"Haapsalu" Top 5 Page for this destination Haapsalu by MalenaN

Haapsalu Travel Guide: 80 reviews and 306 photos

Promenade along the bay

Haapsalu has a population of 12 000 people, and during the summer many visitors come here as Haapsalu is a popular seaside town. Haapsalu is situated on a peninsula and along the Haapsalu Bay on the Estonian west coast.

Haapsalu got its town right in 1279. Through the years control over Haapsalu has changed many times. It has been ruled by the German Knights of the Sword, the Danes, the Swedes and the Russians. During the 19th century Haapsalu became a popular spa resort for the Russian aristocrats and a railway was built from St Petersburg.

The beach in Haapsalu

I visited Haapsalu on a daytrip from Tallinn, and off season. I found it to be a nice little town with many old wooden houses (from the beginning of the 20th century), museums, galleries and cafés. I also visited the castle and took a walk on the promenade along the bay. But I did not visit one of the spas where you can have a treatment with curative mud.

Last visit to Haapsalu: Apr 2010
Intro Updated May 13, 2010
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Reviews (9)

Bishop's Castle Things to Do (5)

When I visited in April the museum, the Dome Church and the 38 metre tall clock tower were unfortunately closed, because... more travel advice

Birdwatching Tower Things to Do (5)

A few hundred metres northeast of the castle , where the promenade begins, there is a 15 metres high bird watching... more travel advice

Läänemaa Museum Things to Do (5)

Läänemaa Museum is situated in the old Town Hall and it has been housed here since 1949. There are many old photos from... more travel advice

Exhibition room at the museum - Haapsalu

Museum of the Estonian Swedes Things to Do (5)

Museum of the Estonian Swedes is a small museum over Estonia’s Swedish speaking population that lived in the coastal are... more travel advice

Transportation (1)
To Haapsalu from Tallinn and back

Restaurants (3)
See All Kunstigalerii OÜ (Epp Maria Galerii)

Travelogues (6)

1 - 4 of 6

Comments (13)

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Redang Nov 11, 2012 at 12:38 AM

Interesting destination!
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  MalenaN Nov 11, 2012 at 12:44 AM
  
  Thank you Santi!
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MikeBird Sep 14, 2011 at 1:52 PM

Thanks Malena for the foretaste of Haapsalu. I'm off on a birdwatching trip there next week. Looks like I'll not be disappointed.
Mike
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slothtraveller Apr 20, 2011 at 8:21 AM

Thanks for the tips on Haapsalu, Malena. Seems like a nice day trip from Tallinn.
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toonsarah Jun 25, 2010 at 9:09 AM

This seems a lovely little town - I like these coastal places off-season. I was very interested in the link to Pippi Longstocking - it would be great to see that original art-work. The gallery/cafe soulds just the sort of place I love too :-)
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Bwana_Brown May 16, 2010 at 9:37 AM

Malena, this is a very nice little page on the sites you visted during your short trip to Haapsalu. It seems to have had a strong tie with Sweden in bygone days!
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Nemorino May 5, 2010 at 3:03 AM

Too bad they no longer have train service, but at least they have kept the old train station as a museum. This looks like a pleasant and interesting town, in any case.
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mircaskirca May 4, 2010 at 11:22 AM

Malena, you became a real coffee and cake expert! :) Both cafés have very pleasant interior. I would like to have a look at the artwork, especially ceramics and decorated wooden tables sounds very interesting. Nice pictures in the travelogues!
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BillNJ Apr 28, 2010 at 5:12 PM

Great information about the history of the Swedes who inhabited Haapsalu. It also looks like you had some delicious coffee and cake during your visit!
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globetrott Apr 25, 2010 at 8:40 AM

nice to see this great old steam-train !
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yumyum Apr 24, 2010 at 12:52 PM

What an interesting daytrip destination from Tallinn!