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Pirita

Pirita
A bit futher out from Kadriorg is another district that provides an escape from the downtown bustle - Pirita. The sprawling district is actually within Tallinn’s boundaries, only a 10 - 15 minute ride from the city centre. When you get here though, you’d never believe you were in the same universe as the rest of Tallinn; suddenly you’re surrounded by dense forest, fresh air and, best of all, the blissful sound of silence. 

When most Tallinners think of Pirita, they think of the popular beach, which can get packed with thousands of bodies on any sunny weekend. But there’s much more to Pirita than sand, surf and peaceful greenery.
The region has a history that goes back at least as far as the early 15th century, when the now-famous convent was founded on the banks of the Pirita River in the early 15th century. Pirita stayed fairly rural through the centuries, but after World War II, partitions of land were given out to Estonians to build homes on, and Pirita began to evolve into the residential district it is today. 

The 1980 Moscow Olympics also had a major impact on the region. When Pirita was to host the yachting events, image-conscience Soviet authorities built the entire coastal Pirita highway, the TV Tower, an extensive beach house and the Olympic Yachting Centre for the occasion. Nowadays a different kind of construction boom is underway here: Pirita has become one of the most popular places for Tallinn’s affluent to build new homes.

For visitors though, Pirita’s attraction is still its nature, recreation opportunities, some fascinating historic sights and a couple grand, Soviet relics. This time of year, a trip to Pirita is a must. 

Getting there
Reaching Pirita from the centre is simple. Take bus No 1, 1A, 8, 34, or 38 from underground stop at the Viru Centre. For the beach, convent or river area, get off at the Pirita stop, which is the first one after you cross the river. For other locations, see below. You can also easily get to Pirita by taxi. 

What to see: beach/river area
Pirita Beach Without a doubt, Pirita’s star attraction is its 3km-long, white sand beach. All the usual tanning, flirting, volleyball and other activity you’d find at any beach in the world you’ll find here too. But Pirita’s beach also has an extensive, park that fills the area between the highway and the beach itself. This densely forested area is criss-crossed by paved trails (perfect for biking and roller-skating), and dotted with benches and children’s playgrounds. On the south end of the beach, you can play mini-golf, and sometimes find a couple carnival-type activities. The Beach House itself is home to a bowling alley and a couple of snack bars.

St. Bridget’s Convent Ruins (Pirita klooster) Kloostri tee 9, tel. 605 50 00, fax 605 50 10, lagle@osss.ee, www.piritaklooster.ee. A towering, gabled facade poking through the trees (see photo, left) is the first thing you notice when you arrive in Pirita. This is part of the fascinating ruins of St. Bridget’s convent, which was founded in 1407 by the Swedish St. Bridgettine Order. It crumbled in a siege by Ivan the Terrible in 1577 and its stones were later carted off to construction projects throughout Tallinn. What remains today are the walls of the main church, several foundations, cellars, and a newer cemetery. This unique site is also used as a kind of outdoor concert venue, which this August will host a music festival.
Open in August 09:00 - 19:00, in September 10:00 - 18:00. Admission 20kr.

Pirita River Boat Rental Kloostri tee 6a, tel. 621 21 05, www.bellmarine.ee. The Pirita River winds through the beautiful, marshy area behind the convent, creating some of the most striking scenery in Tallinn. The best way to explore this 500ha protected nature area is to take a leisurely trip down the river itself. On the riverbank, just north of the bridge, you’ll see a shack labelled Paadilaenutus which rents out various types of boats. You can rent a rowboat or canoe for 100kr/hr, a kayak for 80kr/hr, or, if you’re less confident with the oars, a water bicycle (pedal boat) for 60kr/hr. Don’t forget to pack a picnic lunch!
Open 10:00 - 22:00.

Tallinn Olympic Yachting Centre Regati pst. 1, tel. 639 88 00, www.piritatop.ee. The most prominent leftover of Pirita’s Olympic past is its Olympic Yachting Centre, still an active part of life in Pirita. The imposing building itself, built for the 1980 Moscow Olympics, is a fascinating example of Soviet architecture. Nearby you can also see the stand for the Olympic flame, as well as the Olympic rings. A visit to the complex is worthwhile, even if just to stroll along the water, inspect the yachts, and have lunch in one of the outdoor cafés that operates here. Of course, you can also park your yacht here, if you happened to bring it with you.

