Worth seeing in Haapsalu and Läänemaa
Haapsalu Lace Centre Museum and Gallery
In the Shawl Museum, you can see a permanent exhibition on the past and present of the Haapsalu shawl, examine the extremely fine patterns, and buy one of the masterpieces for yourself.
In the summer, local shawl knitters hold trainings and workshops.
Haapsalu shawls have been presented as gifts to the women of the Swedish Royal Family as well as the honoured guests of the President of Estonia.
Noarootsi Church
Inside the church one should pay attention to the baptising stone, baroque pulpit, limestone baroque epitaph to Minister Martin Winter. Interesting facts: By the entrance there is a stone slab with royal autographs from the present King of Sweden – Carl XVI Gustav who visited Noarootsi in 1992. Across the road from the church you will see the oldest wooden building in Läänemaa – the parsonage originating from the 17th century.
Nightclub Africa
Club Africa is located in the most popular place in Haapsalu, right in the heart of the city. On the first floor of the building, there is Pub Africa, and in the basement, there is Nightclub Africa.
Africa is one of the first nightclubs in Estonia, opened in 1994. To create the milieu-like interior of the club, sculptor Tauno Kangro’s erotic sculptures in an African style have been used.
Comfortable furniture and an interesting lighting solution give the club a truly pleasant and cosy atmosphere. The high-quality lighting equipment and a decent sound system guarantee a party mood and make the club visitors dance.
Haapsalu Castle
Haapsalu Castle is an architectural gem built in the 13th century that was the seat of power of the local authorities until the end of the 17th century. It is one of the best-preserved castles in Estonia and home to the most famous ghost in Estonia – the White Lady!
There is a museum on medieval history in the main castle, through which you can also access the southern cathedral, first mentioned in writing in 1279. There is a children’s playground inspired by the Middle Ages in the moat.
You can visit the courtyard for free, but you have to buy a ticket to get to the museum.
Africa Beach and Promenade
Interesting facts: The Promenade starts at the exotically named Africa Beach, and ends at the Chocolate Promenade, which is named after an old café. There is a children’s playground on the Promenade and the town’s only observation tower. There is also a monument to Carl Hunnius, the discoverer of Haapsalu’s therapeutic mud standing just behind the stage.