Tõrva

Tõrva is a small town in southern Estonia, in Valga County. It is a historic summer resort in the Mulgimaa cultural region, known for its lakes, forests, small-town atmosphere and water and sauna centre.

Tõrva is the main town of Tõrva Parish. The town lies on the Õhne River and is surrounded by lakes and forests. It makes a pleasant stop when travelling between Valga, Viljandi and other destinations in southern Estonia.

The surrounding parish has several historic manor houses, nature trails and sites connected with Estonian cultural history.

Tõrva has regular bus connections with Valga, Viljandi and Tartu, as well as services to smaller settlements in the surrounding area. Some long-distance services connect the town with Pärnu and Tallinn. Services vary by day, and rural routes may run only a few times daily.

• Tõrva bus station. Open daily 06:00–21:00. Check departure times before travelling, especially for the last bus of the day.
• For timetables, see Peatus.ee or Tpilet.

Tõrva is accessible by road from Valga, Viljandi and Pärnu. A car is useful for exploring the surrounding countryside, manor houses and nature attractions.

The town centre and several lakeside attractions can be explored on foot. A bicycle or car is useful for reaching attractions outside the town, where public transport may be infrequent.

Tõrva Takso: tel. +372 501 9665.

• Tõrva Central Square (Tõrva keskväljak), Central Tõrva, ☏ +372 766 5310, torva@torva.ee. A spacious, landscaped public square designed for pedestrians, with places to sit and links to the surrounding town centre and Lake Veskijärv. The square also hosts public events.  
• Lake Vanamõisa and the Tõrva Lion Tower (Vanamõisa järv, Lõvitorn), Lake Vanamõisa, on the edge of town (Follow the road towards Pikasilla), ☏ +372 766 5310, torva@torva.ee. A popular summer swimming area with a multi-level diving tower, boardwalk and sports facilities. The highest diving platform is 11 m above the water. Swimming and diving are seasonal activities. 
• Lake Riiska (Riiska järv), By the Valga road, south-eastern Tõrva, ☏ +372 766 5310, torva@torva.ee. A sandy beach with shallow shores, changing cabins, toilets and volleyball courts. A good place to relax in summer. 
• 57.99985625.9296861 Tõrva Church – Chamber Hall (Tõrva kirik-kammersaal), Tõrva, ☏ +372 766 5337. A former Orthodox church now used as a venue for chamber concerts, exhibitions and cultural events. Check the local programme before visiting.  
• 57.9911425.921932 Tõrva hillfort (Tõrva Linnamägi or Tõrva Tantsumägi (also known as Lipumägi or Lipukas) ), Tarva. Tõrva Castle is believed to have been one of the most important military centers in the 12th – 13th century in the parish of Alistekunde in Southern Sakalamaa. Among Estonian castles, Tõrva Castle stands out for both its size and the complexity of its construction, and has been compared to Äntu Castle, Neeruti Sadulamäe and Iru Castle. Now, the hill is mostly covered with forest. In the northeastern part of the hill is the Tantsumäe singing stage. The area is covered with densely located footpaths.  (updated Nov 2026)

• Helme Order Castle ruins and Helme caves (Helme ordulinnuse varemed ja Helme koopad), Helme, near Tõrva (Outside the town; check the route before travelling). The remains of a medieval castle stand on a steep slope near the road. The nearby caves are a distinctive natural and historical attraction. Take care on uneven ground. 
• Barclay de Tolly Mausoleum (Barclay de Tolly mausoleum), Jõgeveste, Tõrva Parish (About 10 km from Tõrva), ☏ +372 513 9065. A mausoleum containing the remains of Field Marshal Michael Andreas Barclay de Tolly and his wife. The site is associated with the Napoleonic Wars. 
• Mulgi Experience Centre (Mulgi Elamuskeskus), Sooglemäe, Ala (In the countryside outside Tõrva), ☏ +372 508 6856. A cultural centre introducing the history, traditions and identity of the Mulgimaa region, with exhibitions and events. 
• Taagepera Castle (Taagepera loss), Taagepera (Outside Tõrva; a car is convenient), ☏ +372 766 6390, info@wagenkull.ee. A striking Art Nouveau castle surrounded by parkland. The complex operates as a spa and accommodation venue under the name Wagenküll. 

