Kurtna village sits on the banks of the Keila River, 2 km south-east of Kiisa, just 30 minutes from Tallinn. Most people don't know that this small village is actually one of the most interesting places in Harjumaa, here you'll find an amusement park, a motorcycle museum, a riding school, creative studios and much more, all within easy walking distance of each other.
Kassisaba Sauna House is right in Kurtna village, and our guests often ask what there is to do in the area. Here are our recommendations.
8 things to do in Kurtna
Vembu-Tembumaa Family Park
Estonia's largest and oldest family amusement park is right in Kurtna village, a short walk from Kassisaba Sauna House. Water slides, go-kart tracks, ATVs, swimming pools, trampolines, mini golf, carousels... there's enough to fill an entire day for toddlers and big kids alike.
Vembu-Tembumaa is open during summer (June to August) and is one of those places children want to come back to again and again. If you're celebrating a birthday at Kassisaba Sauna House, Vembu-Tembumaa makes a perfect add-on!
vembu-tembumaa.com →Kurtna Motorcycle Museum
The largest collection of vintage motorcycles in the Baltics is hidden inside an outbuilding of the old Kurtna Manor at Tagadi tee 1. Over 100 rare exhibits: BMW, Harley-Davidson, Indian, AJS, Jawa, are displayed across 300 m². The collection belongs to Urmas Teearu, who has been gathering and restoring motorcycles since 1978.
The museum is open by appointment (tel. +372 508 7150). Tickets: €5 adults, €3 children, €10 family ticket. Well worth a visit even if you know nothing about motorcycles, the exhibits are simply visually stunning.
teearu.ee →Kregleni Stables, riding school across the river
On the other bank of the Keila River, right opposite Kassisaba Sauna House, you'll find Kregleni Stables. Riding school, horse rental, children's birthday parties and nature days, all in one place. Experienced trainers are on hand to help beginners and experienced riders alike.
A particularly appealing combination: morning sauna, a short walk across the river, a relaxed ride through nature, then back to the hot tub in the evening. Kregleni also offers birthday events for children and nature days for schools.
kregleni.ee →Keila River and Kurtna lakes
The Keila River flows right through Kurtna village, and Kassisaba Sauna House is just 50 metres from the water. After a hot sauna session, the tradition is to plunge straight into the river: refreshing in summer, bracing in winter. This is an authentic Estonian sauna experience.
The Kurtna area also has a number of beautiful lakes, peaceful walking trails, birdwatching and nature photography. The Kurtna-Vilivere conservation area extends right here, meaning pristine nature is just behind the village.
Kurtna Equestrian Competitions
Kurtna hosts traditional equestrian competitions, the Kurtna Cup. These are popular with competitors and spectators alike. If you visit Kurtna on a summer weekend, it's worth checking whether a competition is on, it's a colourful and lively experience right in the heart of this small village.
The competitions take place at Kregleni Stables, so if you happen to be staying at the sauna house for a weekend, you might stumble into an authentically local piece of Estonian rural life.
uper.KUUT, DIY studio in a former hen house
One of Kurtna's most unique venues is uper.KUUT, based in a former hen house (Keskuse tee 12) and offers craft and creativity workshops, birthday events and team-building days. Don't let "former hen house" put you off, the space has been beautifully renovated and the atmosphere is anything but agricultural.
Ideal if you want to do something creative with your hands after a sauna house overnight, or if you're organising a company event and want to combine sauna with creativity.
annalutterkuut.ee →MO:JO Studio, the cosiest atmosphere in Kurtna
MO:JO Studio (Kurtna tee 33) is an exclusive events venue hosting regular evening events, board game nights with wine, Design & Wine texture art evenings, team events and weddings. What makes the studio special is that every event is carefully curated and limited in numbers.
If you're in Kurtna for a weekend and want to fill a Friday or Saturday evening, it's worth checking MO:JO's Facebook page for what's on, they often have single tickets available for their "After Hours" events. The perfect combination: sauna by day + MO:JO in the evening = the ideal weekend.
mojjo.ee →Kassisaba Sauna House, the ideal base for all your adventures
The ideal base for all of these activities is Kassisaba Sauna House, a private sauna house right on the banks of the Keila River in Kurtna village. Stay overnight, use the sauna, jump in the river, walk to Vembu-Tembumaa, visit the motorcycle museum, ride horses across the river.
Kurtna village is not simply a stopover between Tallinn and somewhere else, it is a destination in its own right. And Kassisaba Sauna House is the best place from which to discover it all.
Kurtna village, summary
A village of 312 people, but 8 reasons to visit. Vembu-Tembumaa family park, the largest motorcycle museum in the Baltics, a riding school across the river, creative studios, evening events and one of the best sauna houses in Harjumaa, all in one village, 30 minutes from Tallinn.
Kurtna is the kind of place you come to for one night and want to stay for three.