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PÄRNU 2013/2014
Estonia’s official summer capital From tip to toe we’ve uncovered it
N°17 - €1.60 www.inyourpocket.com
THE OFFICIAL TRAVEL GUIDE OF PÄRNU HANSEATIC DAYS 2013
CONteNtS
All you need to know about where to sleep, eat, drink, visit and enjoy
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E S S E N T I A L C I TY G U I D E S
Contents Foreword
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A quick word from the IYP team
Arriving in Pärnu
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Find your way to the summer capital
The Basics
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Helpful things everyone should know
History
Online
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Sports, adventure, fun & games
The best of the summer’s main attractions
Where to stay
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Funky sights, museums and hungry snakes
11,000 years, all squeezed onto one page!
Culture & Events
What to see
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A bed for every budget
Active Pärnu
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Shopping & Directory
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The ultimate in retail therapy
Getting around
Dining & Nightlife Where to eat From caviar to beach snacks
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Nightlife Party till dawn
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Navigating Pärnu and travelling onward
Maps Street index City centre map General city map
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Mobile Print
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2013/2014
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ArriViNg
FOreWOrD Estonia’s ‘Summer Capital’ and buzzing beach destination, Pärnu, is also a town with plenty of history soaked into its soil. Since first settled in the 1200s, it has served as a Hanseatic trade centre, a university town and a Russian military base. But it was 175 years ago this year, in 1838, that the first bathing establishment was set up here, an event that would redefine Pärnu in the decades to come as a place for people to de-stress and regain their equilibrium. Take a look around and you’ll easily spot the town’s resulting architectural heirlooms, especially those from the resort heyday of the 1920s and 30s when visitors from all over Northern Europe flocked here to catch some sun, visit the luxurious spas and soak their toes in the warm water. Nowadays the modern equivalents of those old, 19th century and early 20th century spas, and the modern treatments they offer, are still a huge hit with locals and foreigners alike. This year the town is celebrating its 175th anniversary as a resort town with special events, discounted spa packages and even retro menus in cafés and restaurants, all under the label ‘Pärnu Kuurort 175’. But that’s certainly not all that’s going on this summer. The town is also marking the 100th birthday of its famous musical son, Raimond Valgre, getting wet and wild with the Watergate Festival and going medieval for the Pärnu Hanseatic Days - an event for which Pärnu In Your Pocket is the official city guide. Whatever your agenda, be it a spa weekend, a festival or just a good cup of cappuccino, this handy little guide will make the most of your relaxing stay in the city. So grab your sandals, a bottle of water, a camera and hit the streets. Enjoy your time in Pärnu, you won‘t be disappointed!
Cover story The cover of this edition of Pärnu In Your Pocket features a cute little redheaded girl enjoying the sunshine on the beach, which just so happens to be one of the favourite passtimes during the summer in Estonia’s official ‘Summer Capital’.
E S S E N T I A L C I TY G U I D E S
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It’s now 21 years since we published the first In Your Pocket guide - to Vilnius in Lithuania - in which time we have grown to become the largest publisher of locally produced city guides in Europe. We now cover more than 75 cities across the continent (with Tbilisi, in Georgia, the latest city to be pocketed) and the number of concise, witty, well-written and downright indispensable In Your Pocket guides published each year is approaching five million. We also publish an iPhone app, including more than 40 guides, which can be downloaded for free from the AppStore. Search for ‘IYP Guides’ by name. To keep up to date with all that’s new at In Your Pocket, like us on Facebook (facebook.com/ inyourpocket) or follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/ inyourpocket).
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Pärnu In Your Pocket
Estonia
Copyright notice
Even if Pärnu is your favoured Estonian destination, Tallinn is more than likely to be your primary point of arrival. It is therefore highly recommended to pick up a copy of Tallinn In Your Pocket for all the intricacies of reaching Tallinn from abroad, and once you’ve done that, getting to Pärnu is more or less like falling off the proverbial log. Telephone numbers for taxis, stations etc can be found in the Getting around section of this guidebook.
By bus More than 20 express buses leave Tallinn for Pärnu daily between 06:20 and 21:00, and six buses stop here daily en route from Riga. The ticket from Tallinn costs €6 - 8.50 and the trip takes less than two hours. For a bit more money, travellers can also opt for the Hansabuss (www.hansabuss. ee) which has comfier seats, WiFi, and leaves from the centres of Tallinn and Riga. Pärnu’s bus station is conveniently located right in the centre of town, at the corner of Pikk and Ringi streets. The station house is behind the terminal, at Ringi 3; ticket windows open daily 06:15 - 19:30. Left luggage (pakihoid) is at the southern side of the bus terminal, near platform 8, open 08:00 - 19:30, Sat 08:00 17:00, Sun 09:00 - 17:00. Leaving a bag for up to 24hrs costs €0.70 - 2, depending on the weight. Taxis can be found waiting a few steps away, across from the Hotel Pärnu.
By car The route from Tallinn is fairly simple. Just head out on Pärnu mnt. and follow the signs. The highway leads right to the centre of town. Coming in from Riga is just as simple - follow the signs out of town towards Tallinn. Thanks to Schengen, you won’t even have to stop when going through the LatvianEstonian border - viva international friendship! But take your travel documents with you because police often stop cars for document checks between Ikla and Pärnu - not so viva.
By plane Unless you happen to be coming here from the islands of Kihnu or Ruhnu, it’s doubtful that you’ll be arriving in by air. That said, it’s theoretically possible to charter a plane from Tallinn. Pärnu’s airport, originally built as a military airbase, is now head-quartered in a compact and modern building, and has only minimal services. Getting to town Bus N°23 synchronises with all incoming flights and can be found waiting at the front of the terminal. See Getting Around section for taxi information.
Text and photos copyright OÜ Linnajuht 1997-2012. Maps copyright cartographer. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, except brief extracts for the purpose of review, without written permission from the publisher and copyright owner. The brand name In Your Pocket is used under license from UAB In Your Pocket (Bernardinu g. 9-4, LT-01124, Vilnius, Lithuania, tel. (+370-5) 212 29 76).
Editor’s note The editorial content of In Your Pocket guides is independent from paid-for advertising. Sponsored listings are clearly marked as such. We welcome all readers‘ comments and suggestions. We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of going to press and assume no responsibility for changes and errors.
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Tourist information
Pärnu Visitor Centre B-2, Uus 4, tel. (+372) 447 30 00/(+372) 53 30 41 34, fax (+372) 447 30 03, parnu@ visitestonia.com, www.visitparnu. com. Located right in the centre of town, the Visitor Centre provides tips and brochures and can even set up guided walking tours. In summer, a tourist information booth also operates at the beach. Q May 15th - September 15th open daily 09:00 - 18:00. September 16th - May 14th open Mon - Fri 09:00 - 17:00, Sat - Sun 10:00 - 14:00.
By train With no actual station to speak of (it was unceremoniously bulldozed) and the closest stopping place more than 3km from the centre, the railroad offers among the least convenient ways to get to Pärnu. Two trains make the journey daily from Tallinn, taking about 2.5 hours. Getting to town Any city bus that passes on this side of the street will take you to the centre of town. A taxi ride to the centre should be about €6.
Hitchhiking Hitching a ride is fairly common practice in Estonia. Students on a weekend visit home from college and even kids hitchhike. But as always with hitchhiking, there are risks, so think twice before setting off to do it on your own. To get to Pärnu from Tallinn, take bus N°14 or 18 from the Viru Centre Bus Terminal all the way to the end of the line (Laagri), and join the queue. To get back to Tallinn, head out of the centre of Pärnu on Tallinna mnt., and to get to Riga, Riia mnt.
Parking
P
Getting to Pärnu is a breeze, but finding a convenient place to park your car can be a challenge in summer. In the downtown area, free parking is available in the lot near the Port Artur shopping centre (Lai 10, north of the bus terminal), and the lot near the bridge, Kalda str and whole Tammsaare pst. Most other streets in the downtown area are marked with blue ‘P’ signs informing you that they are paid parking zones Mon - Fri 08:00 - 18:00. Here parking is free for those staying 1 hr (near the beach 30 minutes). Others must pay €1/hr or €3.20/day. Tickets are sold by vending machines on the street (coins required), and at R-Kiosks like the ones near the bus terminal and at Rüütli 32. Whether or not you’re paying, you must leave a time marker or a note on your dashboard indicating the time you parked. From June to August 10:00 - 19:00, parking on streets near the beach also requires payment. Here a 1 hour ticket is €3.20 and a day ticket is €9.60. The city also has a paid lot at the end of the beach Ranna pst. 4, near the Tervise Paradiis spa, where a day ticket costs €5.
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BASiCS
HiStOrY BASiCS
Basic data
Climate
From key Hanseatic trading town to booming health resort, here’s Pärnu’s story:
Pärnu
Though the ‘Summer Capital’ is usually sunny throughout the beach season, nights can still get chilly and thunderstorms can appear out of nowhere. For current conditions and a live picture of downtown Pärnu, see www.weather.ee/parnu.
Ancient times
Population: 42,036 (as of January 01, 2013) Density: 1,304 inhabitants/km2 Ethnic composition: Estonians 70%, Russians 15%, Ukrainians 1%, Finns 1%, others 13%
Estonia Population: 1,294,455 (as of 12.12.2012) Territory: 45,227km2 Density: 28.6 inhabitants/km2 Ethnic composition: Estonians 68.7%, Russians 24.8%, Ukrainians 1.7%, Others 4.8% Elevation: The highest point in Estonia (and the Baltics) is Suur Munamägi (318m) in Võru County Islands: 1,521. The three largest are Saaremaa 2,673km2, Hiiumaa 1,023km2, and Muhu 206km2 Lakes: Lake Peipsi, on the Russian border, covers an area of 3,555km2, of which 1,529km2 is in Estonia. It also holds the title as the 4th largest lake in Europe. Rivers: Estonia’s longest rivers are the Võhandu 162km, Pärnu 144km and Põltsamaa 135km. Other cities: Tallinn 418,582, Tartu 98,480, Narva 64,057, Kohtla-Järve 37,201. Local time: Estonia is in the Eastern European Time Zone (GMT+2hrs). Summer time (GMT+3hrs) is in effect from the last Sunday of March until the last Sunday of October.
Borders Estonia belongs to the Schengen visa area, which includes 22 EU countries, Norway and Iceland. It means that if you are travelling to Estonia from within the Schengen border controlfree area, you will not be required to show any documentation when you arrive in Estonia, whether it be by ship, plane or by car. In fact you will not have to go through customs at all, but each individual country still maintains the right to perform intermittent checks. Of course if you arrive in Estonia from outside the Schengen zone you will still be required to show your passport or EU identity card if applicable. For more information on Schengen and how it might apply to your trip to Estonia, logon to the Estonian Foreign Ministry’s website at www.vm.ee.
Ethnic groups About 68% of Estonia’s population is made up of ethnic Estonians, descendents of Finno-Ugric tribes that settled this area about 5,000 years ago. The largest minority in today’s Estonia is by far the Russians, at roughly 26% of the national population. Along with Ukrainians and Byelorussians, thousands of Russians moved or were sent here during Soviet times, and chose to remain after independence. Though some integration is taking place among the younger generation, language and cultural barriers tend to keep Estonians and Russian-speakers apart.
Language Confused? Join the crowd. Estonian is completely unrelated to Russian, Latvian, Swedish, German or any other IndoEuropean tongue. Along with Finnish and Hungarian, Estonian belongs to the Finno-Ugric group of languages, thought to have originated somewhere beyond the Urals thousands of years ago. Luckily, the younger generation and those in the tourist industry speak English. You can find some of the more essential words and phrases on the opposite page.
Pärnu In Your Pocket
Around 9,000 BC, Mesolithic nomads leave the earliest known traces of human settlement in Estonia in what is now Pulli, a village near present-day Pärnu. The ancestors of the modern Estonians, however, are believed to have arrived in this area around 3,000 BC.
11th Century
In 1030 Kievan Rus’ expands into areas inhabited by FinnoUgric peoples, including what is now Estonia and northwest Russia.
12th Century
Arab cartographer al-Idrisi marks Pärnu on his map, the first mention of the town in historic records.
13th Century
Money In 2011 Estonia joined the common European currency, good news for all of the tourists who visit Estonia from countries that already use the Euro. If you happen to come from a country that does not use the Euro, it should also be easier to change your money before you arrive as most banks around the world stock this currency. Standard Euro denominations are legal tender, however you may find it difficult to pay with any bills over 50. All ATMs operate on international systems. Credit cards are easy to use - major hotels, most restaurants and a pretty much all downtown shops accept Visa, Mastercard and EC. American Express, Globus and Diner’s Club are less common.
Free internet for all By now most have heard that Estonia is indeed a pretty tech-savy country. In fact much of the country is blanketed in WiFi or wireless internet hotspots. From longdistance buses to cafeś, pubs and even some shops and public areas - WIFI is everywhere. For foreigners visiting Pärnu this means you’ll be able to check e-mails, Skype with friends back home or share photos on Facebook using your Android phone, iPhone or Blackberry - free of charge. Just look for the orange and black WiFi sign and you’re good to go. In Estonia, WiFi information including WiFi locations is provided by www.WiFi.ee.
Making the call Calling numbers in Estonia The rule in Estonia is
this: just dial. Within the country there are absolutely no codes to add, even when you’re calling from a mobile phone to a land line, or vice-versa. Read the number and dial. Easy. Roaming If you’ve brought your mobile in from abroad and want to call a number in Estonia, you may have to dial Estonia’s country code, +372, before continuing with the rest of the number. International calls To call Estonia from abroad, dial your country’s international access code, then Estonia’s country code, +372, then the number. To phone abroad from Estonia, dial ‘00’ then the country code and number.
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After the Pope calls for a crusade against the pagans around the Baltic sea, the German order of the Knights of the Sword begins conquering and Christianising Latvia and Estonia. Meanwhile, King Voldemar II of Denmark takes the stronghold of the north Estonian Rävala people, now Tallinn, as a base for his forces in 1219. Soon the region is divided into bishoprics with Ethnic Estonians reduced to the status of serfs. Though a permanent settlement is known to have existed in Pärnu since 1227, Old Pärnu (Perona) was founded in 1251 by Bishop Henrik, who was granted permission to build a cathedral there. In 1265 New Pärnu is issued a city charter and subsequently joins the Hanseatic League, becoming a significant link in international commerce.
14th Century
Peasants stage the widespread St. George’s Night uprising of 1343, which ultimately fails. Two years later, the Danish King sells Estonia to the German knights.
16th Century
Sweden gains control over most of Estonia in the Livonian War (1558-1583).
17th Century
Denmark cedes the island of Saaremaa to Sweden in 1645, uniting Estonia under a single force for the first time. During the Northern War, Tartu University, which opened in 1632, is relocated to Pärnu, operating here from 1699 to 1710.
18th Century
Sweden battles Russia, Denmark and Poland in the Great Northern War (1700-1721), losing Estonia to Russia in 1710. Two-hundred years of tsarist rule follow.
19th Century
During the latter half of the century, literacy and a sense of national awareness spreads among the Estonian peasants. Perno Postimees is launched in 1857. It is now the oldest paper still printed in Estonia. The Endla Song and Theatre Association, forerunner of today’s Endla Theatre, is founded in Pärnu in 1875. Pärnu’s first spa opens in 1838 and as early as 1889 the city is consciously developing into a resort, a process helped by the discovery of curative sea and peat mud in the area.
20th Century
Estonia takes advantage of the chaos in Russia caused by WWI and the Bolshevik Revolution, declaring independence on February 24, 1918. German troops march in immediately, to be pushed out by Red forces in November. The Estonian
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War for Independence begins, ending with the Tartu Peace Treaty, signed February 2, 1920. Pärnu undergoes a building boom in the 1930s as its popularity as a resort town surges. Two decades of independent statehood come to an end however when, on June 16, 1940, the USSR accuses the Baltic states of aggression and demands the right to occupy. Estonia is officially incorporated into the Soviet Union on August 6. Nazi troops take Estonia at the end of 1941 but by the end of September, 1944, Soviet rule has returned.
Independence and beyond
During the Singing Revolution in the summer of 1988 Estonians rally around growing calls for autonomy from Moscow. On March 25, 1990, the Estonian Communist Party declares independence from the central party. During the failed Moscow coup on August 20, 1991, Estonia declares independence, and is recognised by most nations, including Russia, immediately. Locals immediately set about brushing off the dust from the collapsed USSR, and a decade and a half of development and investment gradually returns Pärnu to its status as an international resort.
Key phrases Hello Goodbye Please Thank you Excuse me Yes No Zero One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten Hundred Thousand Push (on a door) Pull (on a door) How much does ... cost? Bon appetit! One beer, please! Cheers! Will you marry me?
Tere Head aega Palun Aitäh Vabandust Jah Ei Null Üks Kaks Kolm Neli Viis Kuus Seitse Kaheksa Üheksa Kümme Sada Tuhat Lükka Tõmba Kui palju maksab... Head isu! Palun, üks õlu! Terviseks! Kas sa abielluks minuga?
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CULtUre & eVeNtS For a town its size, Pärnu has a lot happening on the cultural front - particularly in summer when festivals cater to the thousands of visitors that flock here
Main events Estonian Line Dance Festival June 15 - 16, Rüütli
street, Nooruse Maja and Vallikäär meadow, www. estonianlinedance.com. Put on your Stetson, riding boots and giddyup! The festival actually holds the Guinness World Record for ‘World’s Longest Silent Line Dance’, so if anyone talks they’re disqualified. For this summer’s line dance extravaganza, participants wearing skirts and pants from all over the Baltic region have been invited, let’s wish them luck and a big howdeeee.
Watergate - Pärnu Water Festival June 21 - 22, Vallikäär meadow and around town, www.watergate. ee. The town’s wettest festival combines all sorts of waterrelated activity with shows, contests and concerts. This year’s musical headliners are Ewert & The Two Dragons (Estonia) and Brainstorm (Latvia). Pärnu Sailing Week, which starts June 14, acts as this event’s pre-festival, putting on boat races, exhibitions and more.
Midsummer Day June 22, Pärnu Keskus (B-1) and Port Artur (B-2), www.parnukeskus.ee, www.portartur.ee. The event is inspired by old traditions that come with celebrating midsummer’s eve. This means good music, fun activities, childrens play area and delicious grill. A marketplace featuring Estonian crafts and foods will be open for the rest of the summer. 27th Pärnu Film Festival July 1 - 7, Museum of New
Art, www.chaplin.ee/filmfestival. What started out as a small, local event has grown through the years into a major documentary and anthropology film festival that brings together amateur cinematographers and enthusiasts from around the world. The seemingly endless list of films can be found on the centre’s website, listed above.
A Bow to Valgre July 5 - 6, Am-
mende Villa garden and various locations around town, w w w. kummardusvalgrele.ee. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Pärnu native Raimond Valgre (1913 - 1949), a composer who holds a special place in the hearts of Estonians and Finns alike. The tribute will include renditions of his timeless music by well-known Estonian singers. A connected event called Pärnu Ballad (July 4 - 6) will focus on Valgre’s work, offering concerts in different venues and a grand competition concert. See also www.valgre.ee.
Summer Aria 2013 July 10 - August 10, Pärnu Old City Courtyard, www.ooper.parnu.ee. A mix of classic opera favourites by the likes of Claudio Monteverdi and innovative sounds from today’s composers feature in this one-of-a-
Where to get tickets Tickets for most concerts listed here are sold in the Pärnu Concert box office at Pärnu Keskus shopping centre, Aida 7, tel. 445 96 77. Open 10:00 - 20:00, Sun 10:00 - 18:00. Piletimaailm (www.piletimaailm.com) and Piletilevi (www. piletilevi.ee) agencies at the same location sell tickets to festivals and other major events. Piletilevi tickets are also sold in Statoil stations and Selver supermarkets.
Pärnu In Your Pocket
CULtUre & eVeNtS
kind, open-air music festival where performances last but one fleeting hour. The mystical atmosphere of the Old City Courtyard is another bonus. See website for more information and the programme.
