Nov
01
2010
Mar
01
2011
Nov
01
2011
Mar
01
2012
Nov
01
2012
Mar
01
2013
Nov
01
2013
Mar
01
2014
Nov
01
2014
Mar
01
2015
Nov
01
2015
Mar
01
2016
Picture A Fairytale City in Tallinn's Old Town
Published on April 15, 2010 by Bill Lehane, Writer
Country: Estonia 
The Experience
One of the great pleasures of visiting many European cities in winter is the captivating effect that snow has on their classic architecture, creating a virtual winter wonderland. Estonia's capital Tallinn may not be as world famous as Vienna or Prague, but it's probably one of the best places on the whole continent to experience Europe as it was in medieval times.
Old Town Tallinn is so well preserved that it has UNESCO World Heritage Site status - picture a close-knit network of winding cobbled streets with iron street lamps, Gothic spires of grandiose churches and half-hidden courtyards sheltering beautiful gabled houses. Look out for Tallinn's Town Hall, the only one in northern Europe dating from the Gothic era that still remains standing, dating back to 1248. The historic district has also got three medieval churches, each remarkable for their well-preserved status centuries after they were built.
Another remarkable feature of Old Town Tallinn is its medieval defense system. Originally consisting of a 16-meter high wall spanning 4km around Tallinn and 46 towers, today about 2km of the wall and 26 towers are still standing. Visitors can go inside three of the towers and get an unrivaled view of the pretty red roofs of the historical district.
In the upper part of the Old Town Tallinn, there's also Toompea Castle, an imposing 14th Century building on a hill that today houses the Estonian Parliament. Apart from great architecture, Tallinn is also a cultural center, and has been designated European City of Culture for 2011. The city hosts classical and medieval music festivals through out the year, and is home to a number of great museums.
Tallinn also boasts a very active nightlife scene with plenty of great bars and clubs to sample amid the pretty atmosphere. The city has a winning combination of locals that are as party hard as their Scandinavian counterparts without the high prices often found in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. An average local draft beer in Tallinn will only set you back around US$3-4. It's another great surprise in an off-the-beaten track city that's nonetheless much more worth visiting than you might think.
Old Town Tallinn is so well preserved that it has UNESCO World Heritage Site status - picture a close-knit network of winding cobbled streets with iron street lamps, Gothic spires of grandiose churches and half-hidden courtyards sheltering beautiful gabled houses. Look out for Tallinn's Town Hall, the only one in northern Europe dating from the Gothic era that still remains standing, dating back to 1248. The historic district has also got three medieval churches, each remarkable for their well-preserved status centuries after they were built.
Another remarkable feature of Old Town Tallinn is its medieval defense system. Originally consisting of a 16-meter high wall spanning 4km around Tallinn and 46 towers, today about 2km of the wall and 26 towers are still standing. Visitors can go inside three of the towers and get an unrivaled view of the pretty red roofs of the historical district.
In the upper part of the Old Town Tallinn, there's also Toompea Castle, an imposing 14th Century building on a hill that today houses the Estonian Parliament. Apart from great architecture, Tallinn is also a cultural center, and has been designated European City of Culture for 2011. The city hosts classical and medieval music festivals through out the year, and is home to a number of great museums.
Tallinn also boasts a very active nightlife scene with plenty of great bars and clubs to sample amid the pretty atmosphere. The city has a winning combination of locals that are as party hard as their Scandinavian counterparts without the high prices often found in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. An average local draft beer in Tallinn will only set you back around US$3-4. It's another great surprise in an off-the-beaten track city that's nonetheless much more worth visiting than you might think.
Get Going!
It won't be warm, but nonetheless the best time to visit Tallinn is winter because the city will look as magical as a living Christmas card. Pack for very cold weather and skip the ho-hum sporting and outdoor adventure activities that are readily available elsewhere.
While there's no direct flights from North America to Tallinn, many major airlines will get you there from a number of other major European cities. Air Baltic offers the cheapest fares to Tallinn from neighboring cities.
While there's no direct flights from North America to Tallinn, many major airlines will get you there from a number of other major European cities. Air Baltic offers the cheapest fares to Tallinn from neighboring cities.
Odds n' Ends
A lesser known attraction of Estonia is its many health spas, offering health and beauty treatments like hot stone massages, chocolate body wraps and facials. There are at least a dozen such spas in the capital alone, so Tallinn can be a great place to pamper yourself on a winter break.
