Keila-Joa Waterfall and Schloss Fallmer

Keila-Joa is a village and park in Lääne-Harju Parish, about 30 minutes' drive west of Tallinn, where the Keila River drops about six metres over a limestone ledge into a gorge before reaching the Gulf of Finland. The waterfall is one of the widest in Estonia and is the main attraction, surrounded by a landscaped park laid out in the 19th century around Schloss Fallmer, a neo-Gothic manor house built by the Benckendorff family. The manor, with its towers, pointed windows and park setting, now operates as a hotel and restaurant, and its grounds and wooden bridges and viewing spots on the river are open to the public. Visitors follow paths through the park to viewpoints above and beside the falls, then continue to the manor's terrace, the old stables and outbuildings, and the lower river path leading toward the sea. A visit usually takes one to two hours, and the park and waterfall are open 24 hours at no cost. The best flow is in spring, from March to May, when meltwater swells the river, while autumn adds colour to the surrounding trees and winter can produce ice formations. The best photo angle for the falls is from the bridge and the river bank facing the cascade, while the manor is photographed from the lawn. Weekends in summer bring day-trippers and wedding parties to the manor, so weekday mornings are quieter. Reach Keila-Joa by regional bus from Tallinn's Viru bus station in about 45 minutes, or drive in 30 minutes. The area pairs well with Padise Abbey and the Pakri peninsula for a day exploring west Harju County, or with a stop in Keila town. The manor restaurant is a convenient place for lunch after walking the park in Estonia's Harju County.