Pärnu Blues Days 2013 July 29 - August 3, Various concert venues around town, http://bluusipaevad.parnublues. ee/. Tallinn has its successful jazz events and that made Pärnu feel kind of blue, so a few folks got together to do something about it. Now a well established, annual affair, the Blues Days feature a few international artists and some talented Estonian locals. There will be workshops to help amateurs channel their inner B.B. King and nightly concerts at the yacht club. 16th Pärnu Guild Days August 2 - 3, city centre,
www.maarjamagdaleenagild.ee. Parts of Old Town will be transformed into a giant craft market, thanks to the much-loved Mary-Magdalene Guild. You can also expect a few related spectacles, like dance performances, to keep things spiced up.
Sleepless Night in August August 10, Supeluse
street, Rannapark and various other locations around town, www.augustiunetus.ee. For this one, you’d better put on the coffee pot and forget about getting your beauty rest. Also called ‘Night of the Arts’, this street festival is inspired by Pärnu’s history as a summer resort and will include street music, night cinema, dance and theatre performances and more.
International Pärnu Music Festival Järvi Academy 2013 July 16 - 23, Pärnu Concert Hall, Ammende Villa,
Elisabeth Church, www.parnumusicfestival.ee. Estonia’s best-loved classical music family is the Järvis, a clan made up of 16 talented members and headed by world-renowned conductor Neeme Järvi. They and their students from the Järvi Academy will be holding a week’s worth of performances culminating in a grand, final concert by the academy’s Symphony Orchestra.
56th Muhu Väin Regatta July 13 - 20, www.muhuvain.
ee. Started in 1958, the Muhu Väin doubles as the Estonian Open Offshore Sailing Championship and the nation’s oldest sailing regatta. Around 80 yachts typically participate in the race, which starts off in Haapsalu and makes several stops before finishing in Kuressaare. The group should arrive in Pärnu on July 16, with a Pärnu Fleet Race scheduled for July 17. Expect much yachting buzz and port events around the Pärnu Yacht Club.
Get medieval Pärnu Hanseatic Days
June 28 - 30, Vallikäär meadow, http://hansa.parnu.ee. Pärnu In Your Pocket is proud to be the official city guide of this festival: One of the favourite events of Pärnu’s summer season and a must for history fans, this elaborate, medieval-themed fair will transform part of the city into a hectic, Hanseaticera market for three days. In addition to the trade, there will be performances on three stages, competitions and even a poultry and livestock fair that will include a ‘most beautiful rooster’ contest. This year’s themes are ‘Back to our Roots’ and ‘Back to the Stones’, so be prepared to do some digging.
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(Belarus), “Stary Olsa” (Belarus). 23.00 Medieval theatre, “DiGrease’s Buffoon Theatre” fire performance (Belarus)
27 June
Back to our roots! Back to stones!
14.00 and 17.00 “Harala life stories” Pärnu Folk Theatre, City Center Square 19.00 Opening of Summer Cup International Soccer Tournament
28 June
12.00 Medieval processional walk 12.30 Hanseatic Days Festival opening ceremony, Munamägi medieval stage Medieval Stage 13.00 “Orient Accident Trio” ensemble (Tallinn) 14.00 “Livoonia” ensemble (Pärnu) 15.00 “Patrask” ensemble” (Sweden) http://www.patrast.net 16.00 “Saltatriculi” ensemble (Tartu) http://saltatriculi. weebly.com 17.00 “Orient Accident Trio” ensemble (Tallinn) 18.00 Medieval Theatre, “DiGrease’s Buffoon Theatre” (Belarus) 19.00 “Patrask” ensemble (Sweden) 20.00 “Saltatriculi” ensemble (Tartu) Water Stage 13.30 Dudeldrum (Belarus) 14.30 “DiGrease’s Buffoon Theatre”, Belarus Medieval Theatre 15.30 Musical recorder workshop 16.30 Shakepeare’s stories, Pärnu Kunstide Maja 17.30 “Patrask” ensemble (Sweden) 18.30 “Orient Accident Trio” ensemble (Tallinn) 20.30 “Dudeldrum” ensemble (Belarus) 23.00 Medieval processional walk with guide and Pärnu Folk Theatre Heritage Stage 14.00 Folklore group, “Kaasike”, Raeküla Society 15.00 Ingrian Finns folklore group 17.00 Folklore group, “Salme Women”, Tori 18.00 Kihnu boys ensemble 19.00 RTA Kajakas “Estonian Wedding” 13.00-20.00 Open medieval market at Muna Hill parks, handcrafts fair held at Vallikääru’s meadow and a bird and animal fair will be held at Vallikääru’s stage. Workshops. 13.00-23.00 Viking Village at Munamägi park. Knight’s tournament. Bow and axe tournament behind Tallinn’s gate.
29 June
Medieval Stage 10.00 Pärnu handbell studio 11.00 Hansa workshop – musical recorder 12.00 Pärnu handbell studio 13.00 Patrask (Sweden) 14.00 Livoonia ensemble (Pärnu) 15.00 “Stary Olsa” (Belarus) http://www.staryolsa.com/ 16.00 Medieval theatre “DiGreases’s Buffoon Theatre” (Belarus) http://medievalbelarus.org/ 17.00 Music of Silence (Tartu) http://katoliku.edu.ee/et/ node/67 18.00 “Dudeldrum” (Belarus) 19.00 “Stary Olsa” 20.00 Livoonia ensemble (Pärnu) 21.00 “Medieval strength and gentleness” joint concert, “Livoonia” (Pärnu), “Patrask” (Sweden), “Dudeldr um”
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Water Stage 10.30 Music of Silence (Tartu) 11.30 “Patrask” (Sweden) 12.30 “Dudeldrum” (Sweden) 13.30 Shakespeare’s collected works. Pärnu Kunstide maja. 14.30 Music of Silence (Tartu) 15.30 Hansa workshop – Musical recorder 16.30 Olavi Kõrre and CQ 17.30 “Dudeldrum” (Belarus) 18.30 “Livoonia” ensemble (Pärnu) 22.00 Medieval processional walk with guide and Pärnu Folk Theatre Heritage Stage 10.00 Märjamaa borough Community Center 11.00 Helsinki parish dancers and musicians (Vantaa, Finland); Senior’s dance group, (Enonkoski, Finland) 12.00 “Kevade”, folk dance group (Audru); “Räämakad” seniors’ folk dance group, (Pärnu) 13.00 Harmonica Festival, collection of best selections from the competition 14.00 SelJanKa and Selja song society ensembles 15.00 O. Kõrrevic Orchestra 16.00 Harmonica Festival bellows 17.00 “Sudaruski” dance ensemble 18.00 Pärnu Ukraine society 19.00 “Greip” ensemble 13.00-20.00 Open medieval market at Munamägi parks, handcrafts fair held at Vallikääru’s meadow and a bird and animal fair will be held at Vallikääru’s stage. Workshops. 10.00-23.00 Viking Village at Munamägi park. Knight’s tournament. Bow and axe tournament behind Tallinn’s gate.
30 June
Medieval Stage 11.00 Hansa workshop – musical recorder 12.00 “Dudeldrum” (Belarus) 13.00 “Stary Olsa” (Belarus) 14.00 “Dudeldrum” (Belarus) 15.00 “Stary Olsa” (Belarus) Water Stage 10.30 Hansa workshop – musical recorder 11.30 Olavi Kõrre and CQ 12.30 Medieval theatre, “DiGrease’s Buffoon Theatre” (Belarus) Heritage Stage 11.00 “Honeybees” folklore group 13.00 Mandolin orchestra 13.30 O. Kõrre and girls 14.00 “Happiness came to our garden” bugle choir 15.00 “Pärnu boys” bellows ensemble June 28-29 19.00 o’clock “Dudeldrum” will perform at Wasa Hotel’s garden June 28 Hansa Party at Kuursaal Restaurant/Bar, Mere puiestee 22, Pärnu Open medieval market at Munamägi parks, handicrafts fair held at Vallikääru’s meadow and a bird and animal fair will be held at Vallikääru’s stage. Workshops. Viking Village at Munamägi park. Bow and axe tournament behind Tallinn’s gate. Animal village. Museum village. Workshops. Pärnu Hanseatic days festival is free to all visitors and guests.
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CULtUre & eVeNtS Theatres/Concert halls Agape Centre/Estonian Methodist Church E-2,
Männi 2, tel. (+372) 445 98 88/(+372) 53 40 20 01, fax (+372) 445 98 99, www.agapekeskus.ee. The church has an active congregation and a lively cultural centre, often hosting summer performances.
Eliisabeti Church B-2, Nikolai 22, tel. (+372) 443 13
Art galleries City Gallery (Linnagalerii) B-1, Uus 4, tel. (+372)
443 64 33,
[email protected], linnagalerii.parnu.ee. Intriguing paintings and installations on the second floor of the Town Hall. Drop by to see what Estonia’s newest generation of artists is up to. May 08 - June 15: Pärnu Moodne Kunst; June 19 - July 20: Sirje Eelma & Rait Prääts; July 24 - August 17: Bruno Sõmeri 90; August 21 - September 14: Association KORV. See website for further exhibitons. QOpen 11:00 - 17:00, Sat 11:00 - 14:00. Closed Mon, Sun. J
Museum of New Art (Chaplin Centre) B-3, Esplanaadi 10, tel. (+372) 443 07 72,
[email protected], www.chaplin.ee. Originally named for the famous silent film star Charlie Chaplin, this cultural centre in a former Communist Party headquarters is a large venue teeming with activity. Apart from being home to the Museum of New Art itself, the centre includes a tiny lobby café and art shop. Through May 30: Anu Raud; June 02 - September 02: 20th International nude art show ‘Man & Woman’; September 05 - October 13: International self-portrait exhibition. QOpen 09:00 - 19:00. In summer open daily 09:00 - 21:00. Admission €1.60. J Pärnu Artists’ House Gallery B-3, Nikolai 27, tel.
(+372) 443 64 33,
[email protected], linnagalerii. parnu.ee. Several artists’ studios and a gallery make their home in this 1930s house. Through May 25: Donna Riddington; May 29 - June 29: Tiina Lehtimäki (FIN); July 06 - 27: IN Graafika; July 31 - August 24: Paavo Käämbe; August 28 - September 21: Janno Bergmann. See website for further exhibitons. QOpen 11:00 - 17:00, Sat 11:00 - 14:00. Closed Mon, Sun. J
Theatre Gallery A-2, Keskväljak 1, tel. (+372) 442 06
67,
[email protected], www.endla.ee. The same downtown building that houses the town’s largest drama theatre is also home to an art exhibition space. Works are displayed in one large hall, which is only open to theatre visitors when performances are on, as well as in some of the corridors.
Art/Craft Guild Maarja-Magdaleena Gild B-2, Uus 5, tel. +372 447 19 01, www.maarjamagdaleenagild.ee. If you’re looking for a cultural experience with some shopping opportunities thrown in, head to the Maarja-Magdaleena Gild in Old Town. Following the time-honoured traditions of craft guilds, this inviting collection of open studios is where over 20 artists create and sell their wares. You can watch them at work and enter into deep, philosophical conversations about where they get their inspiration. The guild also gives you the chance to try your own hand at craftmaking, and even has a music room where concerts involving traditional Estonian instruments are held. QOpen 11:00 - 18:00, Sat 11:00 - 15:00. Closed Mon, Sun. Pärnu In Your Pocket
81,
[email protected], www.eliisabet.ee. This historic, 18th-century church is also one of Pärnu’s favoured concert venues, and the interior makes it an unforgettable place to hear music.
Endla Theatre A-2, Keskväljak 1, tel. (+372) 442 06
66/(+372) 442 06 67,
[email protected], www.endla. ee. The town’s renowned and respected theatre, Endla is a prime venue for all kinds of cultural happenings. The theatre also houses a popular café and an art gallery. Q Ticket office open Mon - Fri 12:00 - 19:00, Sat - Sun 1 hour before show.
Nooruse Maja Cultural Centre E-2, Roheline 1b, tel. (+372) 445 00 70/(+372) 514 37 26, info@ noorusemaja.ee, www.noorusemaja.ee. The centre is home to a number of groups - everything from Estonian folk troupes to American-style country line dancers. Pärnu Concert Hall B-1, Aida 4, tel. (+372) 445 58
00,
[email protected], www.concert.ee/parnu. By far the town’s largest event venue, this ultra-modern structure on the banks of the river was built in late 2002 and has hosted many internationally-known acts. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 16:00, Sun 1 hour before show. Box office also at: B-1, Pärnu Keskus shopping centre, Aida 7, tel. 445 96 77. Open 10:00 - 20:00, Sat 10:00 18:00, Sun 10:00 - 16:00. J
Pärnu Old City Courtyard (Vanalinna õu) B-2, Nikolai 26 / Pühavaimu 19, www.ooper.parnu.ee. This space between two historic buildings sometimes serves as a venue for outdoor events. Q J Pärnu Town Hall (Raekoda) B-2, Nikolai 3/Uus 4, tel. (+372) 442 67 80. An elegant setting for classical music, the Town Hall will host concerts and other performances for all kinds of festivals throughout the summer. Q J Tervis Spa Culture Centre F-4, Seedri 6, tel. (+372) 445 03 50,
[email protected], www.spatervis.ee/ meelelahutuskeskuset. Not only does the spa take care of the well-being of its guests, but also of their spare time. Every night in the entertainment centre is filled with activities to keep one active, including dancing and various fun games. In addition, they also organise theme days, concerts and special exhibitions. QOpen 19.00 - 23.00.
Like most towns in Estonia, Pärnu has its fair share of traditional hotels, but a large part of the accommodation market is also filled by spa-hotels, which offer rooms with or without treatment, and by smaller villas and guesthouses. No matter what kind of accommodation you’re looking for, keep in mind that Pärnu is a very seasonal destination and rooms for the summer months get booked up well in advance. Prices listed here are for the summer high season, and include VAT and breakfast, unless otherwise indicated. Off-season prices tend to be about 20% lower than those listed here.
Symbol key
Upmarket
P Air conditioning 6 Pets allowed hhh Star rating (optional) W WiFi connection
Alex Maja B-2, Kuninga 20, tel. (+372) 446 18 66, fax
(+372) 446 18 67,
[email protected], www.alexmaja. ee. Every one of the beautiful rooms and apartments at the Alex Maja are done up in a cheerful, old-fashioned style with just the right furnishings and artistic touches to give them a modern edge. Here you’ll always find enough room to stretch out - even the doubles are biggish. Look for things like fireplaces, saunas and spiral staircases in some suites and apartments. The location, in a little courtyard in the middle of downtown, is also a major plus. Q9 rooms (singles €44 - 76, doubles €79 - 98, suites €89 - 169, penthouse €98 - 149). Children under 6 stay and eat breakfast free. Extra bed €19 - 23, pets €12. JH6ILGKDW
Ammende Villa A-3, Mere pst. 7, tel. (+372) 447 38 88, fax (+372) 447 38 87,
[email protected], www.ammende.ee. Winner of the prestigious Seven Stars and Stripes award, and by far the most luxurious accommodation in Pärnu, Ammende Villa makes its home in a historic, Art-Nouveau mansion surrounded by gardens and fountains. Each of the rooms in the 1905-era house has a personality of its own and comes furnished with antiques of that period. Those in the ‘gardener’s house’ out back are a bit bigger and have bathtubs. Look for the schedule of classical performances, which are often held in the garden or the salon in summer. Q18 rooms (singles €120, doubles €179, suites €243 - 396). Extra bed €28. PJHRILGKW Emmi H-3, Laine 2, tel. (+372) 447 64 44, fax (+372)
447 64 45,
[email protected], www.emmi.ee. More than just a place to stay, this super-modern facility offers health treatment packages, conference facilities, and a sunny restaurant with a huge terrace. Of course, as a place to stay it works too - rooms are immaculate and even come with satellite TV. Staff will arrange a bus to make the 3km journey to the centre of town. Q36 rooms (singles €42 60, doubles €62 - 74, suites €76 - 82). Extra bed €17 - 20. HLKDwW hhh
N Payment in cash only
H Conference facilities
U Facilities for disabled
R LAN connection
L Guarded parking
F Fitness centre
G Non-smoking rooms
K Restaurant
O Casino
D Sauna
C Swimming pool
I Fireplace
Hotell Pärnu C-2, Rüütli 44, tel. (+372) 447 89 11, fax (+372) 447 89 05,
[email protected], www. hotelparnu.com. Big, central and professionally run, this fullservice hotel offers fresh, pleasant rooms (all with balconies!) and helpful services like a beauty parlour, conference rooms and a respectable restaurant. But where it really stands out is with the thoughtful extras like free use of the sauna and gym in the mornings. All rooms were totally refurbished in late 2012. Book one the ‘premium’ ones on the town side for a picture postcard view of the old centre. Q80 rooms (singles €70 - 109, doubles €75 - 116, triples €107 - 148, suites €125 - 185, family room €109 - 145). Extra bed €32, pets €25. PZJHR6UFGKDwW Inge Villa C-4, Kaarli 20, tel. (+372) 443 85 10/(+372) 518 37 81, fax (+372) 443 85 56,
[email protected], www.ingevilla.ee. Renovated and updated by new Swedish owners from 2006 - 2012, this stylish 1931-era villa near the beach aims at providing a higher standard of accommodation than its summer capital rivals. Management can provide services like bus station pick-ups and city tours, but in-house niceties like the cosy living room café/bar and the sauna are just as welcoming. Rooms have sleek, modern furnishings. Q11 rooms (singles €47 - 75, doubles €59 - 93, suites €72 - 107). Extra bed €16 - 19. H6IGDW Kapten M. Kurgo Villa B-4, Papli 13, tel. (+372) 442
57 36, fax (+372) 442 57 66,
[email protected], www.kurgovilla.ee. Sea captains must be obsessed with comfort whenever they’re back on terra firma - at least that’s the impression one gets looking at this villa’s six modern, fully-outfitted and roomy suites. The five split-level twin rooms in the ‘garden house’ are simpler and less expensive, but nonetheless inviting with their wooden interior. Be sure to check out the sauna and the very decent café on site. Q11 rooms (singles €38 - 66, doubles €55 - 86, suites €67 - 114). Extra bed €17 - 21, pets €8. PH6GKDW
www.inyourpocket.com Cinema Mai Cinema H-4, Papiniidu 50, tel. (+372) 511 01
00/(+372) 443 94 51,
[email protected], www. maikino.ee. Pärnu’s only active cinema has one screen and shows a mix of cultural and Hollywood films. Tickets are a mere €3 to 4. Q See website for program.
