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Whether it’s a family stay, a business trip or a romantic weekend with your partner, the country offers personalized treatments and services for every type of traveler, from wellness programs in Medical Spas to saunas and rituals of the local tradition. And it has been doing so for hundreds of years, in hotels and spas scattered along the coast, in the most remote countryside or in the most lush forests. The culture of well-being, in Estonia, is in fact inextricably linked to the natural world: the Spas exploit the surrounding nature through the use of local ingredients – such as mineral-rich mud, juniper leaves and berries, water from natural springs and peat – for their treatments.

No Estonian wellness experience is complete without a sauna, a tradition so deeply rooted in the local culture that it has been included in the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Whether it’s a smoke sauna or a classic sauna, it’s a very important social ritual for Estonians: in addition to leaving worries behind and taking time for themselves, this practice allows for a deep connection with others, creating an atmosphere of sharing, purification, reflection and relaxation. In Estonia, the sauna is the social experience par excellence, as well as a tradition that dates back to the thirteenth century and pagan customs. The most important element of the sauna is the steam, which stimulates sweating: Estonians call it “leil”, and it guarantees many benefits such as skin purification, heartbeat stimulation and improved breathing. Inside each sauna you will also find the “viht”, a bundle of birch branches to beat on the body to increase the temperature and massage the body during the ritual. After warming up, it’s time to cool off, by immersing yourself in a river, lake or sea, or, for the more adventurous in winter, inside a hole dug in ice or snow, to stimulate blood flow and strengthen the immune system.

Let’s find out together which are the most famous places in Estonia for a stay of pure relaxation and well-being, where you can nourish your body, senses and spirit.

Pärnu

Pärnu’s reputation as a wellness destination dates back almost 200 years: the first mud baths were opened in 1838, the town was added to the list of Russian imperial spa resorts in 1890, and it became the country’s main spa destination during the First Republic. Today, Pärnu is part of the Union of European Historic Spa Towns, but it is also a suitable destination for an active stay, with its nature trails and excursions in unspoilt nature.

Haapsalu

Once a summer destination for monarchs and celebrities, Haapsalu enchants visitors with its fresh sea air, picturesque old town and the ruins of its ancient castle. It is the ideal place to get lost in nature, between bird watching and long walks leading to the sea, but also to devote yourself to wellness: here there is in fact a beach nicknamed “Chocolate Coast” due to the presence of mud used by the locals to relieve joint pain.

Saaremaa

Due to the large number of spa hotels on Saaremaa, Estonia’s largest island, this is also known as SPA-remaa. The destination offers a relaxing corner of paradise, with a wide range of wellness services ranging from medical to beauty treatments, passing through mud therapies. You can explore the unique cultural heritage of the island or simply let yourself be conquered by its unspoiled nature, breathing in the scent of juniper or walking along its rocky beaches: you know, even just the fresh air, the sea water and the rolling of the waves are among the best natural remedies against stress.

Setomaa

In Setomaa you can get in touch with a culture and traditions rooted in the centuries of Estonian history, including local folklore, gastronomy and well-being. In this region, Värska is the only place in the Baltics where you can immerse yourself in a full mud bath, while Pühajärve is the place not to be missed for treatments to improve your health.

An important tradition born in this area is that of the smoke sauna, inscribed in 2014 in the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage: the practice includes a series of rituals concerning the behaviors to be followed before, after and during the sauna, its maintenance and the ways in which the wood is burned. It is mainly a family custom, which is practiced on Saturdays or on the occasion of holidays or events, with the aim of relaxing the body and mind, but it is also one of the activities not to be missed during a trip to Estonia.

Tallinn

Tallinn is a destination where modern comforts, history and culture, nightlife, refined gastronomy and well-being are combined. In the capital of Estonia, in fact, there are many facilities that offer spa services for different types of travelers, from families to couples, from those looking for a place to completely abandon themselves to relaxation to those who focus more on fun. Many hotels in the capital also offer wellness areas and real spas, perfect for recharging your batteries after a long day of exploration.