In Tallinn

Tallinn is a Perfect Destination for a Weekend City Break or a Day Trip (depending how far you are coming)

Are you looking for a quick getaway filled with history, culture, and picturesque views? Look no further than the charming city of Tallinn, Estonia. By the Gulf of Finland, on the shores of the Baltic Sea . Just a flight away from your hometown or a short (2 hours) ferry ride away from Helsinki, Finland. Tallinn truly is the perfect destination for a nice city trip filled with exploration and adventure.

Why Tallinn?

Tallinn is an old historic city that effortlessly blends Medieval charm with modern amenities. With its well-preserved Old Town, where a lot is true and authentic from Medieval times, with its cobblestone streets, and stunning architecture, Tallinn feels like a true adventure back in time. But besides letting you admire its Medieval beauty, Tallinn is also has a lot to offer as a vibrant modern city, offering great choice of trendy cafes, good restaurants, fascinating boutique shops, and a thriving arts scene.

What to See and Do

1. Explore the Old Town

Start your day trip by wandering through Tallinn’s Old Town – a UNESCO World Heritage site. Marvel at the Medieval architecture, climb to the top of Toompea Hill, where the Parliament Building is and visit the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral right opposite it. Then continue your nice stroll through the upper town historic streets to the nearby viewing place to take in the truly amazing panoramic views of the city. You see the Medieval town, the sea views and the most modern glass skyscrapers of the IT and financial city in the same view. You will love it!

2. Visit Kadriorg Palace

Take a stroll through Kadriorg Park and visit Kadriorg Palace, a Baroque era palace that was built by Peter the Great for his wife Catherine I. Explore the palace grounds, the rose garden, visit the Kadriorg Art Museum, full of wonderful masterpieces, and enjoy a peaceful moment by the Swan Pond. There are also some nice cafes in the area.

3. Visit KUMU Art Museum in Kadriorg

In Kadriorg Park you will also find KUMU, an art museum that is definitely worth a visit.

4. Discover Telliskivi Creative City

For a taste of Tallinn’s modern times artsy side, head to Telliskivi Creative City. This former industrial complex is now a hub for artists, designers, and entrepreneurs. A lot of the IT crowd used to hang out here too, while the predecessors of the today’s Estonian IT unicorns were startups. Bright creative minds met here and still do, in addition to the new Ülemiste City area. Browse the Telliskivi Creative City for unique art and handicraft shops, enjoy a coffee, a pint of beer, or a glass of wine at one of the hip cafes, and pick up some unique souvenirs – handmade Estonian art.

4. Try Estonian Cuisine

While in Tallinn – do try some traditional Estonian dishes. Sample hearty soups, savoury pies, a herring sandwich with boiled egg and fresh onion (kiluvõileib) that pairs well with a shot or two of ice-cold local vodka. 😊 Try a nice choice of local sweet pastries at one of the city’s many restaurants, cafes or food stalls. Besides a lot of cosy and characterful restaurants, Tallinn also has some Michelin starred ones. And be sure to wash the nice meals down with a glass of local craft beer as there is a huge number of local proud breweries. Beer brewing is an old tradition in Estonia. And be brave to try a shot of local sweet-tasting rum-based liquor “Vana Tallinn” (NB! It is strong = 40 % to 80 % :P, depending on the brand). Our favourite is the creamy one. Vana Tallinn can be enjoyed on its own, or better even – in a local version of “Irish Coffee” i.e. coffee with a shot of Vana Tallinn liquor in it and whipped cream on top. Yummy!

5. Open Air Museum – Rocca al Mare Vabaõhumuuseum

It is a museum, where you can walk around in nice greenery and look how Estonians used to live centuries ago. It has small historic dwelling houses and model farms for you to tell the story.

6. Visit the history museums

Besides art museums there are lovely museums about the history of Tallinn and Estonia. Please see our Tallinn Directory listings for more details. The choice is good. Something for everyone. As Estonia a maritime country the best maritime museum in Europe – Lennusadam – is also worth a visit.

7. Go to the beach

Being situated by the sea, Tallinn has beaches too! In summertime with nice weather, it is lovely to spend time for example at Pirita beach, that has also a forest next to it, some cafes and restaurants, including a surfers’ cafe. As the climate in Estonia is Nordic and beach season is very short, some Estonian beaches do not have all the facilities, but the main beaches do. Make sure to look them up on our page.

