European city was nicknamed the "summer capital": where you can relax on the beach cheaply

What countries come to mind when you think of a summer vacation by the sea? Most likely Spain, Portugal or Greece.

But the Mirror assures you that if you want to have a great beach vacation, not to be crowded with other tourists and save a lot of money, you should pay attention to Estonia. In particular, the city of Pärnu, a port and resort in the southwest of the country.

In 2018, Lonely Planet named Pärnu one of the best little-known beach cities in the world. The Estonians themselves call it their summer capital.

In the summer, residents of the country come to soak up the sun on a huge sandy beach, which has many bars and its own nightclub. The average summer water temperature here is 30°C, and in 2010 it warmed up to a record 33°C. It's not just for swimming. The shallow waters of Pärnu Beach are also popular with beginner surfers.

Europeans are slowly discovering this location. As of mid-summer, a record 15,000 tourists visited the city. The beach's popularity is further enhanced by the fact that several summer festivals are held nearby. This year, Marshmello and Chase & Status performed at the Beach Grind festival.

If you want more than just a seaside vacation, go to the city in search of culture. Here you can admire the watercolor houses. Some of them were built between the XII and XVIII centuries. Pärnu is also famous for its spa hotels, which began to open here at the very beginning of the 19th century.

Other attractions include the Butterfly House, as well as the Estonian Railway Museum with a steam locomotive that you can even ride. Pärnu has its own airport, but it is little used. Most tourists arrive in Tallinn and book a transfer from there. The trip lasts only about an hour.

The cost of hotels in Pärnu is quite moderate. If you want to live right on the beach, you will have to pay 3700-5400 UAH per night in high season, and in the city, accommodation in a good hotel will cost 2100-2700 UAH.

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