Kuressaare

The earliest records of Kuressaare is a document written in 1381 that mentions that the town housed the fortified residency of a local Catholic bishop and that it was the main center for the islands of western Estonia. Kuressaare used to be known as Arensburg, and it received city status in 1563. The town has a population of around 13,000 (2018).

• Tourist Information Centre

  phone: +372 45 33 766
  address: Tallinna 2

By plane

• Kuressaare AirportOffers regular flights to Tallinn.

By bus

Several buses run daily between Kuressaare and Tallinn's main bus station. The trip takes 4 hours and traverses the strait between the mainland and the islands by means of a 30-minute ferry.
Bus schedules are easily available online – read more under Estonia#Get around.

• Saaremaa Museum / CastleThe fortress is well preserved and located in the city center.

• Health spas. The city has a large number of spas.

There are several malls around town as well as some smaller shops in the town centre.

• Saaremaa Kaubamaja, Raekoja 1. Has a sports shop, a department store and several other smaller shops.
• Auriga Center, Tallinna 88. The biggest mall in Kuressaare, located at the edge of the town. Offers clothes shops, restaurants and a cinema.
• In the city center, next to the tourist office, is a brown building. There are some clothes shops, a bookstore and a kiosk.

• Restaurant La Perla

  phone: +372 453 6910
  address: Lossi 3
  Italian restaurant.

• Cafe Kessu

  address: Tallinna 16

• Hesburger

  address: Tallinna 88, Kudjape, Lääne-Saaremaa vald
  Finnish fast food chain

• Kuressaare Kuursaal

  phone: +327 453 9749
  address: Lossipark 1
  Only open in summer.

• Bar Kodulinna

  address: Tallinna 11

• Club Diva

  address: Raekoja 8

• Nightclub Privilege

  address: Tallinna 10a

Budget

• Server Backpackers

  phone: +372 5050409
  address: Tolli 7

• Guesthouse Laurits

  phone: +372 56499227
  address: Kauba 5
  Excellent ratings.

Mid-range and splurge

• Arensburg Boutique Hotel & Spa

  phone: +372 452 4700
  address: Lossi 15

• Georg Ots Spa

  phone: +372 45 50 000, +372 45 50 101
  address: Tori 2

• Grand Rose Spa

  phone: +372 666 7000
  address: Tallinna 15

• Johan Spa

  phone: +372 45 40000
  address: Kauba 13

• Linnahotell

  phone: +372 45 31 888
  address: Lasteaia 7

• Saaremaa Spa Hotels: Meri, Ruutli & Saaremaa ValssThree spa hotels in the town.

• Pärnu – Estonia's 4th largest city and the summer capital of Estonia, popular for its balneo-therapy complexes and spa centres, surrounded by numerous beaches.
• Hiiumaa – Estonia's second largest island.