• Swim and relax. Visit Lake Vanamõisa or Lake Riiska in summer. Facilities and lifeguard services are seasonal.
• Enjoy the pools and saunas. Tõrva Veemõnula has swimming pools, several types of sauna and a relaxation area.
• Walk or cycle. Explore the lakes, riverbanks, forest paths and outdoor recreation routes around town.
• Attend cultural events. Concerts and seasonal festivals take place in the town centre. Check the local tourism website for current dates.

• Tõrva Veemõnula (Water and sauna centre), Puiestee 1, Tõrva, ☏ +372 5197 5000, torva@veemonula.ee. A modern water and sauna centre with a 25 m swimming pool, children's pool, hot tubs and four types of sauna. Check opening hours and prices on the website. 

Tõrva has supermarkets and everyday shops for food and other basic supplies. For locally made products and regional souvenirs, ask at the tourism information point or visit the Mulgi Experience Centre outside town.

• Läti Saatkond Café (Latvian Embassy Café), Kevade tn 4 (In the town centre), ☏ +372 764 0050, teddy@narmet.ee. A friendly café serving meals, salads, sandwiches, pastries and cakes. A good option for coffee or lunch. Opening hours: weekdays 08:30–20:00, Saturday 11:00–20:00, Sunday 11:00–18:00. 
• Kairi Kohvik, Viljandi tn 28, ☏ +372 5687 0321, kairitordid@gmail.com. A small local café known for cakes, pastries and simple lunch dishes. Check opening hours before visiting. 
• Mulgi Mugila, Tamme 1 (Near Lake Riiska), ☏ +372 5740 8115. A casual fast-food restaurant serving burgers, wraps and other filling meals. The tourism website lists daily opening hours of 11:00–22:00; payment may be cash-only, so check beforehand. 
• Bistroo Väike Tõnisson, Valga tn 76, ☏ +372 521 2358, bistroovaiketonisson@gmail.com. A local bistro offering affordable weekday lunch specials. Mainly useful for lunch; check current opening hours. 

The cafés and pubs in the town centre are the main places to get coffee or drinks. Pub Juudas and Musta Kõutsi Tavern also host occasional music and other events. Check their current programmes and opening hours before going.

• Hotel de Tolly, Puiestee 1, ☏ +372 763 3349, detolly@hot.ee. A small hotel with a green garden and facilities for events. Contact the hotel directly for room availability and prices. 
• Tõrva Veemõnula Hotel, Puiestee 1, ☏ +372 5197 5000, torva@veemonula.ee. Accommodation attached to the water and sauna centre, convenient for visitors who want to combine an overnight stay with swimming and sauna facilities. 
• Ülle B&B (Ülle Kodumajutus), Tõrva (Near Lake Vanamõisa), ☏ +372 763 3777, yllekodumajutus@gmail.com. A homely guesthouse beside the Õhne River, surrounded by pine trees. The garden has outdoor space for relaxing, and the lake is within walking distance. Contact the property for its exact address and availability. 

• Tourism information: Tõrva tourism information point, Puiestee 1, Tõrva; tel. +372 5197 5000; visittorva.ee; email turism@torva.ee.
• Transport information: Peatus.ee for bus timetables and Tpilet for long-distance bus tickets.
• Mobile coverage is generally available in town, although coverage can be weaker in some rural and forested areas.

• Valga — a border town next to Valka in Latvia.
• Viljandi — a historic town known for its castle ruins, lake and cultural events.
• Tartu — Estonia's second-largest city and a university centre.
• Pärnu — a popular seaside resort on the Baltic coast.