Happening today
For travellers
Business PärnuThe year 1838 is considered the birth of the Pärnu resort, as that was when the first seaside bathing establishment began operating. In the summer, visitors could enjoy seawater baths and sea bathing, while in the winter, they could indulge in the pleasures of the sauna. As the resort developed, real elephants visited the town, introduced as part of a travelling exhibition. Probably inspired by the exotic visitors, large wooden elephants were also built in the sea, with a trunk that could be used to glide into the water – first one, intended for children, into shallower water, and then another, intended for adults, into deeper water. After a while, the wooden elephants got tired and left the beach.
In honour of the resort’s 175th anniversary, an elephant was once again installed in the sea – as a symbol of resort life and joy, and as an exciting water slide for children. So that the elephant wouldn’t have to be alone, a family of elephants made from artificial grass was brought to the nearby Beach Park after a while. Then, elephant statues appeared in the city, and so the invasion of, and love for, elephants continued.
Elephants are one of the most intelligent mammals and have a very good memory! Our resort elephant also has a good memory. He knows Pärnu well and knows exactly what to do in Pärnu and where to go. Discover Pärnu according to his recommendations! Choose a route or activity you like, and you’ll have a great day. Thanks to the elephant’s recommendations, you can visit summer capital all year round – because summer is a feeling, not a season!
Beautiful places to enjoy - admire the beauty!
The Pärnu River flowing through the city centre, with its bridges, offers picturesque views. The river is surrounded by the 8 km long Jaanson’s Track, with several naturally beautiful photo spots on the right bank of the river. The left bank features historic houses and street art to admire.
Visit Pärnu Vallikäär Park to have a photo taken of yourself with the PÄRNU installation. A walking trail to the Pärnu mole starts nearby, offering wonderful views of nature along the way.
In the city centre, the pancake café PanKaagid is one of the most colourful dining venues, while in the beach district, the romantically nostalgic café Supelsaksad on the Supeluse summer promenade is a must to visit.
While walking along the beach promenade, take a detour to visit the Pärnu coastal meadow hiking trail. From the observation deck, you can have a look to see whether the Resort’s Elephant slide is on the beach or not.
See also: The best photo spots in Pärnu County
Elephants are one of the few mammals that can recognise themselves in a mirror. If you’ve already admired yourself in the mirror, see what else is beautiful around you.
Adventures up high - climb high!
A great place to start climbing higher is in the old town of Pärnu – there is the Red Tower. It has lost nearly half of its height from six hundred years ago and no view opens up from there, but in the attic floor of the museum, you’ll find a modern circular panorama cinema, where an animated film tells the story of the area’s last 15,000 years in 10 minutes.
By the sea, you can take a break at the Book Café Purje on the 6th floor of Spa Hotel Tervis. There, you can enjoy high views of Pärnu Beach Park while reading a book.
You can enjoy a stunning sea view at the Romantic Bar on the 8th floor of the spa centre Tervise Paradiis. The spa centre also accommodates the a la carte restaurant Purpur. What could be better than enjoying some delicious flavours while admiring a great view of the Pärnu coastline.
Those who are more adventurous can put themselves to the test and visit the Valgeranna Adventure Park at Valgeranna, near the city of Pärnu. Make sure to visit the Valgeranna observation tower, which offers beautiful views of nature all year round.
Modern elephants are, on average, up to three meters tall and appear to walk as if on tiptoes. If you would like to see Pärnu from a little higher up, check out the recommendations of the Resort Elephant.
Water fun - make a splash!
Regardless of the season, you can visit Pärnu beach and walk along the Pärnu beach promenade. You will definitely meet some elephants there.
Elephants are said to be excellent swimmers, but they can’t surf – so this activity is just for you. Pärnu Surf Center provides kitesurfing training in both summer and winter.
Why not go on a fishing trip with Pärnu Fishing Taxi, by boat in the summer and by amphibious vehicle in the winter. Pärnu Cruises offer regular boat trips on both Pärnu Bay and the river during the summer. See what other exciting things you can do on the water.
Of course, you can also swim and relax elsewhere – for example, in one of the many spas. Check out the spa holiday options in Pärnu.
An elephant drinks up to 200 litres of water a day, which is why they usually stay near water sources. Please don’t drink any river or sea water, but staying near or even on bodies of water is strictly recommended.
Cultural sites - experience the culture!
Pärnu is considered the birthplace of the Republic of Estonia, as the Declaration of Independence was first read out here on 23 February 1918, proclaiming Estonia’s independence. This important event is commemorated by the monument to declaring the independence of the Republic of Estonia, located on the main street, Rüütli. The Museum of New Art is located near the monument, and the Pärnu Museum is also nearby, where you can learn about the history of Pärnu.
The Mary Magdalene Guild is a mecca for applied arts and crafts, where you can make your own crafts in the workshops. The walk will take you on to the Tallinn Gates, part of a former defensive structure. All of these places will help you enjoy culture and history.
Those interested in architecture can head to the beach district. You will pass one of the best Art Nouveau style buildings along the way – the magnificent Villa Ammende. At the heart of the beach stands the Pärnu Beach Building, a functionalist-style structure built to mark the 100th anniversary of the Pärnu resort. The historic Rannahotell Hotel is also worth a visit.
Nearby are the Pärnu Kuursaal, which has been the centre of resort life throughout history, and one of the most important symbols of the Pärnu resort, the Pärnu Mud Baths, which currently houses a boutique spa. Legend has it that Pärnu’s healing mud is among the healthiest in the world, thanks to elephants trampling in the sea for decades.
Elephants are very good at recognising people – they can distinguish a person’s gender, age, and even nationality by their voice. They probably wouldn’t recognise Estonians. But you can get to know the local culture and atmosphere better by visiting Pärnu’s important cultural landmarks.
Unmissable experiences - test your boundaries!
In the exotic terrarium at MiniZoo, you can meet finger-length baby snakes, large pythons and boa constrictors, all crawling around inside a small house.
If you are brave enough to go climbing, the Ronimaa Rock Climbing Gym is just the place for you. Enjoy exciting adventures in the Pärnu paintball battle.
Those seeking an extreme experience will find great challenges at the Porche Ring circuit track or at Pärnu Escape Room.
To enjoy a new experience, try floating in the Dead Sea salt pool at Estonia Resort Hotel & Spa Centre. Hedon SPA & Hotel boutique spa features a tepidarium, where the salt concentration in the air is similar to the coastal air of the Dead Sea.
At the Viiking Saaga water and sauna centre, you will find a snow sauna, unique in the Baltics.
An elephant uses its trunk to get information about its surroundings. The trunk also helps break branches, get water, shower the body, scratch the eyes, and cover itself with mud. How do you break branches, assess risks, and challenge yourself?
Discover Pärnu by bike
Scientists have determined that male Indian elephants can cover distances of 200–400 km, while females can even cover distances of up to 700 km. If a distance seems too long to you or you just enjoy cycling, you can discover Pärnu by bike.
Where to eat in Pärnu
An African elephant spends 16 hours a day eating plants. If you wanted to eat that much in a day, you would have to visit about 15–30 restaurants in Pärnu.
Accommodation in Pärnu
No other mammal sleeps as little as an elephant. For some elephants, just two hours of sleep a night is enough. When living in the wild, they can go without sleep for several days in a row, especially when poachers are on the move. You can enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep in Pärnu – because good rest is essential for your well-being.
GET INSPIRED
Once you’ve discovered Pärnu, the Resort Elephant recommends taking a trip to explore the many exciting things to do in Pärnu County.
