We know Estonia
21.5.2024 | Culture

Estonian museums saw a bumper year in 2023  with 2.5 million visits

Text Mark Taylor
Photo Andrei Chertkov

Estonian museums saw a bumper year in 2023  with 2.5 million visits

 

According to data released by Statistics Estonia, Estonian museums had a remarkable year in 2023, attracting nearly 2.5 million visits. The country’s 161 museums and science centres displayed a total of 924 different exhibitions and 95 expositions. 

“The average number of museum visits per person was 1.79, with Saaremaa leading at 4.47 visits per person and Läänemaa at 2.98. Conversely, Valgamaa and Raplamaa had the lowest averages at 0.40 and 0.30 visits per person, respectively. Science centres and expositions also drew significant interest, with 448,000 and 374,000 visits,” explained Erik Lest, an analyst at Statistics Estonia 

“In 2023, more than 300,000 people participated in educational programmes for children and young people, and nearly 79,000 in programmes for adults. Close to 120,000 children and young people took part in educational programmes offered by science centres and 38,000 people participated in adult programmes,” added Lest.

To appeal to the digital generation, museums in Estonia have developed interactive exhibitions and virtual tours, enhancing the learning experience. This approach has proven successful, with over 200,000 visits by children under nine years old to museums and science centres last year. 

The efforts to create engaging, modern learning environments underscore the importance of museums in both education and entertainment for all ages in Estonia. 

 

To learn more about this and similar topics
Educational Programme Erik Lest Exhibitions Interactive Museums Saaremaa Virtual Tours

20.3.2026 | Culture

The Many Tricks of Smugglers at the Police Museum

The Many Tricks of Smugglers at the Police Museum

It is often said that forbidden fruit is the sweetest. This saying holds true worldwide, and is especially familiar … Read more

19.3.2026 | Culture

Kumu Now Features Perhaps the Most Central 20th-Century Estonian Artist

Kumu Now Features Perhaps the Most Central 20th-Century Estonian Artist

The new exhibition at the Kumu Art Museum opens a window into the life of one of the most … Read more

19.3.2026 | Culture

Happy Big Band Weekend 2026

Happy Big Band Weekend 2026

For 12 years now the Happy Big Band Weekend has brought together numerous big band ensembles, guest conductors, and … Read more

18.3.2026 | Culture

One Hundred Estonian Painters in Pärnu

One Hundred Estonian Painters in Pärnu

The annual exhibition of the Estonian Painters Association, or Eesti Maalikunstnike Liit, has opened at the Museum of New … Read more

18.3.2026 | Culture

Finnish Graffiti Art on Display at the PoCo Museum

Finnish Graffiti Art on Display at the PoCo Museum

The PoCo Museum, which presents some of the finest modern popular art from around the world in Tallinn, featuring … Read more

18.3.2026 | Culture

Roxette UK Tour Coming Up

Roxette UK Tour Coming Up

Roxette UK is widely recognised as the leading tribute act for the iconic Swedish pop–rock duo that swept the … Read more

16.3.2026 | Culture

Exciting events in Estonia this week

Exciting events in Estonia this week

11–22 March Tallinn Restaurant Week, Tallinn Held twice a year, Restaurant Week once again brings high-quality restaurant dishes to … Read more

14.3.2026 | Culture

Live Performance of Monty Python Member Eric Idle

Live Performance of Monty Python Member Eric Idle

Few comedy troupes have had a global cultural impact, and out of those few stands one high above the … Read more