Things are happening in Läänemaa

In the romantic small town of Haapsalu and small villages, hospitable people await you, surprising you with their sincerity and interest in history and culture. The guests who stayed here are remembered again and again with great respect.

Haapsalu Kaubamaja department store

Haapsalu Kaubamaja department store, located in the heart of Haapsalu, is home to a wide range of stores, interesting services, and different eateries. Coop shopping centre is located on the ground floor.

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.

 

Memorial to Cyrillus Kreek

Come and see this memorial to one of Estonia’s most famous composers, who grew up in Lääne County – Cyrillus Kreek (1889-1962). The memorial, which was created by Aime Kuulbusch, is located in front of the composer’s former home, on the shores of Väikese Bay.

Did you know…? The majority of Kreek’s works were created in Haapsalu. Kreek’s most important ‘secret service’ was composing sacred music and arranging sacred folk songs and choral canons, whilst publicly maintaining a standoffish attitude towards the church.

Haapsalu Town Hall

The historic Town Hall building (1775) introduces the 190-year resort history of Haapsalu. The resort changed the urban structure of Haapsalu, brought new connections, a different way of life, and a broader world view. The visitor sees the development of the provincial town into an imperial resort of the Russian Empire and a lovely Estonian summer vacation town. In addition, the Town Hall exhibition house offers interesting themed exhibitions.

Ilon’s Wonderland

Ilon’s Wonderland is a theme park for children and families that showcases the work of Ilon Wikland, the illustrator of Astrid Lindgren’s children’s books.

The three-storey building is open from September to April. It has a gallery, a cinema, an exhibition hall, Karlsson’s Room, Ilon’s Kitchen, and a playroom, where workshops and thematic events take place.

From May to August, the Wonderland courtyard is also open. Inside you’ll find Mattias’s cottage and a handicrafts workshop where you and your kids can make many exciting items yourself. In the courtyard, you can try your hand at target throwing, stilt-walking, fishing, acting, and sandbox games.

Osmussaar Lighthouse

Osmussaar is unique for its interesting nature and history. The island was first inhabited by the Estonian Swedes; after the WWII, Osmussaar became a restricted border zone with a Soviet military base.
The island is 4.8 kilometres long and 1.6 kilometres wide. Its highest spot is 8 metres high. Osmussaar probably rose from the sea 3,000 years ago. The landscape is characteristic for its limestone shore, breccia boulders, vast shingle mould areas, and juniper shrubland. 
At the northwestern tip of the island on the cliff coast, a reinforced concrete lighthouse, built in 1954, can be found. The lighthouse has been open for visitors since 2019.