Discover Viljandi
The city of Viljandi and its surroundings offer a wide range of activities for culture lovers, history buffs, nature lovers, sports enthusiasts and families with children.
Lake Viljandi
1 km 12 min
The Viljandi castle gardens offer a magnificent view of the lake – a favourite sight for visitors to the town to took photos. The lake is famous among Estonians thanks to a song about a boatman who still remembers the beautiful blue eyes of a maiden he once saw as a young boy.
A 12-kilometre hiking trail with camping and resting places runs around the lake, leading to a viewpoint on the opposite shore, from where you can see the beautiful and peculiar skyline of the city.
Schloss Fellin offers the possibility to take a motorboat to the lake for a picnic.
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Viljandi Castle Hills
200 m 3 min
The ruins of Viljandi Castle and the park around it have been a beloved recreation area for the people of Viljandi since the beginning of the last century and are now a national monument. Built in the 13th century on the site of the Estonians’ stronghold, the Viljandi Castle took its full shape and size by the beginning of the 16th century, becoming one of the most prominent fortresses in Estonia and Latvia.
The first front stronghold is called Kaevumägi, the second front stronghold is called Second Kirsimägi and the third front stronghold is called First Kirsimägi. Concerts and sporting events are held on the castle hill, which offers a beautiful view of Lake Viljandi. In order to reach the castle hills from the town, a suspension bridge was installed in 1931 in a 13-metre-deep ditch at Kaevumägi.
Old Water Tower
J. Laidoner's Square 5c, Viljandi
600 m 8 min
Viljandi was one of the first towns in Estonia to get water and sewerage. Completed in 1911, the 30-metre-high water tower made of red brick and an octagonal wooden top and used today as a lookout tower. The three floors of the tower house a permanent exhibition, as well as various travelling exhibitions. The water tower is an important part of Viljandi’s skyline as a city of towers, offering a beautiful view of Lake Viljandi and the old town.
Museum of Viljandi
J. Laidoneri plats 10, Viljandi
500 m 7 min
The Museum of Viljandi is in an old pharmacy building, with a permanent exhibition on two floors covering the history of Viljandi up to the mid-20th century, and temporary exhibitions of various kinds. A rich collection of archaelogical finds gives an insight into the prehistoric period. The medieval period is represented by a model of Viljandi Order Castle, together with artefacts from that period. Before visiting the castle ruins, it is a good idea to have a look at the model. Folk culture is introduced by a large-scale model of a hermitage and a display of folk costumes and jewellery.
Oak and a swing
Pikk 29, Viljandi
450 m 6 min
From the corner of Pikk Street, the oak tree with swing offers a beautiful view of the lake. The large tree provides shade and swinging under it will help you relax. From here, you can discover the narrow Kassisaba Street, which was restored thanks to the locals.
Heimtali Museum
Heimtali, Viljandi parish
9 km 10 min
The museum is housed in Heimtali’s old village schoolhouse, a beautiful country building from 1864. The permanent exhibition of the Heimtali Museum’s multi-layered collection includes school furniture from a hundred years ago, old documents and tools from the surrounding area. The collection of folk textiles is particularly rich, as is the library of folk art, folklore and decorative arts. The children’s playroom has a range of cats, dogs, piglets and other domestic animals knitted in clove patterns. The permanent exhibition is curated and designed by textile artist Anu Raud.
Olustvere Manor
Mõisa Street 12, Olustvere
22 km 18 min
Olustvere Manor, with a history going back several hundred years, is now a tourist centre, with a variety of chambers for workshops are set up in the manor buildings: blacksmith, craft, linen and cloth, ceramics and glass, bakery and stable building. The latter also houses Voldemar Lucht’s miniature collection of wooden horses and Ilmar Tilga’s collection of bird and animal prints. Guided tours of the Olustvere manor complex.
The Mulgi Experience Centre
Sooglemäe, Ala, Tõrva parish, Valgamaa
48 km 40 min
The Mulgi Experience Centre introduces the heritage and history of Mulgimaa, in a traditional way and smart modern solutions - stories, customs, mythology and folklore. There are activities and things to see for children and adults alike.
Playground on the shore of Lake Viljandi
700 m 9 min
The health- and playground on the shores of Lake Viljandi offers activities for young and old alike. The large sand-covered area has exciting attractions for children of all ages, including swings, slides, climbing slides, hanging trees, a pyramid over 6 metres high, a Tarzan track and more. Nearby there is a bathing area, boat hire and ball courts.
Children's Park
Uus Street 12, Viljandi
1,2 km 14 min
In the children’s park, the little ones can play in the sandpit, go sliding, climb the rope slide and swing. In the park, children will be delighted by the child-friendly granite sculptures “Young Technician” and “Young Naturalist”. The trick riders are awaited by the new and gorgeous trails.
Lake Paala playground
750 m 9 min
A large playground with a gorgeous wooden ship awaits toddlers at Lake Paala, where they can play on the water and slide around. A bathing area is nearby. A cycle path runs around Lake Paala, where you can walk in all seasons, roller-skate or cycle from spring to autumn, and ski in winter. When the snow comes, children can use the valley slope for sledging.