What to see: Kloostrimetsa area
Tallinn Botanic Garden (Tallinna Botaanikaaed) Kloostrimetsa tee 52, tel. 606 26 66, fax 600 55 29, ekskursioon@tba.ee, www.tba.ee. With the richest collection of live plants in Estonia, the gardens are a wellkept secret. Around 8,000 species are arranged on 123ha of land, with hothouse displays of tropical, subtropical and desert plants. This time of year you can also tour the rose garden and the entire park. Take bus No 34A or 38 to the Kloostrimetsa stop.
Open 11:00 - 19:00. Call 606 26 66 for tours. Admission 40kr.

Metsakalmistu Cemetery Kloostrimetsa tee 36, www.kalmistud.ee. Tallinn’s most famous cemetery, Metsakalmistu was officially opened in 1939. Among its most famous permanent guests are Estonia’s first president, Konstantin Päts, writers Lydia Koidula and Anton-Hansen Tammsaare, chess player Paul Keres, composer Raimond Valgre and singer Georg Ots. Even if you don’t visit these celebrity graves, a stroll through the rest of the cemetery is still a fascinating and peaceful experience. Take bus No34 or 38 to the Metsakalmistu or Pärnamäe stops.

Tallinn TV Tower Kloostrimetsa 58a, tel. 623 82 50, www.teletorn.ee. This space-age-looking TV Tower looks all the more out of place poking out of a serene, Kloostrimetsa forest. The 314m tower (still the tallest structure in Tallinn) opened in 1980 just in time for the Olympic games, and was evidently built to impress. The real treat here though is the view from the observation deck at the 170m level. An amazing panorama of Pirita and the rest of Tallinn open up from here. Take bus No34 or 38 to the Motoklubi stop.
Open 10:00 - 24:00. Admission 50kr.

What to do
There are plenty of sporty and adventurous things to do in Pirita. Besides beach volleyball, mini-golf and rowing in the Pirita River (mentioned on previous pages). there’s these:

Biking
The paths by the beach, as well as those that run several kilometres through Kloostrimetsa forest, are perfect for exploring on two-wheels. You can also bike to Pirita from the centre of Tallinn.

Bowling
Pirita Bowling Club Merivälja tee 5, tel. 630 01 21, www.bowlingclub.ee. This 12-lane club in the Pirita Beach House offers an indoor retreat close to the sand. 100 - 225kr/hr.
Open 12:00 - 23:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 01:00.

Parasailing
An intense beach activity where you’re pulled along by a motorboat while flying a parachute. Contact Jüri Lumi, tel. 504 27 25 (Estonian), parasailing@hot.ee, www.hot.ee/parasailing. A 10 - 15-minute ride costs 350kr.

Roller-skating
The same paths near the beach that work for biking are also fine for rollerskating. There’s also a large, flat area at the south edge of the beach.

Windsurfing
Hawaii Express Surf Club Merivälja tee 1f, tel. 623 74 55, info@surf.ee, www.surf.ee. The Surf House at the south end of the beach holds 4-hour lessons for beginners and rents out equipment to the more experienced. Sailboard rent is 200kr/hr; calipso, shoes and vest 100kr/hr.

Where to eat
If the ice-cream stands on the beach just don’t do it for you, consider the outdoor cafés at the Olympic Yacht Harbour, or try the following:

Galaxy Kloostrimetsa 58a (in the TV tower), tel. 623 82 50, info@teletorn.ee, www.teletorn.ee. The TV tower’s 170m high restaurant offers dining with the best seats in town and is not something you’ll be likely to forget. Be warned that you still have to buy the 50kr ticket to get in.

Kalevi Yacht Club Pirita tee 17, tel. 623 91 58, fax 623 90 28, info@jahtklubibaar.ee, www.jahtklubibaar.ee. The yacht club’s restaurant serves up very decent pubtype food to sailors and nonsailors alike.

Pirita TOP SPA Hotel Regati pst. 1, tel. 639 66 41, restaurant@topspsa.ee, www.topspa.ee. The spa hotel’s respectable restaurant offers a brief, international-style menu and an interior that looks very much like the inside of a ship. Try the smokey cheese soup.

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