When we set off on our road trip to Estonia, the only place we had firmly planned to visit was the mysterious Rummu Quarry. Everything else? Pure improvisation. But as it turns out, Estonia is full of surprises—you can climb inside a real submarine, venture deep into a dark cave, and take a peaceful stroll through the ruins of Viljandi Castle, all in one trip! It was an incredible adventure, and I can’t wait to share this Estonia road trip itinerary with you.
Cost: Mix of free and paid entrances (see details below)
Length: 4 days
How to get there: By car
Estonia Road Trip Day 1 & 2 Recap
We spent the first two days of our Estonia road trip traveling from Latvia to Saaremaa Island, discovering its many wonders—an adventure worthy of its own story.
So, for this post, I’ll pick up our journey on day three, starting from a campground near Rummu Quarry. But you can always skip Saaremaa and start your Estonia road trip from Riga or Tallinn. In that case you may want to rejig the order in which you visit the attractions a bit.
Estonia Road Trip Day 3 – What to See in and Near Tallinn
Explore the Secrets of Rummu Quarry (Rummu karjäär)
Paid entrance – was 4 euro per person in 2020
Location of Rummu Quarry in Estonia
This is a truly unusual place to visit—both haunting and beautiful.
Standing in Rummu Quarry in Estonia, you can’t help but feel a mix of emotions. The place is undeniably fascinating, yet something about it lingers in the back of your mind, leaving you unsettled.
Why? On one hand, Rummu Quarry is nothing short of extraordinary. Towering sand hills rise all around, and climbing them is an adventure—challenging but rewarding. From the top, a breathtaking panorama unfolds: crystal-clear blue water stretching below, partially submerging the remains of old buildings. One structure is halfway swallowed by the lake, while another is completely submerged, its silhouette barely visible beneath the surface.
And that’s when it hits me. What were these buildings originally used for? Miks speculates that one of them might have been a cargo lift or something similar. The mystery fuels curiosity, but it also casts a shadow over the site’s beauty. A quick Google search reveals its dark past.
Today, Rummu Quarry is a playground for adventure seekers—people sunbathe, swim, rent paddleboards, explore the eerie ruins by boat, and capture its beauty in photos. The underwater structures make it a renowned diving spot, drawing the daring who wish to glimpse the forgotten world below.
But not long ago, Rummu Quarry was a place of relentless suffering. It was once a brutal prison where inmates were forced into backbreaking labor in the quarry.
Suddenly, it feels like the ghosts of the past are howling in the wind, and you realize that the ruins pose hidden dangers. Sharp, submerged edges lurk beneath the surface, making swimming treacherous. The water is far too cold for me, but Miks braved a swim. He later noted that despite its crystal-clear appearance, visibility was limited—you never truly know what lies beneath.
For some, this history enhances its intrigue, adding another layer of character. For me, it’s a powerful reminder that every place holds stories—some light, some dark—but all worth knowing.
After taking a couple last pictures we are ready to continue our Estonia road trip by driving to the capital – Tallinn.
Board a Real Submarine at the Seaplane Harbour Museum
Paid entrance – check prices and working hours here.
Location of Tallinn’s Seaplane Harbour
The atmosphere inside Estonia’s sea museum is spot on. With deep purple and blue hues and propellers hanging from the ceiling, every detail enhances the immersive techno-sea vibe.
For anyone fascinated by ships and maritime history, this museum in Tallinn is an absolute must-visit. But even for someone like me, who knows next to nothing about these things, stepping inside a real submarine is an unforgettable experience. And not just any submarine—this one has survived World War II. Where else can you experience something like that?
Kids will love it here, too! The museum is packed not only with artefacts and descriptions but also with interactive activities—you can steer a miniature motorboat, feel the effects of water pressure at different depths on your own hand, and even dress up in a sailor’s uniform for a fun photo op.
And there’s still so much more to explore! This time, we didn’t even make it to the other part of the museum, where the historic Suur Tõll icebreaker awaits.
Capture a Picture of Jägala Waterfall Near Tallinn
Location of Jegala waterfall in Estonia
With waterfalls, you never really know—will they be as breathtaking as they look in photos, or did the photographer just find the perfect angle? Since in Baltics Estonia is often praised for its waterfalls, we had high expectations. And Jägala Waterfall did not disappoint.
For Baltic standards, it’s a truly impressive cascade. If you look closely, the rock wall behind the falls reveals a mesmerizing mix of colors and textures, where moss and stone intertwine beautifully. From above, Miks wondered if the waterfall might be artificial, but a quick online check confirmed—it’s entirely natural.
I’d love to visit more of Estonia’s stunning waterfalls, like Valaste and Keila, but today we’re short on time, so we need to rush back to Tallinn to grab a dinner and catch the sunset.
The Quickest Stop in Tallinn Old Town
Tip: This is where we got a bit too ambitious and crammed too much into our itinerary—leaving us with only about 30 minutes to explore Tallinn’s Old Town before rushing off to our campsite somewhere between Tallinn and Viljandi. Looking back, I’d definitely do things differently. If I were to plan this Estonia road trip again, I’d book accommodation in Tallinn for the night and continue the journey fresh the next morning. Trust me, Tallinn deserves more than a quick glance!
