Search hotels in Haapsalu

Best town in Estonia to visit with small kids (and a family dog), many playgrounds, quiet and safe. Must visit different beaches, Ilon's Wonderland, train Peetrike, library, museums and cafes around town.

A charming, historical spa resort much favoured by the late 19th/early 20th Century Russian aristocracy, Haapsalu is faded now but still has an elegant charm. The old railway station (sadly disused since 1995), now a museum, was even specially constructed with an imperial pavilion so that the Tsar and his family could arrive and depart without having to wait with the commoners. The Promenaadi on the seafront is beautiful and the ruined castle in the town centre is well worth visiting. The Wiigi and Kuursaal restaurants are particularly good.

I visit yearly for the brilliant Old Music Festival and rarely other times, so I mainly have experience with Haapsalu in summer - a relevant aspect for a seaside spa town. It is a nice quiet place which at least in the summer has a varied and interesting cultural life amidst equally varied and interesting nature and historical arhictecture. My favourites are the galleries which usually feature themes and artists not seen in the big museums: local 19th c. furniture, fantasy photography, small stage scenery with dolls, all kinds of handicraft, you name it. It pays to look into the city library and cultural centre, the art school (three galleries!), Ilon's Wonderland, city museum in the old town hall... Also, if you take a bit of interest in the local history for context, a walk in the old town and the cemetery becomes quite informative. For drink and food, my personal favs so far are café Küünik and Talumehe kõrts in the old market, the restaurants Meraki and Micio nearby, a small Italian café Trühvlid&Sidrunid on Posti street, and the not too fancy but nicely realiable Mandarin restaurant on Lihula street. Usually, Haapsalu is just walkable but if needed, there's a bit of bus transport and decent taxi service.

Haapsalu is a cute and picturesque small town by the sea with plenty of lovely cafes and cozy restaurants serving delicious meals. There are also several shops for handicrafts and arts. For culture lovers, there’s an old castle with a museum as well as some smaller museums and art galleries/pop-ups.

A quaint and very inviting accomodation. Beautifully presented and appointed. Retro and comfortably styled. Walking distance to the shops and sight seeing of the castle. Loved our stay and highly recommend it.

Excellent music, world-class sparrows. A lot of tiny art galleries to discover. The unconsciousness of the town lurks in the catacombs beneath the library (feel free to visit, it's impressive). Also, book your tickets for the next year's Old Music Festival. Some of the best Bach et al. you're ever going to hear.