Dear Readers,

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

We've had some warm weather here the past couple of weeks, meaning visitors are taking advantage of all the great outdoor activities available around Tallinn. East Estonia is also a great region to recommend for adventurous travelers looking to explore outside of Tallinn. Looking for vegan options in Tallinn or "green" accomodation in Estonia for your clients? We've got you covered! 

We also want to make sure you are aware of the recent tourism visa ban for Russian nationals — please read the article for more details.

This weekend we celebrate the Night of the Ancient Bonfires. Bonfires are lit along the coast to show unity with other countries surrounding the Baltic Sea and to say farewell to summer. We had a great one, and hope you did, too!

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

Sincerely yours,

The Visit Estonia Team

Celebrating the Night of the Ancient Bonfires  

Once a year, on Muinastulede öö — the Night of Ancient Bonfires — we pay homage to the historic seaside beacon fires dating back to the Viking Era. This end-of-the-summer event has become a folk tradition in the past few decades.

People throughout the Baltic States create a chain of campfires along the coast to show unity and say farewell to summer. Seaside attractions such as the Seaplane Harbour Museum in Tallinn often host special events on this night. 

Where to get active in Tallinn

Tallinn is the perfect destination for people who look for exercise or sporting opportunities during their city retreat. As in any other capital, the traffic is busy and life is fast-paced in Tallinn.

However, there are still many options for spending time outdoors and enjoying a sport-filled holiday. And if the weather doesn't cooperate, there are also plenty of options for inside activities, including padel, climbing, and mini golf! 

Explore the Region: East Estonia 

The eastern region of Estonia, Ida-Virumaa, holds a lot of surprising and unexpected places. This is confirmed by a recent study by the University of Tartu, which found that eastern Estonia actually holds the most national records of any area in the country!

Narva, Estonia’s easternmost town, boasts the best preserved castle overlooking a large, winding river acting as a border between Estonia and Russia. The nearby Narva-Jõesuu resort is dotted with spas and a large sandy beach that draws in holiday makers every summer.

 The unique nature, rich culture, and ample opportunities for extreme sports and adventure give you even more reasons to head east.

Best vegan eats in Tallinn

A Finnish blogger and vegan nutritionist who lived in Tallinn for four years covers Tallinn's booming vegan scene. She shares her favourite vegan hot spots, so visitors who prefer to eat a plant-based diet will also be able to enjoy Estonia's great capital city.

Green accomodations in Estonia

The Green Traveller's Guide to Estonia has selected a number of places to stay across the country, from guesthouses and nature farms to country clubs and urban hotels. In order to emphasize their ethos of sustainablity, they have chosen many rural guesthouses and hotels that focus on offering a close connection with nature and actively encouraging guests to explore the great outdoors, on foot, by bike or canoe.

Russian tourist visa ban in effect

From August 18, Russian citizens holding a Schengen visa issued by Estonia for tourism, business, sports, or culture will not be allowed to cross the border.

Russian nationals who have a visa issued by another member of the Schengen area or who are already in the Schengen area will still be able to enter Estonia.

There are a number of exceptions in place. Read the article for more details.

Estonia in the media

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