Pärnu

Estonia's self-declared summer capital since 1996, Pärnu is a Baltic resort town in the country's southwest built around a long sandy beach on Pärnu Bay. The walkable centre has a dense spread of restaurants and spas, and the city hosts dozens of festivals through the summer season. Founded in 1251, it served as a Hanseatic town in the medieval period; Estonia's independence declaration was read from the balcony of the Endla Theatre here in February 1918.

• Population40,228
• Nearest water from center0.4 km
• Nearest mountain from center28.2 km