If you are thinking of traveling to Tallin, Estonia, you are in the right place. Tallinn is the capital city of Estonia and it is a popular destination for tourists. Here are some ideas for things to see and do in Tallinn:
- Visit the Old Town: Tallinn’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and it is filled with medieval charm. It is home to many landmarks, including the Town Hall Square, St. Nicholas Church, and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
- Take a walking tour: There are many guided walking tours available in Tallinn that will take you around the city and introduce you to its history and culture.
- Explore the Kadriorg Palace: The Kadriorg Palace is a beautiful Baroque palace that was built for Catherine I of Russia. It is now home to the Estonian Art Museum.
- Visit the Tallinn TV Tower: The Tallinn TV Tower is a popular attraction that offers panoramic views of the city. You can also enjoy a meal at the rotating restaurant at the top of the tower.
- Shop at the Balti Jaam Market: The Balti Jaam Market is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. It is a great place to find souvenirs, try local food, and meet the locals.
- Take a day trip to the Lahemaa National Park: Located about an hour’s drive from Tallinn, the Lahemaa National Park is a beautiful place to spend the day. You can hike or bike through the park, visit a manor house, or relax on the beach.
Where to Stay in Tallinn, Estonia?
There are many options for places to stay in Tallinn, Estonia. Here are a few ideas:
- Hotels: Tallinn has a range of hotels to suit different budgets and preferences. Some popular options include the Hotel Schlossle, the Hotel Palace, and the Radisson Blu Sky Hotel.
- Bed and breakfasts: For a more intimate and homely experience, you might consider staying at a bed and breakfast. There are many B&Bs to choose from in Tallinn, such as the Old House B&B and the Telegraaf Hotel.
- Apartments: Renting an apartment can be a good option if you want more space and independence. There are many apartments available for short-term rentals in Tallinn, such as the Old Town Apartments and the Tallinn City Apartments.
- Hostels: If you are traveling on a budget, you might consider staying at a hostel. There are several hostels in Tallinn, including the Hostel Mundo and the Hostel St. Olav.
When choosing where to stay in Tallinn, consider your budget and what type of accommodation will best suit your needs.
When to Go to Tallinn, Estonia
Let us share with you some of the things you need to know when traveling to Estonia. The best time to visit Tallinn, Estonia depends on your personal preferences and what you want to do while you are there. Here are a few things to consider when deciding when to go:
- Weather: Tallinn has a temperate maritime climate with relatively mild winters and cool summers. The average temperature in the summer is around 20°C (68°F) and in the winter it is around -4°C (25°F). If you want to enjoy warm weather and outdoor activities, the summer months of June, July, and August might be the best time to visit.
- Festivals and events: Tallinn has a number of festivals and events throughout the year, so you might want to plan your trip around one of these. Some popular events include the Tallinn Music Week in March, the Tallinn Food Festival in August, and the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in November.
- Crowds: Tallinn is a popular destination for tourists, so the city can get quite crowded during the peak tourist season. If you want to avoid the crowds, you might consider visiting during the shoulder season (May, September, and October).
Overall, the best time to visit Tallinn will depend on your personal preferences and what you want to get out of your trip.
How to Stay Safe in Tallinn?
Tallinn is generally a safe city for tourists, but it is always a good idea to take precautions to ensure that your trip is enjoyable and problem-free. Here are a few tips for staying safe in Tallinn:
- Be aware of your surroundings: As in any city, it is important to stay alert and aware of your surroundings. Be particularly cautious in crowded areas and at night.
- Keep valuables safe: Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and keep your valuables (such as your passport and credit cards) safe. Use a money belt or keep your valuables in a hotel safe.
- Use common sense: Use common sense when it comes to your personal safety. Don’t leave your drinks unattended, be cautious of strangers offering help or asking for directions, and avoid walking alone in isolated areas.
- Know the emergency numbers: Familiarize yourself with the emergency numbers in case you need to contact the police, fire department, or ambulance. In Estonia, the emergency number is 112.
By following these simple precautions, you can help ensure that your trip to Tallinn is safe and enjoyable.
