Dear Readers,

Welcome to Visit Estonia's July newsletter for the travel trade!

Did you know there are only six weekends left before September? We are halfway through the summer season! It's shaping up to be a busy one, which is welcome after two long pandemic summers.

Luckily, there is still lots of time to explore and plenty hours of summer sun left. West Estonia offers some great options for tourists, whether it's the charming streets of Haapsalu or the vibrant beach scene in Pärnu. For an Instagram-worthy day trip from Tallinn, try out the water sports at Rummu Quarry. You can't go wrong wherever you go in Estonia, unless you happen to make one of these five mistakes!

For the industry news in between newsletters, check out trade news on our website. Happy browsing!

Sincerely yours,

The Visit Estonia Team

Explore the Region: the West Coast

The western part of Estonia is surrounded by the Baltic Sea. Here the coastline is peppered with beaches, small seaside villages, and holiday resorts with numerous spas. The main attractions in West Estonia are the resort towns of Haapsalu and Pärnu, boasting quaint wooden architecture, tons of summer concerts, and lovely cafes with outdoor terraces.

Western Estonia is also one of the best places for bird watching and animal tracking in the country. Matsalu National Park is home to millions of migratory birds each year. If you howl loudly and listen quietly, you might even get a response from a pack of wolves in the local forests of Soomaa National Park.

Discover the West Coast of Estonia

New services at Rummu Quarry

Rummu Prison Quarry has added more services this summer. This quirky attraction for swimming and water sports is only an hour from Tallinn, making it a wonderful destination for a day trip.

The mining of limestone and marble in the Rummu quarry started in the 1930s. When the work ended, the drainage stopped, and the quarry flooded. The industrial buildings, equipment, and trees were submerged.

This year visitors can rent 5 waterbikes, a very safe option to cruise the lake for up to four people at a time. There is also a brand new discgolf course. These services are in addition to what was available last year: a small café, water park, swimming beach, diving, SUP boarding, and the ash hill for hiking up to see the view. You can also camp or stay in a caravan on site.

Next to the quarry you can visit the abandoned Murru Prison. Guides have tours available in English, and there's a renewed audio guide tour in multiple languages.

Dive into Rummu Quarry

Don't make these 5 mistakes when visiting Estonia

Visitors to Estonia sometimes make these simple mistakes. It's natural — it's your first time visiting, and nobody expects you to get it right the first time. None of them will get you kicked out of the country, though they might earn you a look of pity.

Follow this advice to avoid a foolish faux pas or two. And keep you from avoiding the biggest mistake of all.

Learn what NOT to do in Estonia

Airport travel at 87% of pre-pandemic level

In June, more than 281,000 passengers passed through Tallinn Airport, almost three times more than in the same period last year. This is at 87% of pre-pandemic level. Flights were close to 80 percent full in June, indicating the continuation of very broad-based demand.

Estonia in the media

FIA World Rally Championship was held in Tartu last weekend. Rally fans came from around the world to see their favorite drivers and enjoy the festivities at the start and finishline ceremonies.

The Times has a Tallinn city guide for visitors looking for a fresh city to explore on a weekend break. Great suggestions for top places to eat and sleep and the best neighborhoods to explore.

Tour Tallinn

Interested in sustainable tourism? Check out the Green Traveler's Guide to Estonia. This guide has ideas for visitors who want to travel but prefer to do so in an environmentally friendly manner.

Go green