Kotka Farm

The few days we spent at Kotka Farm ended up being one of our summer highlights. There’s lovely countryside to explore by bike, even if the host says this isn’t the most interesting part of Saaremaa. She’s also very helpful and such a nice person. What stood out to me was how thoughtfully they handle waste. Growing up, we sorted rubbish, composted what we could and saved water by washing dishes in a basin. Back then it may have been more a leftover habit from Soviet times, when there wasn’t much of anything. Over the years, it became the green and right thing to do. Holidays can produce a lot of rubbish that isn’t disposed of properly, so I appreciated the clear guide at Kotka Farm. Some scraps go to the chickens, some to the forest, and packaging is recycled or burned. The guide also gives a bit of the place’s history and ideas for things to do nearby. You can rent a bike, go fishing, or use the sauna, with reasonably priced beers in the fridge. The whole place felt less like a business trying to maximize revenue and more like a side project run without giving up the hosts’ values. It felt like visiting a friend. When the host was heading to bed, we could still use the sauna by heating it ourselves. We’re adults, after all, and can manage a sauna fire.

Birdsong and the surrounding forest make it wonderfully peaceful, with a path leading down to the sea. The rural houses have been renovated beautifully, and the host is very kind and helpful. Breakfast came with delicious homemade jams. A great spot for anyone wanting to experience Saaremaa’s nature. 10/10.

No internet, which made it easy to enjoy every moment. We stayed one night and really liked the place. I’d recommend it to anyone. 10 out of 10.

Such a cozy spot 🌲🧑‍🌾