How many days do you need in Pärnu?

The top 8 places in the centre take about 1 day at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 2 days for the top 14 places within walking distance.

What are the top things to do in Pärnu?

Highlights: Red Tower, St. Catherine's Church, St. Elizabeth's Church, Pärnu Transformation of Our Lord Church and Beach Park. The map has 20 things to do in total.

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Pärnu Things to do and walking itinerary

Estonia

Pärnu travel guide

20 things to do in Pärnu, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.

All Pärnu guide sections (8)

Top things to do in Pärnu

Red Tower: The only surviving building of medieval New Pärnu fortress, named after the red bricks lining it inside and out. (visit ≈ 60 min)
St. Catherine's Church: A Russian Orthodox church in Pärnu dedicated to St Catherine. (visit ≈ 30 min)
St. Elizabeth's Church: Built in 1744-1747, the Lutheran church is an example of Baroque church architecture in Estonia. (visit ≈ 30 min)
Pärnu Transformation of Our Lord Church: An Orthodox church of the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church. (visit ≈ 30 min)
Beach Park: A 45-hectare park by Pärnu Bay, a popular walking area counted Estonia's second town park for its species richness. (visit ≈ 45 min)
Tallinn Gate: A city gate in Pärnu's historic fortifications. (visit ≈ 60 min)
Pulli settlement: Estonia's oldest known human settlement, on the right bank of the Pärnu River 14 km from the city. (visit ≈ 60 min)
Lotte Village: A children's theme park built around Lotte, the Estonian cartoon character. (visit ≈ 30 min)
Koidula park: A park in Pärnu named after the poet Lydia Koidula. (visit ≈ 45 min)
Paul Keres monument in Pärnu: A monument to the chess grandmaster Paul Keres, who grew up in Pärnu. (visit ≈ 15 min)
Sindi Orthodox Church: church building in Estonia (visit ≈ 30 min)
Pärnu TV mast: television tower in Pärnu, Estonia (visit ≈ 40 min)
Monument to the War of Independence in Pärnu: monument in Pärnu, Estonia (visit ≈ 15 min)
Pärnu St. Nicholas Church: church building in Estonia (visit ≈ 30 min)
Audru Church: church in Estonia (visit ≈ 30 min)
Pärnu Coastal Meadow Hiking Trail (visit ≈ 30 min)
Veterans' Park: park in Pärnu, Estonia (visit ≈ 45 min)
Niidu park: park in Pärnu, Estonia (visit ≈ 45 min)
Vanapark: park in Pärnu, Estonia (visit ≈ 45 min)
Valli park: park in Pärnu, Estonia (visit ≈ 45 min)

1-day Pärnu walking itinerary

Starting point: Old town (Rüütli). The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated. Distances are estimates with a street allowance.

Day 1 (≈ 3.3 km · 4,410 steps · 44 min on the way): Red Tower → Pärnu Transformation of Our Lord Church → Paul Keres monument in Pärnu → Koidula park → St. Elizabeth's Church → Beach Park → Tallinn Gate → St. Catherine's Church

Where to stay in Pärnu

Old town (Rüütli): Cafés and historic buildings around the Rüütli pedestrian street.
Beach area (Rannarajoon): Spa hotels along the beach park and promenade.

Getting from the airport to Pärnu

Tallinn (TLL): Bus ≈ 2 h

Getting around

The beach is a fifteen-minute walk from the centre. Summer is the busiest season in Estonia's holiday capital, so book early. The spa hotels stay open in winter.

Classic places to eat

Supelsaksad: A café in a historic wooden house, once voted Estonia's best.

Good to know before visiting Pärnu

Fine: Drinking alcohol in streets and public places is banned.
Fine: Headlights must be on during the day.
Fine: Pedestrians must wear a reflector in the dark or risk a fine.
Fine: Smoking indoors is banned.
Shops sell alcohol only between 10:00 and 22:00.
Tallinn's free transit is for registered residents. Visitors must buy tickets.

Emergency: 112
Plugs: C/F, 230V
Tap water: Tap water is safe to drink.
Tipping: Around 10% is optional.

Sources: UK FCDO: Foreign travel advice: Estonia, Wikivoyage: Estonia, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı: Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only. Rules change, so check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10

Pärnu travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Pärnu?: The top 8 places in the centre take about 1 day at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 2 days for the top 14 places within walking distance.
What are the top things to do in Pärnu?: Highlights: Red Tower, St. Catherine's Church, St. Elizabeth's Church, Pärnu Transformation of Our Lord Church and Beach Park. The map has 20 things to do in total.
Where to stay in Pärnu?: Old town (Rüütli): Cafés and historic buildings around the Rüütli pedestrian street. Other options: Beach area (Rannarajoon).
How do you get from the airport to Pärnu city centre?: Tallinn (TLL): Bus ≈ 2 h
How do you get around Pärnu?: The beach is a fifteen-minute walk from the centre. Summer is the busiest season in Estonia's holiday capital, so book early. The spa hotels stay open in winter.
What is the emergency number in Pärnu?: Emergency: 112.
Do you tip in Pärnu?: Around 10% is optional.

Nearby cities

Tallinn · Tartu · Riga · Helsinki · Turku · Saint Petersburg · Stockholm · Kaunas

Estonia travel guide: all cities · All cities