Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / Estonia / Tallinn
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| | | Tallinn's the place to party |  | Why go on holiday to Tallinn?
Because it's got one of the most complete Old Towns left in Europe – remarkable given the amount of times this cosy capital has been invaded. If the thought of exploring a warren of cobbled streets is your idea of fun, then the clean and classy Estonian capital will be your idea of heaven.
Toompea Hill, with its Orthodox cathedral and breath-taking views over the Old Town, dominates the city. Much of the historic old part of the city is contained within the old city walls – it's pedestrianized, and being on foot is the best way to explore it. Since the fall of the USSR, Tallinn has seen an avalanche of investment; it now boasts bars as hip as any Scandinavian ones, too-cool-for-school clubs and great dining.
Since Estonia's EU accession the stag parties have arrived in force, drawn by the cheap and rowdy beer halls and Old Town strip clubs. Beware of marauding bands of English men in football shirts – unless, of course, you're one of them.
How much will it cost?
Tickets to Tallinn can cost as little as £84 return through no-frills airlines.
There's a wealth of hotels in this smart city – it doesn't seem to be targeting the backpacker market, it's fair to say. Expect to pay around £70 per night for a double room in a good hotel, but doubles cost over £200 in the very best hotels.
As for food, you can eat cheaply and cheerfully – three courses for around £10 – or max the credit card out on French-influenced fare. The choice is yours.
When should I go?
In the peak of summer there's almost permanent light thanks to the White Nights – Tallinn is as far north as St Petersburg and Tallinnites make the most of these long days. Conversely, winter is dark and pretty cold – though the city looks beautiful under its layer of snow. The Gulf Stream runs all the way to Tallinn, so it doesn't quite freeze to the extent of inland cities.
Who's it for?
Well, the stag-weekenders seem to like it, thanks to its plethora of drinking haunts, clubs and …err… other nocturnal attractions. But don't let that put you off. Tallinn is one of the greatest cities in Europe to spend a romantic weekend away in; not only is it blessed with fantastic architecture and great restaurants, but its compact size and pedestrianised streets are designed for lingering.
The massive central square Raekoja Plats, with its looming Gothic town hall on one side, is an agreeable place to be on a summer's day or night. Tallinn's excellent restaurants, bijou museums, varied nightlife and wealth of day trips should cater for most tastes.
What are the must-sees?
Start off at Raekoja Plats to drink in the atmosphere of one of Europe's most beautiful town squares. Then, if you're feeling in a particularly cultural mood, take in the City Museum, based in a medieval merchant's house. The Photography Museum has an excellent archive of photos from Tallinn's pre-Soviet days
What will I spend?
Tallinn's not quite as expensive as Scandinavian capitals such as Helsinki or Stockholm – but it's not the place to be looking for dirt cheap bargains either. A pint in the central square costs around £2 (Estonian beer is excellent, by the way). You can get a decent meal for around £6, but in the more expensive restaurants prices can rise to £20 excluding wine.
Are there any festivals?
The Black Nights Film festival takes advantage of the dwindling daylight to show a host of films in November and December; the end of April sees jazz enthusiasts out in force for the Jazzkaar Festival. On June 23 and 24, Midsummer bonfires are lit to celebrate the onset of the white nights, while the Estonian Song Festival on July 4 is held every four years at the massive Song Festival Grounds outside the city.
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| | Fact File : Tallinn |
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| | | Tallinn | | Did you know?
Tallinn means Danish city, which comes from the 13th Century, when the Danes occupied northern Estonia.
Language
Estonian
Visas
None required for stays of less than six months.
Getting there
Regular flights go to Tallinn from London. Sail from Scandinavia or northern Germany, or get a train from Warsaw
Flying time from London
Two hours and 45 minutes.
Getting around
You can't drive in the Old Town, so if you're planning on staying in the centre of town don't hire a car. You can use buses and trams, but they get crowded. Taxis are cheap and abundant.
Currency
Eesti kroon (EEK).
Costs
Beer (0.5 litres) £1, 24-exposure roll of camera film £2, moderately-priced restaurant meal with wine £15, litre of petrol 70p, four-mile taxi ride £2. All prices will vary.
Weather
Winter 10-35F(-12C-2C), summer 32-68F(0C-20C).
Time difference
Two hours ahead of the UK.
International dialling code from the UK
00 372.
Voltage
220 volts AC, 59Hz (European style 2-pin plugs).
Opening hours
Banks: Monday-Friday 9am-4pm; shops 9am-6pm Monday-Friday, and until 3pm on Saturdays. In larger towns department stores open until 8pm and usually on Sundays.
Health — before you go
No jabs necessary. A vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis is advised if you plan to go out to remote forests.
Health — when you are there
Make sure you have good holiday insurance as the UK has no reciprocal healthcare agreement with Estonia. Visitors must have valid health insurance to the value of 400,000 Estonian Kroons (approximately £17,500). It's advisable to take a supply of any medicine you may need.
Warnings
Tallinn's tourist boom has also meant a rise in muggings and street crime; be cautious at night in the Old Town or around the ferry terminal. Keep passports and valuable locked up in hotel safes and carry a photocopy of your passport with you for ID.
Emergency
Police 110, ambulance 112. British Embassy, Kentmanni 20, 2nd floor. Tel 6313462 / 6313463
Customs
Estonians are reserved, but this shouldn't be mistaken for unfriendliness; it is just their way. English is widely understood. Don't refer to Estonia as an ex-Soviet state in conversation. It was a country before Soviet occupation.
Pets
They will have to undergo six months quarantine on their return to the UK; best to leave them at home.
Tipping
It's standard to tip waiters 5-10% by rounding up the bill; in some cases, they may try to do it themselves.
Tourist office
Although the Estonian Tourist Board is large and efficient, there is no UK office. The embassy or one of the several travel agents dealing with the Baltic states are best. You can collect brochures in person from the Estonian Embassy, 16 Hyde Park Gate, London SW7 5DG between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday. Alternatively, telephone 020 7589 3428.
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| | Available rental properties in Tallinn |
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| |  | | Excellent 0 bed Project in Haabersti...
“Telliskivi†is one of the biggest real-estate development projects in the center of Tallinn. The site is located next to the City Old Town, close to traveling- and communication centers suc
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Newly renovated and furnished stylish and sunny apartment with high ceilings in the city center with a double bed and a lot of place to fit your cloth
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Holiday Rentals in Tallinn |
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