The European island once home to terrifying pirates – and is now loved by locals for it’s spas and beer
WHEN Brits think of a holiday island, their first thoughts are likely to be Majorca in Spain or Hvar in Croatia.
But Estonia is also home to some amazing islands - the largest of which has become a popular spa destination for locals.
Saaremaa is home to around 30,000 Estonians, with the majority of tourists being from the mainland.
Once being a wealthy county, the island was home to pirates also known as the Eastern Vikings.
However, the island was cut off from the mainland during WWII, and remained that way until the 1990s.
Now, mainland locals flock to the island, often visiting the beaches in the summer months, along with annual music festivals.
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But the island is also popular in the winter, being home to a huge number of spas.
Kuressaare, a resort town on the island, looks like something from a fairytale and has some of the highest number of spas per capita, with around one for every ten people.
One of the largest is the Asa Spa Hotel, where you can get massages for as little as €18 (£15) although other highly rated spa resorts include the Grand Rose Spa Hotel and George Ots Spa Hotel.
It's not the only reason tourists flock to the island - as it's also home to the oldest microbrewery in Estonia.
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Pihtla Brewery, which has been brewing since 1990, is known for its Pihtla Beer.
This is best followed up by classic island dishes, often made of smoked fish such as herring or flatfish, and dark bread.
But nature lovers will be spoilt for choice by the island.
Vilsandi National Park - the only one of its kind on the island - is popular with hikers where the most popular path takes you to the Kiipsaare lighthouse with views out to sea.
Fancy a challenge? There is also a 161mile hiking trail around the whole island, with markers along the way
Visit during the winter and spring months and you can even go seal watching.
Hundreds of grey seals can be spotted on the island, with cubs often born in February and March.
The island is popular with bird-watching too, as millions of migrating birds stop on Saaremma.
Photographer and birdwatcher Jouni Valkeeniemi said: "Saaremaa is paradise for bird lovers in many ways.
"The island is located at the crossroads of good migration routes - several southern and northern species, as well as western and eastern species meet up there.
"There is something to see in every season, including winter."
The best way to get to the island is to fly from London to Tallin, with flights from £18 with Wizz Air and take just under three hours.
You can then take a 35 minute plane from Tallin to Saaremaa, or drive to Virtsu and get a ferry, taking around 30 minutes.
It's not the only island in Europe that is popular with it's locals.
Lopud is an island off the coast of Dubrovnik in Croatia is home to just 200 locals, although celebs flock to it too.
Also in Croatia is Trogir, with the Old Town often called "Little Venice."
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Named as one of the most "underrated" European destinations by Conde Nast Traveler earlier this year, it is connected to mainland Croatia by a footbridge.
And a Dutch holiday island is perfect for animal lovers’ paradise with seal sanctuaries and amazing birdlife.
