Keila
Keila at a Glance
Costs: Daily budget $45-$80 - low-cost local food and modest lodging; close to Tallinn influences prices.
Safety: Very safe and quiet - very low crime; safe to walk day or night.
Best Time: May-September - warm months suit waterfall visits, parks and coastal walks.
Why Visit Keila?
Small-town charm meets dramatic nature at Keila, where the Keila-Joa waterfall and the 19th-century manor park create a handsome riverside setting. Forested trails along the Keila River suit hiking or cycling, and the manor’s neo-Gothic architecture anchors local history. Close proximity to Tallinn makes day trips feasible, so visitors can enjoy calm Estonian countryside and classical parkland without straying far from the capital.
Best Things to Do in Keila
Lake
Lake Ülemiste
Primary freshwater reservoir supplying Tallinn city
Castle
Toompea Castle
Hilltop castle housing Estonia's parliament and museums
Stadium
A. Le Coq Arena
Estonian national stadium in Tallinn, hosts football matches
Religious Site
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Tall orthodox cathedral in Tallinn with golden domes
Religious Site
St. Nicholas' Church
Medieval Tallinn church housing maritime art museum
Religious Site
St. Olaf's Church
Historic Tallinn church with prominent medieval spire
Island
Naissaar
Estonian island near Tallinn with military ruins and beaches
Island
Aegna
Estonian island near Tallinn popular for recreation
Keila Bucket List
Don't Miss
Keila-Joa waterfall and manor - See Keila-Joa waterfall beside the 19th-century Keila-Joa Manor and landscaped park.
Keila town centre - Wander Keila’s compact town centre with cafés, local shops, and community squares.
Keila-Joa park trails - Explore park trails around the manor, with river viewpoints and peaceful woodland paths.
Hidden Gems
Keila-Joa railway viaduct - Discover the red-brick Keila-Joa railway viaduct and nearby forest trails for quiet walks.
Local craft workshops - Visit small craft workshops to meet makers and pick up handmade Estonian souvenirs.
Riverside picnic spots - Find secluded picnic spots along the Keila River used by locals for weekends.
Day Trips
Tallinn - Take a short trip to Tallinn’s medieval Old Town, museums, and cobbled streets.
Lahemaa National Park - Visit Lahemaa National Park for bog trails, manor houses, and coastal forests.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Keila
Keila is most enjoyable from late spring through summer when long daylight and mild temperatures make coastal walks and festivals appealing. Winters are cold, with snow and short days.
Winter
Winter is cold, snowy, and quiet; short daylight and icy roads make sightseeing slower, but forests and sauna culture feels authentic.
Spring
Spring thaws bring migrating birds, budding parks, and pleasantly crisp days - great for coastal walks and less crowded Tallinn-adjacent excursions.
Summer
Summers are short but lovely: long daylight, comfortable temperatures, festivals, and busy cafés make it the best time for outdoor adventure.
Keila's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -8°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (667 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -7° - -2° | -10° | 47 mm | overcast | 92% | 4.4 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.7h |
| February | Poor | -8° - -2° | -10° | 33 mm | overcast | 93% | 4.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.0h |
| March | Poor | -4° - 2° | -6° | 36 mm | overcast | 89% | 3.7 m/s | 0.2 low | 11.6h |
| April | Acceptable | 0° - 8° | 1° | 36 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 3.7 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 14.3h |
| May | Good | 6° - 15° | 10° | 35 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 3.7 m/s | 1.0 high | 16.8h |
| June | Very Good | 10° - 19° | 15° | 51 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 3.4 m/s | 1.2 high | 18.2h |
| July | Very Good | 13° - 22° | 18° | 74 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 3.2 m/s | 1.2 high | 17.5h |
| August | Good | 12° - 20° | 16° | 76 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.1 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 15.3h |
| September | Good | 8° - 15° | 12° | 75 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 3.7 m/s | 0.4 low | 12.6h |
| October | Acceptable | 4° - 9° | 4° | 72 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 10.0h |
| November | Poor | 0° - 4° | -3° | 73 mm | overcast | 90% | 4.4 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.4h |
| December | Poor | -4° - 0° | -7° | 59 mm | overcast | 91% | 4.3 m/s | 0.0 low | 5.9h |
How to Get to Keila
Keila is a short commuter train ride west of Tallinn and is most conveniently reached via Tallinn Airport (TLL) followed by a transfer to Balti jaam and an Elron train. Frequent Elron services make rail the simplest option for reaching Keila from the capital.
