Self-drive tour
Bike Estonia’s cities and countryside in 6 days
Program
1. DAY: ARRIVAL IN TALLINN – WALKING TOUR OF THE OLD TOWN AND BIKE TO KADRIORG
Welcome to the Baltics and the Estonian capital of Tallinn! Estonia is known for its incredible natural scenery that includes rocky beaches, remote islands, protected wetlands, and forests with beech, spruce, and pine trees. In total, about 50% of Estonia is covered in forest and about 18% of the land is protected in the form of national parks. Upon arrival, you’ll check into your hotel and take a walking tour of Tallinn. Despite being the country’s most populous city, it has a well-preserved medieval center known as Old Town. You’ll visit many historic sites including Toompea Castle, a stately Baroque castle now home to Estonia’s parliament; the 13th century Dome Church and the Russian Revival Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
In the late afternoon, you’ll do a bike tour of Kadriorg Park and visit the 18th-century palace built by Peter the Great. You can stop at the Kumu art museum, which is the largest and most impressive exhibition venue in Estonia. The evening is yours to roam Tallinn at your leisure.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Tallinn
2. DAY: LAHEMAA NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, you’ll drive to Estonia’s scenic coastline northeast of Tallinn. Upon arrival, your guide will present you with your bike and ensure you have all the gear needed for the day’s ride. The first leg of the ride will be through Lahemaa National Park, which lies along the country’s northern coast and is considered one of the last unspoiled regions of the Baltic coast. You’ll cycle through a unique bog landscape filled with lakes, streams, and boardwalks. You’ll also visit old forests and historic manors. Along the way, there will be opportunities to view an abundance of wildlife, particularly several species of birds. In the late afternoon, you’ll end your trip in the small town of Vihula, where you can visit the 16th-century Vihula Manor. Take some time to settle into your accommodation and rest your legs before heading out for dinner.
Cycling Route: About 40 miles (60 km)
Meals included:
Breakfast Overnight: Vihula Manor in Lahemaa National Park
3.DAY: ALONG THE LAKE PEIPUS
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, and afterward, you’ll drive to the town of Mustvee, the starting point for today’s ride. This pleasant route follows along the shores of Lake Peipus, which is the fifth-largest lake in Europe. It’s also the largest transboundary lake on the continent, as it shares borders with both Estonia and Russia. You’ll cycle along a designated path from Alatskivi to the small village of Varnja, which is home to under 200 people. The ride passes by marshy wetlands, rural fields, small towns and forests, and long stretches of lakeshore beaches. After, continue to Tartu, Estonia’s second-largest city.
After settling into your accommodation, take some time to enjoy on a Tartu walking tour it’s young, bohemian atmosphere, as it’s famous for being a city of students and artists. Stroll its historic streets, starting in Town Hall Square with a visit to the statue of Kissing Students. Nearby you’ll find St. John’s Church with its many terracotta sculptures, plus Tartu University, which was founded in 1632. Enjoy dinner at one of its hip eateries near the university.
Cycling Route: About 40 miles (60 km)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Tartu
4.DAY: SAAREMAA ISLAND
Wake up early for a scenic ferry ride to, Saaremaa Island, Estonia’s largest island. With little traffic and flat roads, Saaremaa provides the perfect rural setting for cycling. It’s also a great place to get an idea of what life was like throughout Estonia before mass development, as Saaremaa maintains its calm atmosphere and simple way of living. You’ll start your ride from Saaremaa’s biggest city Kuressaare. You will cycle along scenic roads, following the coastline of the Baltic Sea while you enjoy views of forests, rocky beaches, dramatic sea cliffs, and the famous lighthouse on Sõrve Peninsula. Return to Kuressaare.
Cycling Route: About 35 miles (50 km)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Kuressaare
5.DAY: HAAPSALU & THE NOAROOTSI PENINSULA
After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll have more time to explore the city of Kuressaare. Visit the castle museum, take a walk around the park surrounding the fortress, and/or enjoy one last moment on the shores of Saaremaa Island.
Afterward, you’ll head back to Tallinn via the ferry and a drive to the town Haapsalu on the way. Your final ride of the trip is on the scenic Noarootsi Peninsula guided bike tour. You’ll pass gorgeous Estonian countryside, with goats grazing in the fields and old farmhouses in the distance, plus ride along a beautiful coastline full of sandy beaches and thick forests. In the late afternoon, you’ll return to Tallinn.
Cycling Route: About 28 miles (45 km)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Tallinn
6.DAY: DEPART FROM TALLINN
Departure day, transfer to the airport.
Highlights
- Tallinn’s medieval old town;
- Lahemaa National Park coastal nature and historical manors;
- Along Lake Peipus the fifth-largest lake in Europe;
- Saaremaa Island’s rocky beaches and dramatic sea cliffs;
- The scenic Noarootsi Peninsula cycling roads.
Foto gallery
Package price per person
- EUR 809 (double occupancy)
- EUR 400 (single supplement)
Included
- 2 nights in Tallinn hotel Snelli***, 1 night in Lahemaa National park hotel Vihula manor****, 1 night in Tartu hotel Dorpat***, 1 night in Kuressaare hotel Grand Rose Spa****;
- Welcome package with itinerary, map and attraction description;
- Touring bicycles;
- Car rental with bicycle holders for 6 days;
- Guided walking tour of Tallinn and Tartu;
- Guided bike tours of Noarootsi Peninsula;
- Self-guided bike tour maps (gpx files) and descriptions of the routes: Tallinn – Kadriorg park, Lahemaa National park, along the Peipsi Lake and Saaremaa Island from Kuressaare via Sõrve Peninsula.
*Note
Starting from/to Tallinn airport, day 1. – 6. a VW Polo or a similar car
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