Estonia Travel Weather

March - April

Months heralding the arrival of spring, temperatures gradually rise to several degrees above 0°C. The weather can be capricious, with the sun becoming more frequent in the sky, but rains are also very common. Early spring brings snowmelt and floods in western Estonia. They are a regular and natural occurrence and do not spell disaster. Estonians proudly call this period the "Fifth Season." In Soomaa National Park, floods cause the region to completely change for a few weeks. The water level then rises by several meters, and an area of the park about 8 km in diameter turns into a fascinating floating land. This creates an opportunity to explore the wilderness from a different perspective, the use of a car or an ordinary walk becomes impossible - the only means of transportation remains kayaks or boats.

April also marks the start of "Tallinn Music Week," and the city turns into a stage hosting more than 200 artists from all over the world, who play for up to 20,000 fans visiting the city for concerts and local beer (the "Tallinn Craft Beer Weekend" beer festival is held in parallel).

May

In May, the air temperature reaches as high as 12°C - 15°C, which is favorable for sightseeing in Estonia. The days are already much longer and more cheerful. There may be rainfall, but it is not so intense and frequent as to make a visit difficult. Nature awakening to life, greening trees and blooming stretches of meadows encourage hiking and biking tours of the country. May is a good time for those who prefer active recreation to lazy relaxation on the beaches.

June - August

The best time to travel to Estonia. Days are sunny and warm, with temperatures rising to 15°C - 25°C, and there are also warmer days with temperatures up to 30°C. Although July and August are the hottest months of the year, rain and cloud cover are not unavoidable even then.

Summer is the country's peak tourist season, with the weather guaranteeing an ideal holiday for those who want to be active, as well as those who enjoy beachcombing on the coasts and Estonian islands. Sandy beaches and a sea warmer than at other times of the year (around 20°C) encourage water sports including surfing, windsurfing and sailing. Surfing can be done on both the sea and the lakes. The most popular lakes among windsurfers are Harku in Tallinn, Võrtsjärv and Lake Pejpus in southern Estonia. Those who prefer a more intimate vacation can relax on the island of Saaremaa, where there are no crowds and the beaches stretch for miles and are usually completely empty.

Summer days are very long, and in late June and early July there is the phenomenon of "white nights". It doesn't start to get dark until after midnight, and sunrise is also quick, which allows for longer outdoor activities (walks, bike trips, camping, bonfires).

Best surfing spots: Ristna on the island of Hiiumaa is known as a paradise for professional surfers. There is almost always a strong wind here. Vääna-Jõesuu - great beach and very good wind conditions. Roosta near Haapsalu - a surfing center for beginners. Beaches in Tallinn and Pärnu - good for beginners and intermediate surfers. Saaremaa Island (Estonia's largest island) with a good surf school.

September - October

The autumn months bring falling temperatures and worsening weather. In September the air temperature is around 7°C - 14°C, while in October it ranges from 4°C - 10°C. Despite increased cloud cover and fleeting rainfall, you can still count on plenty of sunshine.

It's too late for relaxing on the beaches and swimming in the sea, but with no worries about the aura, you can organize round trips related to visiting the most important monuments or spend time actively. Nature in its autumn colors makes hiking and cycling escapades more pleasant.

November - February

Estonian winters are generally cold, windy and snowy. Temperatures in the country's western regions and on the coasts and islands range from -4°C to 0°C. Central and eastern areas, on the other hand, are colder, here the mercury bar can drop to -10°C. It snows regularly and heavily throughout the country, which usually lasts from December to March. The thickest snow cover is in the southern and southeastern regions, and that's where the winter ski season lasts. Estonia is mostly a flat country, hence cross-country skiing is the most popular winter sport here. However, downhill skiing and snowboarding can be successfully practiced in the southern part of the country (including Otepää and Võrumaa). The ski resorts are modern and the trails are well prepared.

The best places for winter sports in Estonia are Kuutsemäe in Otepää, Kütiorg on the edge of the nature park in Haanja Võrumaa, and Ansomägi near Otepää.

The winter months, on the other hand, are not the best time for those set on exploring the country, as snowfall and low temperatures make travel difficult. It is interesting to note that winter temperatures are low enough to travel by car on ice. Ice roads are being built to connect the mainland with the most important islands.

In December, see Tallinn's Christmas market and the Christmas tree that has been erected in the main square for almost 600 years.