Harju: Discover the Coast, Nature and Culture

Harju between Coast, Forest and Cultural Heritage

Harju combines coastal areas with forest trails, boardwalks through bogs and a diverse cultural landscape. If you are weighing up beaches, nature experiences and Estonian history for your trip, the region offers a range of options. You can choose your location based on the experiences you want: museums and historic sites are available alongside walks, circular trails, beaches and water sports.

History in Museums and Historic Sites

The Harju County Museum has been located in the former main building of Keila Manor since 1988. The permanent exhibition “Harju Life” provides an overview of the history and way of life in Harju County. The museum also houses the advisory board for Estonian and Harju folk costumes. It presents folk costumes, the history of their patterns and their modern use. The church hall of Padise Monastery is also used as a concert hall.

The Rebala Heritage Centre Museum presents the prehistoric everyday life and burial traditions of the area. Next to the museum is a restored burial site with 36 stone cist graves from the Bronze Age, dated to the 8th to 7th centuries BC. This means that a visit to Harju can be explored not only through its landscape and coast, but also through concrete historical evidence.

Waterfalls and Trails through Nature

Keila Waterfall is 6 metres high and several dozen metres wide. The paths and park at the waterfall are easily accessible with prams and wheelchairs. For a walk through the park, the 3-kilometre nature trail in Keila-Joa Park is also available.

Those looking for a longer circular trail will find the 8-kilometre Jussi circular trail in Põhja-Kõrvemaa Nature Reserve. The Jussi nature trail begins and ends at the Koersilla car park. Around Tuhala, hikes to the Witch’s Well and through the karst area are offered year-round with a nature guide. These hikes include routes of varying lengths.

Beaches and Water Experiences

Kloogaranna Beach is an expansive sandy beach surrounded by pine forest. It is accessible by train; the walk from the station takes ten minutes. Harku Beach is Tallinn’s only lakeside beach. It has changing rooms, showers, children’s playgrounds, areas for ball games, free parking and bicycle stands.

Harju therefore offers both classic coastal landscapes and distinctive inland water destinations. Rummu Quarry Lake is known for its crystal-clear, clean water and exceptionally interesting history. The Paekalda Water Sports and Adventure Centre on the shore offers diving and snorkelling there; canoeing and rafting trips are also available.

Active Excursions and Special Experiences

At the Viking Village, you can go canoeing on the river or choose a hike to the blue springs of Saula. The nature trail to the springs is 700 metres long and leads to an ancient sacred site. The largest spring there is Siniallikas, a turquoise spring with a sandy bottom. A guided tour of the Viking Village also includes archery, axe throwing and catapult activities.

For further geographical orientation, the following immediate subregions are available: Tallinn (Tallinn), Vasalemma (Vasalemma), Loksa Linn (Loksa Linn), Raasiku Parish (Raasiku Parish), Kiili Parish (Kiili Parish), Vikipalu (Vikipalu), Lööra (Lööra), Järveküla (Järveküla), Kaberla (Kaberla), Anija (Anija), Paldiski Linn (Paldiski Linn), Kaberneeme (Kaberneeme), Hara (Hara), Kuusalu (Kuusalu), Jõelähtme (Jõelähtme), Viimsi (Viimsi), Keila Vald (Keila Vald), Sõitme (Sõitme), Tabasalu (Tabasalu), Salmistu (Salmistu), Kose (Kose), Kõue Vald (Kõue Vald), Padise (Padise), Pedase (Pedase), Saue (Saue), Jüri (Jüri), Rae (Rae), Pala (Pala), Saula (Saula), Tuhala (Tuhala), Nehatu (Nehatu), Kahala (Kahala), Kernu (Kernu), Padise (Padise), Rae (Rae), Laagri (Laagri), Maardu (Maardu), Keila (Keila), Harku (Harku), Saku (Saku), Pärispea (Pärispea), Charlottenhof (Charlottenhof), Harku Parish (Harku Parish) and Saue (Saue) are available.