Tallinn Article

Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia wherein majority of the country’s population resides. Considered as one of the oldest capital cities in Northern Europe, Tallinn has also been the main point of trade and commerce from the 14th to 16th centuries.  The Old Town in Tallinn, in fact, has been listed as a UNESCO Heritage Site making it a popular destination among tourists.
Fast- forward to today, modern-day Tallinn has been the major hub for political, cultural, financial and educational spots of the country Estonia. In fact, it is now famous for being called the Silicon Valley of Europe. It is also the birthplace of the world famous Skype.
As for a travel destination, Tallinn caters to all type of tourists. For those of you who wanted a taste of wonderful nightlife and exhilarating adventures without compromising the comforts of the modern world, then Tallinn should definitely be on your travel list!

Sights

The most popular among the many wonderful sights of Tallinn would be The Old Town. The cobbled streets would take you to courtyards, churches and old houses that give you a reminiscent glimpse of the past. With a nice atmosphere and tons of friendly people, Old Town is littered with quaint restaurants and cafes to satisfy your taste buds. A word to the wise, though, be mindful of your steps!
If you are looking for a place to rest your feet but not your eyes, head to the Kadriorg Park. A well- maintained park with amazing scenery and beautiful architecture, you can enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of the place while resting.  It has cute attractions such as a pond, fountain, and heaps of lovely flowers. From here you can walk towards their national museum, the presidential residence, and the castle garden.

Finally, the site that will leave everyone breathless is the Toompea Hill. This provides a fantastic vantage view of all the Old Town and the sea, meaning you can see for miles! As for the range of the hill itself, it is quite compact but with many beautiful buildings of different architectural influences, try to spot the Baroque and medieval ones! Make a visit especially on a sunny day to appreciate this view and most importantly, better bring extra memory card and batteries for your camera, surely you’ll leave with tons of photos!

Food and Drink

You may not agree with me but I think the best part of going around a new city is sampling their local delicacies. The first thing to sink your teeth into when in Tallinn should be me but I think the best part of going around a new city is sampling their local delicacies. The first thing to sink your teeth into when in Tallinn should be leib, which is their local dark rye bread.Verivorst, which is a local blood sausage, is another delicacy one should not miss. In Tallinn, where sometimes the temperature can drop to very low degrees, hearty meals such as stews and soups are highly popular. Try some of their stews with pork and .Verivorst, which is a local blood sausage, is another delicacy one should not miss. In Tallinn, where sometimes the temperature can drop to very low degrees, hearty meals such as stews and soups are highly popular. Try some of their stews with pork and .Verivorst, which is a local blood sausage, is another delicacy one should not miss. In Tallinn, where sometimes the temperature can drop to very low degrees, hearty meals such as stews and soups are highly popular. Try some of their stews with pork and hapukor or sour cream. For seafood lovers, best to try salmon and trout, which are often than not caught in the wild or organic. During often than not caught in the wild or organic. During the season, make sure to try some forest fruits and mushroom dishes too!
For drinks, herbal teas are becoming popular these days, all of which under the namen “tee” when ordering. Tourist and locals alike also favour local beers and liqueurs. For sinfully rich experience, try their local chocolate, which is under the Kaley brand for a really good treat.

Tips

1. To maximize your visit in Tallinn, be sure to buy a Tallinn Card, which gives you a cheaper alternative to enjoy the sights. The card is acceptable in more than 40 museums and other attractions, buses, trams and even bicycle hires.

2. A lot of museums in the area are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so schedule your itinerary accordingly.

3. As always, cafes and restaurants located in the city centre are overpriced. Try to pry away from that area and explore a little farther for better and cheaper alternatives.

4.  Head to the artists’ workshop for unique souvenirs. Avoid the souvenir  shops, which often than not sells overpriced items.

Article submitted by Anton Kalju

For essential information on things to do and museums to visit during your time in Tallinn. Visit this site’s Estonia page. All information is written from first-hand experience to give you a truly terrific trip in Latvia.