Renowned for its enchanting forests, burgeoning creative hubs, rich history, and unique food delicacies, Estonia is also an unexpected spa and wellness haven. To coincide with its 100th Anniversary celebrations for 2018, Visit Estonia has launched a “Spa Trail” to invite visitors to discover some of the best wellness, sauna and spa offerings available across the country.
The handy map highlights the key areas that provide a range of wellness experiences across five key categories: City Spas, Wellness Spas, Eco Spas, Saunas and Sauna Centres, and enables guests to choose their own trail across the country. From typical Estonian traditions such as juniper body peels and home-brewed beer treatments, to more luxurious offerings and countryside smoke saunas, there is a wellness experience for everyone.
City Spas
The city spas are perfect place to visit during a weekend getaway or a long city-break. Tallinn features a wide range of urban spas, from the luxury 19th century Telegraaf Hotel’s Elemis Spa to The Eforea Spa at Hilton Tallinn Park, where a variety of body treatments and fitness experiences are available. Tartu’s Dorsat Spa offers a full range of spa, sauna and medical staff comprising of rehabilitation specialists, dermatologists and even a leech therapist whose treatments can help increase blood circulation.
Wellness Spas
Among the top-rated wellness spas in Estonia is The Emeraude Spa in the heart of Rakvere, a charming town close to the scenic Lahemaa National Park, and is part of the AQVA Hotel & Spa, featuring a water park and sauna centre. A luxurious selection of body and facial treatments, bath treatments, regal stone table treatments are available to revitalise mind, body and soul. Highlights include ‘Rasulbad’, a refreshing beauty ritual in the steam sauna that uses local rasul mud and ‘Sabbia Med’, a relaxing light therapy performed with warm sand.
Set on the beautiful island of Saaremaa, The Georg Ots Spa Hotel is surrounded by forests of pine, spruce and juniper. Boasting its own home-grown wellness products range KENA, the spa uses local produce such as red seaweeds, sage and juniper within its treatments menu.
For more ideas on what to do in Estonia, visit: Estonia Celebrates 100th Anniversary with Festival Season.
Eco Spas
Estonians have been using local ingredients found in nature in health and wellness therapies for centuries and today, modern Eco spas still follow the same principles. The Energy Eco-Spa on the shore of the Navesti River is the perfect place for those seeking a 100% natural wellness experience. Local, ecologically grown herbs are mixed together with clay, peat and natural plant oils to create the organic treatments on offer. The Organic Spa Harmoonikum, the first BEER SPA in Estonia, features wood-burning steam saunas and craft beer baths. Hidden by centuries-old walls of the former cattle enclosure at Viimsi Manor, guests can drink Estonian craft beer while enjoying vitamin B-rich baths that help skin regeneration. The natural extracts used to brew beer – selected varieties of hops, yeast and malt – stimulate metabolism, help remove toxins and ease fatigue and stress.
Saunas
Saunas in Estonia are so special, that the smoke sauna traditions of Old Võromaa have been added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. At Mooska Farm, a whimsical farm immersed in nature in the country’s southern region, visitors can enjoy this unique Estonian experience. The rich aroma of burning wood is complemented by the mix of honey and meat smoked in the sauna. Strategically located next to a pond, guests can quickly dip in the nearby icy waters to stimulate blood circulation. Situated on the secluded, luscious island of Muhu, Pädaste Manor is the only five-star hotel outside Tallinn and a destination in its own right. Boasting one of the most famous fine-dining restaurants in Estonia, Alexander, Pädaste Spa still follows the old-fashioned tradition to heat the sauna with wood pieces and the treatments are based on old Muhu herbal traditions and local produce. All oils, creams and scrubs are freshly prepared every day using only natural ingredients of the highest quality such as native hay, mud and field flowers.
Sauna centres
Estonia offers a wide selection of sauna centres all over the country, boasting a range of saunas, Jacuzzis and even water parks. The Orhidee Thermae & Wellness Centre, set in a tropical winter garden along the north coast near the Russian border, includes infrared, aroma, salt, steam and finish saunas, whirlpools and water-massage pools. The Estonia Resort Hotel & Spa, recently opened in Pärnu, draws inspiration from Estonian nature and cultural traditions. With over seven different saunas, a traditional outdoor smoke sauna and a dead sea salt pool, its Spa & Sauna is a comprehensive wellness temple where guests can find a selection of original Estonian treatments, including the Ancient Estonian massage, aimed to restore the inner body balance.
For more information on the Visit Estonia Spa Trail visit: https://www.visitestonia.com/en/why-estonia/spa-trail-invites-you-to-discover-the-best-wellness-sauna-and-spa-offerings. Flights with BA start from £64.00 including taxes, fees and carrier charges. For more information on travelling to Estonia please visit www.visitestonia.com.
