For travellers
For meetingsHeading northeast from Pärnu, you will encounter rare natural sights, magnificent stone buildings, and friendly small-scale producers whose farms are bustling with activity. Visit the charming spots of Tori, Soomaa, and Northern Pärnu County. Discover Soomaa’s unique nature and Pärnu County’s thriving farm culture at your own pace.
When traveling to Northern Pärnu County, be sure to stop at Soomaa National Park. With its bogs, swamp forests, and rivers, it is one of the gems of Estonia’s natural landscape. Soomaa is Estonia’s second-largest national park. Much of Soomaa is uninhabited and untouched by human activity, which makes this area even more special.
The most exciting time to visit Soomaa is during the spring floods when fields, forests, and meadows are submerged underwater. This period is known as the fifth season. In the past, locals navigated the flooded meadows and forests using a dugout canoe, known as a haabjas, which is now part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Today, you can explore the fifth season not only by haabjas but also by boat or canoe. At other times of the year, you can explore Soomaa on foot or with snowshoes.
Ready for an adventure? We have designed an engaging tour of Soomaa, where you’ll uncover pristine nature, enterprising farmers, historic landmarks and museums, as well as previously unseen beautiful vistas. Experience the rare tranquility and peace that defines this unique region of Pärnu County.
1. Visit Tori Horse Breeding Farm
Tori Horse Breeding Farm is located in a beautifully architected stable complex that is part of the Tori Manor ensemble, originally built in 1862.
The farm museum features the exhibit “Tori Attic,” which hides fascinating treasures and untold stories.
You can get there from Pärnu city centre by car in about 30 minutes
Allow at least an hour for your visit
June–August / Wed–Sun 10-18
September–May / Wed–Sun 9-17
Horseback rides and riding experiences available by reservation
Tori, Pärnu County, is home to Estonia’s oldest horse breeding farm. Here, the breeding and raising of Estonian and Tori horses continues to this day. Historically, horses have played a significant role in Estonian farm culture. In times before tractors and agricultural machinery, horses were essential for plowing fields and harvesting crops. At the newly renovated Tori Horse Breeding Farm, you can enjoy horseback riding and visit the museum, where you’ll learn about the impressive size of the Tori horses’ sire, Hetman, and explore the history of horse breeding in Estonia.
2. Explore the world of craft beverages at Tori Cider Farm
At Tori Cider Farm, craft ciders, wines, and non-alcoholic health drinks are made from local organic ingredients.
Take on the challenge with the “Disgorgement” workshop at Tori Cider Farm. In this session, you’ll master a crucial step in the traditional champagne method: removing yeast sediment from the bottle after settling and sealing it with a sparkling wine cork.
It takes no more than 8 minutes to travel from the Horse Breeding Farm to the Cider Farm
Allow at least an hour for your visit
Please inform us in advance if you wish to visit Tori Cider Farm and join the workshop
Estonia has a long history of producing craft beverages and homemade wines. In the old days, almost every farm had an oak barrel where wine or stronger alcoholic drinks were aged. What is the process for making craft cider and wine these days?
You’ll find answers to this and many other questions by visiting Tori Cider Farm, located on the edge of Soomaa National Park, where they produce organic ciders and wines from local berries and fruits using traditional methods. Tori Cider Farm’s craft beverages have received numerous awards both in Estonia and internationally. This is a family-run business committed to producing craft beverages using a zero-waste approach. They use ingredients like apples, rhubarb, black currants, and more in their beverage production. You can explore these fascinating processes on the cider production tour or in the cider master’s workshop. You can visit the Nordic vineyard and apple orchard.
3. Authentic and vibrant rural life at Kurgja Farm Museum
The new hands-on exhibition tells captivating stories about the most significant events, places, people, and heartfelt desires of C. R. Jakobson’s life through thematic rooms.