Estonia Travel Costs
The cost of traveling to Estonia will depend on a number of factors, including your mode of transportation, where you stay, and how you spend your time. Here are a few estimates to help you budget for your trip:
- Flights: Flights to Estonia from the United States can cost anywhere from $700 to $1,500 or more, depending on your departure city and the time of year you travel.
- Accommodation: The cost of accommodation in Estonia can vary widely. You can find budget options such as hostels and Airbnb rentals for around $30-50 per night. Mid-range options like hotels and guesthouses usually cost around $70-100 per night, while luxury options can cost $100 or more per night.
- Food: The cost of food in Estonia is generally lower than in other parts of Europe. You can find a meal at a local restaurant for around $10-15, while a meal at a mid-range restaurant will cost around $20-30.
- Transportation: Public transportation in Estonia is inexpensive and efficient. A one-way ticket on the bus or tram costs around $1-2, while a taxi ride within the city center will cost around $5-10.
Overall, you can expect to spend around $50-100 per day on travel costs in Estonia, depending on your style of travel. This is just a rough estimate and your actual costs may be higher or lower depending on your specific plans.
Estonian Culture
Estonians are affectionate and friendly. The usually talkative people are quite helpful. Estonia, along with Cuba, has the highest literacy rate in the world. In Estonia, the streets are usually empty after 19.30 in the evening. There is a widespread tram network in city centers in the country where there is no traffic problem. It can also be reached by buses.
Public transport is free in the capital Tallinn. Harassment, rape, incest, fraud, etc. Estonia, one of the countries with the least incidence of crime in Europe, is the world’s number one in internet freedom. There are many bars, pubs and clubs for nightlife in the country. There are more women than men in Estonia.
Market Place / Main Square
The Market Place has been the heart of the city (then Raval) since the 13th century. Today, the most important concert organizations are held here, traditional Estonian festivals are held here, the Christmas market is set up here at Christmastime, and this square is the meeting point of everyone in daily life. Exactly in 1441, for the first time in the history of the city, the Christmas tree was installed in the middle of this square, and ever since that day, the excitement of Christmas has been experienced in the main square.
Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is Tallinn’s oldest Orthodox church and the most ostentatious place of worship. Located in the Old City, this place of worship was built in 1894 for the purpose of spreading Russian architecture in the city when the country was under the rule of the Russian Tsar. This cathedral is symbolic of the policy of Russifying Estonia.
Toompea Castle
Toompea Castle was built in baroque style between 1767-1773 on the right wing of the 13th century military fortress. Toompea’s history cannot be separated from Estonia’s military and political history and its rulers. Each of the rulers had Toompea renovated according to their own needs and tastes. Today, Toompea Castle is home to the Riigikogu, the Estonian Parliament.
Kumu Modern Art Gallery
Kumu Modern Art Gallery was opened in Tallinn in 2006. Although it is the largest art gallery in Estonia, it has the power to compete with other art galleries in Northern European capitals. Most of the artworks found in Estonia are in this museum and there are both permanent and temporary exhibitions in the museum. The gallery has a comprehensive and open library, training classes, meeting and screening halls.
St. Catherine’s Monastery
Located at the intersection of Müürivahe and Vene Streets in the center of Tallinn, this monastery is thought to be the oldest building in the city. Built in 1246 by the Dominican order of the Catholic faith, the monastery’s door was open to monks and anyone seeking seclusion. The monastery had its own hospital section and even a brewery.
Estonian Cuisine
Your trip to Tallin continues, if you can’t decide what to eat, then it’s time to talk about what to eat in Tallin. Estonian cuisine has been influenced by the cuisines of Denmark, Sweden, Russia and Germany. The main ingredients of the country’s cuisine are meat, sausage, potatoes, cream, pickles, cabbage, salads and brown bread. The main products of the cuisine are meat stew (seljanka), fried varieties, salmon and trout from seafood.
Cold appetizers are very important in the kitchen. Rosolje consisting of meat or sausage, beet root, meat and herring served with potato salad is one of the main appetizers. The most important food of Estonians is Estonian bread. Brown bread called leib is also quite common. There are also different types of bread called peenleib and sepik with a sour sweet taste.