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Contemporary hotel and restaurant for business and leisure travellers with excellent location in the very heart of Pärnu. Rüütli 44, Pärnu, ph. +372 447 8911
[email protected], www. hotelparnu.com
Koidulapark Hotel B-2, Kuninga 38, tel. (+372) 447 70
30/(+372) 447 70 32, fax (+372) 447 70 33, reception@ koidulaparkhotell.ee, www.koidulaparkhotell.ee. Named for the downtown park that it overlooks, this friendly, 1905-era hotel provides very decent accommodation as well as a great, central location. Prints by classic Estonian artists like Arrak and Wiiralt decorate much of the hotel, which is done up in a pleasant, mint-green. Look for a courtyard café to be operating in summer. Open April - December. Q39 rooms (singles €37 - 63, doubles €57 - 86, suites €109 - 121, family room €89 - 128). Extra bed €16, pets €9. ZJH6ULGKW
Rannahotell B-4, Ranna pst. 5, tel. (+372) 443 29
50, fax (+372) 443 29 18,
[email protected], www.rannahotell.ee. Not just a high-quality seaside hotel, Rannahotell is also an architectural treasure. Dating back to 1937, this striking example of Estonian functionalism has been fully restored and shines in all its original splendour. The hotel makes the most of its beachfront location by offering sea-facing rooms with balconies. Guests can have drinks and catch some sun on the restaurant’s wide terrace or just pack up their lotion and head for the sand. Q62 rooms (singles €45 - 88, doubles €112 - 127, triples €137 - 148, suites €109 - 540). Extra bed €25, pets €13. HUFLGKDwW
Victoria Hotell B-2, Kuninga 25, tel. (+372) 444
34 12, fax (+372) 444 34 15,
[email protected], www.victoriahotel.ee. Dating back to 1926, the Victoria is a welcoming, grand old structure with curving walls, lacy windowpanes and, we discovered, possibly the friendliest service in Estonia. Renovation in the 1990s has restored its pre-war elegance, and the classical furnishings in its lobby café keep it on the stylish side. Not just content to provide classy accommodation, the hotel offers all sorts of interesting thematic packages such a role-playing mystery game, which can be arranged in advance for groups. Q23 rooms (singles €55 - 70, doubles €75 - 95, suites €90 - 110). Extra bed €20, pets €16 - 22. J6GKDW
Villa Wesset B-3, Supeluse 26, tel. (+372) 697 25 00,
fax (+372) 697 25 01,
[email protected], www.wesset. ee. Swank and jazzy, like something out of a 1930s film, this historic villa oozes class from top to bottom. Opened as a hotel in 2007, it offers comfortably decorated rooms of widely varying layouts, including some with balconies. The modern amenities extend all the way to flat-panel TVs, and there’s a polished, old-fashioned restaurant where you’ll leisurely enjoy your breakfast. Q36 rooms (singles €89, doubles €115, triples €145, suites €145). Extra bed €32. PJHRGKW
St. Peterburg B-2, Hospidali 6, tel. (+372) 443
H
OT
EL
IN THE HEA
RT
Aleksandri Guesthouse E-2, Vana-Rääma 8, tel.
(+372) 443 21 60,
[email protected], www. aleksandripub.ee. This off-beat biker pub north of the river actually runs one of the nicest guesthouses in town. Rooms are sunny and beautifully-furnished, while stairways are decorated with framed ads from Pärnu’s tattoo festivals of old. If the interior is a bit too fancy, just lock your motorcycle in the garage and check into one of the simple cabins out back. Q17 rooms (doubles €55 - 65). Camping cabins: 15 for 2 people (€40), 3 for 4 people (€90), 4 for 3 people (€67). 6ILGDW
Kuninga 38 Pärnu +372 447 7030 www.koidulaparkhotell.ee
Pärnu In Your Pocket
Aisa B&B C-3, Aisa 4a, tel. (+372) 504 25 02/ (+372) 56 65 51 66,
[email protected], www. aisamajutus.ee. Not to be confused with the Aisa Hotel, this family-run establishment on a quiet street near the centre is a sparklingly modern affair. Rooms are decorated in a soothing, light wood style, each with its own TV, shower and WC. A few historic touches have been left in the older part of the house. Q 10 rooms (singles €26 - 48, doubles €30 - 55, family room €40 - 70). Extra bed €13. PJLNGW Aisa Hotell G-3, Aisa 39, tel. (+372) 443 80 44, fax (+372) 442 58 66,
[email protected], www.aisa.ee. This little hotel set back from one of Pärnu’s residential streets has made great strides in modernising its interior of late, but thankfully management has kept the billiards table that graces the lobby area. Aisa’s rooms have been completely refurbished with modern fixtures and hardwood floors. One suite even has a sauna and jacuzzi. Q32 rooms (singles €39 - 55, doubles €45 - 70, triples €60 - 85, quads €78 - 115, suites €84 - 145). Extra bed €15. GDW
ÄRNU FP O
STYLIS H
05 55/(+372) 56 65 80 00, fax (+372) 443 05 56,
[email protected], www.seegimaja.ee. Bringing a bit of the Tsarist 18th century in the heart of Pärnu, the St. Peterburg treats its guests to a stylish, old-fashioned ambience. Hallways and rooms here are decorated in a theatrically historic style, with a heavy emphasis on heavy wood, and the helpful staff even wear period costume. Guests should be sure to check out the hotel’s restaurant, wine cellar and sauna. Q54 rooms (singles €83, doubles €98, suites €160 - 224, family room €127). Extra bed €28. JH6UILGKDW hhh
Mid-range
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Astra C-4, Tammsaare pst. 24b, tel. (+372) 445 55 00, fax (+372) 445 55 01,
[email protected], www.astra. ee. Astra is a small but thoroughly modern purpose-built hotel offering nicely furnished, powder-blue rooms and a decent number of ammenities. Aside from the saunas (one infra-red, one wood-buring), there’s a large, colourful café and a nearby beauty salon. In-room plusses are heated floor tiles, satellite TV and wireless internet. Q23 rooms (singles €44 - 80, doubles €52 - 95, suites €108 - 146). Extra bed €20. LGKDW Bristol B-1, Rüütli 45, tel. (+372) 445 69 69, info@ bristol-parnu.com, www.bristol-parnu.com. Young folks who want to be in the middle of the Pärnu party action will love this newly fixed-up, old-fashioned hotel built over the Cocoloco karaoke bar. The Rüütli street location is hard to beat for convenience, though families should request a room on the quieter side. Reception is open only during the day, so call ahead if you’re arriving late. Q18 rooms (singles €44, doubles €51). Extra bed €15, breakfast €8. PJFW Carolina A-2, Ringi 54b, tel./fax (+372) 442 04 40,
[email protected], www.carolina.ee. The spiffy-looking Carolina makes its home in one of the super-modern buildings near Pärnu College and the yacht harbour. Rooms are spacious and fully outfitted, and the reception offers currency exchange. Q25 rooms (singles €32 - 58, doubles €52 - 77, suites €103 - 179, family room €64 - 103). Extra bed €20 - 23, pets €10. ZJ6GW
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Delfine B-3, Supeluse 22, tel. (+372) 442 69 00, fax (+372) 442 69 01,
[email protected], www.delfine.ee. Delfine offers cool, stylish rooms with that just-made look, some of which are specially set up for disabled guests. A strong feeling of 1930s extravagance is created by this hotel’s dark marble and dolphin statue lamps. Pop downstairs for a massage in the beauty salon, try out their restaurant, Black Pearl (Must Pärl), or just head to the beach, a quick walk down the street. Q26 rooms (singles €43 - 70, doubles €65 - 90, suites €113 - 125, family room €100 - 125). Extra bed €32. PJHULGKDW hhh
Apartment rental
Green Villa B&B B-3, Vee 21, tel./fax (+372) 443 60 40,
Ektornet Apartments B-1, Aida 5, tel. (+372) 528 22
tel. (+372) 56 46 72 73,
[email protected], www.greenvilla. ee. This is Green with a capital ‘G’, as one look at the vibrant exterior paintjob will tell you. The historic interior is equally stunning with fireplaces, original hardwood floors and a general early-20th-century feel. Note that ‘suites’ here are rooms with their own shower and fridge, whereas the smaller rooms share. Families will like the fact that there’s a guest kitchen, laundry and ironing facilities. Q17 rooms (singles €40 - 69, doubles €60 - 86, triples €80 - 108, apartments €106 - 142, family room €99 - 135). Extra bed €20, pets €10. JR6INGDW
Hansalinn B-2, Malmö 15, tel. (+372) 444 74 00/ (+372) 444 74 02,
[email protected], www.hansalinn. ee. Hanseatic comfort is what it’s all about in this cheerful, theatrically-decorated hotel. Each of its ten rooms is named for a different city in the Medieval Hanseatic League, and most overlook a quaint, old courtyard. Guests get a 10% discount in the restaurant downstairs. Q10 rooms (singles €39 - 67, doubles €49 - 104, suites €79 - 124). Extra bed €24, pets €10. J6ILGKDW Hommiku Hostel & Guesthouse B-2, Hommiku 17,
tel. (+372) 445 11 22, fax (+372) 445 57 45, admin@ hommikuhostel.ee, www.hommikuhostel.ee. Don’t let the ‘hostel’ part of the name fool you. Hommiku resembles a tiny hotel, where each and every cushy room comes with its own shower/WC, TV and all of them (except the singles) even has its own little kitchen. The location, right smack dab in the centre of Old Town, is hard to beat. Q23 rooms (singles €39, doubles €58, triples €77, quads €90). Extra bed €13, pets €10. Breakfast €4. PJR6LGKW
Jahtklubi Guesthouse A-2, Lootsi 6, tel. (+372) 447
17 40, fax (+372) 447 17 52, kylalistemaja@jahtklubi. ee, www.jahtklubi.ee. Ahoy! Remodelled in 2010, the Jacht Club Guesthouse has a definite nautical feel, but you don`t have to be an old sea hand to stay here. The rooms come with a common terrace that overlooks the river, and this summer the large front courtyard will host a series of jazz and blues concerts. Q18 rooms (singles €45 - 55, doubles €65 - 95, suites €105 - 120). Extra bed €22, pets €15. H6ILGKDW
Pärnu In Your Pocket
Acacia Villa C-2, Karja 5, tel. (+372) 56 47 71 37,
[email protected], www.acaciavilla.eu. Small groups looking for a luxury stay can book into this beautiful and historic 1930s era, functional-style villa. It offers two deluxe apartments, each with three bedrooms. In the romantic garden there’s even a heated, outdoor swimming pool - a rare find in the Baltics. Q (apartments €135 - 325). Extra bed €32. Breakfast not included. JILGCW 88,
[email protected], www.aida5.ee/en. These super-new apartments make their home in a futuristic, eight-storey building in the rapidly-developing commercial/ cultural area on downtown’s northern edge. Apart from luxury furnishings and that just-made feel, all the apartments have built-in saunas and balconies with great views. Q J
Elupuu Apartments E-2/3, Tallinna mnt. 14a, tel.
(+372) 445 73 47/(+372) 552 19 10, info@elupuu. ee, www.elupuu.ee. The Life Tree hostel north of the river consists of various apartments, which resemble parts of a family home, decked out in an eclectic jumble of furniture. Each has its own fireplace and little kitchen. Guests can use a grill in the yard, and there’s a little bar area in the front room. If you have any special travel or recreational requests the management will also make all the arrangements for you. Q 2 apartments (€46 - 100), breakfast €5. GDW
Frost House B-2, Kuninga 11, tel. (+372) 53 03 04 24, fax (+372) 443 33 44,
[email protected], www.frosthouse.ee. With ultra-chic interiors and plenty of room, these six luxury suites in a historic, Old Town building provide a great option for discerning travellers looking for a step up from the hotels. Some even come with architectural details dating back centuries. All apartments have kitchens, but if you don’t feel like cooking, you can order breakfast brought up from the Viies Villem pub downstairs. Keep your eyes peeled for a new, 7-room boutique hotel, scheduled to open here in summer. Q 6 apartments at €115 - 198/night. Extra bed €32. JLW Seedri Apartments A-3, Seedri 4, tel. (+372) 447 89
11, fax (+372) 447 89 05,
[email protected], www. hotelparnu.com. Owned and operated by the same great folks who bring you the Hotel Pärnu, the ultra modern apartments are just a short walk from the centre and perfect for families who want to spend the week. The list of amenities include large LCD TVs, a full kitchen and four of the apartments have balconies to hang out on in the summer. Q 15 apartments at €90 - 140/night. Breakfast €8. PZLGW
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[email protected], www.kanali.ee. This quiet, family-run affair is virtually hidden on a residential side street, giving it a peaceful, secluded feel. All rooms have their own shower and WC complete with floor heating, though the age of the remodelling varies from room to room, and only some have TVs. Suites come with their own small kitchens. Phone ahead when you’re arriving to pick up your keys. Q20 rooms (doubles €55, apartments €95). Extra bed €13, pets €10. Breakfast €4.. ZH6LNG Karusselli B-3, Karusselli 18, tel. (+372) 444 21 24/
(+372) 507 82 41,
[email protected], www.karusselli. ee. Karuselli combines the friendly, personal touch of a family home with the convenient location of the bigger hotels, and it’s a ten minute walk to both the beach and the town centre. The most sought-after double room comes with a balcony, antique furniture and beds you can just sink into. In summer, guests are treated to breakfast in a specially-built nook in the back garden, also available for picnics. Note that breakfast isn’t served in the off-season. Q6 rooms (singles €22, doubles €38 - 51, triples €48). Pets €6.40. Breakfast not included. J6ILNGD
WHere tO StAY Ranna Villa E-3, Ringi 52, tel. (+372) 445 11 20, fax (+372) 442 57 31,
[email protected], www.rannavilla. ee. The word here is orange. Tucked into a bright, modern building roughly halfway between the harbour and the beach, this fairly new establishment offers spiffy rooms and loads of, yes, orange décor. Family rooms have sofas, and all rooms have cable TV. The facility also has a café, bar and a beauty salon. Q20 rooms (singles €35 - 60, doubles €50 - 80, family room €70 - 105). Extra bed €20. ZR6LGKW Sadama Villa A-2, Sadama 13, tel. (+372) 447 00 08, fax (+372) 443 44 10,
[email protected], www. sadamavilla.ee. As a hotel it may be fairly new, but this villa in Pärnu’s harbour area dates back to 1939, and the management have taken pains to keep hints of that era in the décor. Antique wooden floors and old photos of the town give each room an appropriately historic look. Guests can take advantage of the hairdresser and massage in the same building, or order treatments at the Viiking health resort next door. Q20 rooms (doubles €45 - 90, triples €55 - 115, quads €67 - 135, family room €80 - 149). Extra bed €25. Caravan €15 - 25, tent €15. ZJIGDCW
Laine Guesthouse H-3, Laine 6a, tel. (+372) 443 91 11,
[email protected], www.gh-laine.ee. Set in a smart-looking residential blockhouse, the little rooms at the Laine are completely remodelled and nicely furnished. Each one has its own shower and WC, but only certain rooms have TVs. The look-conscious can take advantage of the beauty salon and solarium in the same building. Well out of the centre. Q25 rooms (singles €31 - 35, doubles €37 - 47, suites €70 - 88, family room €59 - 70). Extra bed €9, pets €10. Breakfast €5. 6GDW
Tulbi B&B C-4, Tulbi 14, tel. (+372) 53 45 24 27,
Legend B-4, Lehe 3, tel. (+372) 442 56 06, fax (+372)
442 57 70,
[email protected], www.legend.ee. A very smart hotel near the beach, Legend is a legend in its own right with its warm, old-fashioned décor and a cheerful colour scheme that will make you feel right at home. Extras include an on-site beauty salon, lobby internet workstation and a summer terrace. Q23 rooms (singles €55 - 70, doubles €75 - 93, family room €99 - 119). Extra bed €22, pets €13. R6ILGDW
(+372) 53 78 63 01,
[email protected], www. hotellvesiroos.com. The Water Lily offers smart, fullyequipped rooms laid out along a sunny, glass-covered corridor and done up in tasteful greens, pinks, oranges and beiges. The magnificent, functionalist-style building enjoys a great location, between downtown and the beach. On top of all that, this is the only hotel in town with an outdoor swimming pool. Q13 rooms (doubles €52 - 84, triples €65 - 97). Extra bed €18, pets €7. JH6ILDW
Promenaadi B-4, Tammsaare pst. 16, tel. (+372) 56 61
Villa Artis B-3, A. Adamsoni 1, tel. (+372) 447 14 80,
76 23,
[email protected], www.promenaadi. net. This irresistably beautiful green villa on a leafy avenue might be the most Pärnu-esque of all local accommodation. Rooms here are decorated in a modern style and each comes with cable TV, fridge and its own shower/WC. Free guarded parking out back. Q4 rooms (doubles €35 - 60, family room €45 - 85). Extra bed €15, pets €10. Breakfast not included. 6LNGW
Caravan park Konse Holiday Village G-2, Suur-Jőe 44a, tel.
(+372) 53 43 50 92, fax (+372) 447 55 61, info@ konse.ee, www.konse.ee. Whether you’re looking for an actual room or just a place to pitch a tent, this newlybuilt guesthouse/caravan park on the banks of the river can accommodate. Rooms are sparsely furnished, but absolutely spotless and most have skylights. Showers/ WCs are shared. 50 - 80 caravan slots are available, along with all the facilities they need. Management can also arrange boat, jet-ski and bike rental. Q32 rooms (doubles €42 - 60, triples €54 - 70, quads €60 - 80, family room €75 - 108). Extra bed €18, pets €10, tent €9 + €2/
Pärnu In Your Pocket
[email protected], www.tulbi.ee. Tucked away on a quiet side-street but still within easy reach of the beach, Tulbi is a relaxing option for those looking for a personal touch. The wooden house encompasses a handful of enormous doubles, all newly renovated and all with their own facilities. Two rooms even have fireplaces. Note that in summer the price includes breakfast. Q7 rooms (doubles €50 - 65, suites €95 - 125, family room €75 - 90). Extra bed €15. INGW
Vesiroos A-2, Esplanaadi 42a, tel. (+372) 443 09 40/
fax (+372) 447 14 82,
[email protected], www.reiser.ee. Rooms in this small, modern-style villa all come with their own showers, TV and internet connections and are cheerfully decorated in light oranges and pinks. The large back garden provides a place for relaxation and recreation. Artis also houses a travel agency and an osteopath, which could be convenient for guests who like to play hard. Q12 rooms (singles €62, doubles €68 - 80, suites €73 - 96). Extra bed €17. Pets €10. ZJ6LGW
Villa Eeden G-3, Rähni 9/Riia mnt 57, tel./fax (+372) 443 62 22,
[email protected], www.inglipuudutus.ee. Just a 10-minute walk from Old Town, this quiet, little hotel offers beautifully-furnished rooms, each done up in an elegant, old-fashioned style but still providing all the modern conveniences. Guests can opt for the ‘eco rooms’ which are slightly smaller. Q16 rooms (singles €45, doubles €50 - 60). Extra bed €20. RLGKW Villa Ene B-3, Auli 10a, tel. (+372) 442 55 32/(+372) 56 21 57 64,
[email protected], www.villaene.ee. Each of the colourfully-painted rooms in this recently-built, residential style establishment has its own outside entrance, WC/ shower and satellite TV. Breakfast isn’t served, but owners have thoughtfully provided fridges and coffee makers, and parnu.inyourpocket.com
the grill patio is open all summer. Your helpful hosts can also arrange bike rental, health packages and massage. Q4 rooms (doubles €30 - 50, triples €40 - 60, quads €45 - 65, family room €50 - 70). Extra bed €15. No breakfast. ZJLNGW
Villa Freven C-2, Kooli 31, tel. (+372) 56 68 65 45,
[email protected], www.freven.ee. It may look like just another well-kept historic residence on a quiet Pärnu street, but Freven actually has a little reception desk in back. Each of the four, comfy rooms has its own TV and shower, and every two share a kitchenette, making this a good choice for families. Take advantage of the fully-equipped backyard grill and wireless internet. You can also rent bicycles here for a small fee. Q8 rooms (doubles €32 - 55). Extra bed €13. No breakfast. JNGW
Villa Johanna A-3, Suvituse 6, tel./fax (+372) 443 83 70,
[email protected], www.villa-johanna. ee. It’s usually booked up far, far in advance, but guests lucky enough to get a space in this little villa can expect a highly frilly and cosy environment. All rooms have been recently renovated, four come with balconies and one with a terrace. Q 13 rooms (singles €40 - 50, doubles €55 - 80, suites €75 - 100). Extra bed €20. ZJUING� DCW Villa Kristina A-3, Suvituse 1, tel. (+372) 442 98 03,
[email protected], www.villakristina.ee. This friendly, family-run establishment offers bright, spotless rooms with wooden furnishings. Each comes with its own WC, shower, TV and fridge. Your hostess is a doctor, and can arrange health therapies if you ask. Q5 rooms (doubles €48, family room €83). Extra bed €12. ZJNGW
Villa Marleen F-4, Seedri 15, tel. (+372) 442 92 87/
(+372) 501 87 05, fax (+372) 447 38 41, as.arinco@ neti.ee, www.marleen.ee. This villa across from the Tervis health complex is split between two houses, but no matter which one you end up in, you`ll get a pleasant and spacious room with hardwood floors. The place even has its own little bar and offers beauty services. Q6 rooms (singles €42, doubles €65, suites €99, apartments €140). Extra bed €16, pets €7. H6LDW
Hostels Aare Hostel E-3, Tallinna mnt. 11, tel. (+372) 443
60 40/(+372) 56 46 72 73,
[email protected], www. greenvilla.ee. Just across the bridge from downtown, this branch of the esteemed Green Villa has rooms done up in a similar frilly, cosy, old-fashioned style, using only natural (non-synthetic) materials. Other than a breakfast buffet room and summer reception, there aren’t any in-house services, but there’s a salon and internet centre in the adjoined building. Q11 rooms (singles €40 - 45, doubles €60, apartments €75 - 95). Pets €10. Breakfast not incuded. PH6LNGDCW
Anette Hostel E-2, Tallinna mnt. 59, tel. (+372) 55 63
01 69,
[email protected], www.hot.ee/hostelanette. It’s possible to walk from the centre to this hostel north of the river, but it’d be quite a hike. Each of the rooms here comes with its own shower/WC and TV, and most are big enough so that beds can be swapped around to make double rooms into triples or quads. The Anette now has a fully functional kitchen and the balcony picnic table looks inviting when weather permits. An internet-connected computer is available in summer. Q4 rooms (doubles €50, triples €75). Extra bed €13. Breakfast €3.20. NGW
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Lőuna Hostel B-2, Lőuna 2, tel. (+372) 443 09 43/
(+372) 56 65 01 30, fax (+372) 443 09 44, hostel@ eliisabet.ee, www.hostellouna.eu. With its downtown location, this hostel offers a fairly good convenience and price combination. The newer, more expensive doubles have their own shower/WC, TV and internet connections, while the cheaper doubles and other upstairs rooms are minimalist and share faciltiies. There’s a kitchen and common room for guests’ use. Note that the sign and entrance are only visible from Akadeemia tn., around the corner. Q17 rooms (singles €15 - 45, doubles €25 - 60, triples €35 - 55, quads €40 - 70, suites €50 - 95, place in dorm €10 - 15). Extra bed €15, pets €6, breakfast €5. JR6GW
Milton Hostel D-1, Tallinna mnt. 93b, tel. (+372) 699
09 10/(+372) 56 86 00 76, fax (+372) 699 09 11,
[email protected]. Bright, modern, spacious rooms with various numbers of beds await you at this budget option. Since it’s about 4km from the centre, on the road to Tallinn, it’s best for those with their own car. Shower/ WC is shared. Note that it may be hard to find. It’s in the courtyard behind Tallinna mnt. 93 - follow the sign pointing to the ‘Washland’ car wash. Q6 rooms (singles €15 - 35, doubles €20 - 45, family room €60 - 90). Extra bed €10 - 15. Breakfast €5. PHDW
Terve Hostel A-2, Ringi 50, tel. (+372) 529 81 68,
[email protected], www.terve.ee. Management prefer to rent out the whole house (hence the approximated price below), but otherwise you can stretch out in this modern, condostyle house and take advantage of its huge, guest kitchen. Double rooms share shower and WC, but all have TVs and WiFi. Be sure to check out the enormous sauna/Jacuzzi room downstairs. Q (doubles €25 - 35, family room €50 - 75). Extra bed €10. No breakfast. JNGDW 2013/2014
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Estonia Medical Spa Hotel 3 hotel buildings, 2 water centres Dead Sea Water Centre – relaxes revitalizes, rejuvenates good for skin and hear.
