{"id":12792,"date":"2024-08-06T11:59:39","date_gmt":"2024-08-06T08:59:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visitsaaremaa.ee\/uncategorized\/top-10-picturesque-places\/"},"modified":"2026-02-06T15:28:49","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T13:28:49","slug":"top-10-picturesque-places","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitsaaremaa.ee\/en\/inspiration\/top-10-picturesque-places\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 picturesque places"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Our islands are full of places to take beautiful pictures, sights to experience <\/span>again and again<\/span>, even if only in images. Who <\/span>doesn\u2019t<\/span> use social media these days to find inspiration for their next adventure, or to save and share their travel memories? Of course, the best pictures are those from special moments and experiences shared with your friends and loved ones. <\/span>We\u2019ve<\/span> rounded up 10 picturesque places to visit while <\/span>you\u2019re<\/span> on the islands. Here they are in alphabetical order.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Photo by Priidu Saart<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Kiipsaare<\/span> lighthouse <\/span><\/span><\/strong>stands faithfully in the sea, like our own leaning tower of Pisa. Based on the whims of the sea, it sometimes stands at an angle and at other times stands upright again. On a 5 km hike, this destination <\/span>remains<\/span> in your sight, and when you reach <\/span>it<\/span> you\u2019ll<\/span> feel the exhilaration of a varied walk and endless open space. Top it off with a refreshing swim under the <\/span>hot summer<\/span> sun or in among the windy waves.<\/span><\/span>\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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On the <\/span>Koigi<\/span> hiking trails <\/span><\/span><\/strong>you can <\/span>traverse boardwalks and forest tracks<\/span> and enjoy different experiences all year round: a refreshing swim in the bog lake in summer; nature\u2019s exciting colours in autumn; the wonderful peace and quiet of winter; and a place to experience nature\u2019s rebirth in spring<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span> For those looking for a truly magical light, we recommend visiting the bog at sunrise or sunset.<\/span><\/span>\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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\u00dc\u00fcgu cliff<\/strong> on Muhu attracts visitors with its pretty sights and interesting trails. Its cliff is up to 5 metres high, offering great views to the blue sea of V\u00e4inameri. The spot is loved by hikers and nature enthusiasts alike, presenting peaceful scenes and reflecting Muhu island\u2019s unique nature.<\/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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Photo by Valmar Voolaid<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The <\/span><\/span>Abruka<\/span> broadleaf forest <\/span><\/span><\/strong>is a jungle-like old-growth forest <\/span>that\u2019s<\/span> something of a surprising find on a small island. <\/span>It\u2019s<\/span> a natural oasis where, in addition to the mystical forest, there are lush ferns, plenty of hazel trees and a unique lime tree named the Lippmaa lime in honour of botanist Teodor Lippmaa.<\/span><\/span>\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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Kuressaare<\/span><\/span><\/strong> (formerly <\/span>Kuresaare<\/span>, <\/span>Kingissepa<\/span> and <\/span>Arensburg<\/span>) is the island\u2019s capital and, as can be seen, has had many names over the centuries. The town centre gained a fresh <\/span>new look<\/span> in 2019. Nice seating areas are dotted about the place, and while <\/span>you\u2019re<\/span> here <\/span>it\u2019s<\/span> worth taking in the historic buildings around them. Take a <\/span><\/span>journey through time<\/span><\/span><\/a> and discover the town\u2019s manor <\/span><\/span>buildings<\/span><\/span><\/a>. The charming low houses and colourful carved wooden doors in Kuressaare\u2019s Old Town are works of <\/span>art in their own right<\/span>. Along the way, you might come across some inviting caf\u00e9 and restaurants or a cosy boutique.<\/span><\/span>\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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Kuressaare<\/span> Episcopal Castle <\/span><\/span><\/strong>is one of the most fascinating and <\/span>best preserved<\/span> fortresses in Estonia. In all its grandeur, the castle is incredibly majestic, and the park surrounding it is truly <\/span>a sight to behold<\/span> at any time of year. <\/span>It\u2019s<\/span> a castle straight out of a fairy tale <\/span>that\u2019s<\/span> completely real \u2013 incredibly photogenic from any angle, at any time of day.<\/span><\/span>\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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Photo by Maris Saare<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Kuressaare\u2019s Great Bridge<\/span><\/span><\/strong> is one of the largest, <\/span>longest<\/span> and oldest stone bridges in Estonia. Have you already had the chance to admire this historic span across the <\/span>P\u00f5duste<\/span> River? <\/span>It\u2019s<\/span> particularly worth doing so at <\/span>night, when<\/span> the bridge is beautifully lit. The first mention of a bridge in this location <\/span>dates back to<\/span> 1650. Around 1820, the then wooden bridge was replaced with a stone bridge, now known as the Great Bridge.<\/span><\/span>\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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The <\/span><\/span>churches on <\/span>Ruhnu<\/span> <\/span><\/strong>are <\/span>arguably unique<\/span> in the world for forming a place where two <\/span>very different<\/span> churches stand side by side and have gotten along perfectly well throughout history. The wooden church is known to be the oldest and most venerable wooden building in Estonia. In 1912 a new stone church was built just three metres away from it.<\/span><\/span>\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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S\u00f5rve lighthouse <\/span><\/span><\/strong>is one of the most popular and certainly one of the most photogenic spots on Saaremaa. <\/span>It\u2019s<\/span> a place where you feel like <\/span>you\u2019re<\/span> standing at the edge of the world. You can capture memorable pictures from the top of the tower as well as from the ground, and watch the sun rise from the sea and set over the horizon. It offers an enchanting view of the waves, with the path of the sun as if in the palm of your hand \u2013 so go and seize the day!<\/span><\/span>\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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Photo by Marko Palm<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The <\/span><\/span>island of <\/span>Vilsandi<\/span> <\/span>is the westernmost in Estonia. Sun, <\/span>sheep<\/span> and pastures \u2013 that\u2019s summer here! A boat takes you from <\/span>Papissaare<\/span> harbour to <\/span>Vilsandi<\/span>, but it feels like <\/span>you\u2019re<\/span> being transported to another era. The island\u2019s landscapes inspired some of the best-known works of Estonian painter Konrad M\u00e4gi. From the top of the third-oldest lighthouse in Estonia, you get a view of the <\/span>seemingly boundless<\/span> open sea.<\/span><\/span>\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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If you're lucky<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t…captured in flight:\r\n<\/span><\/span><\/strong>there are places all over Saaremaa that are <\/span>definitely worth<\/span> capturing with a drone, because <\/span>they\u2019re<\/span> just so beautiful when viewed from above: the Kaali crater, the tip of S\u00f5rve peninsula, <\/span>Vilsandi<\/span> National Park, <\/span>Viidum\u00e4e<\/span> Nature Reserve and <\/span>Kuressaare<\/span> Castle and its surroundings are just a few examples of enchanting bird\u2019s-eye views. Before flying your drone, familiarise yourself with the rules and register with <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>the Transport Administration’s Information System<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span>.\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>

…on local tracks:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>

We\u2019d love it if you shared with us what the life of the island\u2019s locals is like through your eyes or camera lens. Capture your island experience in pictures and videos. Share a nice story about your trip to the islands with a friend and maybe we’ll share it on Visit Saaremaa\u2019s social media. Tag us on Facebook (Visit Saaremaa) and Instagram (visit_saaremaa) so we can share your story or picture with our followers. Use hashtags: #visitsaaremaa #saaremaa #kenalugu<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>

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