Viljandi's most Instagrammable spots
Here are the best places to go in this photogenic town in Central Estonia if you want to fill your grid with gorgeous shots.
Viljandi is one of Estonia's best destinations for anyone who loves Instagram-worthy views.
The castle ruins and views over the lake provide great backdrops for nature photos, while cobblestone roads and old wooden houses add a historical touch. Snow in winter makes everything seem to glow, while the autumn fog lends a hint of magic. Viljandi comes to life in summer with festivals, street fairs, and sporting events.
In this supremely photogenic city, all seasons are Instagrammable, and every way you turn, you'll find perfect places to capture memories to share.
Our Estonian-language content creator, Terttu Jazepov, is a Viljandi local. She's compiled this list of 13 places to take amazing photographs in Viljandi. Read on for her insider tips!
Viljandi Castle ruins
One word is enough to describe the ruins of the Viljandi Order Castle (known by the locals as the castle hills): classic. Even if you feel like you've already seen everything, change your perspective and try to find another angle — there are plenty to choose from.
So that you know exactly what you are photographing, a little history lesson: The first mention of Viljandi's fortress (under the name of Viliende) comes from Henrik's Chronicle of Liivimaa, which also detailed the siege of the fortress in 1211 and 1223. The stone castle started to appear in place of the former fortress in 1224. The castle consisted of a main castle and three outer castles, but nothing was left but ruins because of wars between Sweden, Poland, and Russia.
Source: Kristjan Kivistik, Visit Viljandi
The red suspension bridge
If you are already in the castle hills, you must cross the suspension bridge. And, of course, take an Instagram-worthy picture!
The bridge was made in 1879 by the Riga company Felser & Co. It was originally located over the moat of the Tarvastu Order Castle, where the members of the von Mensenkampff family used it to get to the chapel in the castle's ruins.
In 1930, the lord of the manor donated the bridge's metal parts and cables to Viljandi. The following year, they were installed over a 15-meter-deep ravine near the castle ruins.
Source: Näljane Nelik
Oak tree with a swing
You've probably already seen this place on someone's Instagram account. If you want to take a picture in the same place, walk along Pikk Street — you will recognize it immediately.
Once you've got a shot to make your friends jealous, you have the option to walk down Pikk Street to the lake or go to the other side, where you'll reach Kassisaba Street.
Source: Rivo Veber
Kassisaba Street
It's a little secret many people know about but whose magic has not diminished. This place becomes especially wonderful at dusk when the lanterns light up.
Sirp newspaper (in Estonian) explained that Kassisaba got its current appearance in 2016, when Kristjan Suitsu's big light show took place there, accompanied by music by Jaan Jaago and texts read by Adeele Jaago. For people to come and see the lights, it was necessary to make the road more accessible.
Local residents showed extraordinary enthusiasm and joined forces with rakes and shovels; a month or two later, the street became passable. The street's restoration came about spontaneously; fortunately, the city government didn't stand in the way.
Source: Jaan Männik, Visit Viljandi
Fellin
This blue door is one of the most famous doors in town. Just look at those two red signs on the left!
After taking the obligatory photo of the door, step inside the restaurant because the interior is also totally Instagram-worthy. However, if you want to have dinner or lunch there, reserve your table beforehand, as this place has been recognized by the MICHELIN Guide for two years in a row, making it a very popular place indeed.
Source: Terttu Jazepov
Lake Viljandi
It is easiest to photograph the lake from the castle hills, and rightly so — the view is stunning! But if you have more time to look around the city, I encourage you to look for other angles from which to photograph it. Don't limit yourself to the shore on the side of the castle hills; you can also take beautiful pictures from the other side or directly from the lake if you rent a boat.
According to legend, a church on the shore of Lake Viljandi sank into the lake when seven brothers attended a service. Apparently, a nymph lives in the lake, as well, and demands annual sacrifices. To my knowledge, though, there has been no talk of the mysterious disappearances among the locals, so it's safe to go swimming.
Source: Ako Lehemets, Visit Viljandi
Roheline Maja shop and café
This place is an Instagrammer's dream. Roheline Maja (Green House in English) doesn't need a long introduction because everyone who has been to Viljandi has probably stopped by here.
The owner is Enn Onni, an expat from New York who brought his love for good coffee from his hometown and turned this former pharmacy into the popular cafe it is today.
Beautiful pictures are guaranteed in front of the house, inside, and in the yard!
Source: Näljane Nelik
The Old Water Tower
The red-roofed water tower is like a beacon, helping you find the right course if you have forgotten where you are while wandering the streets of Viljandi (it is, of course, rather impossible to get lost here because, at some point, you wind up either in the city center or by the lake). Of course, I also encourage everyone to go inside — the view from the top is fantastic!
Source: Terttu Jazepov
The square in front of the Kondas Centre
Look at this picture and say you don't want to share it on Instagram. A red brick house on one side, an old wooden house on the other, a cobblestone road winding between them, and a colorful banner overhead — this square is the perfect place to take a picture!
The red brick parsonage building on the left was completed in 1895. From 1948 to 2002, it housed the Viljandi Central Library. Now, it's home to the Kondas Centre and its collection of Naïve, or outsider, art.
Source: Terttu Jazepov
Restaurant Ormisson
Restaurant Ormisson is located in the same building as the Park Hotel. Imagine yourself sitting at the table and enjoying a latte with velvety milk foam — a standard influencer shot if there ever was one!
The cafe is named after the painter Villem Ormisson, who specialized in landscapes and still-lifes and dabbled in portraiture.
The year 2002 was declared Ormisson Year in Viljandi, celebrating the 110th anniversary of his birth. A linden tree was planted at his birthplace in the village of Oksa, several exhibitions were set up around town, and an art conference was held at the Ugala Theater.
Source: Terttu Jazepov
Kõrgemäe Street
I mentioned before that you can get beautiful shots of Lake Viljandi from places other than the castle hills; here is one example. Just imagine how colorful the trees look on the other side of the lake in autumn! If you get here in the early morning hours, when the lake is covered with a veil of fog, you will seriously make your Instagram followers jealous.
Here's an interesting fact: Kõrgemäe Street, which has a slope of more than 18 percent in places, is one of the steepest in Estonia. Its 297-meter section has a height difference of 32 meters — the equivalent of about six giraffes on top of each other!
Source: Kris Süld, Visit Viljandi
Café koduKOHVIK
If an Instagram fairy tale existed, it would take place at KoduKOHVIK. Like Roheline Maja, it was also built on the premises of an old pharmacy. The café exudes warmth and coziness, which is probably one of the reasons why locals and visitors have embraced it so wholeheartedly.
KoduKOHVIK was started as a pop-up cafe by a family in 2010 out of a love for fine food and good cooking. At first, they opened once or twice a year and left a good impression on the residents of Viljandi. Their unquenchable passion for cooking and hosting gave them the push they needed to open a permanent cafe and lifestyle store in Viljandi.
Source: Kristjan Kivistik, Visit Viljandi
Uueveski pools
Embarrassingly enough, this place was unknown to me, a Viljandi native, for a long time, even though the swimming pools were built back in 1933 and have always been open to the public.
The charm of this place is difficult to convey in just one photo; you have to experience it yourself. Whenever I have been to Uueveski, there have never been many people, if any. But once, I came across a mother fox with her six kits near the pools!
If you are already in the area, don't limit yourself to the swimming pools — walk around and get to know the surroundings — this area is a real hidden treasure!
Source: Silver Tõnisson, Visit Viljandi
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Last updated
11.10.2024