Käina

Käina is a small town in the southern part of Hiiumaa, Estonia's second-largest island. It is a base for exploring the southern part of the island, including the Käina Bay nature reserve, the Kassari Peninsula and the birdwatching areas around Orjaku.

The town has several historical and cultural sights as well as modern leisure facilities. It is also a local service centre, with shops, accommodation and restaurants.

Käina is located in southern Hiiumaa, not far from Kärdla. It is connected to the Kassari Peninsula by a causeway.

The town has a long history as a religious and administrative centre. Käina became the centre of the bishop's territory in the 13th century. Its medieval church was once the largest on Hiiumaa.

The surrounding landscape consists of coastal meadows, wetlands, juniper fields and small villages. Käina Bay is important for birdlife and is a Ramsar wetland of international importance.

• The Hiiumaa Tourism Information Centre is in Kärdla.
• The Visit Hiiumaa website has information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, activities and transport.

Käina is served by regional buses connecting it with Kärdla, Emmaste and other settlements on Hiiumaa. There are also long-distance bus services from Tallinn.

Timetables and tickets are available from Peatus.ee. Information about local bus services is also available on the Hiiumaa Municipality website.

Käina is connected to the rest of Hiiumaa by the island's road network. From Kärdla, follow the main road south towards Käina. The journey takes about 20 minutes.

The nearest ferry port is Heltermaa, with connections to Rohuküla on the mainland. From Heltermaa, Käina is about 25 km away.

For ferry timetables and tickets, see Praamid.ee.

Käina itself is compact and can be explored on foot. A car or bicycle is useful for visiting the surrounding villages, Kassari, Orjaku and other natural attractions.

Regional buses serve some of the surrounding settlements, but services may be infrequent. Check Peatus.ee before travelling.

58.82922.7751 Käina Martin's Church Ruins (Käina church ruins), Hiiu maantee (In the centre of Käina). The ruins of a Gothic church built at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries. The church could accommodate around 600 people and was the largest on Hiiumaa. It was destroyed by fire in 1941. The remaining walls, historic tombstones and the sun cross above the entrance are protected monuments. The ruins are surrounded by a small park.  

58.82922.7822 Windtower Experience Centre (Tuuletorn), Mäe tänav 4 (In Käina). A visitor centre combining a museum, interactive exhibitions and indoor activities about the nature and culture of Hiiumaa, including the island's underwater world. It has a 20-metre indoor climbing wall, described as the highest of its kind in the Baltic countries. There is also a café and a gift shop.  

58.8322.7783 Rudolf Tobias House Museum (Rudolf Tobiase majamuuseum), Hiiu maantee 33 (In Käina). The birthplace of Rudolf Tobias (1873–1918), an Estonian composer and organist. The house dates from the first half of the 19th century and contains an exhibition about his life and work, as well as period furniture and musical instruments. The grounds also include traditional outbuildings and a windmill.  

Orjaku Birdwatching Tower, Orjaku village (On the eastern shore of Käina Bay). One of Estonia's largest birdwatching towers. Thousands of migratory birds can be observed here in spring and autumn. Käina Bay has been protected since 1962 and is a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. 

Orjaku Study Trail, Orjaku village (Near the birdwatching tower). A nature trail along the shore of Käina Bay. The longer route is 2 km and the shorter Roostiku route is 0.7 km. The area has observation platforms, boardwalks and picnic facilities. A good place to observe waterbirds and coastal nature. 

Kassari is a peninsula connected to Hiiumaa by causeways. It is known for its coastal landscapes, juniper fields and traditional island villages.

Sääretirp, Kassari village (At the southern end of Kassari). A narrow shingle spit extending about 2 km into the sea and one of the best-known natural attractions on Hiiumaa. Suitable for walking and picnics. Near the approach is a statue of Leiger, the legendary giant of Hiiumaa. 

Kassari Chapel, Kassari village. A small historic chapel in the rural landscape of Kassari. 

Hiiumaa Museum Kassari Exhibition House, Kassari village. An exhibition about the history and traditional life of Hiiumaa, including maritime history, agriculture and manor life. 

• Visit the Windtower Experience Centre for its exhibitions, climbing wall and indoor activities.
• Walk or cycle the routes around Käina and Kassari.
• Go birdwatching at Käina Bay, particularly during the spring and autumn migrations.
• Visit the beaches and coastal landscapes of Kassari.

Käina has grocery stores and other everyday services. It is a good place to stock up on supplies before heading to the more rural parts of southern Hiiumaa.

• 58.82922.7821 Café RUUDI, Mäe tänav 4 (Inside the Windtower Experience Centre). Café in the Windtower visitor centre.  

• Lest & Lammas, Kassari village (At the Kassari Holiday Centre). Restaurant serving local island food, including fish and lamb. (updated Oct 2026)

• 58.8322.7761 Tondilossi Guesthouse, Hiiu maantee 11/1 (In the centre of Käina). Budget guesthouse with seven rooms for up to 16 guests. Shared showers and toilets, refrigerators and an outdoor barbecue area. Shops, a bus stop, a pharmacy and a swimming pool are nearby.  

• Lõokese Hotel, Lõokese tänav 14 (Near the centre of Käina). Hotel with private rooms, saunas and an outdoor swimming pool. 

• Kärdla — the main town of Hiiumaa.
• Emmaste — west of Käina.