Naissaar – amazing beaches and military history

Naissaar is an island of natural beauty located at about 10 km’s distance from Tallinn, separating Tallinn Bay from the rest of the Gulf of Finland. The island entices with its clear sands and wild rose bushes – a recipe for a true paradise beach. Much of the island is covered with ancient forests. The island has been a nature reserve as of 1995, which is why its nature has been preserved in its diversity and integrity. The island has three hiking trails: the Military Trail, the Culture Trail and the Nature Trail. It has military structures from the period of the Russian Tsar Peter the Great, a Soviet-era mine factory, a narrow-gauged railroad and functioning train transportation. Naissaar has had a significant defence function through the ages, as its aim was to prevent access to Tallinn from the Gulf of Finland with cannon fire. The island has four villages: Naissaare, Lõunaküla, Tagaküla and Väikeheinamaa. There are three permanent residents on the island.