Ten reasons to visit Tallinn

Tallinn also known as the ‘Silicon Valley of Europe’ is Estonia’s capital and largest city. The city of Tallinn portrays an ambience that is the sole feature of a city built upon centuries of history, not to forget the image of Tallinn as a global city has become a major tourist attraction.

Tallinn is ranked as one of the most popular tourist destination of all times, but why is Tallinn a must-go destination? Here are 11 tempting reasons to pack your bags and visit Tallinn!

1. The Old Town of Tallinn

Ever wondered what it would be like to walk down the streets of a medieval city? Well, if you did then the Old Town of Tallinn is the perfect place for you. The Old Town is a UNESCO world heritage site and is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe; this fortified town takes us back to the medieval times and provides us with a glimpse of ancient Estonia! Just take a look below.

2. Art and Museums

Art in a society holds a special place especially when it comes to describing the ideas and culture of a city. The diverse form of art displayed in numerous museums including Kumu and the Estonian Maritime museum makes the city a special place for art lovers and especially for those who are casual art viewers, the paintings and sculptures in the museums are simply mesmerizing!

3. The joys of Ferry riding

Tallinn offers something very unique; one of the best ways to have fun in this city is to enjoy the world’s most beautiful ferry rides. The port of Tallinn is one of the biggest passenger harbours in the Baltic Sea Region. Don’t EVER miss this!

4. The Culture of Music

Tallinners absolutely love music! Music remains an integral part of Estonia and the amount of live music being played in the capital city is incredible. From psychedelic rock to frenzy pop music this city has it all! Many festivals take place in Tallinn around the year; Tallinn Music Week is one of Europe’s leading music festivals which draw nearly 35,000 Tallinners every year!

5. Kadriorg Palace

One of the marvels in Estonia is the Kadriorg Palace; this palace plays a significant part in the representation of not only Estonia’s culture but also several other countries This palace is being used as an art museum where Dutch, Italian and Russian paintings are being displayed. And do not forget its wonderful French-style formal garden surrounding the palace!

6. Chocolats de Pierre

Here’s one reason that you just cannot resist! Chocolats de Pierre is a café that is a must for all chocolate lovers and why is this chocolate so special? Well, guess what this café makes the finest handmade chocolate in the world! Tasting this chocolate would be something new even if you’re a chocolate addict!

Tallinn’s eateries are famous for their distinct taste; tourists love to spend their evenings in cafés enjoying not only delicious chocolates but sandwiches and pastries as well!

7. The Padise Monastery

Religion and history together make an interesting combination especially when you visit the Padise Monastery which itself holds a tradition which dates back centuries! This monastery is to be explored by everyone who visits Tallinn as it looks a little haunted and scary! Not to forget the surrounding imagery fits with the monastery like a jigsaw!

8. The Silicon Valley of Europe

During recent years we have seen a great amount of development in the IT sector of Estonia and most of it is attributed to Tallinn as this city has been dubbed as the silicon valley of Europe for a reason, Tallinn has the highest number of start-ups per person in Europe! And I’m sure you must’ve used Skype once in a while, right? Well, Tallinn is the birthplace of Skype!

9. Nightlife in Tallinn

Are you a Night Owl just like me? Perfect! Nights in Tallinn are simply spellbinding! From Cafes to pubs and nightclubs this city has everything. Imagine spending an evening in the Old Town and then having a few beers in a local pub! There are literally countless fun ways to spend the night in Tallinn!

Don’t forget the amazing skyline of the city; it even looks better at night!

10. Skyscrapers

Tallinn is a city which is forward-focused; this is reflected in many of the skyscrapers around the city. Some of the skyscrapers are made of glass which itself is quite appealing. The increase towards modernization shows how this city can also be fun for the newer generations!

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Tallinn

I Arrived in Tallinn in Estonia from Helsinki in Finland by ferry for 27 euro’s (£22). It took 2 hours 25 minutes. I bought my ticket from the Viking office the day before departure. I found the Viking service to be reliable and of good service.

Estonia is a country in Northern Europe, Estonia’s capital is Tallinn on the coast of the Baltic Sea. Tallinn is known for its preserved Old Town, museums and the 314 metres high TV Tower’s observation deck. It retains its walled, cobblestoned Old Town which is home to an array of cafes and shops. Its Estonian History Museum is dedicated to the country’s 20th- century history, and Tallinn’s Gothic Town Hall is among the oldest in the Baltic region.

Tallinn’s old town is beautiful, with a real medieval feel, I honestly believe this is the best medieval town.

Hotels are a very reasonable price in Tallinn as was everything else in Tallinn around.

Tallinn is a city with a lot to offer from exciting museums, great nightlife and cobbled streets packed full of coffee bars to sit back, relax and enjoy taking a step back in time.

The food is of good value, you should expect to find a lot of pork offerings such as pork ribs, pork neck and pork loin, as well as different pasta and pizza dishes.

Tallinn is a very nice medieval city, which really is like taking a step back in time.

Tallinn certainly has enough to keep you entertained for a couple of days.

Getting from Tallinn airport to the old town of Tallinn,

Tallinn Airport

Tallinn’s Airport is approximately 5 km from the old town.