NEW!
WHere tO StAY Spa Hotels To take advantage of Pärnu’s famous therapeutic activities, you can book into these Spa hotels, typically for a half-week or full week stay. Packages usually include meals and a set number of treatments, as well as medical consultation. The spa hotels also offer accommodation without treatment. In both cases, book early.
Health Centre & Hotel Wasa A-3, Eha 2, tel. (+372) 445 07 50, fax (+372) 445 07 70,
[email protected], www. wasa.ee. A handful of guests stay in the spa’s classic, yellow wooden villa, but most are housed in the more modern adjacent building attached to the treatment centre. Rooms are all fully outfitted and most have balconies. Q85 rooms (singles €35 - 59, doubles €55 - 89, triples €75 - 119, suites €85 - 129). Extra bed €23. JHGKDwW Spa Estonia B-3, Tammsaare pst. 4a, tel. (+372) 447
69 05, fax (+372) 447 69 01,
[email protected], www.spaestonia.ee. This colossal institution is housed in three buildings - the older Park House, the nicer White House and the Green house, the latter two connected by an elevated glass walkway. Each facility offers decent, hotel-style rooms and a whole slew of treatment options. Their sprawling spa and Dead Sea Water Centre includes three swimming pools, three steam saunas, a salt sauna with a Japanese pool, a Finnish sauna, two massage baths and a hot/cold water walking track. Most guests arrive in large groups and convalesce here for a week, so it’s best to book at least a month in advance. Q429 rooms (singles €38 - 88, doubles €52 - 118, suites €125 - 155, family room €76 - 145). Extra bed €22 - 29. PJHUFLGKDCW
Strand SPA & Conference Hotel G-3, Tammsaare
Estonia Therms-spa centre 5 different saunas, pools, childrens pool
pst. 35, tel. (+372) 447 53 70, fax (+372) 447 53 71,
[email protected], www.strand.ee. This sprawling hotel and conference complex southeast of the centre offers fresh and comfortable rooms that rate among the town’s finest. They all come with hardwood floors, mini-bars, hairdryers and more. What really sets Strand apart though is all those four-star extras, including its spa centre, 16m pool, kids’ playroom, a gym and even a highly popular nightclub. Q187 rooms (singles €83 - 101, doubles €88 - 116, suites €128 - 187, family room €108 - 138). Extra bed €28, pets €20. PZTH6UFLGKDCwW hhhh
Bright Moments in SPA HOTEL VIIKING In addition to accommodation, we offer
Therapeutic and relaxation packages Classic spa treatments Cardiologic and health examinations Relaxation treatments Sauna services This summer we also offer apartment type accommodations!
Tervise Paradiis Spa Hotel & Water Park G-4, Side 14,
tel. (+372) 445 16 00/(+372) 447 92 19, fax (+372) 445 16 01,
[email protected], www.terviseparadiis.ee. The second it opened in 2004, this 8-storey spa hotel complex just steps from the beach became a hot destination. In addition to therapeutic spa services, the hotel has three restaurants, four bars and a bowling alley. But for kids and families the biggest attraction is the complex’s elaborate indoor water park. All of the hotel’s smart rooms are decorated in curvy pastels, and each has a sea view and internet access. Q122 rooms (singles €72 - 132, doubles €90 - 165, suites €135 - 247, family room €135 - 247). Extra bed €25 - 38. ZTHRUFGKDCwW hhhh
Tervis Medical Spa Hotel F-4, Seedri 6, tel. (+372) 445
01 11, fax (+372) 445 03 07,
[email protected], www. spatervis.ee. The largest spa hotel in Estonia - and indeed the Baltics - is this super-modern complex just 1km from the beach. It’s seven buildings are connected by glass galleries, giving them
a decidedly space-age look. A full range of therapies is available and rooms here rival those in Pärnu’s best hotels. Tervis also has a ‘Leisure Centre’ that offers various pools, Jacuzzis and five different saunas. It even provides live entertainment every night - including groups from Finland and Russia - in its very own cultural centre. Q259 rooms (singles €46 - 72, doubles €59 - 94, suites €86 - 134). Extra bed €24 - 35. ZHUFLGKD� CwW hhh
Viiking Spa Hotel A-2, Sadama 15, tel. (+372) 449 05 00, fax (+372) 449 05 01,
[email protected], www.viiking.eu. This attractive, modern spa makes its home in the new harbour park area just outside Old Town. Healthy services run the whole gamut, from the steam or salt saunas to the delicious honey massage. Be sure to request a room in one of the newer wings if you want more space, a balcony and air con. Q154 rooms (singles €40 - 80, doubles €52 - 115, suites €99 - 140, family room €91 - 140). Extra bed €22 - 29. PZHRUGKDCw hhh
Estonia Medical Spa Hotel Tammsaare 4a, 80010, Pärnu +372 447 6905,
[email protected] www.spaestonia.ee
Pärnu In Your Pocket
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reStAUrANtS
A noticeable (and very welcome) trend in recent years has been the growing number of ethnic restaurants in Pärnu. Cuisines available include Thai, Tex-mex, Indian, and even Slavic. In these listings, the number in parenthesis at the end of the review indicates the average price of a main course.
Symbol key
Restaurants Ahoy Sushi & Bar B-2, Kuninga 34, tel. (+372) 443
85 43,
[email protected], www.ahoy.ee. Pärnu’s homage to the international sushi phenomenon is this groovy, little twostorey bar right in the middle of town. We loved the loungey upstairs area with its ‘relax panda’ pillows, and the decent sushi made it all work. A cool crowd hangs here at night. QOpen 09:00 - 21:00, Fri 09:00 - 24:00, Sat 12:00 - 24:00. Closed Sun. JVS
Alex Maja B-2, Kuninga 20, tel. (+372) 446 18 66,
[email protected], www.alexmaja.ee. If it’s expertly prepared food you’re after, this small and subtle downtown restaurant should be one of your first destinations. Alex Maja is laid out like a cellar bar, but a chic one at that. It opens early for breakfast buffet, then the courtyard grill and barbecue service starts at 10:00 or 11:00. Otherwise expect a small choice of mains like salmon in puff pastry and beef tenderloin fillets. QOpen 08:00 - 22:00. (€10). JBW
Ammende Villa A-3, Mere pst. 7, tel. (+372) 447 38 88,
[email protected], www.ammende.ee. Recent winner of the coveted ‘Seven Stars and Stripes’ award, Ammende Villa serves a variety of top-notch, creative dishes in its elegantly restored, Art Nouveau rooms. Expect an international menu with Nordic influences. If you don’t want to go for a whole meal, drop by during the day for the salon-café experience. In summer, guests can also opt to dine in the picturesque garden, where concerts are held on some evenings. QOpen 12:00 - 23:00. Breakfast served 07:00 - 10:00; Sat, Sun 08:00 - 11:00. (€20). TILEBW Armeenia restoran B-2, Kuninga 17, tel. (+372) 684
48 88/(+372) 55 58 00 25,
[email protected], www.armeeniarestoran.ee. The plastic menus and music videos at this Armenian restaurant don’t quite go with the nice, old-fashioned chairs, but at least the service is friendly. The menu is mostly various types of shashlik (kebabs) marinated with ‘secret Armenian spices’. QOpen 12:00 - 22:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 23:00, Sun 12:00 - 21:00. (€7). JB
X Smoking area
U Facilities for disabled
T Child friendly
L Parking
E Live music
S Take away
I Fireplace
J Old Town location
W WiFi connection
B Outdoor seating
Asian Village B-2, Rüütli 51a, tel. (+372) 442 94 88,
[email protected], www.asianvillage.ee. In the mood for a little Asia? The cultures of India, China, and Thailand collide to form this Asian Village. You can enjoy Traditional Thai Curry while sitting in the elaborately-decorated, Chinesethemed restaurant while listening to Indian music. The meal choices are endless and if you can spare the stomach room, we suggest you stick around for the home made Indian Ice Cream. QOpen 11:00 - 24:00. (€8.30). JBS Café Grand B-2, Kuninga 25, tel. (+372) 444 34 12,
[email protected], www.victoriahotel.ee. Perfect for gourmands and history buffs alike, the respected Hotel Victoria serves stately dishes such as baked duck breast with wasabi mashed potatoes, in its 1920s-style restaurant - a nod to the restaurant of the same name that operated here during the first independence. Diners are graced with performances on the grand piano on weekends, and visitors can also sip coffee and sample the excellent crème brûlée in the more café-like section of the Grand, closer to the lobby. QOpen 12:00 - 21:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 23:00. Closed Mon, Sun. (€15). TJ6UEW
Edelweiss B-2, Kuninga 15, tel. (+372) 442 06 00,
[email protected], www.edelweiss.ee. We have to give this Alpine-themed place due praise for its wooden beam and cowbell décor, but the 70s remix they were playing spoiled any ‘Sound of Music’ illusion. Food, while not bad, was nothing to yodel about either. Old fashioned, meaty dishes like pork schnitzel and filet mignon dominate the menu, but lighter salads and pastas are also available. It’s popular with tourist groups, so it may be packed. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00, Fri, Sat 11:00 - 24:00. (€11.60). TJUB
Embecke C-2, Rüütli 44, tel. (+372) 447 89 00/(+372)
447 89 04,
[email protected], www.hotelparnu. com. A classic, international-style restaurant, you ask? With starched napkins, impeccably trained waiters and a vast, crisp interior? Then the Hotel Pärnu’s nondescript eatery will fit the bill to a tee, offering a range of inventive, European combinations. QOpen 12:00 - 22:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 24:00. (€11.50). PTJUBSW
the focus is on the large outside terrace where concerts and other events are held. QOpen , Mon, Tue, Sun 11:00 19:00, Wed, Thu 11:00 - 22:00, Fri, Sat 11:00 - 24:00. (€8). TJUILEBSW
Kolhethi B-2, Kuninga 36, tel. (+372) 56 29 65 55,
[email protected], www.kolhethi.ee. An excellent advert for all things Georgian, this friendly, little restaurant truly impressed us with its top-notch cuisine and great service. Be sure to try the khatchapuri (cheese bread) and one of the Teliani Valley wines. We’ll definitely be back here to fill our bellies again. QOpen 12:00 - 21:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 22:00. Closed Mon. JBSW Kuursaal A-4, Mere pst. 22, tel. (+372) 442 03 67,
[email protected], www.kuur.ee. A popular stop for beachgoers, the historic, 1890s-era Kuursaal near the shore advertises itself as Estonia’s biggest tavern. Dozens of long, wooden tables accommodate scores of diners who can chose from a selection of ‘Manly sized meals’. In the later hours it turns into a night spot, offering rockin’ bands and charging a cover fee. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 04:00. (€9.60). UEBXSW La Boca B-2, Nikolai 13, tel. (+372) 442 00 61. This attempt to bring a bit of Argentine flare to Pärnu certainly offers one of the most decorative and festive interiors in Old Town, though our readers have reported geologically slow service in summer. Indeed we eventually had to hunt down a waitress to order. The menu specialises in meat dishes, which we hope are better than the pasta we had. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00, Thu, Fri 11:00 - 01:00, Sat 12:00 - 01:00, Sun 12:00 - 23:00. (€12). TJIW Lemon Grass B-3, Supeluse 23a, tel. (+372) 447 62 00. Join the queue as the summer crowds pour into this exotic Asian café near the beach. Every couple of minutes a waitress will pop out of the kitchen to ask who ordered the Naan bread or sweet and sour pork. Inexpensive and filling. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00, Fri, Sat 11:00 - 24:00. Operates June 01 - Aug 15. JB Must Pärl B-3, Supeluse 22, tel. (+372) 442 69
02,
[email protected], www.delfine.ee/mustparl. The Delfine Hotel’s elegant little restaurant takes the marine theme to the extreme with its wavy, seafloor walls, mood lighting and a stage shaped like a gigantic oyster shell. In summer though, the front terrace is the place to be. Mains cover the standard range of beef, chicken and seafood, and prices are reasonable. Dance troupes sometimes liven things up on weekends. QOpen 11:00 - 02:00. (€8). PJULEBSW
Hansalinn B-2, Malmö 15, tel. (+372) 444 74 00, info@ hansalinn.ee, www.hansalinn.ee. When you get the craving for a touch of Hanseatic ambience, as we all do from time to time, give this historically decorated little restaurant a try. Under its old-fashioned ceiling beams, waitresses serve up a variety of interesting international dishes like steak and satay, all prepared by a chef from Holland. QOpen 10:00 - 22:00. (€8). TJ6IBSW
www.inyourpocket.com Pizza Peetri Pizza B-2, Kuninga 34, tel. (+372) 443 93 33, www.peetripizza.ee. Bright green and central, this branch of Estonia’s popular pizza chain offers a long list of choices. Each comes in two sizes and can be ordered in regular or pan-style. For non-pizza eaters, there’s also baked pasta, a couple of grill items, ice-cream and cake. QOpen 10:00 - 22:00. (€5). JBS Pizza Hunt B-3, Supeluse 3, tel. (+372) 443 40 23,
[email protected], www.pizzahunt.ee. The brand new Pizza Wolf hadn’t opened its doors in time for our review, but any new addition to the local pizza scene is of course welcome. If you try it out, go ahead and add your own review to our comments box. Biggish venue. QOpen , Mon, Tue, Sun 12:00 - 22:00, Wed, Thu 12:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 02:00. (€5.50). PTIBSW 443 11 70,
[email protected], www.steffani.ee. Much more a real, full-fledged restaurant than a typical pizza joint, Steffani serves salad and pasta dishes as well as countless kinds of thin-crust and pan pizza. On any given summer’s evening the front courtyard will beckon you to stop and linger, but the nicely-decorated interior is just as pleasant. QOpen 11:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 11:00 - 02:00. JVBS
60,
[email protected], www.jahtklubi.ee. The Jacht Club’s restaurant is a bright, open and casual affair filled with sailing trophies and other nautical do-dads. Kids enjoy the play corner while their parents chow down on Estonian favourites like herring, pork chops and pastas. In summer,
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Mere pst. 7, 80010 Pärnu Ph. +372 44 73 888 e-mail:
[email protected] www.ammende.ee
Steffani Pizzarestoran B-2, Nikolai 24, tel. (+372)
Jahtklubi Restoran A-2, Lootsi 6, tel. (+372) 447 17
Pärnu In Your Pocket
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reStAUrANtS Paradiis G-2, Riia mnt. 57, tel. (+372) 446 46 33,
[email protected], www.delfine.ee/paradiis. From the outside it looks like just another Pärnu building, but inside this friendly restaurant you’ll find elaborate, early 20th-century décor. The nostalgic ambience is pleasant and somewhat formal. The food itself, by contrast, is on the casual side, with fish and pork fillets, chicken and the like, and surprisingly affordable. An extensive breakfast menu is available. QOpen 09:00 - 02:00. (€6). UILEBSW
Postipoiss B-2, Vee 12, tel. (+372) 446 48 64,
[email protected], www.trahterpostipoiss.ee. Portraits of Czarist royals preside over the wooden-decked halls in this lively, Slavic-themed restaurant. The 19th-century building at one time served as part of the Russian empire’s postal infrastructure, so perhaps it’s appropriate that authentically Russian dishes like bliny and pelmeni make up the menu. Diners can wash them down with a pint of the house beer. Drop by any weekend evening when Postipoiss turns into one of the town’s more happening night spots. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 02:00. (€9). PJ6UEBSW Rannahotelli Restoran B-4, Ranna pst. 5, tel. (+372) 443 29 45,
[email protected], www.rannahotell. ee. The 1930s-era Rannahotell provides an appropriately starched, swank dining room as well as a wide, seaside patio where you can dine in the sun while listening to soft jazz. Its menu is Italianesque, with some Estonian classics thrown in. QOpen 12:00 - 22:00. (€12). TULBSW
Beach food
Seegi Maja B-2, Hospidali 1, tel. (+372) 443 05
50,
[email protected], www.seegimaja.ee/ restoran/. Pärnu’s historic almshouse is the perfect setting for this 17th-century-style restaurant restored to what it would have looked like in the time of the Swedish empire. A small dose of humour lightens up the menu, and once you decipher the script, you’ll find specialities like skewered poultry and baked bear with honey sauce (don’t tell Pooh!). Be sure to check out the Bürgerkeller (wine cellar) downstairs. QOpen 12:00 - 23:00. (€12.10). TJIEBXSW
Si-Si Restaurant and Lounge B-3, Supeluse 21, tel.