Tallinn Airport (TLL): Tallinn Airport is the nearest international airport to Keila (about 25-35 minutes to central Tallinn, then a short rail hop). From TLL take city bus or taxi to Tallinn’s Balti jaam (main rail station) and then an Elron commuter train to Keila; the bus to Balti jaam takes about 20 minutes (single ticket around €2) and the train Balti jaam→Keila is about 25-30 minutes.
Riga / Helsinki (alternative gateways): Some travelers arrive via Riga or via ferry from Helsinki and then continue overland to Estonia; these routes require additional bus or train legs and take considerably longer than flying into Tallinn.
Train: Keila is served by Elron commuter trains on the Tallinn-Paldiski line; trains run frequently from Balti jaam in Tallinn and the ride is approximately 25-30 minutes. Single fares for regional Elron services are modest (typically a couple of euros) and tickets can be bought at stations or via the Elron app.
Bus: Regional buses also connect Keila with Tallinn and surrounding towns; travel times depend on route but are comparable to the train in many cases. Bus tickets are purchased from the driver or at stations; check local timetables for schedules.
How to Get Around Keila
Keila is best accessed from Tallinn via Elron commuter trains; combined with a short airport bus or taxi ride from Tallinn Airport this is the fastest, most reliable route. Within Keila, walking and cycling are practical for short distances, while a rental car helps for wider regional exploration.
- Elron Commuter Train (€1.90-€3.00) - Elron trains run regularly between Tallinn (Balti jaam) and Keila; the journey takes about 25-30 minutes. Trains are punctual and comfortable for short regional trips; buy tickets from ticket machines, counters, or the Elron app and validate where required. This is the recommended way to travel to Keila from Tallinn.
- Tallinn Airport transfer (bus / taxi) (€2-€25) - From Tallinn Airport take the city bus or a taxi to Balti jaam to connect with trains to Keila. Bus line 2 or the shuttle services link the airport with the city; taxis are quicker if you have luggage. Bus single fares are around €2; taxis cost more but are direct.
- Regional Bus (€1.50-€4) - Regional buses offer additional connections between Keila and nearby towns; they are a useful alternative when train times are less convenient. Tickets are cheap and sold on board or at bus stations. Buses may have fewer services on Sundays and public holidays.
- Car / Rental (€30-€70/day) - Renting a car is handy if you plan to explore rural Harju County beyond Keila. Roads are in good condition and parking in Keila town is generally straightforward. A car gives flexibility for visiting nearby nature areas and smaller villages.
- Bicycle (€5-€20/day) - Keila and its surrounding countryside are bike‑friendly with quiet local roads and cycling routes. Cycling is a pleasant way to explore during warmer months; some guesthouses offer bike hire. Be prepared for short hills outside the town.
- Walking - Keila’s centre is compact and easy to walk around; many parks, cafés and shops are within short distances. Walking is the best way to explore the town itself and reach nearby riverside paths.
Where to Stay in Keila
Budget
Keila town / Keila-Joa - €25-60/night
Small town with a few guesthouses and manor-style rooms nearby. Budget options are modest; book ahead in summer weekends.
Keila guesthouses - Basic rooms near town centre
Keila-Joa Manor Guest Rooms - Historic manor rooms nearby
Mid-Range
Keila-Joa / Keila - €60-110/night
Mid-range picks include renovated manor rooms and comfortable local hotels. Good base for visiting nearby coastal and forest areas.
Keila-Joa Manor - Comfortable rooms in historic setting
Select 3★ stays nearby - Convenient for exploring Harju County
Luxury
Keila-Joa / Tallinn-accessible - €120+/night
Keila itself has limited luxury hotels; for true upscale stays consider driving to Tallinn (30-40 minutes) for more options.
Keila-Joa Manor (premium suites) - Historic estate with upscale rooms
Tallinn luxury hotels (nearby) - Best high-end options in Tallinn
Where to Eat in Keila
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Keila’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Keila
Nightlife in Keila is modest - mainly neighbourhood pubs, cafés and occasional live-music nights. For a wider range of bars, clubs and evening events, residents commonly travel to Tallinn. Expect quiet evenings and a community-oriented atmosphere after dark.
Shopping in Keila
Shopping in Keila is focused on small local shops, grocery stores and service businesses in the centre. There aren’t major malls in town; for bigger purchases you’ll travel to Tallinn where shopping centres are plentiful. Seasonal markets and local stalls appear during warmer months.