Keila Travel Guide

City City in Harjumaa, Estonia

A short train from Tallinn, Keila offers a compact waterfall, a leafy park, and manor-house traces; locals bike the flat coastal lanes and picnic by the Keila River, with cafés serving rye bread and smoked fish.

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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.
Time
Weather
Population
10,068
Infrastructure & Convenience
Frequent trains to Tallinn, compact center and good cycling routes.
Popularity
Mainly a commuter town and day-trip spot for Tallinn residents.
Known For
Keila Waterfall, Keila-Joa Manor and park, river rapids, walking trails, Keila-Joa power plant, proximity to Tallinn, outdoor recreation, scenic river valley
Keila Waterfall is about 6 meters high and one of Estonia's most accessible cascades.

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.

Top Things to Do in Keila

All Attractions ›
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.

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
November - March · -8°C - 2°C (18°F - 36°F)
Winter is cold, snowy, and quiet; short daylight and icy roads make sightseeing slower, but forests and sauna culture feels authentic.
Spring
April - June · 0°C - 12°C (32°F - 54°F)
Spring thaws bring migrating birds, budding parks, and pleasantly crisp days - great for coastal walks and less crowded Tallinn-adjacent excursions.
Summer
July - October · 14°C - 22°C (57°F - 72°F)
Summers are short but lovely: long daylight, comfortable temperatures, festivals, and busy cafés make it the best time for outdoor adventure.

Best Time to Visit Keila #

Climate

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).

Best Time to Visit
JulyJuneMay
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
28°
Warmest Month
-24°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

35 Poor

Comfort

-4°
Feels Like Freezing
-4°C
Temperature
-7° -2°
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

47 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
6.7h daylight

February

February is the coldest month with highs of -2°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

37 Poor

Comfort

-5°
Feels Like Freezing
-5°C
Temperature
-8° -2°
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

33 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
9.0h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

39 Poor

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-4°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

36 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
11.6h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

36 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
14.3h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
15°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

35 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
High
16.8h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
10° 19°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

51 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
18.2h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
13° 22°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

74 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
17.5h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 12°C. The wettest month with 76 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
12° 20°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

76 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
15.3h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

66 Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
15°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

75 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
12.6h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

72 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
10.0h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

73 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.4h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

35 Poor

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-4°
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

59 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
5.9h daylight

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.

By Air

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.

By Train & Bus

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’s town centre is compact and easy to walk; most services cluster near the train station and town square. Keila station sits on the Tallinn-Paldiski line, providing regular, affordable rail links to Tallinn. Local buses and bike routes connect nearby suburbs; taxis are available but not abundant, so check schedules if you’re relying on public transport in the evenings.

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.
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.
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.

Where to Eat in Keila #

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Keila's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Pizza
Burger
Sandwich
Thai
Kebab
Indian
Chinese
Seafood
Regional
Ice Cream
Coffee Shop

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.

Nearby Cities #