Kynö in Estonia – the women's island with a unique culture

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | Kynö, or Kihnu in Estonian, is a small island off the southwestern coast of Estonia with an unusually vibrant culture. Traditional costumes, music and crafts are still used here, and women have historically played a particularly important role when the men were out at sea. Kihnu's cultural space has been on UNESCO's list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2008. We traveled here by ferry, received a personal guide around the island and spent the night in our camper near the sea.

Kynö – a small island with a great cultural heritage

Kynö is located in the Gulf of Riga off the southwestern coast of Estonia and belongs to the Pärnumaa region. In Estonian, the island is called Kihnu, and it is also the name you most often encounter on maps, ferry timetables and signs.

The island is small, but culturally very special. Traditional songs, dances, wedding customs, crafts and clothing have survived through the generations. UNESCO particularly highlights the role of women as bearers of this culture – a role that developed when the men were out at sea for long periods of time fishing and hunting seals.

To Kynö by ferry

We took the ferry from Munalaiu Harbor on the mainland. The crossing takes about an hour and vehicles can be brought on some departures.

When we arrived at Kynö, we were greeted by a cosy little ferry landing with a few small shops where you could buy crafts, waffles, gooseberries or perhaps a map of the island for one euro. You can also rent bikes here. Cycling around the island is very popular.

The women on Kynö – what does that really mean?

The first thing we heard about Kynö before we went here is that this is the island where women rule. We have even heard about this island as Europe's last matriarchy. It is an appealing description, but also an oversimplification.

Historically, many of the men were away for long periods of time fishing, sealing and working at sea. Women therefore took on a great deal of responsibility for the farms, families and everyday life of the community – and at the same time became the most important bearers of the island's cultural and religious traditions.

UNESCO describes women as central to preserving Kihnu's songs, dances, wedding customs and crafts. It is therefore women's strong social role and cultural responsibility rather than a formal matriarchy that makes Kynö special. We met a female guide on the island who could tell us more.

Life on Kynö in Estonia

Our guide, Mare, told us about life on the island. Throughout history, men have worked as fishermen, sealers, stone collectors and sailors, staying away from home for long periods of time. Meanwhile, women have taken over the helm and managed life at home - from education to church traditions.

Culture on Kynö is living, which includes the use of folk costumes, the singing of traditional songs, the speaking and writing of the local dialect (which has some loan words from Swedish, such as "sweater"), and the teaching of children to play the violin or accordion at school. Weddings are still celebrated in the traditional way, with relatives of the bride and groom taking turns singing songs to the bride-to-be.

How do you live today?

We are curious and asked about everything. How is it possible to maintain the old culture, and how do you live today? According to Mare, many people who come from Kynö want to stay, and there are a number of jobs in the municipality, the school, health care, the museum, and in tourism and shipping.

Estonia is at the forefront of the digital world, so it may also be possible to work online from the island. Despite this, jobs can be hard to come by, which is why some of the residents have moved away anyway. For those who remain, holding on to culture seems important, and there are plenty of music, art and cultural events organised on the island.

Kynö Museum

One of the best ways to get to know the history and culture of Kynö is to visit Kihnu Museum, in the middle of the island near the church. Here you will find traditional clothing, photographs and objects that tell the story of life on the island, fishing, shipping and local culture.

When we were here, there was also an exhibition going on with pictures from a festival on the island, so the museum felt unusually alive and personal.

Kynö Church

Opposite the museum is the island's church. The building was originally built as a Lutheran church but later became Orthodox. Religion is part of Kynö's cultural history and the church still plays a role in the island's traditions around holidays and family life, among other things.

Discover the island with a guide or bike

After the museum and the church, Mare took us around the island in her pickup truck. I (Helena) got the comfortable seat in the front – Peter was placed in the back. Of course, it is also great to discover Kynö on your own. The island is small and cycling is a popular way to get between the villages, the lighthouse, the museum and the beaches.

Kynö lighthouse

At the southernmost point on the island is Kihnu lighthouse, the characteristic lighthouse by the sea. The environment around the lighthouse is very beautiful and when the tower is open you can go up for views of the island and the Gulf of Riga.

Or you can do like me, who is afraid of heights, and send Peter up with the camera.

When we visited, there was also a small shop selling local crafts and food products. The lighthouse keeper was knitting herself when we arrived, and according to our guide, her garments were so sought after that the waiting time for special orders could be several years.

Food on Kynö – fish, bread and local products

Fish is of course important in Kynö's food culture and during our visit we ate very good pike perch at Rock City.

In a farm shop we bought smoked fish and a special bread. A much more unusual product that we brought with us was seal. Seal hunting has historically been a part of life on Kynö, although it is of course a product that may seem foreign to Swedish visitors.

On our tour around the island, we also encountered a group of long-haired cows. They seemed fairly unfazed by our presence – and some of them could barely see us through their hair.

By motorhome on Kynö

We brought our camper over to Kynö and had initially planned to spend the night camping. In the end, we found a nice spot near the beach where we stayed overnight. When we visited, it was quiet and very sparsely populated, and there was even a simple toilet a short walk away.

It was a fantastic evening by the sea. However, rules and opportunities for overnight motor vehicle stays can change, so always check local signage and current rules before stopping outside a campsite or motorhome.

Is Kynö worth a visit?

For us, Kynö became one of the most special places on our trip through Estonia. Not because of any single major attraction, but because the culture still feels present in everyday life.

There is something special about coming to a small island where clothes, music, crafts and old traditions are still passed down – while of course people live a modern life.

And the combination of culture, sea, small roads and a night with the camper at the beach didn't exactly make the experience worse.

More to see in the neighbourhood

There is of course more to see and experience around Estonia. Here are some tips:

• Pärnu
• Haapsalu
• Dagö
• Saaremaa

Programme "Promoting Estonia as a Tourism Destination" is supported by European Union Regional Development Fund.