Located on the northern shore of Lake Peipus, Alajõe is a small village in Estonia’s Ida-Viru County. It is believed to have been inhabited since at least the 16th century and comes to life in the summer as a swimming, fishing and boating destination.
Things to do in Alajoe
In the heart of Alajõe is the red-brick Church of the Most Holy Theotokos, which features an ornate tower and a single onion dome. Step through the arched entrance to explore its peaceful grounds and admire the beautifully decorated front door. A short stroll from the church is a children’s playground with a huge sandpit and digging equipment.
If you’re visiting in the summer months, you can relax on the Alajõe Rand, a sandy beach that stretches along the northern shore of Lake Peipus. Spanning the border between Estonia and Russia, the lake was the site of the 1242 Battle on the Ice between the Teutonic Knights and the Novgorodians. Today, it is a popular setting for boating and fishing, with perch, bream and whitefish all inhabiting the lake.
A 10-minute drive north of Alajõe is the town of Iisaku, where you’ll find an engaging local museum. Occupying a former parish school, its exhibits include the oldest piece of rod-knitwear discovered in Europe and dioramas of rural life, as well an early 20th-century teachers’ apartment. After your visit, climb the 28-metre-high Iisaku Vaatetorn, which offers views of Lake Peipus and the Kuremäe Monastery on a clear day.
Getting around Alajoe
Alajõe is just over an hour’s drive from Tartu and 2.5 hours from Tallinn Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and the Middle East. Buses travel to Alajõe from towns and cities throughout Estonia and the village is small enough to explore on foot.