According to wholevehicles, Hiiumaa is the second largest island in Estonia, which in its history managed to be in the power of the knights of the Order, and under the ruler of the bishops. Hiiumaa is believed to have been uninhabited until the early 13th century. Later, residents of the Swedish island of Gotland began to flock here, a clear proof of which to this day is the wonderful medieval architecture of the island.
In Swedish, Hiiumaa is simply called Dago.
The information office is located on the main square of the capital of the island, the city of Kärdla. Exact address: Hiiu 1, Kärdla, 92413 Hiiumaa; tel.: +372 462 2232.
Opening hours: May 15 – September 15 Mon-Fri 10:00-18:00, Sat-Sun 10:00-14:00. September 16 – September 30 Mon-Fri 10:00-18:00, Sat-Sun day off. October 1 – March 31 Mon-Fri 10:00-17:00. April 1 – May 14 Mon-Fri 10:00-18:00.
How to get there
Modern ferries from the mainland (Hapsalu) or the neighboring island of Saaremaa can deliver around 100-150 vehicles and over 800 passengers at a time. Travel time 1 hour 15-30 minutes, departure every 1.5-2 hours.
In addition, Hiiumaa has its own airport, which receives an Avies flight from Tallinn once a day. Flight time is 30 minutes. For those who prefer solid ground under their feet to the romance of wings, it is worth knowing the fact that a bus runs between the two capitals (Tallinn – Kärdla) every day (about 110 km). The ticket price includes the cost of the ferry crossing; departure from the main bus station in Tallinn.
The best way to see Hiiumaa and get around the island is with your own or rented car.
Souvenirs
The main souvenir from this picturesque island of land is considered to be a funny pebble with a hole (in the people, the “chicken god” is a small stone with a hole of natural origin, pierced by water). Of course, you cannot buy a souvenir, you can only find it. Needless to say, for the hard search, the owner of the pebble will be rewarded with happiness? At least that’s what the legend says.
Cuisine and restaurants
Despite its small size and calm and measured way of life, the cuisine of Hiiumaa will impress even the most demanding gourmets and lovers of exotic cocktails. Those who prefer national dishes should head to the Soera Farm Museum for lunch. For hearty, simple and healthy home-cooked cuisine, head to Pihlamari Farm in Kõpu. You can spend a fun evening in the pub at the Harbor Inn in Sõru or Tavern Vetsi Tall, whose menu boasts homemade smoked fish.
Can’t imagine your vacation without a real restaurant? Please, Rannapaargu in the capital city of Kärdla is at your service, as well as Liilia in Käina.
Can’t imagine your vacation without a real restaurant? Please, Rannapaargu in the capital city of Kärdla is at your service, as well as Liilia in Käina. In summer, the Pullu pub in Kassari is open, and you can look for year-round beer gardens in the Käina harbor and Heltermaa. At The Brewery (Viinaköök) in Kõrgessaare you can dine buffet style in summer.
You can try the local zest – onion pie – in the cafe at the oldest woolen factory in Estonia in Vaemla. Fragrant and strong coffee is offered in the Gahwa cafe in the capital. The westernmost point of Hiiumaa, where you can dine while enjoying amazing views, is the Ristna lighthouse, near which there is a cafe.
Of course, the island also has its own farmers’ market, which is open from Monday to Saturday from 8:00 to 16:00, next to the central square of Kärdla.
Hiiumaa Hotels
Despite the undeserved unpopularity, there are high-quality and attractive accommodation facilities in Hiiumaa, and in large numbers. In particular, there are three hotels and two hostels in the capital of the island, Kärdla. In total, there are more than 60 tourist farms on the island, which you can rent entirely and live for your own pleasure surrounded by calm northern nature (about 80 EUR per night for the whole farm).
Entertainment and attractions in Hiiumaa
Lighthouses are considered one of the main attractions of the island: one of the three oldest and currently operating on the planet is the Kypu lighthouse (formerly Dagerot lighthouse), the Ristna lighthouse and the Tahkuna lighthouse. All of them are open for visits from May to September, but at other times of the year it is more than realistic to get there: just call the number listed on the front door of the lighthouse.
The main natural wealth of Hiiumaa can be listed for a very long time, we will limit ourselves to only the most popular walking routes around the island (approximate time for inspection is indicated in brackets):
- Spit Kassari – 1 hour
- Through the village of Kaina to Lake Tikhu – 1 hour
- The “Grand Canyon” is the product of a quarrel between two millers, which appeared in the middle of the 17th century. — 20-30 min
- the already mentioned lighthouses: Kõpu – 40 minutes, Risna + fortifications of Ristna – up to 1 hour, Tahkuna – 30-40 minutes
- Port of Kalana – 30 min
- Military Museum – up to 1 hour
- 31 m high Eiffel Tower, created by the deft hands of a woodworker entirely from juniper – 40 min
- Kärdla (capital) + “Stone Yurka” – 20-30 min
