Parnu County combines a beautiful setting on the Gulf of Riga with a passion for art, culture and history. The lively resort of Parnu lures sunseekers in with caramel-coloured sand and leafy parks. Head inland to explore Soomaa National Park.
Things to do in Parnumaa
Summer sunseekers flock to Parnu Beach, a lively resort fringed by a stretch of golden sand. A seafront promenade skirts the beach and is dotted with flowers, fountains and wooden benches. You’ll find a great selection of cafes, bistros and cocktail bars within strolling distance of the beach.
Relax and enjoy the sunshine in Rannapark. A stone’s throw from Parnu Beach, the leafy park is a great place to enjoy a picnic. Watch locals playing chess on the public tables and stroll along the sculpture trail. The park moonlights as a space for outdoor concerts and other community events.
Brush up on more than 10,000 years of history at the Parnu Museum. From Soviet-era artefacts to Neolithic relics and ancient fossils, exhibits explore how the region has evolved over the millennia. An 8,000-year-old sculpture called the “Stone Age Madonna” is the museum showpiece.
Modern and edgy, the Museum of New Art spotlights contemporary talent. The museum is housed in a Communist-era building but has shed its socialist roots. The halls are reimagined as exhibition spaces for works by luminaries like Pablo Picasso, Michael Kvium and Yoko Ono, as well as up-and-coming Estonian artists.
Discover a patchwork of lush wetlands, swamps and floodplain forests in Soomaa National Park. Spring snowmelt gushes into the park and creates a unique, waterlogged ecosystem. Hike the family-friendly Beaver Trail for the best chance to spot the adorable rodents. Soomaa National Park is also home to wild elk, wolvers, lynx and bears.
Lotte Village Theme Park promises fun for the whole family. Set in a picturesque coastal forest, the park is inspired by a beloved Estonian cartoon character. It’s one of the largest theme parks in the Baltics and brings the franchise to life with interactive activities, workshops and live shows.
Getting around Parnumaa
Cars are a fast and easy way to get around Parnu County. The county is well-serviced by local and long-distance buses. Parnu is a 1.5-hour drive from Tallinn and 2.5 hours from Riga in Latvia.