Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia, a Baltic port on the Gulf of Finland whose walled medieval Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gothic spires, Hanseatic merchant houses and the hilltop Toompea sit beside Kadriorg's Baroque palace, the creative Telliskivi quarter, Noblessner's waterfront and one of Europe's most digital cities, a two-hour ferry ride from Helsinki.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Tallinn.
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- busy family city beach with long sand and skyline views
- Toilets
- Changing cabins
- Playgrounds
- Ice cream kiosks
- Blue Flag eco-label
Pirita Beach
Tallinn's longest and most popular beach, about 2 km of sand with views back toward the Old Town skyline. Changing cabins, toilets, playgrounds and ice cream kiosks are on site.
Editor’s tip. Arrive before late morning on sunny weekends to find space on the busiest stretch near the main entrances.
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- active family beach with courts, trampolines and barbecues
- Trampolines
- Playgrounds
- Kiosks
- Barbecue areas
- Volleyball and football courts
- Shade trees
Stroomi Beach
A sandy family beach with trampolines, playgrounds, kiosks, barbecue areas, shade trees and volleyball and football courts. The 2.5 km Rocca al Mare promenade is nearby.
Editor’s tip. Take bus 40 from Vabaduse väljak to Supelranna; the ride is about 30 minutes.
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- quiet family beach, calm and shallow
- Playgrounds
- Ball courts
- Marina nearby
Kakumäe Beach
A smaller, quieter sandy beach by the Haven Kakumäe marina with playgrounds and ball courts. The shallow water suits young children.
Editor’s tip. Take bus 21 or 41 from Balti Jaam to Landi, then walk about 1 km to the beach.
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- newer, open waterfront beach beside a nature reserve
- Blue Flag eco-label
- Nature trails and bird tower nearby
Pikakari Beach (Paljassaare)
A newer beach beside Katariina Pier on a former military-industrial site. The Paljassaare conservation area has trails and a birdwatching tower within walking distance.
Editor’s tip. Take bus 59 from Balti Jaam; the ride is about 25 minutes.
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- local lakeside spot with warm shallow water and light sports
- Mini-golf
- Windsurfing and rowing practice
Harku Lake Beach
The only lake beach in Tallinn, about 200 m long. Warm, shallow water suits an active day with mini-golf, rowing practice and windsurfing practice.
Editor’s tip. Take bus 16, 36, 42 or 46 from Vabaduse väljak to Väike-Õismäe parkla.
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Tallinn memorable.
Swimming
Walking and cycling the coast
Birdwatching and nature trails
Volleyball and ball sports
Windsurfing practice, rowing, mini-golf
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
The realistic swimming window is mid-June to mid-August; sea water stays cold in spring and September.
On-beach facilities
Pirita has toilets and changing cabins; Stroomi and Kakumäe have playgrounds and kiosks; smaller beaches have fewer services.
Water Quality
Check bathing-water status before swimming: Health Board results at vtiav.sm.ee and beach conditions at ilm.ee/rannailm.
Transport
All Tallinn beaches are reachable by city bus (see each item). Check stops and times on the journey planner at peatus.ee.
Safety
Do not swim far out in cold water or in strong wind. Pikakari has deep water close to shore and ship waves.
Money
Kiosks accept cards; keep small cash for emergencies.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Tallinn’s coast.
How do visitors get to Pirita Beach from the Old Town?
Buses 1, 8, 34 and 38 run from the city centre to Pirita or Supluse puiestee. The trip takes about 20 minutes.
From the Pirita Beach editorial.
When is the water warm enough to swim at Pirita?
Mid-June to mid-August is the main swimming window. In a good July or August the water reaches about 18-22 C (64-72 F) and is much colder outside that period.
From the Pirita Beach editorial.
How do visitors reach Stroomi Beach?
Bus 40 runs from Vabaduse väljak to the Supelranna stop, taking about 30 minutes.
From the Stroomi Beach editorial.
What is there to do at Stroomi Beach besides swimming?
The beach has trampolines, playgrounds, volleyball and football courts, barbecue areas and kiosks. The Rocca al Mare promenade is also nearby.
From the Stroomi Beach editorial.
Is Kakumäe Beach good for young children?
Yes. The water is shallow and usually not too choppy, and the beach has playgrounds and ball courts.
From the Kakumäe Beach editorial.
How do visitors get to Kakumäe Beach?
Buses 21 or 41 run from Balti Jaam to the Landi stop, followed by about a 1 km walk. The trip takes about one hour in total.
From the Kakumäe Beach editorial.
Is Pikakari Beach suitable for small children?
It is less suited to them than other Tallinn beaches, because the water gets deep close to shore and passing cruise ships send waves in.
From the Pikakari Beach (Paljassaare) editorial.
How do visitors reach Pikakari Beach?
Bus 59 runs from Balti Jaam, and the ride takes about 25 minutes.
From the Pikakari Beach (Paljassaare) editorial.