Put on your hiking boots! The Estonian Open Air Museum comprises more than 84 buildings, mostly farm-related, including windmills, spread across 70 hectares of forest and land in Rocca al Mare, on the shore of the Kopli Gulf. A true highlight is experiencing the entire site by taking a horse-drawn carriage or sleigh ride, depending on the season.
The museum’s newest addition is the Shepherd’s Adventure Trail, where you can meet the shepherd boy Ants and his dog Muri. Here, you’ll learn about a shepherd boy’s daily life, his skills, and what to look out for in the forest. The fully furnished kolkhoz apartment building is also a favourite among visitors and was awarded Best Estonian Museum Exhibit 2021.
Informative signs in Estonian, Russian, English, and German guide you through 150 years of farming history. Along the way, landlords and landladies dressed in period clothing share colourful stories from the farm, candy shop, tavern, and more, bringing the buildings and history to life.
UNESCO has added mulgi porridge to the list of intangible cultural heritage, and you can try this tasty dish at Kolu Tavern (Kolu Kõrts). Be sure to visit the Lau shop, where you can buy 1930s-themed sweets and local handicrafts.
The museum is just a 15-minute drive from Tallinn city centre. You can reach it by bus No. 21 or 21B from Viru stop or Freedom Square to the Rocca al Mare stop.
Estonian Open Air Museum
Website
www.evm.eeAmenities
City card
Open
WINTER SEASON (September 29 – April 22): Open Tue - Sun 10:00 - 19:00. Buildings are open 10:00 - 17:00 (some building are closed during the winter season). SUMMER SEASON (April 23 - September 28): Open 10:00 - 20:00. Buildings are open 10:00 - 18:00.
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