(+372) 447 56 12,
[email protected], www.si-si.ee. Melt-in-your-mouth Italian cuisine, a sprawling patio where you can feel the warm sea breeze and top-notch service contribute to making Si-Si, a Pärnu hot spot. The food assembly here is overseen by a living, breathing Italian and when you sink your teeth into one of the delightfully arranged dishes you’ll have no doubt. A variety of seating, each with a different look and feel, both indoors and out, also make this a destination to suite any occasion. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. (€10). TBW
Strand G-3, Tammsaare pst 35, tel. (+372) 447 53 70,
[email protected], www.strand.ee. The Strand Hotel’s cheerful, ground floor restaurant impressed us by providing fast, smiling service even on a packed evening. Basic, international choices like, barbecued pork, steamed pike perch, seafood pasta and baked salmon make up the menu. Don’t laugh about the ‘house tart’ on the dessert menu. Next time we’ll try the cake. QOpen 12:00 - 23:00. Lobby bar open Sun- Thu 08:00 - 23:00; Fri,Sat 08:00 - 24:00. (€10). TULBW Tervise Paradiis C-4, Side 14, tel. (+372) 445 16 22,
Bravo Burger B-2, Pikk 12, tel. (+372) 51 99 68 23,
[email protected], www.bravoburger.ee. After stumbling out of the nearby Bravo nightclub, you can stumble over to this walk-up window to get your fill of burgers, filled tortillas, hotdogs and fries. In case that’s too much work, on weekends they even deliver until 01:30. The second location is farther from traffic and closer to the beach. QOpen 24 hrs. Also at: A-3, Suvituse 11. Open 24hrs. (€2.50). JNS
[email protected], www.terviseparadiis.ee. This is actually the spa-hotel and waterpark complex near the beach, but it deserves mention among Pärnu’s dining options because it has three restaurants offering a variety of food. Choose from the more formal A La Carte Restaurant (open 12:00 - 22:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 24:00), the Buffet (12:30 - 15:00, 17:00 19:00) or the casual Neptune Grill (13:00 - 22:00) where kebabs and pancakes are available. QOpen 12:00 - 22:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 24:00.
Rannakohvik A-4, Ranna pst. 1d, tel. (+372) 446
Villa Wesset B-3, Supeluse 26, tel. (+372) 697 25 00,
48 91,
[email protected]. This futuristic, steel and glass café adjacent the beach is a relatively new addition to Pärnu’s summer scene. Climb up to the third floor veranda to gaze out at the water while you sip a cider (full meals available too, but we hear the quality is somewhat lacking), or head to the ground-level deck. Popular and crowded during the warm season. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00, Fri, Sat 11:00 - 01:00. (€5.10). T6IBSW
Steffani’s summer terrace B-4, Between Ranna
pst. and the beach, www.steffani.ee. The popular downtown Steffani’s restaurant wisely operates this beachside café in summer, serving quality pizza and other dishes to the hungry masses. It closes in rainy weather, in which case you can take shelter in the main Steffani’s. QOpen 11:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 11:00 - 02:00. BS
Poisi Eine B-3, Supeluse 6, tel. (+372) 53 36 57 35/ (+372) 53 36 44 91,
[email protected], www. poisieine.eu. Boy’s Meal is a little, hole-in-the wall place with a deliberately junky charm. Dripping sandwiches, wraps and hotdogs to satisfy your pre- or post-pub cravings. QOpen 09:00 - 23:00, Fri, Sat 09:00 - 02:00, Sun 10:00 - 23:00. (€3). PVBSW
Pärnu In Your Pocket
[email protected], www.wesset.ee. Starched linen, striped wallpaper and flowers painted on the ceiling make up the ArtDeco ambience that awaits you in this frilly hotel restaurant, but the elegant, indoor/outdoor terrace is the big attraction in summer. Choices like Thai soup and steamed fillet of pike perch make up the varied menu. The creamy salmon pasta was great. QOpen 11:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 11:00 - 02:00. (€10). PJBSW
Cafés Aqua Bar C-4, Side 14, tel. (+372) 445 16 27, sales@
spa.ee, www.terviseparadiis.ee. Ahhh - the palm trees, the pristine coral-sand beaches, the warm tropical breeze and the sound of island rhythms... you won’t find any of that here, this is Pärnu after all. However, at Aqua Bar you’ll still be able to dip you feet in the water while enjoying a cocktail with one of those little umbrellas and can at least pretend you’re in the Caribbean while doing it. QOpen 11:00 - 21:00.
Café Cello B-1, Aida 4 (in Pärnu Concert Hall), tel.
(+372) 445 58 49, www.concert.ee/parnu-kohvikkontakt. A sophisticated and noticably orange café set out in the roomy lobby of the Pärnu Concert Hall, Cello serves up pastries and pancakes to concert goers and anyone else who drops in. Look for terrace seating in summer. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun. JB
Café Grand B-2, Kuninga 25, tel. (+372) 444 34 12,
[email protected], www.victoriahotel.ee. The Victoria Hotel’s 1920s-style café is an elegant stopping place for a pastry or a spot of afternoon tea. The experienced baker can also whip up a decadent cake - perfect for beach season. QOpen 12:00 - 21:00. TJ6UEW Café XS B-2, Munga 2, tel. (+372) 443 13 16, uus-
[email protected], www.cafexs.ee. Clearly geared toward the coffee aficionado, this Old Town corner spot promises ‘the most incredible espresso experience’. We can’t vouch for that claim, but the coffee was indeed good and we liked the home-style cakes and stylish interior design. Q Open 09:00 - 22:00, Fri, Sat 09:00 - 02:00. (€5). PJ6BSW
Frens Café B-2, Pühavaimu 15, tel. (+372) 445 14 26,
[email protected], www.cafe.frens.ee. This trendy lounge/ café might make you feel like you’ve just walked in off the streets of Hollywood. The warm, red splashed walls, several breakfast options, fresh sandwiches and a variety of pastas may make you want to stay all day, and maybe you will. Sinful desserts and espresso based beverages are just some of the other reasons to linger. QOpen 09:00 - 22:00, Fri, Sat 09:00 - 24:00, Sun 09:00 - 18:00. (€8). PJ6BW
Georg B-2, Rüütli 43, tel. (+372) 443 11 10, aivi@
georgi.ee, www.georgi.ee. If you’re looking for something healthy and nourishing without spending a pretty Euro, Georg just might be the spot for you. This little café serves up tasty home style soups, fresh rolls and sandwiches that will certainly send you on your way with a belly full of satisfaction. QOpen 07:30 - 22:00, Sat, Sun 09:00 22:00. JBS
On the road
(+372) 515 58 83,
[email protected], www.jazzcafe. ee. A cosy interior and a selection of coffee and pastries make this corner café a pleasant place to stop any time of year. It’s summer, however, when it lives up to its ‘jazz’ name with groov y, live per formances on the terrace. Q Open 10:00 - 22:00, Fri, Sat 10:00 - 24:00. (€7). TJ6UIEBSW
Kadri B-2, Nikolai 12, tel. (+372) 442 97 82, kadrioy@
hot.ee. The cheerful, green-coloured Kadri Kohvik is a long-time favourite in downtown Pärnu and holds a special place in the hearts of frequent visitors. Inside you’ll find motherly-looking ladies serving up traditional Estonian faire for bargain prices. QOpen 07:30 - 19:00, Sat 09:00 - 19:00, Sun 09:00 - 17:00. JNB
Kohvik Kroon G-2, Riia 71, tel. (+372) 446 18 78/ (+372) 53 31 03 31, www.kohvikkroon.net. Though not the most central of cafés, the smallish Kroon is a surprisingly pleasant place to stop, earning our praise for its well-aboveaverage food and service. Apart from an old-style feel, it offers a small selection of salads and mains, with a different house special each day. QOpen 11:00 - 20:00, Fri, Sat 11:00 - 21:00. Closed Sun. UBW Kohvik Nullpunkt B-2, Munga 13 (in the park), tel.
(+372) 442 55 88. Zero Point makes its home in a cute, little house in a downtown park, and offers a tiny choice of sandwiches and pizzas. We give the pizza zero points. The main attraction here seems to be the beer fridge and the fact that it’s open late on weekends. QOpen 07:30 - 23:00, Fri 07:30 - 01:00, Sat 10:00 - 01:00, Sun 10:00 - 20:00. JBS
Kuumoon B-2, Kuninga 32, tel. (+372) 447 00 42,
[email protected], www.kuumoon.blogspot.com. At this friendly, kid-oriented café, parents can sip coffee while their little ones engage in fun activities like table games, puppet making or even taking apart an old computer. Feel free to play DJ with the collection of old, Soviet-era records. QOpen 10:00 - 19:00. (€2.50). PTJ6EBS
Lehe B-4, Lehe 5, tel. (+372) 442 57 88, kohvik@lehe. ee. A sparklingly modern café with hints of a nautical theme in the décor. Locals recommend the food here, and the proximity to the beach is a plus. QOpen 10:00 - 22:00, Fri, Sat 10:00 - 23:00. 6BSW
Kännu Kohvik Riia mnt. 215, tel. (+372) 442 96 22.
Locals and travellers alike pour into this busy, roadside cafeteria, located in a small, grey house on the highway to Riga. QOpen 10:00 - 21:00, Fri, Sat 10:00 - 22:00. BS
Mahedik B-2, Pühavaimu 20, tel. (+372) 442 53 93,
Männi Kohvik Riia mnt. 110b, tel. (+372) 443 70
[email protected], www.mahedik.ee. Though it’s already distinct for its award-winning, organic cuisine, this café is also popular - particularly with families - for its comfy, home-style interior. Healthy choices like fish, soups, pastas and salads are on offer, as are cakes done on the spot. Live piano on Saturdays. QOpen 09:00 - 20:00, Fri 09:00 - 23:30, Sat 10:00 - 23:30, Sun 10:00 - 19:00. (€5.50). JBS
88, www.männikohvik.ee. Mainly catering to those travelling north from Riga, this roadside café with a blue and orange interior offers simple grill items for €4 - 6, as well as salads and pastries. Picnic tables outside. QOpen 10:00 - 21:00. T6BSW
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Jazz Café B-2, Ringi 11, tel. (+372) 442 75 46/
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CAFÉS Portaal B-1, Lai 11 (Port Artur), www.portartur.ee. Diners sit in egg-shaped wicker chairs under clouds of metal cups in this busy café in the larger of the Port Artur shopping mall buildings. There’s no menu in English yet, but you can just ask about the schnitzel offerings or point to the €3.50 soup buffet. QOpen 11:00 - 20:00, Sun 11:00 - 18:00. JW Raehoovi Kohvik B-2, Nikolai 3, tel. (+372) 449 29 22,
[email protected], www.raekojakohvik.ee. Hidden in the courtyard next to the town hall/visitors centre, Raehoov is a pleasantly, old-fashioned establishment that serves up both light and full meals. The outdoor section is the perfect vantage point for summer cultural events happening in the yard, including orchestral concerts on Sundays from June 30 to August 11. QOpen 10:00 - 24:00. (€7). TJ6IBS
Mama Toni’s Gelato B-3, Tammsaare pst. 6, tel.
(+372) 53 06 24 8,
[email protected], www.mamatonis.ee. American-run Mama Toni’s is Estonia’s first gelateria and a define must-try for anyone visiting Pärnu. ‘All natural, all handmade’ is the motto here and there are usually around 20 varieties available, either by the scoop or in the form of specialities like brownie and banana split. The kids’ play area is a nice touch. QOpen 11:00 - 21:00. In the off-season Wed - Sun 12:00 - 20:00.Also at: B-1, Aida 7 (Pärnu Keskus). Open 10:00 - 20:00, Sun 10:00 - 18:00. T6BSW
Museum of New Art Café B-3, Esplanaadi 10, tel.
(+372) 443 17 53. The junky, downmarket café in the lobby of the art centre is probably the most intellectual place in Pärnu to sip tea, and it may also be the cheapest. QOpen 09:00 - 19:00. JUNBS
Pagaripoisid B-2, Pühavaimu 11, tel. (+372) 443 49 64,
[email protected], www.pagaripoisid.ee. Irresistably smelling of sugar, Baker Boys is a popular destination for those in need of cakes, pastries and coffee. Eat at the window counter or find a table in back. QOpen 08:00 - 19:00, Sat 09:00 - 19:00, Sun 10:00 - 17:00. Also at: B-2, Ringi 3, tel. (+372) 56 29 08 11. Open 07:00 - 19:00, Sun 09:00 - 17:00. JB
Papli Café B-4, Papli 13, tel. (+372) 56 22 14 00, info@
kohvikpapli.ee, www.kohvikpapli.ee. The pleasant, little gourmet café attached to the Kapten Kurgo Villa is a worthy spot for a drink or bite. The menu, mainly salads and fillets, is brief, but our salad was big, fresh and tasty and came served with a smile. QOpen 12:00 - 22:00. (€10). 6BSW
Passion Café A-2, Hospidali 14, tel. (+372) 442 62
02,
[email protected], www.passioncafe.ee. The cool interior at this Old Town establishment is indeed done up in passion red, including the uphostered sofas and throw pillows that surround its stretched-out tables. The café’s real passion though seems to be its vast choice of snacks, which are featured - complete with photos - on its plastic menus. Full meals are available too. We found the portions sizeable and the food quite tasty. QOpen 11:00 - 21:00, Fri, Sat 11:00 - 22:00. (€6.50). PTJ6BSW
Sőőrikubaar B-2, Pühavaimu 15, tel. (+372) 444 53 34,
[email protected]. A popular place for pastries and especially for Estonian-style donut rings (sőőrikud). In fact it’s so busy at times you may have to stand. QOpen 07:30 - 19:00, Sat 09:00 - 19:00, Sun 09:00 - 17:00. JBS
Supelsaksad B-3, Nikolai 32, tel. (+372) 442 24 48,
[email protected], www.supelsaksad.ee. Supelsaksad has been rated Best Café in Estonia - and deservingly so. A cosy jumble of old-style furniture, sophisticated tunes and fantastic food have made this neighbourhood café a runaway hit. Old ladies in berets drift in at lunchtime for tea and cakes, while at night younger patrons linger over wine or coffee. Soups, salads and pastas are available in addition to the drinks and sweets. QOpen 08:00 - 21:00, Fri 08:00 24:00, Sat 09:00 - 24:00, Sun 09:00 - 21:00. J6BSW Teatrikohvik A-2, Keskväljak 1, tel. (+372) 442 06 64/
(+372) 442 06 65,
[email protected], www.endla.ee. Built into the Endla Theatre, this large, starkly-modern café with its large windows and sofas can easily accommodate any intermission rush. Head to the upstairs portion for a cooler atmosphere and outside seating. QOpen 08:30 20:00, Fri 08:30 - 24:00, Sat 11:00 - 24:00. Closed Sun. TJUBSW
Üks Kohvik B-2, Ringi 1, tel. (+372) 56 89 68 96,
[email protected], www.ykskohvik.ee. One of the most contemporary, comfy and pleasant cafés in town makes its home in a brick building just steps from the bus station (climb the stairs to enter). Sink into one of the plush chairs to sip a cup of tea or order one of the mains like almond chicken or homemade pasta. For light bites on a budget, try the daily lunch specials. QOpen 10:00 - 22:00, Fri, Sat 10:00 - 24:00. (€10). TJ6UIBSW
2 Paari (2 Pairs) C-2, Suur-Sepa 13, tel. (+372) 447 47
11,
[email protected], www.2paari.ee. Cheap drinks and the thrill of Poker are found just off the ‘beaten path’, in Pärnu. They’ve got games for the ‘bored’, poker and a fine selection of locals. Games are free of charge as long as you order a drink and a selection of snacks are available if the taste of victory makes you hungry. If you play your cards right, you might even win a prize. QOpen 18:30 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 18:30 - 04:00. Closed Mon. (€9). JBW
Aleksandri Pub E-2, Vana-Rääma 8, tel. (+372) 443 21 60,
[email protected], www.aleksandripub.ee. The more tattoos you have the better you’ll blend into the crowd here, but everyone is welcome at this popular biker pub north of the river. Be ready for rock music, strong beer and a pub crammed floor to ceiling with bizarre nick-nacks. QOpen 11:30 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 11:30 - 02:00. (€5.50). IBXSW Bumerang E-3, Ringi 37, tel. (+372) 442 03 02, info@ bumerangpub.ee, www.bumerangpub.ee. Décor-wise, this pub in the harbour area is far nicer and comfier than most Pärnu hangouts, but in true Aussie fashion, it doesn’t take itself too seriously. The menu includes such tempting choices as pig’s ears, crocodile fillet and kangaroo pocket. QOpen 11:00 - 23:30. (€9.50). 6BW C. F. Hahn Pub H-2, Riia mnt. 129a, tel. (+372) 447 19 09,
[email protected], www.hahnpub.eu. We hope you’re hungry. Huge portions of authentic Estonian cuisine such as ‘fried pig’s ears’ will fill you, if of course you can keep them down. Named after one of the city’s most respected and decorated gardeners, his former dwelling house turned restaurant is something of a cross between a saloon and an old mansion. For a taste of the past, some hearty food and great live music on weekends it’s worth the hike from Pärnu’s city centre to visit Mr. Hahn. QOpen 11:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 11:00 - 02:00. (€7.30). 6EBXW Citi B-2, Hommiku 8, tel. (+372) 444 18 47. If it’s deliberately trying to be tacky, we’ll give this old-fashioned, rustic bar/ café top marks. By day it’s a popular eating spot, especially loved for its summer terrace. After the sun goes down though it turns into a refuge for a few 40+ regulars who want to avoid all those youngsters lurking in the more popular joints. QOpen 10:00 - 24:00, Sun 10:00 - 21:00. JEB Cocoloco Karaoke Bar B-2, Rüütli 45, tel. (+372) 445 68
07, www.cocoloco.ee. Get happily sloshed and belt out your favourite tunes in this downtown bar. Red vinyl booths and photos of old rockers will inspire you. There’s even mirrors on the ceiling, but we forgot to ask about the pink champagne on ice. QOpen 19:00 - 05:00, Fri, Sat 19:00 - 07:00. Admission €1 - 3.50. J
Kentuki Lõvi E-3, Tallinna mnt. 12, tel. (+372) 443 62
02,
[email protected], www.kentuki.eu. It’s Kentucky Lion, not Kentucky Fried Lion (though that would have been a cool name too). This sprawling, brick pub just north of the river stays lively with a full list of events, with the action spreading to the
How to toast in Estonian
Piccadilly Wine & Chocolate B-2, Pühavaimu 15, tel.
