Sibulatee (Onion route)

The Peipsi area is one of Estonia's traditional cultural regions.

Visiting the Onion Route, you will get to know these customs and activities, that are still alive today and have retained their distinctive character. An exotic stroll takes you through kilometres of the Kolkja, Kasepää and Varnja street-village, where houses, vegetable beds and plastic greenhouses are clustered together, and where small side streets lead to the lake. Known as onion growers, the Old Believers have also been considered good fishermen and builders throughout the ages. Local architectural landmarks include houses of worship in the region, where you can take part in worship. The history and artefacts of the Old Believers are on display in the Kolkja and Varnja museums. Also visit the AmbulARTory, which has a permanent exhibition of documentary photographs of life as an Old Believer, but also deals with fresh experimental art. You can get a taste of the local fish and onion culture by dining at the Kolkja fish and onion restaurant and visiting the fish and onion fairs.

On the onion route you can take part in various handicraft workshops and classes on cooking with local ingredients. You can go on heritage hikes, learn archery, try kayaking or sailing on the Peipsi, or measure village streets or landscapes on scooters or kick-sledges. If you want to take part in photography workshops or learn how to make a film, both the AmbulARTory and the Voronja Gallery offer challenging camps and exhibitions.

In the summer, of course, the best way to enjoy the Onion Route is by clocking up the kilometres on your bike. In the winter, on the other hand, we recommend enjoying the life of the fishermen on Peipsi - if you don't have the fisherman's gene, we have fishing guides who will take you to the lake, provide you with the necessary equipment, teach you how to drill a hole in the ice, how to fish and later how to cook the fish.

Enjoy, taste, relax, participate, develop, learn, see...

We can also help you organise an excursion to the Onion Route if you wish.