Hotels in Saaremaa

Saaremaa: Estonia's Largest Island in the Baltic Sea

Saaremaa sits 20 km west of mainland Estonia, separated by the Väinameri strait and reached by ferry from Virtsu to Kuivastu in roughly 30 minutes. The island covers 2,673 km² and holds around 31,000 residents. Kuressaare, the island's main town, anchors most hotels and services. The Kuressaare Episcopal Castle, a 14th-century fortress, stands intact on the town's southern shore — one of the best-preserved medieval castles in the Baltic states.

Where to Stay in Kuressaare

Most visitors base themselves in Kuressaare, within walking distance of the castle, the spa hotels along the seafront, and the central market square. The island's spa culture dates to the 19th century, when dolomite mud and seawater treatments drew Russian aristocracy. Several 4-star spa hotels operate near the castle park today. Rural guesthouses cluster around Kaali crater — a meteorite impact site 18 km north of Kuressaare formed approximately 4,000 years ago — and along the Sõrve Peninsula in the south.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Tallinn–Kuressaare flights take 40 minutes; the ferry from Virtsu runs year-round, roughly every 90 minutes.
• Best season: June to August for cycling and coastal walking; shoulder months see fewer visitors.
• Currency: Euro (EUR); card payments accepted widely in Kuressaare.
• Pack layers: Baltic evenings turn cool even in July.