Older people in Estonia, who were born and lived during the Soviet occupation (1945-1991), saw the horrors of a brutal totalitarian rule. Being wholeheartedly against it, but not being able to openly fight it, made people of Estonia angry, sad, and frustrated. For this reason, the older generations are sometimes still a bit serious-looking and not immediately too trusting towards strangers. But when you get to know them a bit better, you’ll find that they are kind and friendly.

A secret Estonian movement against the Soviet occupation was kept alive and carried on all through the decades of the horrific Soviet regime (1945-1991).

When in the end of 1980s the Soviet rule started to weaken and finally collapsed in 1991, Estonia became free again and all its people could start rebuilding their lives.

It was incredibly hard! Almost everything had been destroyed by the Soviets. But – Estonians are strong willed and hardworking people. They managed it and much more.

Today – in the year 2024 – Estonia has the biggest number of billionaire IT companies – unicorns – per capita, in the world!

And since regaining its freedom, Estonia could quickly restore its European way of life as it was before the Soviet occupation, during the Estonian Republic in 1918-1945, when heads of states from all around the world had visited and seen how beautiful and highly developed the independent Estonia was.

Estonians are very proud of their language. The Estonian language uses the Latin alphabet, belongs to the Finno-Ugric language group and is similar only to the Finnish language, no other.

The Imperialist Soviet rulers wanted to destroy and wipe out all other languages and cultures and tried to make all occupied nations and ethnic groups speak Russian. They did not succeed in the Baltic States as Estonians kept their beautiful language and culture alive. And that is one of the reasons why Estonians are very happy when you learn their language, even if just some words or sentences. See some basic tips of Estonian language on our page.

And today Estonia is a free democracy, a strong member of the European Union, NATO, the United Nation, including even having been an Elected Member of the United Nations Security Council (2020-2021).

Estonia is a small and friendly country with just 1.3 million inhabitants, with a long and colourful history. 13 thousand years being settled at the same territory, the first most Northern farmers. Old Vikings and traditional sea travellers.

Come and enjoy yourself in the free and friendly country – Estonia!

When it comes to picturesque beaches, Tallinn might not be the first destination in the world that comes to mind. However, this charming city in Estonia is home to some hidden gems that are sure to surprise and delight beach lovers. From sandy shores to rocky coastlines, Tallinn offers a diverse range of beach experiences for locals and tourists alike.

When you search online for a beach in Estonia then it is good to know that in Estonian language beach = rand, lake = järv, channel = kanal, sea = meri

Kalaranna Beach

Right in the city, next to the Old Town of Tallinn, Kalaranna (Fish Beach) used to be a historic fishing area. It still has an open-air fish market every Saturday morning, in summer season only. Otherwise, the area has become very modern. New apartment buildings, a park area to sit around and read a book, a children’s playground with climbing and swinging attractions. There are some small trendy shops, nice cafés, wine bars and restaurants. And of course – the beach itself. It’s not very big, just a small city-beach, but you can swim, enjoy the sea views, enjoy a meal, coffee, wine or beer and after have a nice stroll all the way past the historic Patarei Prison (once a Peter the Great sea fortress, then a Soviet prison, now under reconstruction and development to one day become a fancy hotel/office-building/shopping centre; and onwards to the Seaplane Museum and finally to the trendy Noblessner area. It makes a great day out.

Pirita Beach

One of the most popular beaches in Tallinn is Pirita Beach, located just a short distance from the city centre. A 1 hour walk, or by bus 10 minutes. This sandy beach stretches along the shores of the Pirita River and offers stunning views of the Tallinn skyline. Visitors can relax on the soft white sand, take a dip in the refreshing waters, or even try their hand at windsurfing or sailing. There are also some nice restaurants and cafes with a sea view.

Stroomi Beach

For those looking for a more laid-back beach experience, Stroomi Beach is the perfect spot. This tranquil beach is located in the Pelguranna district and is known for its peaceful atmosphere and beautiful sunsets. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll along the shoreline, have a picnic in the grassy areas, or simply relax and soak up the sun. To get there, it is best to take a taxi (Bolt, Forus, Uber or others), or rely on a bus or tram (be aware that some tramlines are under construction during the summer 2024) and in the latter case walk a bit from the tram stop to the beach.

