Discover Salme

Salme combines an extraordinary archaeological history with impressions of the sea, river landscapes and active experiences. Anyone looking for a mix of culture, nature and exercise on holiday will find several very different points of interest here. When choosing your holiday apartment or holiday house, you can therefore consider whether historical discoveries, shared activities or relaxing days in the landscape should be the main focus.

An unusual history: the ship burials of Salme

The ship burials of Salme are particularly striking. They comprise two ship burials from the Vendel Period, dated to the period between 550 and 800 AD. They were discovered and investigated in 2008 and from 2010 to 2012 on Saaremaa. In total, the ship burials contain the remains of 41 men.

The finds give Salme a cultural and historical profile that clearly differs from a purely nature- or beach-based holiday. The ship burials are considered unique worldwide. This contrast can be particularly interesting for families: a day on holiday can be connected with a story that goes far beyond an ordinary sight. Children, too, can thus find an accessible reason to engage with earlier times, ships and archaeological discoveries, without the entire stay having to focus on a single subject.

Sea, junipers and paths along the Salme River

Salme Rannapark is located by the sea and characterised by juniper trees. It therefore brings its own distinctive landscape atmosphere to your travel plans. Jaanipäev celebrations are held in the park – an indication of the importance of communal festivities and local traditions to the experience of Salme. If you do not want every day of your holiday to be the same, you can combine cultural impressions with time outdoors.

Another option is the Suure-Tõllu-raiesmaa hiking route, which was created along the banks of the Salme River. The river is therefore a specific point of reference for a hike. You can include this route in your daily plans if you would like to combine exercise with an experience of the landscape. When choosing accommodation, your personal travel rhythm is more important than a general classification: some days can be devoted to history and culture, while on others a route by the water can be the main focus.

Disc golf as an active holiday idea

Salme discgolfi park offers another way to spend time outdoors. Its 1,082 m course runs across open areas, through a pine forest and includes throws over the Salme River. The tee areas are covered with artificial turf. Playing is free for everyone, but you must bring your own discs.

If you plan to play disc golf, the equipment belongs in your luggage. At the same time, the course offers a variety of landscapes, so the activity consists of more than just individual throws. For a travel group, this can be a welcome addition to a cultural and historical visit or a hike, without turning it into a fixed programme for the entire stay.

Culture and holiday days to suit you

Salme rahvamaja can also host celebrations and organise concerts and performances. Alongside the archaeological topics and outdoor activities, this provides another cultural point of reference. Since individual holiday days can be different, when looking for holiday accommodation in Salme you can consider which mix of your own plans, nature experiences and cultural events suits your trip. Accommodation serves as a starting point for shaping your own holiday, without requiring you to commit to just one type of holiday.

More destinations for planning your trip

If you would like to discover more places besides Salme, you can visit the pages for Tehumardi and Toomalõuka. You can also compare Kuressaare, Valjala, Kõõru, Siiksaare, Igaküla and Nässuma for further trip planning.

To the higher-level travel overview: Saaremaa.