Estonia - Parnu Beach
Parnu is situated on the Baltic Sea coast of Parnu Bay, in southwestern Estonia. It is the summer capital of Estonia and it is internationally known as a beach and health resort. Parnu’s sandy beach is about 1 kilometer long and is divided into two sections: an area exclusively for women and an area for the general public, where both sexes and children can mingle. The un-spoilt beach is busy during the summer, crowded with locals and tourists alike. Parnu Bay’s shallow warm waters are ideal for families with kids. Various beach services are available during the summer, including catering, beach equipment rental, storage lockers, and more.
A new addition to Parnu beach is a 500-meter boardwalk, which opened in June 2006. It offers year-long opportunities for romantic walks, with the pristine beach and beautiful sunset as backdrop. The beach is located 10-15 minutes from the downtown area, which features museums, quaint parks, hotels, restaurants, a water park, and historical buildings. Aside from the beaches, Parnu is also an internationally known health resort. A bathing establishment that offered heated seawater baths was built in 1838 near the beach. The discovery of sea and peat mud in the area paved led to the establishment of what is today’s mud baths. Parnu’s Mud Baths are said to cure disorders of the joints, spinal column and peripheral nervous system, gynecological disorders and central nervous system diseases. The health spa offers therapies such as hydrotherapy, mud and ozocerite therapies, message, aromatherapy, and laser and electrotherapies, among others. August is the perfect time to visit Parnu as the water is normally warm. It is also during the summer that Parnu hosts a variety of concerts and festivals. Other diversions offered by the town of Parnu include roller-skating, kayaking, nightclubs, drag racing events, and more.