Pärnu, a charming city  on Estonia’s southwest coast, is  known for its expansive sandy beaches, tranquil parks, art nouveau and functionalist villas, and a nearly 200-year-old spa tradition. With a population of 40,000, Pärnu offers a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of 21st-century life.

Estonians have nicknamed it their ‘Summer Capital’, but Pärnu is perfectly set up to host conferences and events throughout the year thanks to a finely-honed tourist sector. Pärnu’s strategic location, roughly midway between Tallinn and Latvia’s capital Riga, makes it an ideal destination for pan-Baltic or Nordic events. It is easily accessible, being just a two-hour drive from both cities. Despite its size, Pärnu boasts a surprising number of event venues. The largest, the Pärnu Concert Hall, seats 897 people in a theatre-style arrangement. The city offers a variety of conference and seminar venues, suitable for both indoor and outdoor events. Options include top-class hotels, corporate retreats by the sea, seminars in saunas, team meetings in pools, business meetings in historic villas, and team events on golf courses. The possibilities are endless.

Pärnu is perfect for conference events or team-building activities that are unique and enjoyable for everyone, offering a wide range of group activities suitable for all skill levels in picturesque settings. Whether you seek adventure or relaxation, Pärnu has something to offer.

Small-town charm

Though its history goes back to Medieval times, the main impression Pärnu gives today is that of a quiet, early-20th-century beach town, where art nouveau and functionalist villas line leafy streets and parks. Pärnu is small enough to be easily explored on foot, so visitors will get plenty of opportunity to stroll around the green areas, along the beach promenade and through the pedestrianised town centre – a charming historic zone filled with boutiques and cafes. The local culinary scene is also worth a mention, since several high-quality local bistros and restaurants cater to visitors.

Meeting facilities and conference hotels

For a city its size, Pärnu offers a surprisingly good number of meeting and event venues, the largest being the Pärnu Concert Hall, which seats 897 theatre style. Most major meeting facilities are supplied by the city’s busy hotel and spa sector, particularly its two largest establishments – the Estonia Resort Hotel & Spa and the Hestia Hotel Strand – which have both gained a wealth of experience from hosting international conferences over the years. Other spa hotels, e.g. Hedon Spa & Hotel, Wasa Resort  and Rannahotell are also likely to have at least small meeting rooms available for use. As far as accommodation capacity goes, the city’s hotels offer 2,500 guest rooms in total.

Most hotels have their own restaurants that are well suited for receptions and gala dinners, but for groups looking for offsite alternatives, Pärnu boasts some fairly unique options. Among the most popular choices are the elegant Pärnu Concert Hall (350 pax), the scenic Eagle restaurant at the Pärnu Bay Golf Links, the unforgettably historic Ammende Villa, the Jaanihanso Cider House and the Whitebeach Wine Bar.

See more on event venues  and locations in Pärnu region: Venues for hosting conferences and other events in Pärnu

Dining Out

First and foremost, Pärnu’s restaurants and cafes stand out for their talented chefs. The best restaurants in Pärnu are featured in the Falstaff Nordic Restaurant Guide  and are therefore definitely worth visiting.  Besides the fancy a la carte restaurants, you will find many lovely cafes and good pubs in Pärnu. The restaurants and cafes are mainly located in the town center and the beach area, which makes them convenient for visitors. You can enjoy the beautiful seafront and dine while the sun is setting in several restaurants. See Visit Pärnu’s Eating Out page for best restaurants and cafes in Pärnu!

Wellness and outdoor experiences

Thanks to its abundance of top-quality spa hotels, Pärnu is the perfect place to incorporate wellness-related activities into your conference programme. You can put a healthy spin on your group’s workday with spa treatments, pilates breaks, yoga classes and more, or even round out the day with a full-fledged pool party.

It’s just as easy to add wellness elements to a conference programme by signing up to one of the many nature and sea-related group activities on offer in Pärnu, be it biking tours, sailing, windsurfing, jogging, fat-biking on the beach or golfing in one of the nearby courses.

Yoga has been a popular fitness trend in recent years and more people are beginning to pick up this form of exercise. What a better way to experience true harmony between your mind, body and spirit than being surrounded by nature and greenery right in the middle of the city? There are parks and many green areas in Pärnu you can ring your own yoga mat or blanket to stretch and meditate. Cosy indoor yoga studios are also available for rainy days.

Out-of-town experiences

Some of the most unique Estonian experiences are right at Pärnu’s doorstep. Bog walking through the country’s fascinating peat bogs, for one, is an absolute must for nature lovers. Groups can also tour the Jaanihanso Cider House to learn all about how cider is made. Thrillseekers can test their nerves on the Porchering motor racing circuit – a true rarity in this part of Europe – where participants can take high-speed laps in sports cars, learn to drift in a drift taxi and even put the pedal to the metal in an F1. For an unforgettable cultural experience, arrange a daytrip to Kihnu island, where the centuries-old traditions and general atmosphere have been wonderfully preserved since the days when this was the domain of seafarers, fishermen and seal hunters. For more ideas, see our Group Activities page.

Easy to reach

Getting to Pärnu is quick and easy. The city sits roughly halfway between Tallinn and Riga. Both cities are reachable by direct flight from the major Eurpean airports.For conference groups, transfers can be organised from Tallinn or Riga Airport. The ride takes about 1.5 hours from Tallinn and 2 hours from Riga. Dozens of regular bus connections also connect both capitals to Pärnu.

International recognition

• In 2018, Lonely Planet included Pärnu in its list of top ten lesser-known beach cities
• In 2019, Pärnu was chosen as the best health and wellbeing destination in Estonia by European Destinations of Excellence
• In 2020, Pärnu was chosen as one of the top hundred sustainable destinations in the world by sustainable tourism organisation Green Destinations
• In 2020, Pärnu was the recipient of the award for the most sustainable tourist destination by the Baltic Sea
• Kihnu island, as part of the territory of Pärnu, and Kihnu culture are on the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list
• In 2009, Soomaa national park in the Pärnu area, which belongs to a European nature reserve network, won first place in a contest for hidden gems