If you're planning to do a lot of Tallinn sightseeing, consider getting a Tallinn Card. This tourist card gets you a wider range of discounts than some of its equivalents elsewhere in Europe - included are free public transport and bicycle rental, free Tallinn tours and cheap deals on everything from restaurants to health spas. A one-day card is US$32.
If you're planning to do a lot of Tallinn sightseeing, consider getting a Tallinn Card. This tourist card gets you a wider range of discounts than some of its equivalents elsewhere in Europe - included are free public transport and bicycle rental, free Tallinn tours and cheap deals on everything from restaurants to health spas. A one-day card is US$32.
Want a Guide?
- Tallinn Official Sightseeing Tour
- This combination 150-minute bus and walking tour offers you the best chance to see all the highlights of the city in one go, including the Kadriorg park, the Song Festival grounds, the ruins of Pirita convent and of course the Old Town. Departs three times daily in summer, tickets US$26.
- Tallinn City Tours
- This hop-on hop-off service boasts three different lines encompassing all the sights of the city and surrounding suburbs as well. US$21 gets you 24 hours' access to the three routes, with two-day and three-day options also available.
- Audio Guide Tallinn
- For something different, why not take one of three audio tours of the Estonian capital with your iPod? Guides include local info and commentary and allow you to go at your own pace. US$5.30 each.
Places to Eat
- Beer House
- This wood-laden restaurant bar and grill promises to be both an oasis from the cold and a great place for a beer on a warm day. Try the fried smoked wild boar for US$16.
- Olde Hansa
- Not every city can boast a medieval category on its restaurant listings, but Tallinn's Olde Hansa promises to veritably take you back to the golden age of the city - it even offers two-hour feasts for groups of six or more. Dishes like the grand beef of the Mighty Knight will set you back around US$25.
- Restoran Gloria
- Established in 1937, this classy Estonian restaurant has been the home of Tallinn's high society ever since. Why not try a prime piece of Estonian wellness pig with sauerkraut and roasting jus for US$24?
Recommended Places to Stay
- Baltic Hotel Imperial
- If you fancy living it up during your stay in Tallinn, this centrally-located 19th Century hotel is the place to go. It's chock full of history and boasts the city's most famous dance hall. A double room for up to three people is US$215 per night in off season.
- Ecoland
- If you're in the mood for some pampering, head to this hotel-cum-health spa located between the city and the shoreline. It's got a sauna, mud bath, salt chamber and beauty parlor. Doubles are US$100 per night.
- Old House Hostel
- This centrally-located hostel has grander accommodation than your average backpacker joint, but is no less good value. Dorm rates start at just $13.50 per person per night in off season.
Additional Places to Stay Nearby
Search over 900,000 global hotel deals from over 30 merchants. Book via Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com, Booking.com, Priceline and the websites of popular hotel chains.
RAEKOJA RESIDENCE is the perfect choice for those who prefer to stay in the heart of the Medieval Old Town of Tallinn. Raekoja Residence apartments ... 0 miles away
$1409 EEK+
The Red Group Raekoja Square is a 38 sqm studio apartment, housed on the 4th floor of a beautiful building situated on the town hall ... 0 miles away
$1177 EEK+
+ 23 others. Show all.
More Experiences Nearby
- Step into the Home of a Genius at Sweden's Nobel Museum
- Forget the usual sunny and snowy sights of Stockholm. If you're in the Swedish capital, the smartest thing to check out is the home of the Nobel prizes: the Nobel Museum. Short films, original artifacts and interactive exhibits at the Nobel Museum all offer insight into the greatest minds of the last century. The Nobel Museum also offers a frequent rotation of mini-exhibitions on a particular winner or subject. At the Nobel Museum you can discover the story of Alfred Nobel, a native of Stockholm and the son of a wealthy industrialist, Nobel put his privileged education to good use ...235 miles away.
Books and DVDs
Elsewhere on the Web
Media References
- Tallinn's Medieval Heart - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
- Introduction to Tallinn - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
Language Guides
Russian 
is one of the languages spoken in Estonia. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!
Discussion
Experienced this and have something to share? Experienced something like this somewhere else? Looking for advise or travel companions? Use this space to leave your mark. Our writers and editors are more than happy to help answer your questions.
People with experience
People who wish to experience
Recent Tweets
Listed below are the most recent comments made on Twitter for "old town tallinn":