Among the most well-known traditional dishes of Estonia are curd cheese and bread soups. Among the special dishes of the cuisine are smoked and pickled trout, frozen marinated eel called marineerutud angerjas, pork tongue paste keel hernestega, and a fish that comes in abundance in the Baltic Sea, and a silgusoust dish with ham and cream.
In addition, a kind of meatballs with onions, kotlet, kansassi, which is very popular on Christmas days, a kind of curd cheese kohupiim, a kind of sour sauce kapukoor eaten with potato salad or tomato salad, cheese buns sotsnik, powdered cereals with sugar and kefir mixed with kama Estonian are among the special flavors of its cuisine.
Vana, Estonia’s most famous traditional drink, is a strong drink with 40 percent alcohol content. This drink is usually consumed as cold shots or added to coffee. The country’s popular beer brands are A Le Coq, Saku and the darker SakuTume. Among the local vodkas, the most preferred is Viru Valge.
Festivals of Estonia
Estonians are known as the singing nation. Numerous music festivals have been organized throughout the country since 1981. One of the most important of these festivals is the Estonian and Viljandi Folk Music Festival, which takes place between Thursday and Sunday in the last week of July every year. In addition to Estonian artists, music groups from various countries take the stage at the festival, which has been held since 1993. Held for four days, the festival is known as one of the biggest folk music festivals in Europe.
Apart from this, other important music festivals of the country include the International Rock Music Festival held every summer, the Estonian Song and Dance Celebrations held in Tallinn, the capital of the country every spring, and the Tallinn International Jazzkaar Festival held between November and December, also hosted by the capital.
Tallinn Old Town Days in May and June, Estonian Song Celebrations held in 1869 and held every five years, Saaremaa Opera Days held in July, Leigo Lake Music Festival and Brigitta Music and Theater Festival held in August, host colorful shows every summer. Beersummer Festival is another important festival.
Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, which takes place between November and December, is the largest film festival in the country. The Punk Song Festival held in August in the city of Rakvere also welcomes hundreds of visitors every year. In addition, the Ollesummer Beer Festival is held in July every year in the country. In this festival, which is held in the capital city of Tallinn, many famous bands take the stage during the festival.
Estonia’s Economy
Estonia’s economy is based on industry. Petroleum and petroleum products have an important place in the industry. In addition, the building materials industry has also developed. Woodworking is also a traditional line of business in the country. The main forest products are paper, plywood, matches, furniture and pulp.
Among the weaving products, cotton fabric has an important place in the country’s economy, other industrial establishments, oil refining equipment, agricultural tools, mining machines, pipe excavators and factories that manufacture electronic equipment. Agriculture also has an important place in the country’s economy.
However, since there is not much land suitable for agriculture, half of the plant production consists of plants grown for animals. In the country where animal husbandry is also developed, cattle and pigs are widely fed. The country’s economy is growing rapidly based on information technology.
Religion and Belief in Estonia
Estonia, where 75.7 percent of the population does not have a belief, is the country with the highest atheist population in the world. Only 16 percent of Estonians believe in the existence of God. With this ratio, the country is also the country with the highest atheism rate in the European Union. The most common religion in the country is the Lutheran sect of Christianity.
Russian minorities living in the country are generally from the Eastern Orthodox sect of Christianity. A small number of Muslims originating from Tatar and Azeri origin minorities also live in the country, which also includes Baptists, Roman Catholics and Jews. There are also a small number of Protestants and Pagans.
Languages Spoken in Estonia
What languages do you need to know when traveling to Tallin? The official language of Estonia is Estonian. Since Estonian belongs to the Finno-Ugric group of languages belonging to the Uralic branch of the Ural-Altaic Language Family, it has a very close relationship with Finnish, which is spoken on the other side of the Gulf of Finland. Russian is still one of the widely spoken languages in the country, as Russian was taught in the Soviet era. Other languages spoken in Estonia are English, Finnish, German and Swedish.
