8.6.2025 | Leisure

A Different Pärnu…for Teens?

Text Timo Raussi
Photos Visit Pärnu

Contemporary art made the young musicians of the Bedwetters band think

In Pärnu, summer has a positive feeling regardless of the season. But how do you get teenagers to join you on a family trip if traditional attractions such as the beach, spas, and eating in a restaurant are not enough?

For many families with children, the main summer activities include playing on the beach and in playgrounds, and visiting Lottemaa. Since these are of interest to children up to primary school age, teenagers—or even young adults—may experience symptoms of boredom and immersion in the internet on their phones. However, this is rarely the case in Pärnu.

The Pärnu bowling alley is located on Lai Street in the OKOK leisure centre.

Many people are content to just admire these fast-moving winds from the sandy shores of Pärnu.

“What would I do?”

For those who are more active, the Pärnu beach area offers, among other things, a minigolf course, several ball fields, a game club, and canoe, surf, and windsurfing equipment for rent with crash courses. With a single ticket for a few euros, you can also work out at the magnificent Ranna Stadium in the beach park.

If beach activities seem like a chore on previous trips, grab some rental bicycles—with a trailer for small children if necessary. This way you can explore the city’s many areas and the surrounding nature along good cycling paths. It’s worth taking a car to visit the fluffy, curious alpacas at Estonia’s largest alpaca farm, in Niidu.

There are 18-hole frisbee golf courses in Sindi and Valgeranna. A set of discs can be rented from the adventure park for three hours for three euros.

Adrenaline in your veins

A couple of years ago, you could still spend rainy days at the indoor karting track, but since the place closed, you now have to move to the outdoor track on Jannseni Street to race around in karts. Those suffering from heavy gas pedal syndrome can relieve their symptoms at the Audru Porsche Ring motor racing track—either on open track days, driving your own car, or in a speedy “track taxi”.

You can also experience a thrilling adventure at Valgeranna’s treetop ropes and adventure course, which has a low-level version for the little ones in the family. The UP trampoline centre and the Laserpark urban combat simulator are also sure to please action-minded people.

Good food, a better mood. This is true at least of the Hedon Spa Hotel’s Raimond restaurant.

Culturally-rich holidays

River cruises from Vallikäär pier in the summer offer a more leisurely journey and relaxation. The M/S Kuha, which sails from Finland, sails an idyllic route, including under the bridges of the Sauga River to the nearby Fishing Village fishing and leisure centre. And if your family is the culture-hungry type, you will certainly appreciate the Pärnu Museum of New Art. Its summer exhibitions offer young people an easily accessible way to get to know the works of Estonian and international contemporary artists.

Watching a movie on holiday? In case of bad weather, why not, because in Estonia the latest international blockbusters are subtitled in the local language. This way, a teenager who knows English can enjoy the film while listening to the original soundtrack. There is a three-screen cinema in the Pärnu Centre shopping mall.

In the throes of events

Before your trip, it is a good idea to keep an eye on Visit Pärnu‘s event calendar. Small club gigs, pub quizzes, karaoke nights, concerts, and exhibitions are best presented in Estonian and English—although the translation function of your web browser will help you understand the gist of everything. We have also collected dates for the city’s most spectacular summer events.

There is always something going on in Pärnu in the summer, and mostly young people. That alone is a good reason to go!