Where to go and what to do in Vormsi

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.

Bike Rental at the Sviby Port on the Island of Vormsi

The bike rental has 50 bicycles for rent. The 3- or 1-speed bikes are ideal for riding on the tracks and landscapes of Vormsi. The bicycles have luggage carriers and bottle holders and you can also use special seats for children. Vormsi has a well-developed network of roads and bike tracks, and the traffic is much safer than in the mainland. If you ride around by bike you can have much better contact with nature and you can visit places you cannot access by car. You can rent the bike for 1.5 hours or up to a couple of days.

Vormsi Farm Museum

Vormsi is an island where Swedes lived for centuries. Documents show that there was a settlement as early as in the 13th century. Vormsi was a Swedish-speaking island, where, for example, in 1934, 2,393 Swedes and 122 Estonians lived. Vormsi Farm Museum is a typical pre-World War II farm of Estonian Swedish people. The farm has been restored with the help of old photographs, written sources, and the memories of the people of Vormsi who were born in Vormsi and fled Sweden to escape the war. The museum sells Vormsi handicrafts, souvenirs, and Vormsi-themed books.

Saxby Observation Tower Holiday Houses

The observation tower houses are located on the western coast of Vormsi, on the limestone shore which is under nature conservation. In constructing the houses, special focus was given to the surrounding environment so the houses offer a view of the sea as well as of the forest. The sun sets right in front of the windows of each holiday house! The sauna house accommodates up to four people and the holiday house up to five people. Both houses have a fully equipped kitchen and a wood-burning stove. Outside, there is a gas grill with chairs and a table. The houses only use solar energy and have been built by using environmentally friendly materials. The minimum rental period for the houses is two nights for 500 euros.

Smesa Ait (Smesa Barn)

The idyllic guest house called Smesa Ait (Smesa Barn) is a genuine and unique summer accommodation on Vormsi Island, on the beach of Hosby village. The barn has everything you need for a comfortable holiday: A kitchenette, a fridge, possibility of cooking, and a shower.Everything you need for cooking and enjoying the meal, plus a selection of coffee and tea!Bed sheets and towels.Guest Wi-Fi. Means for barbecuing and relaxing in the yard.A swing and a sandbox for kids.For “royal needs”, the luxurious outdoor toilet called Õkva.Summer SPA Sauna €45 + hot tub €45.There’s a harbour in Hosby village – come by a rowboat or a motorboat! Plus the catering option! Come and discover Vormsi, a picturesque place – with fierce people!

Bicycle tour on Vormsi Island

Vormsi, which is the fourth largest island in Estonia, is less than an hour from the mainland. It was named after the Icelandic Viking Orm (snake). Until 1944, Vormsi was inhabited by coastal Swedes. In 1938, nearly 2,600 people lived there. Most left during the Second World War. The main route is a dust-free paved road. Its eastern and western parts are of equal length and it passes most villages of the coastal Swedes. The route is passable throughout the year and alternative routes are open from May to October. Information on ferry departures is available here.  

Vormsi Cemetery

Vormsi Cemetery right next to St Olav’s Church on the island of Vormsi is one of the most unique cemeteries in Estonia. In the older part of the cemetery you will find many limestone and sandstone wheel crosses. More than 330 wheel crosses have survived and there are many crosses of ordinary shapes. Interesting facts: There are two memorial stones in the churchyard – one for the Estonian-Swedish cultural figure Hans Pöhl, and the other for the Swedish missionary Österblom who brought about fundamental changes in the local religious life. Try to find the oldest grave stone in the cemetery originating from 1743. Outside the churchyard you can see one of the few freedom monuments in Estonia which stood in its place through the whole of the Soviet era.