IF you're looking for a cheap seaside break, you might want to swap Spain for Estonia. Pärnu is a seaside town you might not have heard of - despite being much-loved by locals. Back in 2018, it was Pärnu was named one of the best lesser-known beach cites by Lonely Planet.
It is nicknamed the "summer capital" as it is where Estonians flock to during the summer season. It's main attraction is the city's huge sandy beach, home to a number of beach bars and even a the Nightclub Sunset. The water temperature even hit a record high back in 2010, where it was recorded at 33C, although is more an average of 30C usually.
Read more on seasides It's not just popular with swimmers, as newbie surfers also flock to the beach due to the shallow waters. Tourists have raved about it, with one person saying: "Truly feels like a hidden gem (as who thinks of Estonia when thinking of nice beaches?)" Another told local media : "We like it, it's almost like in Spain. So, actually it surprised me a little bit.
" It even hit a new record this summer, with more than 15,000 tourists visiting on July 16. Most read in Beach holidays Want to stay on-land? There are a number of annual festivals on or near the beach too. Earlier this year, Beach Grind festival welcomed both Marshmello and Chase & Status.
Head to the main town for multicoloured buildings, ranging from the 12th to the 18th century. This is where you'll find a number of spa hotels , as it was a spa resort back in the 1800s. One of the most .