French
Deutsch
Rapla (German: Rappel) is a small town in north-central Estonia and the capital of Rapla County. It lies about 50 km south of Tallinn on the Tallinn–Viljandi railway line, making it an easy day trip from the capital. The town is recognisable by the two towers of its Lutheran church, the only rural church in Estonia with two towers.
Understand
[edit | edit source]Rapla is a quiet administrative and commuter town of around 5,000 people. The area is first mentioned in the Danish Census Book (Liber Census Daniae) of 1241. A narrow-gauge railway to Virtsu operated from 1931 to 1968, and Rapla was granted town rights in 1993. The surrounding county is a mix of farmland, forest, bogs, manor houses and medieval castle sites.
Rapla is not a major tourist destination, but it works well as a base for exploring the countryside of Rapla County or as a stop between Tallinn and western or southern Estonia.
Tourist information
[edit | edit source]- Visit Estonia – Rapla County. Official Estonian tourism portal with sights, activities and accommodation for Rapla and the surrounding county.
- Visit Raplamaa. Rapla County tourism site with food, accommodation and activity listings.
- Rapla Parish. Municipal website (in Estonian).
Get in
[edit | edit source]By train
[edit | edit source]Rapla station is on the Tallinn–Viljandi line operated by Elron. Trains from Tallinn run roughly hourly and take 50–60 minutes. Check current timetables and fares on the Elron website.
- 1 Rapla Railway Station (Rapla raudteejaam), Jaama 6.
By bus
[edit | edit source]Regional and long-distance buses connect Rapla with Tallinn (about 1 hour) and other towns in Estonia.
- 2 Rapla Bus Station (Rapla bussijaam), Tallinna mnt 2.
By car
[edit | edit source]Rapla is about 50–55 km from Tallinn by road.
Get around
[edit | edit source]
The town centre is small and easily covered on foot. Local and regional buses serve the surrounding villages, but services are less frequent outside peak hours. A car or bicycle is useful for reaching sights elsewhere in the county.
See
[edit | edit source]- 1 Rapla Maarja-Magdaleena Church (Rapla Church), Tallinna mnt 7. Neo-Romanesque limestone church consecrated in 1901, notable for its twin towers and historic interior.
- 2 Rapla Stone Bridge (Rapla limestone bridge), Kalda tn. Historic two-arched limestone bridge over the Vigala River, built in the late 19th century.
- 3 Rapla Children's Park (Rapla Lastepark), Pargi tänav. Town-centre playground with swings, slides, climbing frames and a sandbox.
Do
[edit | edit source]- 1 Vesiroosi Health Track (Rapla Vesiroosi Terviserada), Vesiroosi. Outdoor recreation area with illuminated 1 km and 2.7 km trails for walking, running and cycling. Also has a sledding hill and swimming area.
- Rapla Church Music Festival (Rapla Kirikumuusika Festival). Annual classical and sacred music festival founded in 1993, with concerts in Rapla and other Estonian towns. Usually held in summer.
- Cycling: Rapla County has several marked cycling and recreational routes. See Visit Estonia.
Buy
[edit | edit source]- 1 Rabav Raplamaa Pood (Rabav Raplamaa Shop), Tallinna mnt 26, ☏ +372 5788 0357, raplamaatoode@gmail.com. Gift shop selling locally made products from Rapla County, including handicrafts, jewellery, clothing, cosmetics, sweets and souvenirs. Also sells gift coins that can be used like gift cards.
Eat
[edit | edit source]Rapla has several cafés and casual restaurants, offering Estonian, Asian and international food. Opening hours may change, so check before visiting.
- 1 Marju Café (Marju Kohvik), Hariduse 3, ☏ +372 5343 0854, marju.kohvik@gmail.com. Traditional Estonian café serving homemade dishes, freshly baked cakes and pastries. Uses local berries and mushrooms. Also offers catering.
- 2 Hollivuud (Kohvik Hollivuud), Tallinna mnt 17a, ☏ +372 5360 3995, info@hollivuud.ee. Casual café and restaurant in Rapla Cultural Centre, known for its burgers made with local beef, pizzas, steaks and other hearty dishes. Outdoor terrace.
- 3 Vaga Mama, Tallinna mnt 15a, ☏ +372 5697 8003. Asian restaurant serving Chinese, Thai and Nepalese dishes, including curries, soups, noodles and tandoori food. Part of an Estonian restaurant chain.
- 4 Karavan (Šašlõkibaar Karavan), Viljandi mnt 5, ☏ +372 489 4034, saslokibaar@hot.ee. Small, rustic grill bar serving shashlik, kebabs and traditional Estonian lunch dishes. Has seating for about 40 people.
- 5 Arturi Trahter (Arturi Inn), Arturi tn 2, Valtu, ☏ +372 5656 2074, artur@arturcatering.ee. Restaurant and catering business in Valtu, a few kilometres south of Rapla. Located in the grounds of the former Valtu manor.
Around Rapla
[edit | edit source]- 6 Nõmme Kõrts (Nõmme Kõrtsi Külalistemaja), Nõmme küla, Rapla vald, nommekorts.marx@gmail.com. Country tavern serving homemade lunches and daily specials. Also offers accommodation for up to 24 guests, sauna facilities and catering.
- 7 SOO (SOO Restaurant), Maidla mõis 1, Maidla, ☏ +372 5648 8132, info@maidlaresort.com. Fine-dining restaurant in the former servants' house of Maidla Manor. Serves a seasonal tasting menu based on local ingredients. Advance reservations required. Open Thursday-Saturday evenings.
- 8 Ööbiku Gastronomy Farm (Ööbiku Gastronoomiatalu), Ööbiku talu, Kuimetsa küla, ☏ +372 5693 5515, ants@oobiku.ee. Country restaurant serving a seasonal multi-course dinner prepared with local farm produce and ingredients from nearby forests. Advance reservations required.
- 9 Cinema Café (Cinema Cafe & Catering), Tallinna mnt 21, Järvakandi, ☏ +372 5209 459, info@clubcinema.ee. Cosy café and restaurant serving homemade food, pizzas, cakes and pastries. The building also houses a hostel and nightclub.
Drink
[edit | edit source]- Meie Pubi, Viljandi mnt 15. Large pub with two floors seating about 150 plus a separate room for 20, with a pool table and sports on a big screen. According to the local tourism site, the composer Raimond Valgre is said to have visited the site when it was a workshop.
- Club Cinema. Nightclub with DJ sets on Friday and Saturday nights.
- MadHouse. Central nightclub open on weekends and before public holidays, with DJs and live performers.
Sleep
[edit | edit source]Accommodation in Rapla consists mainly of guesthouses and self-catering apartments. For a wider choice of hotels and holiday homes, see the surrounding county or stay in Tallinn.
- 1 Rapla Külalistemaja (Rapla Guest House), Keskkooli tn 1, ☏ +372 5192 8810, rapla.kylalistemaja@gmail.com. Budget guesthouse in the town centre offering single, double, triple and quadruple rooms. Shared kitchen, Wi-Fi and bicycle storage. Breakfast available by arrangement.
Around Rapla
[edit | edit source]- 2 Cinema Hostel, Tallinna mnt 21, Järvakandi, ☏ +372 5209 459, info@clubcinema.ee. Small hostel above Cinema Café in Järvakandi, offering single and double rooms as well as a suite with a sauna and hot tub.
Go next
[edit | edit source]- Tallinn – the national capital, under an hour by train.