This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Kuressaare.
Kuressaare, Estonia, is the biggest town on Saaremaa, the largest Estonian island in the Baltic Sea. It is roughly forty-five kilometres west of the Estonian mainland. The island is a well-known tourist destination. There are regular bus services from the bigger Estonian cities such as Pärnu and Tallinn. Saareema can be also reached by ferry. Kuressaare has a small local airport where national flight links are available. During the summer, there are also international flight connections to Stockholm in Sweden. Just under fourteen thousand people permanently live in Kuressaare. This is almost half of the overall population on the island of Saareemaa, with approximately thirty-one thousand inhabitants. The town of Kuressaare was firstly mentioned in documents in the twelfth century. Nowadays, it is a popular seaside resort, visited mostly by tourists from Estonia; it is a very suitable destination for international tourists who want to get to know the local culture without being surrounded by compatriots all the time.
The most iconic landmark is Kuressaare Castle. The massive complex was built in the fourteenth century and is considered to be one of the best-preserved of its kind in Estonia. The form is rather simple and the style can be described as Gothic architecture. The castle is located on an artificial island ringed by a moat filled with water. In the yard, outdoor concerts are held throughout the summer. The fort also houses the worth-seeing Saaremaa Museum, which focuses on the island's nature and history. In the upper floor as well in two big halls, you can find the permanent exhibition about the local history.
The most important place of worship in Kuressaare is St. Lawrence's Lutheran Church. The baptismal font of this church is very remarkable -- brought from the Anseküla church, which was destroyed in around the time of World War II, it is carved with dragon-like creatures.
The climate in Kuressaare is moderate, with rainy days all year round. In summer, the maximum daily temperatures hover around twenty degrees Celsius. Since the place is a popular seaside resort, most tourists come during this period of the year. During springtime, April and May, you can expect maximum temperatures from seven to fifteen degrees Celsius.
If you want to stay in Kuressaare, there are numerous hotels and guesthouses; plus, there are options for a Kuressaare, Estonia hostel. The accommodations are spread out in the centre of the town and here you can find every sort of accommodation, from inexpensive places such as Kuressaare, Estonia hostels or guesthouses to five-star hotels. Your Kuressaare, Estonia hostel is located in a quiet residential area, but not far from the centre of the town. Hostels in Kuressaare, Estonia have free Wi-Fi and bike rental with decent prices.
Written by local enthusiast for Kuressaare hostels
Flo