Bus no. 2 takes you from Tallinn’s airport to the city centre and port. Single journey tickets can be bought in cash from the driver for 2 euros. The bus departs from the airport’s lowest level.

A taxi stand can be found just outside the arrivals hall. The fare from the airport to the city centre is about €10.

Getting from Tallinn port to the old town of Tallinn

Come out of arrivals and walk straight for 15 minutes and you will see the old town.

Also, a few bike taxi’s will take you but I never used them and forgot to ask a price.

Bus no. 2 will also run this route for 2 euros.

Travelling Around Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn centre together with the Old Town, the harbour, and the modern City Centre is easily explored by walking. In Tallinn Old Town there really isn’t any other way, since the cobblestone streets are not ideal for cycling or anything else besides walking and no public transport runs through the old town. However, a couple of trips to locations outside the centre may require some means of transport, buses, trolley buses and trams are available.

24- hour ticket is 3 euros

72- hour ticket is 5 euros

120- hour ticket is 6 euros

Do not forget to activate your travel card on the first journey or face a big fine.

Click the Logo for the great company I used for my Tallinn card.

Estonia’s, Tallinn card

The Tallinn Card gives you free entry to over 40 of Tallinn’s best attractions, museums and tours, unlimited free use of public transport and over 30 bonus and discount offers.

24 hours: 32 euros (£25)

48 hours: 42 euros (£33)

72 hours: 52 euros (£41)

If you are in Tallinn for a few days I really would recommend getting the Tallinn card as each attraction itself can cost around 8 euros (£6), 5 attractions and you’ve saved.

My perfect hotel in Tallinn, Estonia.

Click, the image for link.

Highly recommended for the pools.

Accommodation, Eating and Drinking in Tallinn, Estonia

Hotels and hostels budget for every price range with:

Hostel’s in the centre of the old town of Tallinn can be found for around 10 euros (£8) per person.

3- star hotels with 2 sharing a double room with breakfast can be found from around 37 euros (£30).

4- star hotels with 2 sharing with breakfast and spa facilities can be found for around 63 euros (£50).

Or

If you’d rather, you could find a 5- star hotel for 500 euros (£395).

Restaurants are all over Tallinn with plenty of choice in the centre near the city hall.

If you were looking for a 3- course meal in a mid- range restaurant you could expect to pay 28 euros (£22) and a beer for 2 euros (£1.50).

If you were looking for a single course meal in an inexpensive restaurant you could expect to pay 6 euros (£5).

For nightlife in Tallinn, look for the Mad Monks pub crawl, costs 15 euros (£12) for unlimited beer and cider during Power Hour in the hostel bar, discounts on all shots in the hostel bar, free welcome shot at every bar you visit and free entrance to Tallinn’s biggest night club. This pub crawl really makes for a good night out in Tallinn.

Museums worth a visit In Tallinn, Estonia

A lot of museums are free with Estonia’s Tallinn card, so if you plan to see a lot of museums and sights in Tallinn it’s worth getting the Tallinn card.

St. Nicholas’ Church is a medieval former church in Tallinn, Estonia. It was dedicated to Saint Nicholas, the patron of the fishermen and sailors.

The museum of occupations is dedicated to the occupations that took place between 1939 and 1991 and their impact on Estonia and the residents of Estonia.

The Estonian History Museum is a museum about the history of Estonia in Tallinn. It was initially established by chemist Dr Johann Burchard who ran the town hall pharmacy known as the Raeapteek.

The Estonian Open Air Museum is a life- sized reconstruction of an 18th century rural/fishing village, which comes complete with church, schoolhouse, several mills, a fire station, twelve farmyards and net sheds.

Things to do and must see’s whilst in Tallinn, Estonia

Patarei Prison, a Soviet prison from 1919 to 2004, now abandoned.

Toompea is a limestone hill in the central part of the city of Tallinn.

The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is an orthodox cathedral in the Tallinn Old Town, Estonia. It was built to a design by Mikhail Preobrazhensky in a typical Russian Revival style between 1894 and 1900.

Kadriorg Palace is a Petrine Baroque palace built for Catherine I of Russia by Peter the Great in Tallinn, Estonia. Both the Estonian and the German name for the palace means “Catherine’s valley”.

The Tallinn Town Hall is a building in the Tallinn Old Town, Estonia, next to the Town Hall Square. It is the oldest town hall in the whole of the Baltic region and Scandinavia.

St. Olaf’s church, which was the tallest building in the world from 1549 to 1625 standing 159 metres tall.

Also plenty of churches and cathedrals to pop in, however, a few have an admission fee.

Free things to do Whilst in Tallinn, Estonia

St Catherine’s Passage is one of the most medieval looking alleys in the whole of Tallinn, complete with giant tombstones attached to the walls.

Enjoy the view from the roof of Linnahall, the Soviets built this concrete thing for the 1980 Moscow Olympics. The idea was to demonstrate the superior concrete pouring skills of the Soviet Union to the Western powers.

The 2 viewing platforms are perfect for a rooftop view of Tallinn.

Take a free walking tour, yes, It’s free (tips excepted but not expected).

Kadriorg Park, If you’re lucky, you might even see the President of Estonia. His palace is located here.

After a few days in Tallinn, Estonia I then headed for Riga in Latvia.

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