FAVOURED BY NATURE

Kärdla is the centre of Hiiumaa, the second biggest island in Estonia and the only town in Hiiumaa County. A characteristic expression of Hiiumaa - Favoured by Nature - suits also Kärdla, the town offering natural green quiet maritime good for a peaceful holiday.
Kärdla as a centre of the county plays a big role in coordinating of Hiiumaa tourism. There is situated Tourist Information Centre of Hiiumaa, from where you can get all kind of information.
The Hiiumaa Island is a favourite vacation place for Estonians and nowadays even for foreigners. During the summer season of 1998 the Tourism Information Centre of Hiiumaa had about 6500 visitors. Most of the foreigners were from Finland and Sweden, but there were also tourists from South Africa, Argentina etc. During the season we often lack hotel rooms, but there are available many guesthouses and camping sites around Kärdla.
Kärdla has good links to the other parts of Hiiumaa so it is useful to accommodate in Kärdla and visit different places from here and enjoy events on the island. You can get interesting experiences in Kardla from newly restored Hiiumaa Museum's house, concert- series Music- Wednesday in Kärdla Church and other concerts, sports or events arranged by Cultural Centre, clubs etc. Or you can enjoy good weather in the beautiful Kärdla beach. In the evening you can visit Kärdla restaurants and bars, and have good memories from there.
Looking ahead, Kärdla municipality hopes to offer a possibility of landing for yachtsmen and to extend the beach and become tourist- directed area.
Kärdla welcome all guests who would like to experience a peaceful life in the clean and beautiful nature.

Old Town and Ostródzko-Elblaski Canal constitute two most important tourist attractions of Elblag. The Old Town has been damaged in 85% during World War II. After the reconstruction on the foundations of ancient houses new tenement- houses have been built, accommodating hotels, pensions and cafes. 
Elblag is a true Eldorado for archaeologists because of number of excavations unheard of in Europe. Each year teams of archaeologists reveal thousands of household supplies of the town's ancient inhabitants, ceramics, wood, leather, metal and steel utilities. Interestingly enough, many such objects are found in the ancient lavatories. In the XIV- XV century Elblag was the most important harbour centre in the Baltic southern region. The town also belonged to the Union of Hanseatic Cities. 
A unique XIX c. Ostródzko-Elblaski Canal starts in Elblag. It is 192 km long and has a system of five slipways which help the ships to overcome 100 metre difference of water levels separating Drużno Lake (reservation of water birds of 1500 ha area) from Piniewo Lake. Originally, the canal served for transporting commodities. Presently, it is a tourist attraction visited and used every year by 30-40 thousands

of tourists.
Other important monuments of Elblag are: Saint Nicolas Cathedral (XIII- XIV century), Saint Mary church (at present Centre of Art - Gallery El - XIII c.), the Market Gate (XIV c.). It also worth visiting the city museum with interesting archaeological collections, excavated in the areas of the Old Town and Truso stand (relics of ancient, Prussian commercial factory discovered 5 km away from Elblag). The biggest in Europe outdoor swimming- pool and Landscape Park "Bażantarnia" with interesting specimens of flora and fauna are waiting for tourists.
Elblag can be an escapade basis to the nearest towns and villages such as Malbork (with its medieval defensive castle - XIII century), Frombork (gothic cathedral and Saint Nicolas Copernicus Museum) or to Gdansk. From Elblag it is near to Kaliningrad, with which there is a regular hydrofoil connection. 
City authorities take efforts to convert Elblag into a city friendly for investors and tourists.