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

Haapsalu Travel Guide: 80 reviews and 306 photos

Town in the reeds - Haapsalu
Town in the reeds
The bay, or one of the bays - Haapsalu

The bay, or one of the bays

Haapsalu is a small town located on a peninsula, surrounded by bays and reeds and islands. For whatever geology reason the terrain here is rising by 3 millimetres per year. Haapsalu once had a sea harbour but this has long been given up. The former harbour basin is turning into a lake. The shores of the bay are covered with reeds, the water is shallow.

Haapsalu has become a laid-back, quiet place, as not to call it 'sleepy'. The town centre mostly consists of one- or two-storey wooden houses, most of them in good shape and painted in pastel colours.

Main street - Haapsalu

Main street

At a closer look the town reveals its much more glorious role in history. In the middle ages it was the seat of the bishops of Ösel-Wiek. Their castle and cathedral are Haapsalu's most impressive sights. Later it became a centre of Swedish trade and culture in Estonia. The last Russian Czar used to spend his summer holidays here. To him the town owes its beautiful train station, which unfortunately is not in use any more.

  • Last visit to Haapsalu: Sep 2009
  • Intro Updated Oct 2, 2010
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Reviews (18)

Old town hall - Haapsalu Former Town Hall Things to Do (15)

The little baroque town hall looks tiny next to the castle. Even for the administration of a small town like Haapsalu it... more travel advice

House where Czar Peter once stayed - Haapsalu Czar Peter the Great in Haapsalu Things to Do (15)

Lots of stories and legends are around about Czar Peter the Great and how he learned the profession of a carpenter in... more travel advice

Former KGB building - Haapsalu KGB Things to Do (15)

The building in Lossi plaats opposite the entrance to the castle was feared in Soviet times and nobody wanted to go... more travel advice

White Lady (from a photo on display in the chapel) - Haapsalu The White Lady: Haapsalu's Local Ghost Things to Do (15)

A sad legend tells about a young Estonian girl who was in love with the Dean of the cathedral, and vice versa. Not only... more travel advice

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