(+372) 442 00 85,
[email protected], www.kohvila.com. The food selection in this downtown café/wine bar is pretty much limited to quiches and cakes, but the soft ambience, large tea selection, handmade chocolate truffles and over 200 wines on the list make Piccadilly a definite must-visit. Come by for wine and jazz on the weekend. QOpen 10:00 - 23:00, Fri, Sat 10:00 - 24:00, Sun 10:00 - 20:00. (€5). PJ6EBSW
Pärnu In Your Pocket
Bars & Pubs
If you want to get in good with the locals, it never hurts to learn how to toast in the national language. Luckily it’s fairly simple here: Estonians toast by clinking their glasses and saying ‘Terviseks’ (health). It’s crucial, however, that you look your drinking companion in the eye just as your glasses are clinking. If you miss this step, the toast doesn’t count and you’ll have to start all over!
parnu.inyourpocket.com
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gigantic grill patio in back when the weather suits. QOpen 11:00 - 22:00, Fri, Sat 11:00 - 02:00, Sun 11:00 - 19:00. EB
Kuursaal A-4, Mere pst. 22, tel. (+372) 442 03 67, info@ kuur.ee, www.kuur.ee. Pärnu’s historic Kuursaal has gone through various incarnations since its days as a resort dance hall in the early 20th century, but the beachside hall is still the focus of the area’s entertainment scene. The huge countrytavern-style restaurant turns into a music hall at night where a mainly older crowd rocks out to some of Estonia’s best-loved bands. Try their trademark beer, Kuursaal Blond. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 04:00. (€9.60). UEBXSW
Lime Lounge B-2, Hommiku 17, tel. (+372) 449 21 90,
[email protected], www.limelounge.ee. By day this trendy, little lounge dishes up salads and full meals, but come evening it serves as one of downtown’s only real cocktail bars. Nearly everything here is lime coloured, and naturally lime features heavily in the cocktails, especially in the house drink, ‘lime light’. QOpen 12:00 - 22:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 01:00. Closed Sun. JB
Nikolai Lehtla B-2, Nikolai 7, tel. (+372) 447 73 66/ (+372) 513 95 50,
[email protected], www.nikolailehtla. ee. An outdoorsy interior replete with wooden railings and wallpapered scenes of autumn forests certainly makes Nikolai Lehtla inviting. Locals drop by during the day for decent, simple lunches, but for the most part this is just a convenient place to grab a beer, and it happens to be open later than most other pubs. QOpen 11:00 - 02:00, Fri, Sat 11:00 - 06:00. (€5.90). JBW
Puhvet A.P.T.E.K. B-2, Rüütli 40, tel. (+372) 443 91 19,
[email protected], www.aptek.ee. A must-see on the night scene: Pärnu’s elegant, heritage pharmacy, dating to 1931, has been cleverly restored and transformed into this ultra-cool cocktail/shots bar. Entrance fees are charged later on weekend nights, when DJs show up to spin vinyl. Be sure to check out the cinema room, where old flicks flicker away. QOpen , Wed, Thu 21:00 - 02:00, Fri, Sat 21:00 - 04:00. Closed Mon, Tue, Sun. Admission Fri - Sat €5. Age restriction 21+. J6EBW
Punase Torni Veinibaar B-2, Hommiku 11 (in the court-
yard), tel. (+372) 506 82 18,
[email protected]. The 15th-century Red Tower - Pärnu’s oldest building - has been a prison and a town archive, and is now a casual place for a glass of wine! Drink in the courtyard when the sun is out, or take your bottle upstairs, settle into a chair and admire the off-beat art that’s on sale here. QOpen , Wed, Thu 12:00 - 18:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 22:00. Closed Mon, Tue, Sun. J
Romantic Bar C-4, Side 14, 8th floor of Tervise Paradiis, tel. (+372) 447 92 19, www.terviseparadiis.ee. Gazing out at the sea, the sun going down over the water, couples staring into each other’s starry eyes… As far as we could tell, the majority of guests at the Romantic Bar when we stopped in were either celebrating an anniversary or laying the groundwork for anniversaries to come. This modern bar on the top floor of the Tervise Paradiis Hotel, also comes stocked with all kinds of dreamy beverages. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00, Mon, Tue, Wed 16:00 - 24:00. EW 2013/2014
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Rüütlihoov B-2, Rüütli 29, tel. (+372) 443 14 39. One
might wonder where modern day knights would lay their helmets, and we think we’ve found it just off of Rüütli. At the Knight’s Courtyard you’ll discover plenty of seating, fun food, and good times. If you aren’t in the mood for beer and chicken wings, the ice cream selection might interest you. QOpen 11:00 - 22:00, Fri, Sat 11:00 - 24:00. JBW
Sweet Rosie B-2, Munga 2, tel. (+372) 447 14 71,
[email protected], www.sweetrosie.ee. This town’s answer to the Irish pub is inviting, popular and buzzing. Expect a rocking atmosphere on weekends, complete with live music on Saturday nights, and Guinness that’s poured in the lightning-quick Estonian style. QOpen 11:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 11:00 - 02:00. JEBW
Tallinna Väravad A-2, Vana-Tallinna 1, tel. (+372) 444 50 73. This summer-only pub in the historic Tallinn Gatehouse is certainly an interesting place for a beer. Given the location, its terrace is always a great place for basking in the summer sunshine and enjoying the view. Q Open 11:00 - 23:00. J6B Vana Pootsman A-2, Akadeemia 5, tel. (+372) 444
04 03. Latvian-Estonian food and Latvian-Estonian beer will be featured at The Old Boatsman - at least, that’s what the Latvian owner of this Estonian-located pub told us. Workers were still putting on the finishing touches for the May 2013 opening when we visited, so drop a comment in our comments box and tell us what you think. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00. BW
Veerev Õlu B-2, Uus 3a-2, tel. (+372) 442 98 48/ (+372) 525 88 64,
[email protected], www.rollingbeer. com. The Swedish owner is a fan of The Rolling Stones, so naturally he named his little pub The Rolling Beer. Be warned,
the rustic interior and friendly, slurring, tattooed, party crowd may make you want to settle in and stay all evening. Find it in a courtyard near Nikolai street. QOpen 11:00 - 24:00, Sun 13:00 - 24:00. JENBXW
Vein ja Vintage B-2, Ringi 1, tel. (+372) 58 55 90 90,
[email protected], www.veinjavintage.ee. A warm, brick interior, inviting sofas and friendly music have made this cellar wine venue a real draw (especially for the ladies), so that it feels chill and oddly happening at the same time. Only the super-cheap house wine can be ordered by the glass, but given the vast bottle selection, you may just want to settle in, get some snacks and pop a cork. QOpen 14:00 - 23:00, Fri, Sat 14:00 - 01:00. JEBW Viies Villem B-2, Kuninga 11, tel. (+372) 442 79 99,
[email protected], www.viiesvillem.ee/pub/. Most of the year this spacious downtown pub pulls in the masses with that tried-and-true combination of friendly, classic pub décor, good, cheap food and drink and live bands on Saturdays. During the summer months though, the scene here becomes more subdued, mainly due to the lack of outdoor seating. QOpen 11:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 11:00 - 02:00. (€6). JSW
Casino Olympic Casino B-2, Hommiku 3, tel. (+372) 609 02 41/(+372) 1677, www.olympic-casino.com. Fresh and glitzy, Olympic is built around a small bar that serves bargain-priced beer. It’s mostly slot machines (some even inside the smoking room), but there are card tournaments a couple times a week. Q Open 24hr. J
Clubs
Sugar B-2, Vee 10, tel. (+372) 442 11 00, info@
94 22,
[email protected], w w w.lokaalkassa. ee. Still spor ting much of the theatrical grandiosi ty left over from i ts past life as a casino, this busy, li ttle downtown club supplies an older generation wi th an older music lineup. Overall, i ts a ver y wor thy place to knock back a shot or three and take your date for a rockin’ romp around the dance floor. Q Open Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat 23:00 - 04:00. Closed Mon, Tue, Sun. Admission €0 - 5. J
sugarclub.ee, w w w.sugarclub.ee. Words like ‘popular’ and ‘trend y’ don’t qui te cu t i t for Sugar. This is the home of the town’s ‘in’ club crowd, where ever yone who is anyone has to be seen - and then get sweaty on the dance floor. Because it’s built into an old cinema house, you can even check ou t the action from the balcony above. In summer, the par ty extends to the big terrace in the back when the club is going full swing. Q Open Wed, Thu 23:00 - 04:00, Fri, Sat 23:00 - 06:00. Closed Mon, Tue, Sun. A ge restriction 18+. Admission €0 - 10. JBX
Mirage B-2, Rüütli 40, tel. (+372) 447 24 04,
SunSet B-4, Ranna pst. 3, tel. (+372) 444 04 29,
Kassa Öölokaal B-2, Rüütli 40, tel. (+372) 509
[email protected], w w w.mirage.ee. You might think that the newer downtown clubs have left Mirage trailing in the dust, but this place still gets packed full of bumping and grinding locals and foreigners on weekends and has a far lower pretense factor than most of i ts trendier ri vals. The par ty all happens in one main hall where the DJs spin your favouri te dance hi ts. Q Open 23:00 - 03:00, Fri, Sat 23:00 - 04:00. A ge restriction 18+. JEX
[email protected], www.sunset.ee. Strictly a seasonal affair, Pärnu’s big, b eachside disco is a roomy t wo stories of action, which ex tends to th e restaurant/ loun ge, d ep en din g on th e ni gh t. Th e mana gem en t tend to bring in international events of the Ibiza variety, as well as foam par ties and other fun on the sand. Q Open Fri 23:00 - 05:00, Sat 23:00 - 06:00. Closed Mon - Thu, Sun. Operates June - Aug onl y. A ge restriction 18+. EBW
Night Club Str& G-3, Tammsaare pst. 35, tel. (+372) 447 53 70,
[email protected], w w w.strand. ee. Want to know where Pärnu’s 25-and-ups come to shake their tails to 90s hi ts? The fact that Str& is in a hotel, and not a ver y central one at that, pushes up the average age here, bu t i ts populari ty and par ty atmosphere are undeniable. I f the mainstream, retro beats don’t move you, just enter tain yourself by watching the shor t-skir ted tigresses on the prowl for man meat. Q Open Fri, Sat 23:00 - 04:00. Closed Mon - Thu, Sun. Age restriction 21+. Admission €7. UEBXW
Vaarikas B-2, Hommiku 3, tel. (+372) 56 49 19
82,
[email protected], w w w.klubivaarikas.ee. Pärnu’s newest club seems to have hi t all the right notes: A hot interior design, barmen who twirl glasses in the air, hal f-priced drinks before midnight and a reall y central location. Just how popular i t gets and what type of crowd settles here will become more clear by summer, bu t we suspect i t will attract i ts fair share of the young, par ty set. Q Open Wed, Thu 23:00 - 04:00, Fri, Sat 23:00 - 05:00. Closed Mon, Tue, Sun. A ge restirction 18+. Admission €3 - 6. JXW
WELCOME TO u.
rn u Hommiku tn. 3, Pä
Olympic Lounge Pärn
D
G THIS A IN T N E S E R P Y B E IS R P R E DRINK + SU
FRE
24H
Exciting cocktails Delicous snacks Excellent entertainment Great prices
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!
Identification card required for entrance. Minimum age limit is 21 years.
Pärnu In Your Pocket
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WHAt tO See Most visitors will see plenty of Pärnu’s downtown area and beach, but there are also loads of interesting parks and villas around town that are worth exploring. All it takes is a few minutes of leisurely strolling and a bit of curiosity.
Essential Pärnu Rüütli tänav B-2. His-
toric downtown Pärnu is defined by its main pedestrian thoroughfare, Rüütli tänav (Knight Street). The 400-metre stretch of the street between Ringi and Vee, and a few streets that branch off from here, are home to a hodge-podge of intriguing buildings dating from the 17th to the 20th centuries. This is also where you’ll find Pärnu’s most exclusive shops.
The Beach A-4. Often
the first thing visitors do when they arrive in Pärnu is head straight for the sand, rip off all their clothes, give a loud yell and dive into the water. Alright, that doesn’t really happen much, but for a lot of summer tourists, Pärnu begins and ends with its white sand beach. Aside from the bronzing bodies and volleyball games you can find on any beach, there are other sights here as well. One is the functionalist-style Rannahoone (beach house) dating to 1939. Find this building, with its distinctive, mushroom-shaped balcony, right on the beach. Nearby is the Kuursaal, an intricate, wooden beach salon dating to 1893.
Parks A large part of what makes Pärnu such a relaxing place to visit are its vast, green areas designed for strolling. Among them are Koidula park, adjacent the Old Town area, with its colourful flower beds and fountain, and the Rannapark, established back in 1882, next to the beach. Rannapark is dotted with various sculptures, flower gardens and play-areas, but the most interesting part is the section west of Mere pst., which is home to some odd works of modern outdoor art. The newlyrenovated areas all around the Vallikraav, or old moat in the middle of town, are also a must-see. Architecture It seems that around just about every corner in Pärnu there’s another building that can inspire sincere ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs.’ In addition to the abovementioned Rannahoone, the Rannahotell (beach hotel) at Ranna pst. 5 stands out as another wonderful example of functionalism. Completed in 1937, it was designed by the same architect, Olav Siinmaa, who also had a hand in creating one of the most recognised symbols of the town - the neo-classicist Pärnu Mud Bath building (pictured) which dates from 1926-27. Not far from here, at Mere pst. 7, is the early Jugendstil Ammende Villa, which was built in 1905 for a wealthy merchant. It’s now a hotel and restaurant, so you can easily sneak a peak at its fantastically restored interior or stroll around its well-tended garden.
Pärnu In Your Pocket
WHAttO tO See See WHAt Museums
Historic sights
Monuments
Lydia Koidula Memorial Museum F-3, Jannseni 37,
Red Tower (Punane Torn)
1949 Deportations. Watch for a large stone on the left
Stone Jetties F-4, Located where the beach meets
Endla Theatre C-2, Keskväljak 1, tel. (+372) 442 06 66,
[email protected], www.endla.ee. A bronze replica on the corner of Aia and Rüütli depicts what was the Endla Theatre, a grand old Jugend style structure that stood on this spot until it was destroyed in WWII. It was here that Estonia first declared independence in February, 1918, 12 hours earlier than in Tallinn, and not surprisingly, the edifice left off the list of those rebuilt by the Soviets after the war.
tel. (+372) 443 33 13,
[email protected], www. parnumuuseum.ee/koidula-muuseum. Dedicated to the life of the matriarch of Estonian poetry, this museum is housed the 1850s-era parish school where Koidula grew up and does a great job of preserving the feel of the era. The displays also pay tribute to her father, H. V. Jannsen, an equally important figure in the rise of Estonian national awareness, who founded the first Estonian newspaper, Perno Postimees. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon, Sun. September - May open 10:00 - 17:00. Mon, Sun closed. Admission €2.
Pärnu Museum C-2, Aida 3, tel. (+372) 443 32 31,
[email protected], w w w.parnumuuseum.ee. A must for history buffs, this modern museum presents 11,000 years of Pärnu history on two floors, with additional space for temporary exhibitions. The main exhibit shows local developments from Neolithic times right up to the late 1980s, and includes a mini-cinema showing archival films. Star attractions on the ground floor include a fragment of a 14th-century merchant ship and a glass floor that lets you look down onto archaeological remnants of one of the town’s historic gates. May 03 - June 16: 400 Years of the Romanov Dynasty. May 17 - July 05: Bathers in Estonian Art. July 07 - September 15: Eesti Üliõpilaste Ehitusmalev 50. July 10 - September 15: In Graafika. QOpen 11:00 - 19:00. Closed Mon. Admission €6.
Churches Ekateriina Church B-2, Vee 8, www.orthodox.ee. This brightly-painted Russian Orthodox church, built by Catherine II, 1764 - 1768, is even more impressive from the inside. The curious are welcome to wander in and gaze at the ornate icons. QOpen 09:00 - 17:00. Services in Russian Sat 08:30, 17:00, Sun 09:00. J Eliisabeti Church B-3, Nikolai 22, tel. (+372) 443 13
81,
[email protected], www.eliisabet.ee. After its predecessor, St John’s Church (1609), was taken by a Russian garrison in 1714, Empress Elizabeth ordered this new church constructed with roubles from her state treasury. The church, 1744 - 1747, took the Empress’s name. The copper rooster has been roosting atop the steeple since 1747. Q Services run Sun at 10:00 and 18:00; on Tue, Wed and Fri at 09:00; on Thu at 18:00 . J
The Lord’s Transfiguration Orthodox Church C-2,
Aia 5, tel. (+372) 444 35 32, www.eoc.ee. Look for the distinctive and somewhat stark-looking brick church with numerous small spires. The church was built in 1904 in the classic Russian style, with a cross-shaped layout. QOpen 17:00 - 19:00, Sun 09:00 - 13:00.
B-2, Hommiku 11. The oldest building in Pärnu, this squat, round bastion (dating to the 15th century) once stood guard on the edge of town. It is now smack in the centre and, as you can see, white. It stands adjacent the only remaining bit of the old town wall. Duck inside the wine bar/art shop if you want a peek of the interior. the river. In 1764, merchants persuaded Catherine II of the necessity to build a stone jetty and to deepen the estuary. Not all rocks are stable, but the summer sun and glistening water make a walk down to the tip of the jetty nearly irresistible. The second jetty is less accessible.
Tallinn Gate A-2, Kuninga 1. When the gatehouse was built in the 17th century, it really was the passage to Tallinn, leading south and west across the moat. A true highway connection between Tallinn and Pärnu was not ensured until 1938, when the bridge you see today was built across Pärnu River. Vallikäär A-2, Located along the old moat. The remains
of the rampart which once surrounded the town around Õhtu Street are now a nicely fixed-up park. Walking along the rampart wall toward the river will give you great views of the moat and marina. You’ll also find an old, wooden lighthouse and a cannon which was once one of two guarding the approach to the city. Concerts are often held in the amphitheatre.
Venus Bastion Smithery A-2, Õhtu 1, tel. (+372) 510
66 57,
[email protected], www.sepakunst.com. This old blacksmith shop dating to 1769 has been beautifully fixed up and now offers demonstrations of how the traditional craft is done. Here you can check out the little museum room and exhibitions, buy souvenirs, or even take a whack at pounding hot metal yourself. For a couple euros you can pound out your own souvenir coin. Nail-making classes are also available for true enthusiasts. QOpen 11:00 - 18:00.
For families Ahhaa Science Centre B-2, Hommiku 2, Port
Tours and Excursions
Artur, www.ahhaa.ee. Estonia’s famous hands-on science centre - always a hit with the kids - is bringing its show to Pärnu for the June-August period! The exhibit, called ‘Ahhaa, Sparkling and Sizzling!’, will feature more than 20 interactive displays such as catching lightning in a jar, a laser show, etc. QOpen 10:00 - 20:00, Sun 10:00 - 18:00.
Pärnu Guide’s Association, parnuguide@hotmail.
Mini Zoo A-2, Akadeemia 7 (entrance from Vana-
com, www.visitparnu.com/en/useful-information/ tour-guides-contacts. Conducting tours in English, Swedish, Finnish, Russian and German, the Pärnu Guide Association will create tailor-made tours based on your interests. If you’re not sure what your interests are and just want a general tour, they can make that happen too. Arrangements should be made in advance to discuss the group size, price and where to meet up. The same guides can also be booked through Pärnu Visitor Centre, Uus 4.
parnu.inyourpocket.com
Tallinna), tel. (+372) 551 60 33,
[email protected]. Don’t think ‘petting zoo’. The newly-revamped Mini Zoo is in fact a reptile house full of fat pythons, venomous vipers, and other things that you wouldn’t want crawling into your sleeping bag. There’s even a Nile crocodile and a few eight-legged guests. Anyone squeamish about spiders and snakes should definitely stay away. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00, Sat, Sun 11:00 - 17:00. September - April open 12:00 - 17:00; Sat, Sun 11:00 - 16:00. Admission €4.
parnu.inyourpocket.com
side of the road on the way to the train stop, on Riia mnt. This monument, located so near to the sad point of departure for so many, is a reminder of the Estonians packed on trains and deported to Siberia in 1949.
Fallen Heroes, 1941-43. The massive monument at
the gate to the cemetery on Riia mnt., just out of town, commemorates the ‘heroes who fell in defence of Pärnu from the Fascists, 1941-43’. In reality, during those years Estonia was stuck in a great tug-o-war between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. Local urban legend has it that the 200 or so Soviet soldiers who died ‘forcing out the Fascists’ actually died after eagerly drinking something left behind in a tank by the retreating Germans that smelled like alcohol, but wasn’t.
Georg Wilhelm Richmann B-2, Corner of Kuninga
and Nikolai. One of the more famous sons of Pärnu, the Baltic-German Richmann (1711 - 1753) was an early pioneer in the study of electricity. While working in St. Petersburg, he managed to have a rare, close encounter with lightning and unfortunately didn’t live to tell the tale. This likeness of his head (pre-zap) honours his life and contribution to science. Note that, at night, his eyes light up in a highly creepy fashion.
Independence monument C-2, Keskväljak 1. It was on this spot in the former Endla Theatre that Estonia first declared independence in February, 1918, 12 hours earlier than in Tallinn. Here you can find a modern stone and glass rendition of the balcony where the declaration was signed, as well as a giant replica of the declaration itself. Johann Voldemar Jannsen A/B/C-2, Rüütli street.
To mark the 150-year anniversary of continuous Estonian journalism, the city erected a likeness of the journalist and founding father of the Perno Postimees, the first periodical Estonian language newspaper. Jannsen (1819 - 1890), the father of Lydia Koidula was more than just a journalist, as it turns out he was also responsible for organising the first song festival, for penning the words to the national anthem and he was an integral part of the Estonian National awakening.