Sunsets and dusk always seem to complement old towns so perfectly. In every city, I seek out a spot where I can look down on the rooftops from above, and in Tallinn, that place is the Kohtuotsa Viewing Platform. From here, you’re treated to a stunning panorama of rooftops and church spires, all framed by the soft pink hues of the evening sky.
Many people come here to take a photo by the famous quote, “The times we had.” But strangely, I can’t seem to find it. Either I’m looking in the wrong spot, or the words have been painted over… A quick scroll through Instagram shows that in photos tagged at this location, the quote appears in a variety of fonts. Maybe it’s a bit of a cycle—someone covers it up, only for someone else to bring it back to life? Just a thought, of course.
On our way back to the car, we stroll through Town Hall Square (location of Town hall squere), and I can’t help but feel that this lively spot perfectly captures the essence of the old town. It’s full of energy, surrounded by colorful houses, each with its own story to tell. The square also has a familiar vibe, reminding me a bit of home. The buildings are reminiscent of the “Three Brothers,” and for a moment, I even mistook the Town Hall for a church, as the square reminded me so much of Dome Square.
Finally, we make a quick stop at Catherine’s Passage (location of the passage)—a charming, narrow street with tiled archways that gracefully connect the stone buildings on either side, creating a picturesque scene perfect for photos.
Unfortunately, time was running short, so we have to leave many of Tallinn’s sights unexplored. But if your Estonia road trip allows for a bit more flexibility, be sure to check out our Tallinn itinerary.
Estonia Road Trip Day 4 – What to See in Southern Estonia
A Peaceful Stroll in Viljandi, Estonia
This charming little town is the perfect spot to stretch our legs on our Estonia road trip, and we’re heading straight for the Viljandi castle ruins. To get there, we cross a picturesque bridge, which, as it turns out, was built in Riga—my birthplace.
The ruins span a surprisingly large area, crumbling yet proud, standing guard over the land’s rich history.
From this high vantage point, we’re treated to a breathtaking view of Lake Viljandi, its surface shimmering under the sun. The scene is postcard-perfect—everything about it feels peaceful and timeless. The weather couldn’t be better either, with a gentle breeze and clear skies. I pause for a moment, just taking it all in, letting the serenity of the lake sink deep into my bones.
But we’re not ones to just stand still for long. So, we begin wandering through the remains of the castle walls—ancient remnants of a structure dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries. It’s hard to believe that this place has endured so many centuries of history.
Tip: In summer Viljandi, Estonia holds a folk music festival, so before you head out on your Estonia road trip, check if the place at your dates won’t be flooded with people.
Grab a Flashlight and Explore Estonia’s Helme Cave
Location of Helme cave in Estonia
Caves, much like waterfalls, are one of those places where you can’t always trust the pictures. But this time, it seems we’ve hit the jackpot!
We begin by exploring the small castle ruins at the top of the hill but they are a bit underwhelming, so I quickly make the call to head straight for the cave. The wide “mouth” of the Helme cave looks stunning in photos, but stepping inside, we’re greeted by a surprisingly spacious interior.
The cave reveals several niches and a dark corridor stretching deeper in. It’s hard to tell how far the tunnel goes, and we quickly realize that a flashlight would have been helpful. But we make do with the light from our phones and continue down the tunnel. It stretches on for quite a while, but eventually, the space narrows, and we have to crouch down to keep going. I’m honestly too scared to do that, so I stay behind.
As we head back out, I pause to read the information plaque by the entrance—and I’m glad I did. Turns out, this cave has some fascinating history! Apparently, it may have once extended all the way to Viljandi, about 65 kilometers away.
Following the signs, we head toward a nearby spring, but I’m disappointed to find it has dried up. As mentioned on the plaque, springs in Estonia are incredibly unpredictable.
Conclude Your Estonia Road Trip With Nest Shaped Pesapuu Watchtower
Now, this place is something else—a watchtower that looks like a giant tree with two nests, and the top one even has an egg! How cool is that? While the view from the outside is probably a bit more jaw-dropping than the one from the top, let’s be real—any view from 30m above the ground is still pretty epic. Plus, the whole idea behind the design is genius—so creative, I can’t help but appreciate it!
I tried to dig up why exactly the tower was made like this, but no luck finding the big secret behind it. Maybe it’s a mystery for another day! But here’s a fun fact: this funky tower actually replaced an older observation tower that used to stand in the same spot. Talk about an upgrade!
It’s been another adventurous day, and this is where the Estonia part of our Estonia road trip ends. But as the drive to Riga from up here is long (~215km), I want to break the long drive up with some attractions across the border. If you’re interested in that as well – you can read more about our stop in Alūksne, Latvia here.
Looking back, I truly believe a road trip is the best way to explore Estonia. Every moment was exciting and fun, but there just wasn’t enough time! So if you’re planning to follow this Estonia road trip itinerary, I’d highly recommend adding an extra day. This way, you can spread out the driving and give yourself more time to properly explore Tallinn.
As for my favorite spots along the route that you shouldn’t miss? Helme Cave was an unexpected surprise, but nothing quite compares to the stunning photo opportunities at Rummu Quarry!
Other Things to Do in Estonia