Haapsalu, known as the “Venice of the North,” is located on a peninsula. This town attracts tourists with its cozy atmosphere, warm waters, therapeutic mud baths, and friendly locals.

Beaches
Haapsalu has been a favorite resort since the Tsarist era, and its promenade retains the spirit and atmosphere of bygone times. The promenade’s crown jewel is the Kursaal, a summer restaurant adorned with exquisite wooden carvings and built in 1898.

The promenade stretches along the bay, beginning with the so-called “African Beach,” once used for swimming and now a children’s playground, and ending with the “Chocolate Promenade,” named after the café that once stood there. The promenade also boasts the city’s only birdwatching platform. While strolling along the embankment, you can check the time on the sundial, relax on a bench, and admire the beautiful Kuursaal.

Entertainment and Attractions in Haapsalu
Haapsalu is a historic site, the seat of the Bishopric of Saaremaa-Lääne. Its territory extends over 3 hectares, and construction of the Dome Church, the largest in the Baltics, began in 1263.

Among the religious buildings in Haapsalu, St. John’s Church stands out. Built in the early 16th century and originally dedicated to St. Nicholas, it was built in the 16th century. The church’s interior features a beautiful 17th-century stone altar, an 18th-century wooden pulpit, and one of the oldest surviving bells, dating back to the 16th century.

“Ilon’s Wonderland” is a gallery run by Ilon Wiklund, the renowned illustrator of Astrid Lindgren’s books. Here you can draw, watch films and Elon’s drawings, write a letter to Carlson, make a craft, learn the secrets of the Magic Well, walk on stilts, or manage Bullerby’s kitchen.