A road trip in a motorhome. Or, as my son says, "The best trip to Estonia in a campervan"
The idea of going on a Eurotrip in a camper had been brewing for a long time, but I had many doubts, so we decided to start with a shorter distance. We chose the Estonian islands, where there are fewer cities and many beautiful coastal spots.
We rented the camper from GoCamper.lv. Inside, it was much more comfortable and spacious than it looked in the photos.
It had all the amenities: a kitchen with a gas stove, dishes, and a sink; heating; a toilet with a shower; plenty of cabinets; a dining table; 5–6 sleeping places; mosquito nets on every window; lighting; an awning; and a large storage compartment.
You can drive this “mini-bus” with a category B license, but this particular model is not automatic.
You cannot spend the night in a regular parking lot, so you need to find special spots. We used the Park4night app for that. Usually, these parking areas are paid, and we found options ranging from €15–30. The price often included electricity, shower and toilet access, fire pits, water refill, gray water disposal, and sometimes cafes, playgrounds, etc.
For the first night, we arrived late and stayed in a free rest area by the coast. We woke up to an amazing view and the soothing sound of the waves. The weather was also lucky—no scorching heat during the day, making it very comfortable.
Saaremaa
Circular route around the island for a couple of days:
- Kuressaare Castle – the main attraction of the island. A medieval castle with a museum and sea views.
- Sõrve Lighthouse – the southernmost point of Saaremaa and almost the “end of the world.” There is an open observation deck.
- Ohesaare – a wild rocky beach at the edge of the island.
- Pidula Forell – boat rentals, trout fishing, and on-site cooking.
- Kiipsaare Lighthouse – an abandoned lighthouse “leaning” into the sea. About 1-hour walk from the parking lot, bike rental available.
- Panga Cape – cliffy rocks and beautiful sunsets.
- Angla Windmills and blooming fields – five old windmills against endless landscapes. You can go inside the windmills and peek into craft workshops.
- Kaali Lake – a meteorite crater in the forest, surrounded by legends.
- Kõigi Trail – picturesque wooden walkways over the bog.
- Maasi Castle Ruins – a coastal location with bird nesting areas and beautiful sunsets.
With kids:
- Ostrich Farm (Muhu) – you can pet the ostriches.
- Saaremaa ZOO – small but cozy.
- Viking Village Viikingite küla – archery, costumes, games.
- Museums, spas, and entertainment in Kuressaare – for rainy days.
Another important point:
Ferry tickets to the island can be purchased on the website praamid.ee.
Sõrve Lighthouse, Saaremaa
At the very southern tip of Saaremaa stands one of the tallest lighthouses in Estonia – Sõrve Lighthouse. It is 52 meters high, with 248 steps leading to the top.
The modern lighthouse was built in 1960, but a navigational light has existed at this location since the 17th century. The lighthouse is now open to visitors during the summer season.
At the top, there is a panoramic platform with views of the Baltic Sea and the peninsula. Inside, there is a small exhibition about lighthouses and shipwrecks.
The place is quiet, atmospheric, and very photogenic. It is about a one-hour drive from Kuressaare.
Is a campervan more cost-effective than hotels?
I would say that these are completely incomparable. It’s a totally different style of travel, and it’s definitely worth it.
By the numbers:
We didn’t book hotels and saved on restaurants by cooking and eating in the camper (I didn’t count exactly how much we ate, but we eat a lot).
Fuel: for ~850 km, we spent about €150. The same route in our own car would have cost around €120.
Camper rental: in summer, during high season, it’s more expensive (€170/day); from September, it’s cheaper (€135/day) (prices from gocamper.lv).
Overnight spots: cost us €45.
Of course, you could find cheaper hotels on Saaremaa, but our goal was to travel in a motorhome.
If you want to save on a trip like this, it’s worth going with a group of friends in one camper. But for comfort, traveling as a single family is definitely better.
Trip summary:
The child is happy because he fulfilled his childhood dream. Alyosha had experience with camper trips, but this was his first time driving such a mini-bus and he was very pleased. I realized that although this type of vehicle has speed limits, it saves a lot of time on hotel check-ins and check-outs. Plus the child never gets bored, everyone can be fed quickly and comfortably, you can choose the view from your overnight spot, and there are no restrictions on luggage.
Will we go again?
Of course. I already regret that our next big trip won’t be in a camper, and I’m starting to plan a new route for next summer.
Content prepared by the channel: Places to Travel in Baltic States