We encourage you to join the practical farm workshops at the museum as well! For example, you can learn to make “sõir,” a traditional Estonian cottage cheese. In the workshop on karask (a type of quick bread) and flavored butter, you’ll discover how to bake delicious karask, a staple of Estonian cuisine in the 19th century. You need to schedule your participation in the workshop in advance.
It takes 36 minutes to drive from Tori Cider Farm to Kurgja Farm Museum
Allow at least an hour and a half for your visit
March–October / Wed–Sun 10– 17
November–February / Wed– Sun 10–16
In Kurgja village, located in the northeastern part of Pärnu County, you’ll find the C. R. Jakobson Farm Museum, offering insight into what life was like in Estonia during the 19th century. The farm museum offers a comprehensive insight into the life and contributions of C. R. Jakobson, a key figure and innovative farmer from Estonia’s national awakening era. In the farm complex built based on Jakobson’s sketches and visions, you can discover the traditions and customs of rural life. You may also encounter farm animals on the farmyard.
The permanent exhibition in the main building tells about Jakobson’s life and activities. Simple meals made from local ingredients are served in the threshing room of the Kurgja farm museum.
4. Pop in the Piesta Kuusikaru Farm
The Piesta Kuusikaru Farm in the Vändra forest in Pärnu County welcomes everyone who is interested in local apple products and local history.
At Piesta Kuusikaru Farm, there’s also a cozy guesthouse where you can stay overnight.
Drive approximately 25 minutes from Kurgja towards Pärnu
Allow at least an hour for your visit
Let us know about your visit in advance. The farm shop is open when the family is at home. During the summer, the farm café is open on Sundays, welcoming you to step right in with a smile!
On your way back to Pärnu, be sure to visit the Piesta Kuusikaru Farm, honored with the EUROPARC sustainable tourism certificate. Here, the hosts produce renowned and cherished apple products from local ingredients – pure apple juice, slow-fermented apple cider vinegar, and the gourmet favourite, apple syrup. With prior arrangement, you can participate in product tastings and workshops.
The hosts also share tips on how to make homemade lemonade and mix a delightful salad dressing. Visitors will learn about the 150-year history of the farm and its modern production methods. You can purchase Piesta products from the farm shop and, on summer Sundays, enjoy a pleasant time at the farm café.
Apple trees were once a staple in almost every Estonian farmhouse yard. Products made from homegrown apples are popular among Estonians and were traditionally made by hand. At Piesta Kuusikaru Farm, you can savour a taste of Estonia’s unique flavours.
Discover more:
Selja Dairy
On your way back to Pärnu, stop by Selja Dairy located along the roadside. Here, you can buy fresh dairy products, cheese, curd, and local meat delicacies. As the only dairy outlet store in Pärnu County, make sure to step in and grab something delicious!
Accommodation and Saunas in Soomaa
Choose a day trip or stay overnight in Soomaa to explore the area more thoroughly.
Sauna bathing has been a tradition in Estonia for centuries and remains a vital part of local identity today. You don’t need a special reason to go to a sauna—it can be enjoyed every day. Beyond its relaxing effects, sauna bathing offers health benefits as well. While traveling around Estonia, experiencing a sauna is a must-do and well worth trying.
On the edge of Soomaa National Park, you’ll find Põnka Guesthouse, certified with both Green Key and EUROPARC. Here, you can stay overnight and enjoy local flavors, a barrel sauna, and traditional sauna rituals. In the same area, you can also visit Piesta Guesthouse and Soomaa Holiday Village, both holding the EUROPARC certification. These spots offer saunas and are perfect for family or friends’ getaways.
At Urumarja Sauna Camp, guests can enjoy an igloo sauna and a yurt with a wood stove, offering unique accommodations. What sets the Green Key-certified Urumarja Sauna Camp apart is its off-grid setup—there is no conventional electricity or water supply. The camp relies solely on battery and solar-powered LED lights. Water is sourced from the nearby Kurina River, and a small solar panel provides the necessary power.
