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Keila waterfall in Estonia - and a romantic park

In co-operation with the Estonian Tourist Board

Keila Waterfall in Estonia is the country's third largest waterfall and is located just southwest of the capital Tallinn. For us, the waterfall was a great last stop during our motorhome trip around Estonia, before taking the ferry from Paldiski back to Sweden.

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Towards Keila waterfall in Estonia

After the very special visit to the Rummu quarry it was time to roll the motorhome towards our last destination in Estonia: Keila Waterfall. The waterfall is located in the village of Keila-Joa, just southwest of Tallinn, and took about half an hour to drive from Rummu.

Keila waterfall

Keila waterfall is 6 metres high and around 60-70 metres wide. The only larger waterfalls in Estonia are the Narva waterfalls and the Jägala waterfall, which we visited on our way to Estonia. Lahemaa National Park. There was probably unusually little water in the case now, as it is summer, and yet it was very beautiful!

Keila vattenfall
Keila vattenfall i Estland
Keila vattenfall i Estland

Hiking trail in Keila-Joa park

Starting at the Keila waterfall, you'll find a three-kilometre hiking trail that runs through the Keila-Joa park. The park is really nice and romantic with suspension bridges, stairs and two big hearts where you can "lock" your love.

Vandringsled i Keila-Joa Park

Illuminated in the evening

We fricamped one night at Keila waterfall (easy as usual in Estonia!), so we saw the falls and the park both during the day and in the evening. At night, the park is possibly even more romantic, with lights around all the stairs and bridges.

Keila vattenfall och park i Estland

Hydropower plants

The very first water mill at Keila waterfall was built in 1555. The building that can be seen today was built by A von Benckendorff between 1831 and 1833. In 1928, the mill was transformed into a hydroelectric power station by installing a generator. The power station was renovated in 2004-2005 and is now generating electricity again.

Vid keila vattenfall i Estland
The hydropower plant is in the centre of the picture

Keila-Joa manor house

Right next to the waterfall and the park is a large and beautiful mansion called Keila-Joa. The house was built in the Gothic Revival style in 1833 and is situated so that you can hear the roar of the waterfall from the veranda. It is said that Aleksei Lvov, the composer of Tsarist Russia's national anthem 'God Save the Tsar', performed the Tsarist anthem for Nicholas I for the first time here.

Keila-Joa

The mansion, which also has a small museum in the basement, is open to visitors and we paid 8 euros each to look around. The rooms are beautiful, but we thought the price was high considering that you only got to see a few rooms, and that the second floor is only open to hotel guests. If you want, you can certainly stay very nicely in one of the suites here, overlooking the park and the waterfall.

Rum i Keila-Joa herrgård
Tavlor i Keila-Joa herrgård
Art in the basement of the Keila-Joa manor house

Further towards Paldiski

The visit to Keila waterfall was our last stop on a fantastic trip around Estonia. After this we headed to Paldiski to take the DFDS freight and passenger ferry from Paldiski to Kapellskär. Soon we will write about the two different ferries between Sweden and Estonia, and make a comparison.

Selfie vid Keila vattenfall

Video from Keila

All our top tips for Estonia. Click on the image!

Facts about Keila Waterfall in Estonia

  • Name: Keila waterfall (Keila juga in Estonian)
  • Size: 6 metres high and 60-70 metres wide (the third largest waterfall in Estonia after Narva and Jägala).
  • Location: The waterfall is located southwest of Tallinn, at Vesiveski tee in the village of Keila-Joa, Keila Municipality, Harju County. The river is called Keila.
  • Travelling here: Driving from Tallinn by car takes about 40 minutes. From Paldiski it takes about 25 minutes.

Things to see and do at Keila Waterfall

  • Attractions: In the park is a heart-shaped sculpture by Mati Karmin, where couples in love lock their love. Right next to the Keila waterfall and the park is the manor house. Keila-Joa.
  • In the neighbourhood: The municipality also includes Lohusalu sadam (marina), Treppoja waterfall (Treppoja joastik), Niitvälja golf course and Ohtu mansion (Ohtu mõis).

Practical info

  • Service: At the waterfall there is a 3 kilometre long fine hiking trail, with information signs and lighting at night. Next to the waterfall there is also a restaurant and swimming pools. The Keila-Joa mansion also has a restaurant, called Cher-Ami.
  • Prices: Visiting the park is free of charge. A visit to the mansion costs €8 for adults and €5 for students and pensioners. A family ticket costs €16. These prices are for 2019, and are subject to change.
  • Accommodation: You can stay in the Keila-Joa mansion. Caravanning is allowed in Estonia as long as you don't park on private land.

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

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