Lydia Koidula B-2. The pensive woman in the park off
Pühavaimu is Lydia Koidula, the poet perhaps dearest to Estonian hearts. For more, see the Lydia Koidula Museum.
Raimond Valgre A-4, Mere pst. 22. The beloved musician and composer of the famous Saaremaa Valss, Raimond Valgre (1913 - 1949), holds a special place in the hearts of Estonians. The statue of the man and his accordion next to the Pärnu Kuursaal was created by sculptor Rait Pärg and installed in 2003.
St. Nicholas Church B-2. All that’s left of what was once
the tallest tower in Pärnu is a plaque located at the corner of Malmö and Nikolai Streets. Built in the 14th century, the church was destroyed in 1944. The plaque was placed in 1989 by Pärnu’s German community.
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iNterACtiVe Pärnu Tennisekeskus C-4, Tammsaare pst 18a,
Sitting around on the sand is all well and good for some folks, but there’s also plenty to do for those who want to get up and move.
tel. (+372) 446 46 48,
[email protected], www.terve.ee. An outdoor facility with three clay courts, a sand court, a hardball court and a tennis wall. Court fees are €4 - 8/ hr, depending the time and day. QOpen 08:00 - 22:00.
Biking
Perona Bowling H-3, Metsa 13a, tel. (+372) 442 04
Pärnu is full of parks and paths that not only make biking a breeze, but a near necessity. Here’s where you can rent bikes:
10,
[email protected], www.peronabowling.ee. A large complex on the edge of town with twelve lanes, a café, kids’ area and even a 20-person conference room. Q Open 14:00 - 24.00, Fri 14:00 - 01:00, Sat 12:00 01:00, Sun 12:00 - 22:00. €10.50 - 15/hr.
Baltreisen Bicycle Rent B-2, Rüütli 21, tel. (+372)
56 96 97 60,
[email protected], www.baltreisen. ee. This centrally-located company will rent you a bike for up to 4 hours for €6, and for 24 hours for €10. The price includes helmet, lock and reflector vest. Baltreisen also offers bike tours like the Explore Pärnu tour (€14) and a day-long bike/boat tour of Kihnu island (€25). Q Open 09:30 - 18:30. Closed on rainy days. Operates from May 15 till September 15. J
Tervise Paradiis Bowling C-4, Side 14, tel. (+372)
445 16 16,
[email protected], www.terviseparadiis.ee. In the same complex as the water park and health spa perfect for spending a rainy day or letting your sunburn heal. QOpen 14:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat, Sun 12:00 - 24:00. €10 - 14/hr.
Tõruke Rattarent A-4, Supeluse, near the beach,
tel. (+372) 502 82 69, w w w.bicyclerentalparnu. eu. Now with over 60 bikes the nice folks at Tõruke will hook you up real good. 12hrs will set you back a measly €8.50, 24hrs is €10 and additional day is €7. You can even rent a tandem bike for €17 per 24hrs. They no longer require tourists to leave a photo ID, but you’ll need to show proof of accommodation at a local hotel. Q Open 09:00 - 19:00. Drop-off also available at most major hotels after- hours.
Fun for kids Those with kids might also want to drop into Kuumoon (see Cafés) for a bite and some fun activities.
Batuudikeskus UP B-1, Lai 10, tel. (+372) 443 30
02,
[email protected], www.batuudikeskus. ee. Jump, jump, jump around! Strictly for kids, this noisy, air-trampoline hall is a place to bounce away all that sugardrink energy. There’s also a ball pool for the wee tykes. QOpen 12:00 - 21:00, Sat, Sun 10:00 - 21:00. €2/1hr; €5/3hr; €7/day. W
Mängudžungel Aida 7 (Pärnu Keskus), tel. (+372) 58 60 26 62, www.rrmangumaa.ee. This fun, indoor playroom on the top floor of the central Pärnu Keskus shopping mall is set up to entertain any little ones up to 1.4 metres, but mainly caters to the 0 to 8-year-old crowd. Parents of those over 3 years old can even leave them here while they go shop. There are activities, climbing equipment and even a slide that goes down to the next floor. Q Open 10:00 - 20:00, Sat 10:00 - 18:00, Sun 10:00 - 16:00. €2/hr. Tervise Paradiis Waterpark C-4, Side 14, tel.
(+372) 445 16 66,
[email protected], www.terviseparadiis.ee. One of Pärnu’s biggest attractions for kids is the water park that’s part of the Tervise Paradiis complex near the beach. In addition to four water slides and countless pools, the 11,500m2, mostly-indoor park features a pool with a built-in climbing wall, a jacuzzi, a lap pool and one outdoor pool section that can be reached by swimming from the inside. Electronic bracelets are given out when you enter that allow you to charge drinks at the Aqua Bar (fresh orange juice is a big hit) and pay when you leave. A 3-hour visit costs €9 - 14, depending on the season and time and day. Family tickets are available. Q Open 10:00 - 22:00. January to May and September to December open 11:00 - 22:00.
Pärnu In Your Pocket
Watersports Pärnu Surf School & Club B-4, tel. (+372) 53 44
Minigolf Pärnu Beach Minigolf B-4, Ranna pst., tel. (+372)
510 11 58. If you think minigolf is easy, this little course next to the beach just might change your mind. A play park for kids is nearby. Open June through August. €3 for adults. QOpen 10:00 - 22:00.
Strand Minigolf G-3, Tammsaare pst. 35, tel. (+372)
447 53 93,
[email protected], www.strand.ee. Located in the depths of the Strand Hotel, Pärnu’s only indoor minigolf course comes with 18 challenging holes and even has its own café/bar. QOpen 16:00 - 22:00. Green fees: €6/round, €12/whole day.
09 19,
[email protected], www.surfa.ee/en/. The far east end of the beach is the place to go for all things windsurfing and kitesurfing. The trained pros at the Pärnu Surf Club will rent you equipment and offers lessons no matter what the weather. The one-hour ‘Come and try’ kite surf lesson is €50, and longer, basic lessons are €100. QOpen 10:00 - 21:00.
Sun & Fun G-3, Kooli 32, tel. (+372) 501 26 21,
[email protected], w w w.holidayresor t.ee. Waterskiing, wake-boarding and the like. If you’d prefer to participate in your favourite watersports from the privacy of your own room, they can arrange for that too. Book in advance.
Roller-skating
Sporty fun Mai Squash H-4, Papiniidu 50, tel. (+372) 442 01 03,
[email protected], www.maisquash.ee. A fullservice squash centre. Courts cost €4.90/hr. Equipment rental also available. QOpen 15:00 - 22:00. My Fitness B-2, Aida 5, tel. (+372) 442 30 00,
parnu@my f itness.ee, w w w.my f itness.ee. Ever ythin g one would wan t from a full-ser vice g ym, this centrall y-located facili ty even has a solarium. Q Open 07:15 - 22:00, Sat 10:00 - 18:00, Sun 09:00 - 20:00. Single entr y €13.
Pärnu Kesklinna Tenniseklubi B-3, Ringi 14a, tel.
(+372) 445 96 88/(+372) 521 55 24, tennis@parnu. ee, www.parnutennis.ee. This outdoor club right in the centre is open from May 15 - Oct 1 and offers training and court rentals to those who want to participate or you could just hang around outside the fence to watch the skirts fly around. QOpen 08:00 - 22:00.
Pärnu Tennisehall H-3, Tammsaare pst. 39, tel. (+372) 442 72 46,
[email protected], www.tennisehall.ee. Pärnu’s most modern tennis facility features four indoor tennis courts, eight outdoor courts and five badminton courts. You can rent all the equipment you need right here (€3 for a racquet, €3 for balls) while the court itself costs €12 - 27/hr. Reserve in advance by phone. Q Open 08:00 - 22:00, Sat 09:00 - 21:00, Sun 10:00 - 21:00. parnu.inyourpocket.com
Almost all of the parks around Pärnu have blade-friendly paths, but unless you have a death wish, avoid the downtown streets with their mansized potholes. The most popular place to blade is near the beach, where you can rent blades by the hour from hawkers who set up their stands here.
Boating The Yacht Club E-3, Lootsi 6, tel. (+372) 447 17
50,
[email protected], www.jahtklubi.ee. The Yacht Club, Lootsi 6, is Pärnu’s centre for messing about in boats, and should be the first stop for anyone interested in renting a yacht, sailboat or water scooter. Note that power-boat activity is often restricted to the river to keep the beach area safe, but wind-surfers ride the waves with impunity.
Fun at the beach Just so there’s no confusion, this is not a hidden paradise somewhere in the South Pacific. In addition to being the centre of the universe for the summer crowd, Pärnu Beach is a major concert and festival venue, and can get absolutely packed with bodies. But if you don’t mind the thongs... erm, throngs, you can take advantage of one of Eastern Europe’s best-maintained beaches, recently given high marks for water quality, cleanliness, and availability of services. The clean water means that you can swim and frolic without worry. Aside from the obvious non-strenuous beach activities like sunbathing, eating ice-cream and frolicking on the sand, there are more sporty things to do at the beach. There are volleyball nets, tricky swings, a climbing wall and occasionally a trampoline.
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33 Fashion Baltman B-2, Rüütli 33, tel. (+372) 443 13 94, www. baltman.ee. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 16:00, Sun 11:00 - 15:00.
Bastion B-1, Lai 11 (Port Artur), tel. (+372) 447 88 48,
[email protected], www.bastion.eu. QOpen 10:00 - 20:00, Sun 10:00 - 18:00.
Brenda B-2, Rüütli 36, tel. (+372) 442 66 22. Children’s clothing. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun. Chic Boutique B-2, Hospidali 4, tel. (+372) 53 58 62 26. Designer wear. QOpen 10:00 - 17:00, Sat 10:00 - 14:00.
Closed Sun.
Erika Lingerie B-2, Rüütli 36, tel. (+372) 442 24 44, erikapesupood.edicypages.com. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00,
Antiques Antiik B-2, Kuninga 32, tel. (+372) 510 67 07. QOpen 10:00 - 17:00, Sat 10:00 - 15:00. Closed Sun. Antiques & Lombard C-3, Aia 3, tel. (+372) 442 56 00. QOpen 10:00 - 17:00, Sat 10:00 - 14:00. Closed Sun. Rüüti Antiik B-2, Rüütli 21a (in courtyard), tel. (+372) 443 00 44. QOpen 10:00 - 17:00, Sat 11:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun. Vanavara G-3, Karja 26, tel. (+372) 443 01 43, www. vanavaraantiik.ee. QOpen 10:00 - 16:00, Sat 10:00 14:00. Closed Mon, Sun.
Art Kuninga Salong B-2, Kuninga 26, tel. (+372) 53 31 00 55. QOpen 10:00 - 17:30, Sat 10:00 - 15:00. Closed Sun. Punane Torn B-2, Uus 5, tel. (+372) 50 57 754, lei-
[email protected], punanetorn.ee. This little, medievalera tower serves both as a wine bar and as a shop selling eclectic paintings and artwork. QOpen 11:00 - 17:00, Sat 11:00 - 15:00. Closed Mon, Sun. Vuhti Galerii Ringi 40, tel. (+372) 443 08 49/(+372) 564 04 40,
[email protected], www.vuhti.com. Ceramics, paintings and textiles by local artists. QOpen 11:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon, Sun.
Books Apollo Raamatumaja H-4, Papiniidu 8/10 (Kaub-
amajakas), tel. (+372) 633 60 00,
[email protected], www. apollo.ee. QOpen 10:00 - 21:00. Rahva Raamat B-1, Lai 11 (Port Artur), tel. (+372) 626 65 92, www.rahvaraamat.ee. The only downtown bookstore where you’re likely to find books in English or Finnish. It even has its own café. QOpen 10:00 - 20:00, Sun 10:00 - 18:00.
Sat 11:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun. Esprit B-2, Rüütli 45, tel. (+372) 443 04 07. QOpen 10:00 - 20:00, Sat 10:00 - 18:00, Sun 10:00 - 16:00. Feng B-2, Rüütli 31. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00, Sun 10:00 - 17:00.
Fashion Factory B-2, Rüütli 28, kmkr.style@ gmail.com. Danish clothing brands Cream and Kaffe. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun. Glamour C-2, Rüütli 55, tel. (+372) 442 54 66. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun. Ivo Nikkolo B-2, Rüütli 18, tel. (+372) 443 82 99, www.ivonikkolo.com. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun. Laste Maailm B-2, Rüütli 14, tel. (+372) 447 01 01. Children’s clothing. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 16:00, Sun 10:00 - 15:00. Marat B-2, Rüütli 26, tel. (+372) 443 04 20, www.marat. ee. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun. Sangar B-2, Aida 7 (Pärnu Keskus), tel. (+372) 730 73 06,
[email protected], www.sangar.ee. QOpen 10:00 20:00, Sun 10:00 - 18:00. Vero Moda & Jack and Jones B-2, Rüütli 38, tel. (+372) 443 10 77. QOpen 10:00 - 20:00, Sat 10:00 18:00, Sun 10:00 - 16:00. Vila B-2, Rüütli 39, tel. (+372) 444 04 33. QOpen 10:00 - 20:00, Sat 10:00 - 18:00, Sun 10:00 - 16:00.
Shoes Jetty B-1, Lai 11 (Port Artur). QOpen 10:00 - 20:00, Sun 10:00 - 18:00. ABC King B-1, Lai 11
(Port Artur), tel. (+372) 447 88 15, portartur@ abcking.ee, www.abcking.ee. Shoes for the whole family. QOpen 10:00 - 20:00, Sun 10:00 - 18.00. Also at: H-4, Papiniidu 8/10, tel. (+372) 447 42 11. Open 10:00 - 21:00.
Cosmetics Ideaal Kosmeetika B-1, Lai 11 (Port Artur), tel. (+372) 447 88 04, www.ideaalkosmeetika.ee. QOpen 10:00 - 20:00, Sun 10:00 - 18:00. I.L.U. B-1, Aida 7 (Pärnu Keskus), tel. (+372) 513 01 13, www.ilu.eu. QOpen 10:00 - 20:00, Sun 10:00 - 18:00. Rosalind B-2, Pühavaimu 18, tel. (+372) 443 01 23, www.rosalind.ee. Q Open 09:30 - 19:00, Sat 10:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun. Pärnu In Your Pocket
parnu.inyourpocket.com
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I remember, how we met. I had a suitcase and you had flowers. Pärnu was very special, when we met. I remember, that the story ended well.
Shopping centres
Jewellery Kaubamajakas H-4,
Papiniidu 8/10, tel. (+372) 445 59 00,
[email protected], www.kaubamajakas.ee. Largest shopping mall in west Estonia. QOpen 10:00 - 21:00. In the off-season 10:00 - 20:00. TULW
Lepa Keskus C-2, Karja 4, tel. (+372) 445 92 10. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00, Sat, Sun 09:00 - 16:00. Port Artur B-2, Hommiku 2, tel. (+372) 447 88 88, info@ portartur.ee, www.portartur. ee. Downtown’s largest shopping mall makes its home in two separate buildings across from the bus station. The larger building at Lai 11 offers a food shop, two cafés and book store. QOpen 10:00 - 20:00, Sun 10:00 - 18:00. Also at: B-1, Lai 11, tel. 447 88 89. Open 10:00 - 20:00, Sun 10:00 - 18:00. Food department open daily 09:00 - 22:00. Pärnu Keskus B-1, Aida 7, tel. (+372) 445 96 77,
[email protected], www.parnukeskus.ee. A variety of fashionable boutiques in a downtown locale. QOpen 10:00 20:00, Sun 10:00 - 18:00. In the off-season open 10:00 - 20:00, Sat 10:00 - 18:00, Sun 10:00 - 16:00.
Ehteäri B-2, Rüütli 41, tel. (+372) 446 50 42,
[email protected], www.ehteari.ee. QOpen 11:00 - 18:00, Sat 11:00 - 15:00. Closed Sun. Kuld Artur B-2, Rüütli 43, tel. (+372) 443 06 77, www.kuldartur.ee. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun. Kuldkett B-2, Rüütli 27, tel. (+372) 444 05 09. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 15:00. Closed Sun. Liilia Kullasalong B-2, Aida 7 (Pärnu Keskus), tel. (+372) 650 61 99. QOpen 10:00 - 20:00, Sun 10:00 - 18:00.
Open 9-22
Souvenirs/Handicrafts Kirju Lamba Pood B-2, Rüütli 27, tel. (+372) 442 21 21. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun. Kristall B-2, Rüütli 35, tel. (+372) 443 09 36. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00, Sat, Sun 10:00 - 16:00. Maarja-Magdaleena Gild B-2, Uus 5, tel. (+372) 447 19 01, www.maarjamagdaleenagild.ee. QOpen 10:00 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 15:00. Closed Sun. Pärnu Käsitöö B-2, Vee 6, tel. (+372) 442 51 21, www.aale.ee. QOpen 10:00 - 19:00, Sat 10:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun. Suveniir B-2, Ringi 5, tel. (+372) 444 01 81, www. ringi5.ee. A great selection of souvenirs and Estonian handicrafts. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 16:00, Sun 11:00 - 15:00. Also at: B-2, Rüütli 34. Open 10:00 - 19:00, Sat 10:00 - 16:00, Sun 11:00 - 15:00.
www.inyourpocket.com Food Comarket G-3, Karusselli 91, tel. (+372) 443 92 34,
[email protected], www.comarket.ee. QOpen 09:00 - 22:00. Hyper Rimi H-4, Papiniidu 8/10 (Kaubamajakas), tel. (+372) 447 53 30,
[email protected], www.rimi.ee. QOpen 08:00 - 22:00. Port Artur B-1, Lai 11, tel. (+372) 447 88 89, info@por tar tur.ee, w w w.por tar tur.ee. Q Open 09:00 - 22:00. Säästumarket H-2, Karja 4, tel. (+372) 442 18 14, www.smarket.ee. QOpen 08:00 - 22:00. Pärnu In Your Pocket
The biggest shopping center in Pärnu city center with more than 80 shops
parnu.inyourpocket.com
Speciality stores Akela Kotipood B-2, Pühavaimu 13, tel. (+372) 442 24 03,
[email protected]. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun.
Carpe Vinum B-1, Aida 7 (Pärnu Keskus), tel. +372 605
64 26, www.carpevinum.ee. Wine shop with café set-up. QOpen 10:00 - 20:00, Sun 10:00 - 18:00. Jussin Viinakauppa B-2, Nikolai 24, tel. (+372) 442 03 10, www.jussinviinakauppa.ee. Wide selection of beverages and tobacco. QOpen 10:00 - 22:00. Kommipood B-2, Ringi 7, tel. (+372) 514 62 34. Chocolate by the famous Kalev factory. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 15:00. Closed Sun. N Riiamarii A-2, Pühavaimu 20, tel. (+372) 447 00 35,
[email protected], riiamarii.weebly.com. Organic food products, cosmetics, aromatherapy, teas, etc. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun. Veiniladu B-2, Kuninga 16, tel. (+372) 442 36 54,
[email protected], www.veiniladu.ee. Wine shop. QOpen 11:00 - 19:00. Closed Sun. Viola Lillepood B-2, Ringi 9, tel. (+372) 447 38 12, www.violalill.ee. Florist. QOpen 07:30 - 18:00, Sat 09:00 - 16:00, Sun 09:00 - 15:00.
parnu.inyourpocket.com
Markets Lepa Turg C-2, Karja 4, tel. (+372) 445 92 10. QOpen 09:00 - 15:00. Closed Mon. Old Market (Vana Turg) C-2, Suur-Sepa 18, tel.
(+372) 443 58 95,
[email protected], www.parnuturg.ee. QOpen 07:00 - 16:30, Sun 07:00 - 15:00. Closed Mon. Taluturg B-1, Aida 7 (Pärnu Keskus), tel. (+372) 58 17 15 04,
[email protected], www.taluturg.ee. This farmers’ market is the place to get fresh produce right from the source.. Q Open 10:00 - 20:00, Sun 10:00 - 18:00.
