According to smartercomputing, Saaremaa (German/Swedish: Ösel) is an island in the Baltic Sea (Europe), which is part of Estonia. The capital of Saaremaa is Kuressaare. Another great place on Saaremaa is Orissaare.
According to pharmacylib, Saaremaa is Estonia’s largest island and the second largest island in the Baltic Sea. The island has a rich and long history. In the Middle Ages there lived pirates who made the Scandinavian and Estonian coast unsafe. Later in the Soviet era, the island was used as an army base by the Russians. Because of this history, many ruins, castles, fortresses and churches from different eras can be found on the island. The landscape of Saaremaa is flat with a rich flora and fauna. For example, on Saaremaa you will find limestone cliffs, beaches, dunes, forests, fields and marshes. In addition, there are approximately 200 protected nature objects on the island. A major attraction on Saaremaa are the crater lakes of Kaali. These are 9 lakes that were created by meteorite impacts in 800 BC. The largest crater lake has a diameter of 110 meters and a depth of 70 meters. National symbols of Saaremaa are the bread, beer and windmills.
Where is Saaremaa located?
Travel information of Saaremaa
Official name: Saaremaa
Continent: Europe
Area: 2,673 km²
Capital: Kuressaare
Country code: EE, EST
Population: 39,231 inhabitants (2008)
Form of government: Republic
Highest point: 54 m (Viidu Raunamägi)
Distance (Amsterdam – Kuressaare): 1,297 km
Flight time: approx. 3 hours
Travel advice
Current status: No special security risks.
Current color code: Green.
Corona
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), there may be (temporary) measures in place on Saaremaa that you as a tourist may have to deal with. For the most up-to-date corona travel advice, please refer to our special coronavirus travel advice page. For the number of current corona infections, number of deaths and various corona-related graphs of Saaremaa, please visit Countryaah.
Travel offer
At the moment there are no travel organizations that offer travel to Saaremaa. For separate travel components (hotels and airline tickets) please visit our travel offer page.
Travel guides and maps
Are you looking for a travel guide, map, walking map, cycling map, book or DVD about Saaremaa?
Excursions, activities and day trips
With the help of Countryaah you can reserve an excursion, activity, guided tour, entrance ticket and/or day trip for your stay on Saaremaa at a discount. This way you are assured of a place, in some cases you can skip the queue and you can already plan your travel program.
Weather and climate
Saaremaa has a temperate maritime climate. In the summer months the temperatures are between 15 and 20 degrees. In the winter months, temperatures are around -5 to 10 degrees.
The current weather (weather forecast) and a weather forecast for Saaremaa can be found on our extensive weather page.
Best time
June, July and August are the best months to travel to Saaremaa. In these months you have the best chance of pleasant temperatures.
Language
Estonian (Estonian) is the official language on Saaremaa.
Would you like to translate from or into Estonian for free? Use the Google translator for this.
Travel documents
You must have a valid identity card or passport.
A visa is not necessary.
Embassies and consulates
Below is an overview of relevant diplomatic representations, including addresses and contact details.
Netherlands Embassy in Estonia: netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Embassy of Estonia in the Netherlands: estemb.nl.
Consulates of Estonia in the Netherlands: estemb.nl.
For urgent assistance, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24/7 on +31247247247.
Vaccination (inoculation)
It is advisable to get one or more vaccinations before visiting Saaremaa.
For extensive vaccination advice and to make a vaccination appointment at home, please visit Thuisvaccinatie.nl. You can also see here whether your health insurance reimburses the vaccination(s).
Money and Currency matters
On Saaremaa you pay with the euro (EUR).
An overview of all ATMs on Saaremaa can be found on our ATMs page.
Price level
The prices on Saaremaa are a lot lower than in the Netherlands. The price difference with the Netherlands is -31% on average. Some examples are: restaurants (42% cheaper), food (33% cheaper), imported beer in catering (21% cheaper), cigarettes (44% cheaper) and public transport (46% cheaper). Please note that the price difference in tourist areas, especially during high season, may vary.
Tipping
On Saaremaa it is not mandatory, but it is customary to tip. With good service, people tip about 10%.
Time difference
On Saaremaa it is 1 hour later than in the Netherlands.
Summer time on Saaremaa is the same as in the Netherlands.
Find the local time, date and time zone for Saaremaa on our time difference page.
Traffic and route
On Saaremaa you have to drive on the right.
You do not need an international driver’s license to drive and/or rent a motor vehicle on Saaremaa.
Information about public transport on Saaremaa can be found at tpilet.ee.
With the Google route planner you can compile a route description from, to or within Saaremaa.
Electricity
On Saaremaa the same plugs and sockets are used as in the Netherlands.
More information about electricity on Saaremaa can be found on our electricity page (see under Estonia).
Emergency services
If you need help from the police, fire brigade and/or ambulance in an emergency, you can use the emergency numbers below.
– Police: 112 or 110
– Fire: 112
– Ambulance: 112
Tap water
Tap water is safe to drink.
News and newspapers
The latest news regarding Saaremaa can be found on Google news.
An overview of the newspapers from Saaremaa can be found on Abyznewslinks.
Internet
Websites from Saaremaa end in.ee.
Saaremaa official websites: saaremaa.ee and visitestonia.com.
Telephony
The country code (international access number) to call someone on Saaremaa is 00372 or +372.
Do you want to call the Netherlands from Saaremaa? Then use the Dutch country code 0031 or +31.
(If you use a country code, always omit the first 0 of the number to be called.)
Company details can be found in the Yellow Pages of Saaremaa.
Photos and videos
On Flickr you will find a nice collection of photos of Saaremaa.
On Youtube you will find a nice collection of videos of Saaremaa.
Holidays and school holidays
An overview of all public holidays in Estonia (Saaremaa) can be found on Beleven.org.
You will find an overview of all school holidays on Saaremaa in the Eurydice school guide.
Reviews and travel experiences
On Zoover and TripAdvisor you will find reviews from travelers about accommodations (eg hotels and holiday homes), restaurants and destinations on Saaremaa, supplemented with photos, videos and points of interest.
Travelogues
Are you looking for a travelogue about Saaremaa?
Here you will find travel reports and experiences of travelers who have previously visited Saaremaa. It is also possible to keep a free diary of your trip for family and/or friends.
Nature and world heritage
An overview of the protected nature areas (including national parks, reserves and wildlife parks) on Saaremaa can be found on Protected Planet.
Customs rules
Do you want to know how much you are allowed to import and export when traveling to Saaremaa? On the IATA website you will find an overview of the maximum quantities of cigarettes, medicines, alcohol and money, among other things. If you stick to these quantities, you don’t have to declare anything to customs. You will also find the laws and regulations regarding the entry of pets on this website.
Entrepreneurship and doing business
If you intend to do business on or do business with Saaremaa, it is wise to prepare well. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency can help you with this. On PaulSourcing.com you will find a large amount of information about Saaremaa, including: opportunities, import and export rules, trade figures, do’s and don’ts, business partners and subsidies.
Relevant legislation
Below you will find relevant legislation and regulations that you may encounter during your visit to Saaremaa.
– Alcohol: Buying and/or drinking from the age of 18.
– Alcohol and traffic: The maximum permitted alcohol content is 0.2.
– Tobacco: Buying and/or smoking from the age of 18.
– Smoking ban: In public places.
– Homosexuality: Allowed
Did you know that…
…Saaremaa is the second largest island in the Baltic Sea?
…A lot of juniper bushes can be found on Saaremaa?
…Saaremaa has a crater impact with a diameter of 110 meters?
…The capital Kuressaare is traditionally known as a spa?
