Pärnu Overview

Famous for its mud baths, beaches, and festivals, Pärnu (pop. 45,000) is the summer capital of Estonia. Soak up some culture at Pärnu’s Museum of New Art, Esplanaadi 10, where you will find all kinds of local contemporary art, from bold photographs to bewildering installations of imaginary animals. (☎443 0772. Open daily 9am-9pm. 25EEK, students 15EEK. MC/V.) Walk down Hommiku to the medieval Red Tower, used as a prison in the 17th century.

Hostel Lõuna , Lehe 5, offers light sandwiches, salads, and desserts. (Small entrees 30-50EEK. Open M-F 10am-11pm, F-Su 10am-11pm. MC/V.) Onu Sam , Suvituse 11, satisfies late-night burger cravings. This booth on the way to the beach dishes out the goods 24hr. a day. (20-30EEK.) Head to Veerev Olu (The Rolling Beer), Uus 3A, for live rock and folk Saturday 9:30pm-1am. (☎442 9848. Beer 0.5L 30EEK. Food 35-80EEK. Open M-Th and Su 11am-midnight, F-Sa 11am-1am. MC/V.)

Eurolines buses (☎442 7841) go from Ringi 3 to Tallinn (2hr., 2 per hr., 100-110EEK), Tartu (2hr., 21 per day, 120-135EEK), and Rīga, LAT (3hr., 6-8 per day, 180-210EEK). Rent a bike from Rattarent, at the intersection of Ranna and Supeluse. (☎502 8269. 40EEK per hr., 150EEK per day.) The tourist office, Rüütli 16, books rooms for a 25EEK fee and hands out free maps. (☎447 3000; www.parnu.ee. Open mid-May to mid-Sept. M-F 9am-6pm, Sa 9am-4pm, Su 10am-3pm; mid-Sept. to mid-May M-F 9am-5pm. Cash only.) Postal Code: 80010.