2013/2014
35
36
gettiNg ArOUND
DireCtOrY Banks
Medical & Dental services
Car rental
Danske Bank B-2, Hommiku 1, tel. (+372) 680 08 00,
Hommiku Hambaravi B-2, Pikk 11, tel. (+372) 506 08 47, www.hommikuhambaravi.ee. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00.
1autorent tel. (+372) 53 00 01 11, info@1autorent-
Kesklinna Hambakliinik B-1, Lai 10, tel. (+372) 443
20/(+372) 53 30 42 27, fax (+372) 443 10 63, parnu@ avis.ee, www.avis.ee. Forrent A-1, Tallinna mnt. 1a, tel. (+372) 507 40 04, www. forrent.ee. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00, Sat, Sun 11:00 - 18:00. Rendiautorent tel. (+372) 514 15 10,
[email protected], www.rendiautorent.ee.
fax (+372) 675 31 41,
[email protected], www.danskebank.ee. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 15:00. Closed Sun. Nordea B-1, Lai 11 (Port Artur), tel. (+372) 628 33 00, fax (+372) 710 16 11,
[email protected], www.nordea. ee. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 14:00. Closed Sun. SEB B-2, Rüütli 40a, tel. (+372) 665 51 00, fax (+372) 665 51 03,
[email protected], www.seb.ee. QOpen 09:00 17:00, Sat 10:00 - 14:00. Closed Sun. Swedbank B-1, Aida 5, tel. (+372) 631 03 10, info@ swedbank.ee, www.swedbank.ee. QOpen 09:00 - 17:00, Sat 10:00 - 14:00. Closed Sun.
Beauty care & massage Beauty Angel B-2, Ringi 1, tel. (+372) 447 16 05,
[email protected], www.beautyangel.ee. QOpen
10:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 15:00. Closed Sun. Di Elly B-2, Hommiku 10, tel. (+372) 444 01 29, laili.
[email protected], www.dielly.webs.com. QOpen 09:00 - 20:00. Closed Sun. Dione Ilukeskus B-2, Hommiku 3, tel. (+372) 442 02 55. QOpen 10:00 - 20:00, Sat 10:00 - 16:00. Closed Mon, Sun. Helle & Helen B-2, Rüütli 41, tel. (+372) 444 21 69,
[email protected], www.hellehelen.eu. QOpen 09:00 19:00, Sat 09:00 - 16:00, Sun 10:00 - 16:00. Also at: B-2, Hommiku 17, tel. 442 96 55. Open 09:00 - 20:00. Ilumaja B-2, Kuninga 20, tel. (+372) 443 15 11,
[email protected], www.ilumaja.ee. QOpen 08:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun. Lux Salong B-2, Ringi 4, tel. (+372) 443 38 53, info@ salonglux.ee, www.salonglux.ee. QOpen 09:00 - 20:00, Sat, Sun 09:00 - 18:00. Massaazikas B-2, Rüütli 35, tel. (+372) 53 09 95 56,
[email protected], www.massaazikas.ee. Massage salon. QOpen , Tue, Thu 10:00 - 16:30, Wed, Fri 11:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon, Sat, Sun.
Salong Virgin B-2, Hospidali 1, tel.
(+372) 58 11 11 71, virgingrupp@gmail. com, www.clubvirgin.eu. Virgin offers a variety of unbeatable, subtly erotic massages at the hands of beautiful and professional, topless masseuses.QOpen 10:00 - 23:00.
Venus B-2, Ringi 4, tel. (+372) 447 79 99, venus.kaida@ gmail.com, www.iluvenus.ee. QOpen 09:00 - 19:00, Sat
09:00 - 15:00. Closed Sun.
Dry cleaners & laundrettes SOL Eesti B-1, Lai 11 (Port Artur), tel. (+372) 447 88 30,
[email protected], www.sol.ee. QOpen 08:00 - 19:00, Sat 09:00 - 17:00, Sun 10:00 - 15:00.
Solariums Päikesekiir B-1, Lai 11 (Port Artur), tel. (+372) 447 88 28, www.paikesekiir.ee. QOpen 10:00 - 20:00, Sat, Sun 10:00 - 18:00.
Solaariumikeskus Päike H-3, Tammsaare 41, tel.
(+372) 445 22 11,
[email protected], www. paike.ee. QOpen 08:00 - 21:00, Sat, Sun 09:00 - 20:00. Sun Club B-2, Rüütli 27, tel. (+372) 443 55 55,
[email protected], www.sunclub.ee. QOpen 09:00 19:00, Sat 09:00 - 17:00. Closed Sun.
Pärnu In Your Pocket
parnu.ee, www.1autorent-parnu.ee.
Avis B-2, Kuninga 25 (Hotel Victoria), tel. (+372) 447 30
Closed Sat, Sun.
46 18/(+372) 53 31 60 02,
[email protected], www.kesklinnahambakliinik.ee. QOpen 08:00 - 19:00. Closed Sat, Sun. Pärnu Hambapolikliinik C-2, Väike-Kuke 4b, tel. (+372) 445 92 99/(+372) 56 63 36 41,
[email protected], www.hambapolikliinik.ee. Q Open 08:00 - 20:00, Sat 09:00 - 15:00. Closed Sun. Pärnu Hospital H-1, Ristiku 1, tel. (+372) 447 33 01/(+372) 447 33 93 (emergency),
[email protected], www. ph.ee. The city’s main hospital. Q Emergency services open 24h.
Opticians Eesti Optik B-2, Hospidali 14, tel. (+372) 444 03 45, www.optika.ee. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 15:00.
Closed Sun.
Instrumentarium B-2, Rüütli 24, tel. (+372) 445 31 11,
[email protected], www.instru.ee. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun. Norman Optika B-2, Rüütli 14, tel. (+372) 447 01 20,
[email protected], www.normanoptika.ee. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun. Also at: B-1, Aida 7 (Pärnu Keskus), tel. 442 78 35. Open 10:00 - 20:00, Sun 10:00 - 18:00. Pro Optika B-1, Lai 11 (Port Artur), tel. (+372) 447 86 93,
[email protected], www.prooptika.ee. QOpen 10:00 - 20:00, Sat 10:00 - 18:00, Sun 10.00 - 16:00. Tallinna Optika B-2, Hommiku 13, tel. (+372) 443 13 69,
[email protected], www.opti.ee. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 15:00. Closed Sun.
Pharmacies Apotheka B-2, Hommiku 1, tel. (+372) 447 98 35, www.apotheka.ee. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun. Also at: B-2, Lai 11, tel. 447 86 15. Open 09:00 - 20:00; Sat 09:00 - 18:00, Sun 10:00 - 18:00. Lõwi Apteek B-2, Rüütli 14, tel. (+372) 447 01 16, www.apotheka.ee. QOpen 09:00 - 17:00. Closed Sat, Sun. Pärnu Linnaapteek B-2, Pikk 11, tel. (+372) 444 12 62,
[email protected], www.benu.ee. QOpen 09:00 19.00, Sat 09:00 - 17:00, Sun 10:00 - 16:00. Ülejõe Apteek B-2, Rüütli 37, tel. (+372) 447 26 86, www.ylejoeapteek.ee. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 15:00. Closed Sun. Ülikooli Apteek B-2, Rüütli 30, tel. (+372) 447 27 40,
[email protected], www.ya.ee. QOpen 08:30 - 19:00, Sat 09:30 - 17:00. Closed Sun.
Trains Airplanes Pärnu Airport Eametsa Village, Sauga district, tel. (+372) 447 50 00/(+372) 447 50 01, fax (+372) 447 50 02,
[email protected], www.parnu-airport.ee. Flying options from Pärnu are limited. The, once regular, scheduled flights from Stockholm have currently been suspended. Unless you are chartering a flight or going to Kihnu or Ruhnu you probably won’t have any business spending any time here. Flights to Kihnu Island, operated by Luftverkehr FrieslandHarle (www.lendame.ee), take place during the colder months. If you want to get to Kihnu in summer, you should take the ferry. Flights to Ruhnu Island are scheduled every Mon, Tue, Thurs and Friday see website for exact times. To get to the airport, take bus No 23 from the centre, or call a taxi from the list we have provided.
Buses Bus Station A-2, Ringi 3, tel. (+372) 12012. Buy your
tickets in the wooden station house on Ringi, or directly from the driver. Bus platforms are located a hundred metres away. All Tallinn-bound buses leave from platform 1, and tickets generally cost €6 - 8.50. Cargobus, near platform 8, tel. 44 27 845, open 08:00 - 19:30, Sat 08:00 - 17:00, Sun 09:00 - 17:00, sell tickets on the long-distance Lux Express buses bound for Riga and Vilnius, but these tickets can be bought from the driver as well. QOpen 06:15 - 19:30.
Ferries Kihnu Veeteed A-1, Kalda 2, tel. (+372) 443 10 69/
(+372) 53 44 12 94 (ferry),
[email protected], www.veeteed.com. During the warmer months regular ferries run to Kihnu Island and leave from the quay located at Kalda 2 (A-1). Departures are Wed - Sun, and cost €4.50 each way.
Ferry to Kihnu
Photo services Anu Foto B-1, Lai 11 (Port Artur), tel. (+372) 447 86 33,
[email protected], www.anufoto.ee. Q Open
10:00 - 20:00, Sun 10:00 - 18:00. Also at: Kaubamajakas shopping centre (Papiniidu 8/10), tel. 445 59 22. Open 10:00 - 21:00. Fotoluks B-2, Rüütli 16 (entrance from Nikolai), tel. (+372) 447 80 10,
[email protected], w w w. fotoluks.ee. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 15:00. Closed Sun. Pilter B-2, Vee 4, tel. (+372) 447 40 36, koopia@pilter. ee, www.pilditeenused.pilter.ee. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 15:00. Closed Sun.
parnu.inyourpocket.com
From Pärnu Day ___456_ _ _ 3_ _ _ _ _ __34567
Departure 09:30 11:00 18:30
From Kihnu Day Departure __3456_ 06:30 ___4___ 13:30 _ _ 3_ 5 6 7 15:30
Duration of trip is 2,5 hours. Adult single ticket price is €4.50. Schedule valid May 01 to August 31, 2013. Please note that Pärnu In Your Pocket does not take responsibility for changes in the schedule. Please always check for the most current schedule with the service provider.
parnu.inyourpocket.com
Train Station Riia mnt. 116. Though trains still depart from here, Pärnu’s train station has actually been bulldozed, so it’s more proper to call it a ‘train stop’, or a ‘patch of dirt’. There are only two trains to Tallinn daily and they take longer than the buses. Buy tickets from an agent on the train. For more information contact Edelaraudtee, www.edel.ee, info@ edel.ee, tel. 1447.
Tallinn train connections To Pärnu Departure Arrival 06:56 09:42 17:29 20:13
From Pärnu Departure Arrival 07:14 09:58 17:11 19:57
Price €5.50 €5.50
All trains run daily. Schedule valid as of April 16, 2013. Please note that Pärnu In Your Pocket does not take responsibility for changes in the schedule. Please always check for the most current schedule with the service provider.
Travel agencies Estravel B-2, Kuninga 34, tel. (+372) 447 37 77, fax (+372) 443 10 63,
[email protected], www.estravel. ee. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun. GoTravel B-2, Hommiku 4, tel. (+372) 631 02 17, fax (+372) 631 02 30,
[email protected], www. gotravel.ee. QOpen 09:00 - 17:00. Closed Sat, Sun. Reiser Travel Agency B-3, Adamsoni 1, tel. (+372) 447 14 80, fax (+372) 447 14 82,
[email protected], www.reiser.ee. QOpen 09:00 - 16:00. Closed Sat, Sun. Reisiekspert B-2, Rüütli 47, tel. (+372) 610 86 56, fax (+372) 610 86 40,
[email protected], www. reisiekspert.ee. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun. Wris B-1, Lai 11 (Port Artur), tel. (+372) 443 14 56, fax (+372) 443 14 58,
[email protected], www.wris.ee. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun.
Taxis Taxis typically charge a starting fee (usually €2.24) and begin racking up the kilometre charges immediately. Note that the second (short) telephone numbers listed here will work from all Estonian fixed and mobile lines, but if you’re calling from a foreign mobile, you need to dial the regular seven-digit number.
Bristol Takso tel. (+372) 443 06 00/1700. €2.24 + €0.77/km. E-Takso tel. (+372) 443 11 11/1300, www.etakso. ee. €2.24 + €0.77/km. Pärnu Takso tel. (+372) 443 92 22/1200,
[email protected], www.parnutakso.ee. €2.24 + €0.77/km. 2013/2014
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38
Street register Aarde G-1 Aasa E-2 A.Adamsoni B/F-3 Aia C-2, C/F-3 Aida B-1,F-3 Aisa C/G-3 Akadeemia A-2,F-3 Allika E/F-2 Angerja E-3 Ankru D-3 Aru B-1,E-2/3 Arukase G-1 Astri E-2 Auli B/F-3 Edela E-3 Eha A-3,F-4 Ehitajate tee E/F/H-1 Emajõe E-4 Esplanaadi A/B/F-3,F-4 Estonia B-3 Gildi B-2 Haapsalu mnt D/E-4 Hariduse F-1 Havi E-3 Heina H-3 Henno G-2 Hõbe C/G-3 Hobuse D-3 Hommiku B-1/2,F-3 Hospidali B-2,F-3 Humala E-2 Ilvese E-2 Jaani E-3 Jakobi D-4 Jalaka C-2,F-3 J.V.Jannseni A-1,E-3 I Jõe F-2 II Jõe F-2 III Jõe F-2 IV Jõe G-2 Jüri D-4 Kaarli C/G-4 Kadaka E-2 Kadri E-2/3 Kaevu E-1/2 Kaevu põik E-2 Kajaka B/F-3 Kalamehe G-2 Kalda A-1,E-3 Kaluri D-4 Kana E-2/3 Kanali G-3 Kanepi F-1 Kapteni A-2 Karikakra E-1 Karja G-3 Karjamaa H-3 Karusselli B/C/G-3 Kasarmu G-3
Pärnu In Your Pocket
Kase F-1 Kastani G-2 Kastani põik G-2 P. Kerese A/F-3 Kesk D-4 Keskväljak A-2,F-3 Kevade E-4 Kibuvitsa E-1 Kiige E-1 Kilgi D-2 Kirsi E-1/2,F-2 Kitse D/E-3 Kitse põik D-3 Kivi C/G-3 Kodara G-1 Koidu -G2 Koidula park B-2,F-3 Kolde E-2 Kooli C-2,G/H-3 Kreegi E-1 Kuldse kodu E-1 Kulla D-1 Kuninga B-2,F-3 Kuremarja E-1 Kuu -F1 Kuuse B/G-4 Kõrkja D-4 Köie G-2 Laatsareti G-2 Laeva D-3 Lahe E-4 Laine H-3 Lao H-3 Lehe B/F-4 Lepa E-2 Liblika G-1 Liilia G-2 Liiva G-2/3 Lille E-2,F-1 Lina F-1/2 Linda E-3 Loode E-3 Lootsi A-2,E-3 Lootsi põik E-3 Lubja D-2,E-3 Luha D-4 Luite D-4 Lõo D-1 Lõuna B-2,F-3 Maarja D-4 Mai H-3 Majaka D-4 Malmö B-2,F-3 Mardi D-4 Mere pst A-3,F-4,H-2, Merekalda E-4 Mihkli E-3 Mini Zoo A-2,F-3 Mooni E2
Munga B-2,F-3 Muraka E/F-2 Mureli E-1 Muru A-2,F-3 Muuli E-4 Mõrra D-4 Mäe F-2 Männi F-2 Mündi E-1 Neeme D-4 Nelgi E-1 Niidu G-1 Niidu mets H-1 Niidu park G-1 Niine D-2 Nikolai B-2/3,F-3 Nooda D-4 Noorte väljak E-3 Nurme E-3 Nurme tee D-4 Oja E-2,F/G/H-1 Pae H-3 Paju G-3 Papli B/G-4 Pappsaare tee D-4 Pardi G-3 Pargi C-2,F-3 Parmu D-1 Peetri D-4 Pihlaka F-1 Piiri E-2 Pikanõmme tee G-1 Pikk B-2,F-3 Pilli G-2 Pirni F-1 Ploomi G-1 Pohla F-2 Proksi D-1 Purje D-4 Põhja B-2,F-3 Põllu D-4 Papiniidu H-3 Pähkli E-1 Pärja E-2 Pärna B/F-3 Pärnu C/F-2 Pühavaimu B-2,F-3 Püssi E-3 Raba F-1 Rahu D-3 Ranna D/E-4 Ranna pst B/G-4 Rannapark B/F-4 Raua D-1 Ravi H-3 Remmelga A-2,F-3 Riia mnt B-1,F-3,G-2 Ringi A/B-2,E/F-3 Ristiku H-1 Roheline E-2 Rohu E-2,F/G-1 Roo D-4 Roosi A/B/F-3 Ruudu G-3 Rõngu D-3 Rääma E/G-2 Rähni G-2/3 Rüütli A/B-2,F-3 Sadama A-2,E-3
Sarve D/E-3 Sauga D-3 Sauga-Jõekalda E-3 Savi D/E/F-1 Saviaugu D-1 Seedri A-2,F-4 Side C-3/4,G-3 Siili E-2 Sillutise G-2 Sireli E-1 Soo D/E-4 Supeluse B/F-3 Suur-Jõe F/H-2 Suur-Jõekalda A-1,E-3 Suur-Kuke G-3 Suur-Posti C/G-3 Suur-Sepa C-2,F-3 Suur-Toome E-4 Suur-Veski G-2 Suvituse A-3,F-4 Sõstra E-1 Sääse B-3,F-4 Tallinna mnt E-2 Tamme F-1 Tammsaare pst C-4,H-3 Telliskivi E-2 Terase D-1 Tikri E-1 Toominga A-2,F-4 Tui G-2 Tulbi C/G-3 Tulika E-2 Turba D-1 Turu D-3 Tuule D-1 Tähe G-1 Uus B-2,F-3 Uus-Sauga E-3 Vahe D/E-3 Vallikraav A-2,F-3 Vana Kalmistu G-2 Vanapargi C-2 Vana-Pargi F-3 Vanapark C-2,F-3 Vana-Rääma E-2 Vana-Sauga D-3 Vana-Tallinna A-2 Vase C/G-3 Vastla D-2 Vee B-1/2,F-3 Vilja E-2 Vingi C-1/2,F-2/3 Voorimehe E-2 Voorimehe põik E-2 Võimlemise B-2,F-3 Väike-Aru A-1,E-3 Väike-Jõe F-2 Väike-Kuke C-2,G-3 Väike-Posti C/F/G-3 Väike-Sepa F-2 Väike-Toome E-4 Väike-Veski G-2 Õhtu A-2,F-3 Õhtu põik A-2,F-3 Õie G-3 Õli D-3 Õuna F-1/2 Ülase E-2 Uus B-2
parnu.inyourpocket.com
Tervise Paradiis SPA-hotel
& water park
• 4-star hotel with magnificent view on Pärnu bay • over 30 different healing spa treatment procedures and relaxing spa treatments • restaurants & bars • Estonia's biggest water park • waterfalls and saunas • outdoor heated pool • 25 m swimming pool • summer terrace • bowling • fitness room • aerobics
www.tervisparadiis.ee Side 14, 80010 Pärnu, Estonia Bookings tel +372 447 9219 Hotel 24 h tel +372 445 1600
[email protected]
SPA Tervis
• 3-star medical spa • professional spa treatments have been provided for 40 years • mud treatment • different massages • salt treatment • doctors consultation • spa and sauna centre • 5 different saunas • natural solarium • Japanese pool • fitness room • 25 m swimming pool • entertainment centre with various programs • café & bar with outdoor terraces and with magnificent view of the river mouth and the setting sun
www.spatervis.ee Seedri 6, 80010 Pärnu, Estonia Bookings tel +372 447 9200 Hotel 24 h tel +372 445 0111
[email protected]