Here in Estonia, we simply love our saunas... Sitting in the hot steam naked with your friends and time to time hitting each other with branches of birch trees - what's not to like? It sounds simple and understandable to locals, but confusing to visitors. So, here is a simple overview of everything you need to know about the sauna culture in Estonia. 1. Local honor the sauna If you have seen how red people get in their faces when sitting in a hot sauna, then it is easy to imagine what Estonians would look like if you were to say something inappropriate about Estonian sauna culture. Locals do not appreciate it if someone suggests that a sauna is only a Finnish thing. In reality, saunas are as popular, if not more popular, in Estonia than they are in Finland. People have saunas in central Tallinn apartments, in all public swimming pools, and in their cottages. Many go to the sauna at least once a week, some go every day, and excuses for going vary from business meetings to family reunions. 2. How to use an Estonian sauna the proper way? The sauna procedure itself is simple. You stay in the hot 100°C sauna until you get "comfortably warm". To cool yourself down, you either take a shower or sit in a cozy room in front of the sauna, where you can have a cold drink or some snacks. People normally do at least 2-3 of these sauna rounds, but some can spend the entire evening in the sauna, going in and out several times. The perfect sauna experience would be in a small countryside house with a lake or a river nearby. Locals love to dip themselves into the water or jump into the snow or an ice hole
Here in Estonia, we simply love our saunas… Sitting in the hot steam naked with your friends and time to time hitting each other with branches of birch trees – what’s not to like? It sounds simple and understandable to locals, but confusing to visitors. So, here is a simple overview of everything you need
With almost 15 years of experience organising tours in Estonia, the guides at Prangli Travel have heard thousands of curious questions from travellers. Over the years, we have collected the questions visitors ask most often about Estonia. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we hear during tours — for curious travellers who want to know more about Estonia even before their tour begins. What is the temperature like in Estonia? The temperature in Estonia varies significantly throughout the year. The coldest temperature ever recorded in Estonia was −43.5 °C in 1940, while the hottest temperature reached +35.6 °C in 1992. In typical conditions, summer temperatures are around +20 °C to +25 °C, while winter temperatures often drop to around −5 °C to −10 °C. Traditionally, Estonia had snowy winters from December to February, although recent years have been milder due to climate change. Weather conditions can vary each year, so it is always wise to check the forecast before travelling. What language do people speak in Estonia? The official language is Estonian. Despite our geographical proximity to Russia, Estonian is not related to Russian. It belongs to the Finno-Ugric language family and is related to Finnish and Hungarian. While Estonians can usually understand some Finnish words, meaningful conversations between Finns and Estonians normally require switching to English or another shared language. Other languages in the same language family are spoken by small minority groups in Russia, including Mari, Komi and others. Unfortunately, many of these languages are slowly disappearing due to strong historical pressure for Russification. What are the must-do things in Estonia? For a truly authentic Estonian experience, you should: Try traditional dark rye bread and the dessert kama Leave Tallinn for a bog walk in nature Experience a traditional Estonian sauna These activities reflect some
With almost 15 years of experience organising tours in Estonia, the guides at Prangli Travel have heard thousands of curious questions from travellers. Over the years, we have collected the questions visitors ask most often about Estonia. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we hear during tours — for curious travellers who
