Car Hire Parnu

Guide

Parnu is situated in the south-west of Estonia, 130 kilometres from the capital, Tallinn. It is known as the summer capital of Estonia because of its spa and beach resorts. With its historic centre, leafy parks and old villas it is not hard to see why Parnu has been a popular resort since the 1830s, and as soon as the weather turns warm thousands of Estonians flock to its beach. This is also the time of year when Parnu comes to life with concerts, festivals, night clubs and beach parties.

Explore Parnu

The modern concert hall has a magnificent glass auditorium and has become Estonia's premier venue for classical music and opera. Parnu has also become an important centre for showcasing the work of some of the country's leading artists. The City Art Gallery is located within the new Parnu Concert Hall complex and provides exhibition space for modern Estonian painters, sculptors and printmakers. The Parnu Contemporary Art Museum, also called the Chaplin centre, is at the forefront of the Estonian new art movement. It houses a permanent exhibition of 20th and 21st century artwork and also has various temporary exhibitions. The building was formerly used as the Communist Party headquarters and outside the entrance is a controversial statue of Lenin, its head replaced with a flashing red light.

The Lydia Koidula Memorial Museum is housed in a 19th-century former schoolhouse. It commemorates the life and works of the Estonian poet, Lydia Koidula (1843-86), who spent much of her life in Parnu. As a leading light of Estonia's 19th-century cultural renaissance she is credited with being amongst the first to write lyrical poetry in the Estonian language and was also a founder of modern Estonian theatre. The museum also charts the career of her father, Johann Voldemar Lannsen, who established the country's first Estonian-language newspaper.

The Soomaa National Park is midway between Parnu and Viljandi. The park protects the largest area of the central Estonian mires. Several rare species of plants and birds are found within the park. Book car hire for your holiday so you can drive to these places in your own time and at your own pace.

A day trip to the island of Kihnu makes for an interesting excursion by car. Tours include a visit to the church, the museum and the lighthouse. The islanders rely on fishing for their livelihood and during the summer visitors will see the fishing nets stretched out across the fields for repairing.

Transport

Most international car rental companies have offices in Estonia. Car hire outside the capital, Tallin is usually cheaper. The roads are generally in good condition and any EU driving licence is acceptable. Tallin Airport (1hr 50 min north from Parnu) also offers great transport services to suttle passengers to and from the airport.

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Trains operate twice a day from Parnu to Tallin, and buses operate to Haapsalu, Tallin, Tartu, and Riga, if car hire is not your first choice.