposition and an attitude that if you say there\u2019s no way, we\u2019ll find a way. This is accompanied by our island humour, which nothing and no one can resist. Add to that a quiet but steadfast pride. Visitors are often treated to island humour and a helping of island stories. The letter \u2018\u00f6\u2019 is still displayed proudly, showcasing the island\u2019s language, which is a real superp\u00f6wer. There\u2019s even a monument to it: the <\/span>\u00d6\/\u00d5 statue marking the dialect border.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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What to do on the island with locals<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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There are, of course, plenty of ways to enjoy the local way of life and have fun the way locals do. Here are some ideas on where and how to befriend the locals…<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n