Discover Naissaar: Lighthouse, Military History and Island Trails

Naissaar combines a special island atmosphere with impressive traces of the sea fortifications, cultural sites and diverse opportunities to explore the landscape. The journey itself is an important part of travel planning: there is no year-round ship connection to Naissaar. However, several providers operate from May to September. If you are looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home for your stay, you should take this seasonal connection into account when planning.

Getting around on foot, by bicycle and on ski trails

On Naissaar, it is recommended to get around on foot or by bicycle. There are neither bus routes nor an on-demand taxi on the island. A bicycle allows for longer excursions and also takes you to places that cannot be reached by car. This gives families or groups of travellers different ways to plan their holiday: you can explore the trails at your own pace or set aside individual days specifically for longer bike tours.

The season also changes the activities available. In winter, the hiking trails on Naissaar become cross-country ski trails. Anyone considering a trip during this period can therefore plan their stay around a different focus than a summer cycling tour. Your choice of accommodation should suit your desired pace of travel and planned arrival, without relying on daily bus or taxi use.

Lighthouse, Chapel and Military History

A prominent landmark is the current reinforced-concrete tower of Naissaar Lighthouse. It was completed in 1960 and is 45 m high. From the lighthouse, the wooded island to the south and the Tallinn skyline are visible. In clear weather, the coast of Finland can also be seen to the north. This viewpoint combines a tangible impression of the island’s character with a wide view over the surrounding area.

St. Mary's Chapel of Naissaar is a wooden church that was consecrated in 1938. It is considered an important example of Estonian church architecture from the first half of the 20th century. Services are held in the chapel once a month and on church holidays. Those interested in church architecture and religious traditions can include this site as a cultural part of their trip.

The Naissaar Military Museum is dedicated to the history and development of sea fortifications, the island’s role in defence systems of various eras, and the lives of the local population during difficult times. The exhibition includes shell fragments, weapon components, photographs, Soviet army equipment and Soviet propaganda prints. Battery 10B adds to this historical focus: it consisted of two concrete foundations for rotating tank turrets and a 15 m-high command post. The command post was completed, and the guns were installed.

Excursions and Community Events

Excursions by van are offered on Naissaar for groups of 10 or more. Depending on the route, they last approximately 2 to 2.5 hours. A guided tour can be booked in Estonian, English, Russian or Finnish. This is another way to experience the island as a group if you do not want to cover the longer distances entirely by bicycle or on foot.

Community and cultural events take place at the Naissaar Visitor Centre throughout the year. Together with the Military Museum, the chapel and the lighthouse, this creates a destination where nature experiences, island mobility and history can be closely connected with personal interests. For an active stay, the trails and cycling excursions are ideal focal points; for a culturally oriented trip, the lighthouse, chapel, exhibition and Battery 10B take centre stage.

Compare other destinations

If you would like to compare other places for your travel planning, you can also view Lääneotsa, Äigrumäe, Rohuneeme, Randvere, Viimsi, Muuga and Kelnase.

To the main travel overview: Viimsi.