15.5.2026 | Estonia

Five Memorable Stops in Eastern Estonia

Eastern Estonia is home to a remarkable concentration of both natural and man-made records in Estonia. Nineteen of these record sites have now been marked in the landscape with yellow signs, and all of them are easily accessible. This article highlights five of the marked locations.

Text Susanna Poikela 
Photo Narva Museum, Sven Zacek, Sören Talu

The first destination is Estonia’s highest man-made waterfall. Valaste Waterfall is located on the Ontika limestone cliff at the highest section of the Baltic Klint. The waterfall is approximately 30 metres high and impressive in every season. In spring, the water flow is at its strongest, while the lush cliff forest below creates an almost jungle-like atmosphere. During winter, frost and wind transform the waterfall into a dramatic ice sculpture.

The second stop takes visitors underground. The Estonian Mining Museum is the deepest operating museum in Estonia, located eight metres below ground level. Former miners serve as guides, machinery is still demonstrated for visitors, and guests can ride an underground mining train. The museum makes the industrial history of Ida-Viru County tangible and easy to experience.

The third destination is Narva-Jõesuu Beach, the longest sandy beach on Estonia’s seacoast. Stretching 9.5 kilometres from the mouth of the Narva River to Udria, the beach attracts visitors seeking seaside relaxation, leisure activities, and the famous sunsets of Narva-Jõesuu.

The fourth stop is Narva, home to Estonia’s best-preserved fortress system. In the centre of the city, defensive structures from different historical periods stand side by side: a magnificent castle, medieval city walls, rondelets, bastions, and ravelins. This combination makes Narva both a historically important destination and one of the most photogenic places in Eastern Estonia.

The fifth suggested stop is Sillamäe. The town was the first spa resort area in Eastern Estonia and was already known as a holiday destination in the mid-19th century. Today, Sillamäe is best known for its Soviet-era neoclassical cityscape, seaside promenade, and industrial history, which visitors can explore at the Sillamäe Museum.

To learn more about this and similar topics
Eastern Estonia Mining Museum Narva Narva-Jõesuu beach Narva Castle record Valaste Waterfall