29.7.2025 | Leisure

Naked in Tallinn

Text and photos Susanna Poikela

I’m walking peacefully with my dogs along the brand-new boardwalks of the Paljassaare recreational area. They’re so wide and sturdy that even wheelchairs or bicycles can travel them with ease. The first warm days of July have arrived in Tallinn, and it’s wonderful to enjoy them surrounded by nature.

After a while, I’m surprised to see a naked man sunbathing, legs spread wide. Soon I spot another naked body lying under a tree—then a third, and a fourth. The scene starts to feel almost comical, so I quickly move on with my dogs.

This little heatwave brought back a funny memory—maybe now’s the right time to share where Tallinn’s secret nudist beaches are.

Just beyond Pikakari, Paljassaare’s official beach, the shoreline continues behind the forest. These days, it’s a bit rockier than it used to be. On this second beach, nudists and dog owners coexist peacefully.

Another spot suitable for nudists in Tallinn is the beach called Rannakas, located slightly before Pikakari and findable via Google Maps. This hidden gem is a favourite among locals and families, although it is not an official city beach. Rannakas stretches for about half a kilometer, and nudists tend to gather at one end of it, closer to the industrial area. While Pikakari opens up to the Gulf of Finland, Rannakas is nestled in a small bay that opens up to Tallinn Bay.

Further from the city centre, in Männiku, lies an old sand quarry known as Männiku karjäär, now used for swimming and sunbathing. In some spots, you may find a secluded sand dune where you can enjoy the sun in the nude. Männiku is located about 11 kilometers from the city centre.