Kärdla

Kärdla is a town on Hiiumaa in Estonia, and the capital of Hiiu County as well as the centre of Hiiumaa Parish..

Understand

Kärdla Fire Station

Kärdla is the biggest and only town on Hiiumaa. It is located at the edge of the Baltic Sea on the east coast of the island. It allows for a convenient base to explore the rest of the island by car or bicycle.

Hiiumaa capital Kärdla probably existed as a small Swedish settlement already in the 14th century, however, the oldest written record of Kärdla dates from the year 1564. The Swedish word Kärrdal denotes a wet and boggy valley. A more dynamic period followed, after the barons Ungern-Sternberg founded a textile factory in 1829 to produce a heavily milled woolen cloth - broadcloth. The directors' house (the Long house) has survived until the present day.

• 1 Tourist Information Centre (Hiiumaa turismiinfokeskus), Hiiu 1, ☏ +372 4622232, fax: +372 4622232, hiiumaa@visitestonia.com. 

Get in

There are a few bus connections from the ferry station and the other villages. But generally your are best off with a car or bicycle.

Kärdla also has a harbour and small airport nearby, which can be reached by private transport. The airport is served by a 30-min flight operated by Transaviabaltica to Tallinn.

• 1 Kärdla Sadam SA (Kärdla Harbour), Sadama 28, ☏ +372 53285218, sven@marina.kardla.ee. (updated Jun 2018)
• 2 Kärdla Lennujaam (Kärdla Airfield), Hiiessaare küla, Pühalepa vald, ☏ +372 4631381, kardla-airport@tll.aero. (updated Jun 2018)

Get around

It is not big, so walking is the most feasible option.

See

• 1 Hiiumaa Museum Long House, Vabrikuväljak tn, ☏ +372 4632091, info@muuseum.hiiumaa.ee. Oct-Apr M-Sa 10–17:00, May-Aug daily 10–18:00, Sept daily 10–17:00. It's the main Hiiumaa museum. Popularly known as the Long House (the longest wooden house in Kärdla, over 60 m), the building was constructed in the 1830s as the residence for the directors of the Hiiu-Kärdla Cloth Factory. In addition to the story of the development of Kärdla and the factory, a factory worker’s residence is on display. Various short-term exhibitions are also organised year-round. Winter: €2.50/2 adult/discount, summer: €4/2.50 adult/discount. 

Do

Besides relaxing and enjoying the local food and bar, the most interesting sees and dos are spread all over the island.

Buy

• 1 Hiiumaa Selver (Supermarket) (at the entrance of Kärdla). 08:00-23:00. (updated Jun 2018)

Eat

• 1 Mamma Mia Pizzeria Italiana & Guesthouse, Rookopli 20, ☏ +372 53527642. Pizza and pasta. (updated Jun 2018)

Drink

• 1 Šampanjabaar ja restoran Kork, Sadama 30A, ☏ +372 5900 8355. Su-Th 12ː00-21ː00, F-Sa 12ː00-23ː00. A hospitality place on the waterfront that specializes in champagne along with food service. (updated Jul 2021)

Sleep

Kärdla offers the most accommodations around the island and is therefore a convenient base for exploring the island.

• 1 Posti Hostel (Prema Light), Posti 13, ☏ +372 53311860, postihostel@gmail.com. Friendly and comfortable budget accommodation. Rated 4.3 out of 5. Single from €20. (updated Oct 2017)
• 2 Hotell Sõnajala OÜ, ☏ +372 4631220. Has a bar, sauna (for 16 people), rents bicycles (€7 per day), has information about hiking routes, and got WiFi. Single: €35-40, Double: €50-55. (updated Jun 2018)
• 3 Tiigi majutus, Tiigi põik 3, ☏ +372 5175585, info@tiigimajutus.ee. More expensive, but highly recommended. (updated Jun 2018)
• Mamma Mia Pizzeria Italiana also has a fabulous guest house, but mid-range prices.