Sitting somewhere between Eastern European and Scandinavian cultures, Tallinn is a fascinating city to visit on Europe’s outer reaches. From the modern Noblessner district to the historic and excellently-preserved city centre, this is quite simply one of the best and most underrated city breaks that Europe has to offer.
Please note that these are all my personal recommendations and are not sponsored in any way.
Getting There
Tallinn is home to an excellent airport which is served by airlines including airBaltic, who fly across Europe. The same can be said for more budget offerings from Wizz Air or Ryanair. Unfortunately, if you want to fly to the city from further afield, it’ll require a connection, with no flights to either North America or Asia (beyond Turkey).
It is also worth mentioning the Rail Baltica project to connect the three Baltic states to Europe. It’s not yet complete but, when it is, will offer high-speed trains into Poland and further afield. The only other way by land is currently by coach – check out Flixbus.
Estonia is an EU member and was one of the first countried to adopt the EES system. As a UK citizen, this means that you’ll have a face scan and fingerprints taken at the border. Visas are not currently required but have long been mooted – though you can only stay for up to 90 days in a 180 day period. Full advice is on the FCDO website. The same process is true for US citizens.
City Highlights
The highlights of Tallinn include:
- The Old Town – well preserved, with multiple churches and winding streets
- Noblessner – the city’s modern dictrict, complete with cafés and bars
- City walls – now an open air museum on the city’s history
- Telliskivi Creative City – the bohemian quarter full of art galleries and studios
Getting Around
The airport is close to the city centre and connected by the number 2 bus route. Trams also connect to the airport but, at the time of writing, they were being upgraded and so were out of action.
In general, Tallinn is small enough to walk around. Many of the streets are pedestrianised or have few cars so this is a pleasant experience. That said, if you are planning on going further, the city’s transportation map can be found here.
Ride hailing apps also operate. Reliable options include Uber and Bolt (who are actually headquartered in the city).
Accommodation
An excellent hostel option in Tallinn for those wanting a good mix of partying and a decent night’s sleep is the Monk’s Bunk Hostel. The hostel is also home to a bar which sells some of the cheapest beer in the city. That said, there are plenty of other options – expect to pay around £15-20 per night in a dorm.
Hotels are also an option, with basic options starting at around £30 a night. Of course, this does increase exponentially at the higher end, reaching as much as £300 per night.
Money
Tallinn uses the Euro, which is readily available worldwide. That said, you likely won’t even need cash as Estonia is one of the world’s most technologically advanced countries. Card payments are almost universally accepted and, often, cash isn’t. Just make sure you have a card which won’t charge you for international transactions.
Other Points
The city is home to many museums and attractions. Individually, these all charge for entry so, if you’re going to visit lots of them, you’ll save money by buying a Tallinn Card. This is stored on your phone and costs €76 for 72 hours but allows you free entry to most attractions. That said, it is worth considering that most museums are shut on Mondays.
Tallinn is hardly a culinary hotspot, though good food can be found at reasonable prices. For more traditional fare and a large selection of beers, check out Beer House. Excellent, self-service style food can also be found at the many Lido branches across the city.
One truly unique experience that the city has to offer is a medieval walking tour. This is led by a guide in full medieval dress and explains the city’s history during the Middle Ages, bringing it to life with a good deal of audience participation, often with hilarious results. Have a look at Tales of Reval for more information. This is free though tips are expected at the end (and can be paid via PayPal).
Finally, if you want the full Scandinavian experience, check out the many saunas at Noblessner Iglupark. A sauna can be rented from €95 per hour and fits as many as ten people inside.
Into The Elsewhere 