Paldiski City: Cliffs, Lighthouse and History

Paldiski City combines the Baltic coast, limestone cliffs and a multifaceted harbor history. At the northwestern tip of the Pakri Peninsula, the Pakri Lighthouse stands on a limestone cliff overlooking the sea and nearby islands. The Pakri Landscape Protection Area lies within the city of Paldiski and covers most of the limestone cliff of the Pakri Peninsula. When looking for accommodation, choose Paldiski City primarily according to the desired combination of nature, maritime history and cultural sites.

Cliff landscape and Pakri Lighthouse

The stone Pakri Lighthouse was completed in 1889, 80 meters from its predecessor. The lighthouse complex is protected by the state as a cultural monument. The coastal landscape can be experienced along the Paldiski Hiking Trail as one continuous route: the trail leads from Paldiski to the escarpment of the North Estonian Klint and to Pakri neem, returns to Paldiski through the Pakri Wind Farm, and connects the city, cliff area and peninsula along the way. The first section is marked with the blue-and-white markings of the Coastal Hiking Route; the return route runs along public roads.

A place with several historical layers

The history of Paldiski dates back at least to the Middle Ages. The area was originally known by the Swedish names Rågervik and Rogerwiek and was inhabited for centuries by Estonia's Coastal Swedes. In 1718, construction of a large harbor and naval fortress began in Paldiski. Later, the city was completely closed off from 1962 to 1994. The ruins of Peter the Great's Naval Fortress in Paldiski are popularly known as Muula mäed; the western and northern bastions have survived. This development can be experienced in different ways at the museums. The Paldiski Local History Museum displays almost 200 enlarged photographs from the early 20th century, as well as books, maps and documents relating to the city's history. The permanent exhibition “Historical Weapons from Around the World” comprises around 150 objects. At the Amandus Adamson Studio Museum, you can see the sculptor's summer studio and the house he designed and built himself, an example of early 20th-century wooden lace architecture. The artist's personal furniture, family photographs and documents are also part of the exhibition. Art workshops take place there in summer; guided tours can also be ordered.

Paldiski on foot, by audio guide or e-bike

For independent orientation, the audio guide for Paldiski and the Pakri Peninsula offers a short walking route and a driving route in Estonian, English and Russian. The guided bus tour “Paldiski, the secret town” includes a hike from the Muula Hills to the Pakri Lighthouse. The E-Bike Estonia experience can also be chosen as a regular tour, private group tour or route that can be used independently via GPS. The E-Bike Estonia tour combines rides on an electric fat bike or mountain bike with forest paths, beautiful landscape views and cultural and historical sites around Paldiski and the Pakri Peninsula. Services are held on Sundays at the Orthodox Church of St. George, whose present stone building is neoclassical and features Baroque elements. The church belongs to one of Estonia's oldest continuously existing Orthodox congregations.

Peetri Toll Tavern serves Russian-influenced cuisine in a historic Estonian and Baltic German interior, including borscht, dumplings, blini, and cabbage and onion pies.

For the overarching travel overview: Harju.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Padise, Vasalemma, Pala, Kõue Parish, Loksa City, Viimsi, Kernu.