Ten places we recommend
Kassari may be small, but there is much more to discover here than you might expect.
Connected to Hiiumaa by two small causeways, this little island is known for its open coastal landscapes, juniper fields, quiet roads and the feeling that the sea is never very far away.
Hiiumaa Summerhouse is located in Orjaku, on the western side of Kassari, so these are the places we return to ourselves and recommend to our guests.
If you are visiting for just a couple of days, you may also want to start with our Perfect Weekend in Hiiumaa: Our Local Guide to Kassari – an easy itinerary for experiencing the area without trying to see everything at once.
Here are ten of our favourite things to do in and around Kassari.
1. Walk the Orjaku nature trails
One of the easiest ways to understand the landscape of Kassari is simply to walk through it.
The Orjaku nature trails take you through the coastal landscape surrounding Käina Bay, an area known for its wetlands, reed beds and rich birdlife.
The trails are peaceful, easy to explore and particularly beautiful in the early morning or towards sunset.
From Hiiumaa Summerhouse, they are right on your doorstep – which makes them perfect for a spontaneous morning walk rather than something you need to plan as a full-day excursion.
2. Climb the Orjaku birdwatching tower
Even if birdwatching is not normally your thing, climb the tower.
The Orjaku birdwatching tower offers wide views across Käina Bay and the surrounding coastal landscape.
Spring and autumn are particularly interesting because of migrating birds, but for us the real reason to go is simply the view.
It is one of those places where you suddenly understand how much of Hiiumaa is shaped by the relationship between land and sea.
3. Spend some time at Orjaku Harbour
Orjaku Harbour is much more than a place for boats.
During summer, yachts come and go, the sailing school brings young sailors onto the water and the harbour becomes one of the liveliest little meeting points in Kassari.
Walk along the waterfront, explore the small tide gauge house (smallest museum in the world), have something to eat or simply sit and watch the boats.
It is particularly lovely on a warm summer evening.
And from the Summerhouse, it is just minutes away.
4. Walk towards the end of Sääretirp
If there is one landscape that many people associate with Kassari, it is Sääretirp.
This narrow strip of land stretches far out into the sea from the southern end of Kassari. The further you walk, the more the landscape opens around you.
On a beautiful day, it can feel as though you are walking straight into the Baltic Sea.
Take your time. Wear comfortable shoes and don’t think of the end of the path as the only destination.
The walk itself is the experience.
5. Visit Kassari Chapel and its old churchyard
Kassari Chapel is small, simple and wonderfully peaceful.
The chapel and surrounding cemetery tell a quieter story of the island. Take a walk through the old churchyard and look for the characteristic stone and iron crosses, some of which have stood here for centuries.
It is not a place that requires a long visit.
But it is absolutely worth stopping.
6. Discover Kassari on horseback
There may be no better way to experience Kassari’s coastal landscape than from horseback.
Local riding tours take you through meadows, small roads and coastal areas, offering a completely different perspective on the island.
The horses belong naturally in this landscape of open fields and sea views, and even seeing them grazing on the coastal meadows is part of the Kassari experience.
7. Stop at Kassari village swing and the seaside
Not everything needs to be a tourist attraction.
Kassari’s village swing and nearby seaside are exactly the kind of places we love for that reason.
Stop for a while, try the traditional Estonian village swing, walk towards the water or simply enjoy a summer afternoon outside.
Sometimes these small unplanned stops become the things you remember most.
8. Visit Kassari Museum
To understand a place, it helps to know something about the people who have lived there.
Kassari Museum introduces the history and everyday life of the area and adds context to the landscapes, villages and old buildings you see while travelling around the island.
It is also a good place to visit when the weather decides that a beach day is not going to happen.
9. Discover Hiiumaa at Tuuletorn
Just outside Kassari in nearby Käina is Tuuletorn – one of the most unusual visitor centres in Hiiumaa.
Its exhibition tells the story of the island from below the water, on the water and high above it, combining Hiiumaa’s nature, history and local stories.
Tuuletorn is also home to the largest indoor climbing wall in the Baltics as well as bowling, making it a particularly good option for families – or for one of those inevitable rainy island days.
More info: https://tuuletorn.ee
10. Do absolutely nothing
We mean it. Leave an afternoon without plans.
Go for a swim. Read a book. Buy something good for dinner. Sit outside. Take a nap.
Come back to the Summerhouse and light the sauna.
One of the best things about Kassari is that you don’t need to be constantly entertained.
Sometimes the reason for coming to an island is simply to have fewer things demanding your attention.
Where to stay in Kassari
If you are looking for a place to stay in Kassari, Hiiumaa Summerhouse is a private holiday home in Orjaku surrounded by pines and junipers, close to Orjaku Harbour, the nature trails and the sea.
The house, private garden and separate traditional sauna house are yours during your stay.
It makes an easy base for exploring Kassari and the rest of Hiiumaa – while still being somewhere you will actually want to spend time.
If you’re wondering how to fit some of these places into a short visit, continue with our Perfect Weekend in Hiiumaa: Our Local Guide to Kassari.
You don’t have to buy a summerhouse to have a summerhouse.
Book your stay and see our Holiday Options.