Kakumäe Beach

If you’re a fan of rocky coastlines and rugged landscapes, Kakumäe Beach is a must-visit. This hidden gem is located on the outskirts of Tallinn and offers a wild beach experience. You can explore the rocky cliffs, go for a swim in the clear waters, or simply enjoy the peaceful surroundings away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Tips for Visiting Beaches of Tallinn

Pack essentials: Don’t forget to take sunscreen, a beach towel, and plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Check the weather: Estonian weather can be unpredictable and change very fast, so make sure to check the forecast before heading to the beach. Take a warm jacket, as well as an umbrella, or for the windier days a raincoat. Even if you do get some rain, the sun might shine again soon, and the other way around. 😊

Respect other people and the environment: Help keep the beaches of Tallinn clean. Please do not smoke on the beach (allowed on the designated areas) and please take your trash with you when you leave. You can dispose of it in the designated containers. Leave the beach all nice and clean for the others as they are asked to do the same for you.

SOME BEACHES in the rest of ESTONIA – THE WEATHER MAP

There are many lovely beaches as Estonia is a seaside country. If you would like to travel to the beaches outside Tallinn, then this link could be useful, where you can see the current temperatures and water quality at this very moment:

https://maaleht.delfi.ee/leht/rannailm

TRANSLATION OF THE BEACH-WEATHER MAP

Meaning of Flag Colours = Lipuvärvide tähendus

Külm vesi = Cold Water

Vee temperatuur 16–18 kraadi. Pikalt vees viibimine ohtlik. = Water temperature 16-18 degrees. Staying in water for a long time is dangerous.

Vee temperatuur alla 16 kraadi. Vesi on külm ja seal viibimine on ohtlik. = Water temperature below 16 degrees. The water is cold and dangerous to be in.

Kõrge laine = High Waves

Ilmastiku või laevaliikluse tekitatud laine, mis võib ujujatele ohtlik olla. = Waves created by weather or ship traffic that can be dangerous for swimmers.

Eluohtlik laine. = Life-threatening waves

Äikesetormi oht = Thunderstorm threat

Randa on saabumas äikesetorm. Õige aeg on veest välja tulla ja kodu poole liikuda. = A thunderstorm is approaching the beach. It’s the right time to get out of the water and head home.

Rannas on äikesetorm. Vees viibimine keelatud, otsige varjumiskoht. = There is a thunderstorm on the beach. Staying in the water is prohibited, seek shelter.

Udu = Fog

Mere poolt tuleb udu, mis võib nähtavust rannas piirata. = Fog comes from the sea, which can limit visibility on the beach.

Rannas või vees on udu, mis piirab nähtavust. See on ohtlik vees viibijatele, kuna suunataju võib kaduda. = There is fog on the beach or in the water, which limits visibility. This is dangerous for those in the water as the sense of direction can be lost.

Õlireostus = Oil pollution

Avastatud on õlireostus. = An oil spill has been discovered.

Vetikad = Algae

Avastatud on vetikad, mida analüüsitakse või mille analüüs on kinnitust leidnud. Pärast ujumist soovitame end pesta. = Algae has been detected and are being analysed or whose analysis has been confirmed. We recommend washing after swimming.

Reostus = Pollution

Avastatud on reostus, mida parasjagu analüüsitakse või mis on analüüsidega kinnitatud ja ohtlikuks tunnistatud. = Pollution has been discovered, which is currently being analysed or which has been confirmed by analyses and recognized as dangerous.

Päikeseline rannailm = Sunny beach weather

Päikeseline vahelduva pilvisusega hea rannailm = Sunny with intermittent cloudiness, good beach weather

Tugev tuul = Strong Wind

Tugeva tuule või maatuule tõttu on oht täispuhutavate esemete ja ujuvvahendite ära lendamiseks või avamerele triivimiseks. = Due to strong wind or onshore wind, there is a risk of inflatable objects and floating equipment being blown away or drifting into the open sea.

Tugeva tuule või maatuule tõttu on ujuvvahenditega veele minek eluohtlik! = Going into the water with flotation devices is life-threatening due to strong wind or land wind!

Pilves rannailm = Cloudy beach weather

Sooja suvevihmaga rannailm = Beach weather with warm summer rain