Laulasmaa Beach

The long, gentle arc of pale sand running west from the village is the reason Estonians have been coming here since the 1930s. The beach is backed by pine forest rather than hotels or buildings, the water is shallow for a long way out, and the lack of obvious facilities keeps the crowds modest even in July. The sand really does squeak under bare feet when it is dry — try a slow shuffle.

There is a small kiosk at the central access point in season, with toilets, changing huts, and a beach volleyball court. Most people walk or cycle in along the woodland tracks from the village centre. The water is clean enough that the EU has flagged it as a Blue Flag beach for years; that said, the Baltic in this latitude only really warms up in July and August. Bring a jumper for the evening — the wind shifts onshore most afternoons.

things to do beach
A story
The name Laulasmaa comes from the Estonian "laulev maa" — "the singing land" — a reference to the squeaking, almost humming sound that the fine quartz sand makes when you walk on it dry. The phenomenon is rare worldwide and only a handful of European beaches share it.