Things to do in

Paldiski

Begin your tour with a light hike along the forested coastline not far from Tallinn. Visit an abandoned naval fortress which is tucked away in the forest, where it is still possible to explore the dark underground tunnels and the massive concrete structures above the ground. From there your tour continues to the Keila Waterfall, located in a peaceful manor park with charming bridges and walking paths. Drive through the mostly Russian-speaking city of Paldiski, getting a feel of its industrial Soviet-era neighborhoods. Following that, visit the local Russian orthodox church to learn about the contrast between Estonian and local Russian cultures. A break for lunch at a local restaurant is then provided, during which you can order Estonian food for lunch. Continue the tour to the Pakri coastal cliffs where you can observe the red lighthouse looking over the vast Baltic Sea. Whilst there, it is optional to buy a ticket to the lighthouse to climb to the top, or walk all the way to the Pakri Waterfall. For the final stop on your tour, drive to the Rummu submerged quarry. Whilst there you can climb up the sandy hills for a view over the entire crystal clear lake and the submerged houses. As you return to Tallinn, you can reflect back on your day filled with nature, alternative off-the-beaten sights, and secret history.

Explore the beauty of northwestern Estonia on this tour from Tallinn. See the waterfall at Keila-Joa manor. Uncover the history of the port town of Paldiski. Go to a local fish farm where you can purchase a fresh fish lunch. Meet your guide and sit back and relax on the drive to the seaside. Stop at the Keila-Joa manor that once belonged to the minister of the Russian secret service and was designed by the architect Andrei Stackenschneider. Purchase tickets to tour the manor and admire the Keila Waterfall. Continue to the port town of Paldiski where you can buy tickets to the lighthouse and see panoramic views of the surrounding town, sea, and countryside. Visit the industrial quarter and electric windmill. From Padise fortress, view what once was the site of Rummu prison but is now a flooded quarry. Go to a local tavern from the 1740s where you can order a hot cup of coffee. Pass by the elegant Padise manor which is now a boutique hotel. See a medieval friary along the way to Keila in the suburbs of Tallinn. Admire one of the oldest churches in the area. Head to a fish farm where you can purchase lunch before returning to Tallinn.

You will be met by your guide and minibus at the exit gate from the custom port. Following a 30-minute guided ride on the minibus, you will meet the off-road club members and change into one of their cars. On the way to the meeting with your off-road driver and guide, you will receive a general introduction into Estonian history, as well as highlights of the day’s itinerary. In the off-road car, you will explore the area of Pakri and former Soviet military town of Paldiski. There you will see the remains of the World War II and Soviet time fortifications, and will also ride the “Road of the Soviet Border Guards”. You will soon stop for a short snack by the seaside and a glass of wine, after which the powerful cars will take you to the former tank training site (which is 15 miles away) to show you what your car is truly capable of. Following your roller-coaster-like drive through the sand pits, you will be taken to the port (or the old town).