Paldiski is a town (population: 4,000) on the shore of Baltic Sea, in Harjumaa county in northwestern Estonia.
During Soviet times and early years of independent Estonia, until up to 1994, the city was a “closed city”, i.e., off-limits to foreigners, non-resident Soviet citizens, even non-resident Estonians themselves, because of its military importance. Today, it’s open to everyone and deserves a visit by those interested in the grey world of the Soviet Union (Paldiski and the Pakri peninsula are covered with abandoned bunkers, piles of unidentifiable junk and various military debris).
The scenes taking place in a location introduced to the audience as “somewhere in the former Soviet Union” in the film Lilya 4-Ever were shot in Paldiski.
- Pakri lighthouse, Majaka tee (4 km from Paldiski centrum, +372 55576087. May-Sep: M-Su 10:00-20:00; Oct-Apr: Sa Su 12:00-18:00. A view of the Baltic sea, but rather expensive compared to the lighthouses on Hiiumaa island. Right before it, on the other side of the road, you can find the former and old lighthouse, falling apart and dangerously located at the cliff. €5/3 adult/student.
- Amandus Adamson Studio Museum, +372 6742013. Old summer studio of Amandus Adamson.
- Orthodox Church. closed.
Pakri lighthouse, Majaka tee (4 km from Paldiski centrum, +372 55576087. May-Sep: M-Su 10:00-20:00; Oct-Apr: Sa Su 12:00-18:00. A view of the Baltic sea, but rather expensive compared to the lighthouses on Hiiumaa island. Right before it, on the other side of the road, you can find the former and old lighthouse, falling apart and dangerously located at the cliff. €5/3 adult/student.
Amandus Adamson Studio Museum, +372 6742013. Old summer studio of Amandus Adamson.
Orthodox Church. closed.
If you have a good map that has many foot paths (like OpenStreetMap, which many mobile Apps like OsmAnd, MAPS.ME, etc. use), you can walk around the port and continue north along the cliffs towards the lighthouse.
- There are two grocery stores
*Konsum - supermarket with pharmacy
*Maxima - Modern products and Russian-style borscht
- The locals shop and a few kiosks, located in a dilapidated lot, which sell various supplies.
- Kaubamaja - Slavic products, Russian beers, confectionary
- Second hand stores - Slavic-style clothes
- Peetri Toll also serves food.
- Peetri Pizza, Rae 17, +372 6742095. Mon–Sun 11–21. Pizzeria with very good ratings online.
Peetri Toll also serves food.
Peetri Pizza, Rae 17, +372 6742095. Mon–Sun 11–21. Pizzeria with very good ratings online.
- Peetri Toll, Mere 10, +372 53423425. This is a new tavern.
- There is also an alcohol shop in town.
Peetri Toll, Mere 10, +372 53423425. This is a new tavern.