The Story of Võsu
and Reute Residences
Located on the southern shore of Käsmu Bay on Estonia’s northern coast, Võsu has long been a beloved summer retreat. Its wide sandy beach, beautiful natural scenery, and unique holiday atmosphere continue to captivate visitors to this day. It’s no wonder that many well-known Estonian cultural figures—such as Georg Ots, Kaljo Kiisk, Mikk Mikiver, and Juhan Viiding—have chosen to spend their summers here.
The beautiful beach, sheltered by two peninsulas, has played a central role in the development of the settlement of Võsu. The growth of Võsu as a resort took off in 1870 with the opening of the Paldiski–St. Petersburg railway. This new transport connection brought a large number of summer visitors from Russia, who greatly valued the advantages of Võsu as a holiday destination. Around the same time, Baron von der Pahlen of Palmse Manor mapped out his pine forest area as summer home plots and sold them, thus laying the foundation for modern-day Võsu. A deed of sale confirmed in 1901 reveals that present-day Võsu is located precisely on the historically known Reute pine forest area.
With its beautiful pine forest rich in mushrooms and berries, sandy seabed, and warm sea water, Võsu’s popularity continued to grow. A passenger ferry line between Tallinn and Võsu was established, making it even easier for holidaymakers to reach the area. By the time of the First World War, Võsu had already developed into a true resort, boasting over 120 summer houses. During the tsarist era, Võsu was primarily visited by the nobility of St. Petersburg, Moscow, and Germany. In the early years of the Republic of Estonia, improved transportation and growing prosperity brought an increasing number of domestic tourists to Võsu as well. In the 1930s, as visitor numbers rebounded after difficult times, a regular bus route between Tallinn and Võsu was launched, and Võsu became one of the most beloved holiday destinations for Estonians. By the eve of the Second World War, Võsu was the fifth-largest resort in Estonia, and its bustling summer main street was said to resemble Tallinn’s Harju Street or Tartu’s Rüütli Street.
Today, Võsu’s nearly 3-kilometre-long beach is known for its clear water, sandy seabed, and soft white sand. 2002. In 2002, Võsu Beach was awarded the international Blue Flag, a mark of high environmental quality. During the summer months, Võsu’s usual population of around 500 increases dramatically, reaching up to 20,000 people on weekends and during cultural events. The small borough of Võsu, which mostly consists of summer homes and low-rise buildings, comes alive with seasonal cafés, shops, and even a small market offering local garden produce. The fast-flowing Võsu River runs through the settlement and flows into the marina. From the end of the breakwater begins the 6-kilometre-long illuminated Võsu–Käsmu walking and cycling path, which features a unique boat-shaped viewing platform.
At the corner of Laine Street, along the winding seaside promenade of Võsu, stands a new accommodation complex – Reute – named after the historic pine forest of Võsu.
1874. In 1874, Ukrainian nobleman Ivan Borovtšenko received a plot of land—what is today Laine Street 6—from Tsar Alexander II for the construction of a residence. 1902. By 1902, he had acquired the entire stretch of land along Laine Street, including the site of today’s Reute Residents, and built several buildings for his family.
As with many other descendants of landowners in Võsu, the Borovtšenko family was able to reclaim only a small portion of their former property—the rest had been taken during nationalization and transferred to others.
During the Soviet era, a restaurant named Neptun was built on the seaward side of the plot. It became Võsu’s most famous entertainment venue for decades and attracted visitors from all over Estonia.
2000. In 2000, the Neptun restaurant burned down, and the site remained vacant until 2023, when construction began on a new building. Today, a new Reute holiday complex stands in the very same location.
Reute Residents offers visitors luxurious accommodation and relaxation in a beautiful natural setting. In addition to a peaceful spa and an Italian-inspired restaurant, guests can enjoy stunning sea views and romantic sunsets. Võsu’s clean air, beautiful beaches, and enchanting nature make it an ideal destination for both romantic getaways and family holidays.
Come and experience the charm of historic Võsu combined with the comfort of modern luxury at Reute!
