The former nuclear site in Paldiski, once a Soviet submarine training centre with working nuclear reactors, has now been made safe and offers the opportunity to explore the special site through guided tours.
What can you see during the tour?
The tour begins with an introductory presentation where we introduce the history of the site, current activities, and future plans. After that, visitors explore the facility together with a guide.
During the tour, you can see the reactor sarcophagus, which houses the power section of a Soviet first-generation nuclear submarine, and explore the main building hall, which houses the interim radioactive waste storage facility. If you wish, you can also climb to an approximately 11-meter-high trestle, which offers a view of the entire interior of the building.
The visit is accompanied by a guide who will tell you about the history and answer questions. See also the former Paldiski nuclear site. virtual tour (introductory video).
Is it safe to visit the former Paldiski nuclear site?
It is safe to visit the former Paldiski nuclear site. Visitors may only stay on the site with an escort from AS ALARA and must comply with the escort's instructions.
There is no age limit for visitors, but the tour requires walking on stairs and higher platforms. Therefore, we recommend the visit primarily for school-age children and adults. Younger children may not be able to access all areas for safety reasons.
How to arrange a visit?
What is needed to visit the former nuclear site in Paldiski?
- arrange a time to visit in advance;
- bring a photo ID;
- bring a good mood😊
When choosing clothing, remember that it's usually windy here and the temperature inside the concrete building is moderate all year round.
Excursion price list
- The minimum fee for a group of up to 6 people is 100 euros + VAT;
- If there are 7 or more visitors in the group, the price of the tour is 15 euros + VAT per person for all group members;
- For frontline workers (employees of national defense structures, including members of the Estonian Defense League, volunteer rescuers and auxiliary police officers), the fee is 10 euros + VAT per person;
- For children, pupils and students - free of charge.
You can pay for the excursion using a prepayment invoice.
NB! Tours are organized only on weekdays and can be conducted in Estonian and English.
The story of the former Paldiski nuclear site
The nuclear site in the central part of the Pakri peninsula housed two training facilities, which were part of the submarine housings directly involved in power generation, submarine and reactor control and on-board systems related to their movement. Each of the two demonstrations also included an operating nuclear reactor.
In addition to the main building, the territory included liquid and solid radioactive waste storage facilities, a liquid waste processing complex, a ventilation building, a special laundry, a boiler house, and other auxiliary buildings.
After Estonia regained its independence, the site was handed over to Estonia in 1995. Of the original 39 buildings and structures, only three remain today:
- a renovated main building containing reactor components, a modern interim storage facility for radioactive waste and office and storage facilities and workshops for the operation of ALARA;
- gateway building;
- garage.
Following the take-over of the nuclear site, most of the buildings were cleaned up and dismantled, and the waste collected was handled and stored in accordance with modern safety standards. Although the main clean-up work was completed in 2012, the final dismantling and safety work on the reactor sections will continue between 2040 and 2050, by which time final disposal facilities for existing and dismantled radioactive waste will be established on the site.