Real Estate in Pärnu and Pärnumaa: Everything You Need to Know

Pärnu and Pärnumaa form one of Estonia's most diverse regions, offering interesting perspectives in terms of both living environment and investment opportunities. If you're considering moving here, purchasing real estate, or simply want to get to know the region better, it's important to know both the basic facts and the nuances of local life.

General information and location of Pärnu city

Pärnu is Estonia's fourth largest city, located 128 km from Tallinn and 176 km from Tartu. The city is traversed by the Pärnu River, which flows into Pärnu Bay and further into the Baltic Sea. The city of Pärnu covers an area of 33.1 km² and the city's average elevation is considered to be 10 meters above sea level.

As of 2025, Pärnu city (as an administrative unit) has 51,777 residents, with a population density of approximately 60.3 residents per square kilometer. Pärnu city itself covers an area of 857.9 km².

History of Pärnu and administrative division

Pärnu has historically been an important port city, with the first written records dating back to 1241. Today's Pärnu city consists, in addition to Pärnu city proper, of the sub-municipalities of Audru, Paikuse, and Tõstamaa, which were merged with Pärnu during the 2017 administrative reform.

Economy and real estate

Pärnu's economy relies heavily on tourism, especially during the summer season, when the city's population can multiply several times over. This also affects the local real estate market, where apartment prices are on an upward trend, particularly in the city center and coastal areas.

The Pärnu real estate market today has some important trends:

Renovated apartments in the city center and coastal areas are particularly in demand among buyers. Real estate objects in coastal areas need to account for flood risk, which can affect insurance costs. Increasingly, more people are looking for year-round living options in Pärnu, especially with the expansion of remote work opportunities.

Living environment and leisure activities

Pärnu is known as Estonia's summer capital, but offers an attractive living environment year-round as well. The city's main attraction is its wide sandy beach and mud baths, but the region also offers diverse cultural opportunities, quality dining establishments, and active leisure options.

Pärnu city is surrounded by a beautiful natural environment, which offers residents the opportunity to enjoy both city life and proximity to nature. This makes the region particularly attractive for both young families and retirees.

Transportation options

Pärnu is well connected to the rest of Estonia through both road and public transport networks. Via Baltica highway connects Pärnu with Tallinn, allowing you to reach the capital in about 1.5 hours. Regular bus services also operate to Estonia's largest cities.

Public transport within the city is well organized, although most parts of the city are also accessible on foot or by bicycle. Through Pärnu harbor, there is also maritime traffic, which offers connections to, for example, Kihnu island.

Education and services

Pärnu has several kindergartens, primary schools, and secondary schools, as well as the University of Tartu's Pärnu College, which offers higher education. In addition, the city has several vocational training institutions.

The city's healthcare system is centered on Pärnu Hospital, which provides most of the necessary medical services. In addition, the city has a well-developed network of social services, including nursing homes and day centers for the elderly.

Other cities and municipalities in Pärnumaa

Pärnumaa consists, in addition to Pärnu city, of several other municipalities:

Põhja-Pärnumaa municipality - Formed by the merger of Vändra town, Vändra municipality, Tootsi municipality, and Halinga municipality. The region has several land plots for sale, which offer good opportunities for building a home in a quieter environment.

Tori municipality - Formed by the merger of Sauga municipality, Tori municipality, Sindi town, and Are municipality.

Lääneranna municipality - Formed partly on the basis of former Pärnumaa municipalities (partly also belongs to the former Lääne county).

Häädemeeste municipality - Formed by the merger of Häädemeeste municipality and Tahkuranna municipality.

Saarde municipality - Formed by the merger of Saarde municipality and Surju municipality.

Kihnu municipality - An island municipality in the Gulf of Riga.

Each of these has its own unique characteristics that may be of interest both in terms of living and investment.

Pärnu real estate market and Kinnisvara24 opportunities

Pärnumaa's real estate market offers diverse options ranging from apartments in the city center to farmhouses in rural areas. On the Kinnisvara24 portal you can find a rich selection of both apartments for sale, rental apartments, and houses throughout Pärnumaa.

In Pärnu city center, renovated and well-located apartments are particularly popular, offering a modern living environment combined with city conveniences. Real estate prices in coastal areas are typically higher, but also offer better investment opportunities, especially for real estate objects aimed at the rental market.

If you're interested in building a new home or cottage, it's worth exploring land plots for sale in Paikuse town. Paikuse sub-municipality offers a quiet living environment close to nature, while being only 10-15 minutes' drive from Pärnu city center.

When purchasing real estate, you should definitely consider important aspects of land selection, such as the availability of utilities, access roads, and building rights.

Summary

Pärnu and Pärnumaa offer diverse opportunities for both living and investment. The region's strengths include a beautiful natural environment, good infrastructure, versatile leisure options, and a stable real estate market. The Kinnisvara24 portal helps you find a suitable home or investment object, offering a wide selection of real estate throughout Pärnumaa.

If you're interested in real estate in Pärnumaa, visit Kinnisvara24's Pärnu county page or use our detailed search to find the right object for you.