6 Reasons Why Tallinn Is Perfect For Your Next European Adventure
When someone who’s travelled to six continents and uncountable countries tells you a small Baltic port city is one of her favorite cities in the world, you take note. And after years of hearing my globe trotting aunt reminiscence about enchanting Tallinn, it had developed an almost mystical draw for me – so that when I started dreaming up my 2015 solo Europe trip, it was basically a given I was going to Estonia.
Sure, I flirted around with other destinations, but there was something about Tallinn – a city my aunt had loved, a place a shade different than my European travels, a gem just off the beaten track now on the verge of becoming a tourist super star. As the trip drew close I worried that maybe I had made a mistake. Maybe Tallinn would be tiny, artificial, and swamped with cruise ship tour groups.
I arrived in Tallinn on the overnight bus from Saint Petersburg. It was 6am and I was on the modern outskirts of the city. I shouldered my backpack and marched in towards the Old City center, basking in the blue sky and golden sunlight after days of Russian rain. There’s something about a city at daybreak that I love — walking through the medieval square as vendors unhurriedly set up their market wares, strolling down streets that were empty of other tourists, delighting in the fact that no one gave me a second glance with my jean capris, Skechers, and towering backpack. Bliss and peace. My anxieties about my visit slipped away and I got ready to explore…
I wish I could say I was an expert on Tallinn. I wish I had had time to do everything and eat everything and make friends with all the Estonians. There’s never enough time when traveling. But four days was more than enough to win me over and since then I’ve become a walking commercial for this petite Baltic city. So here’s my pitch for why Tallinn is the perfect destination for your next European escape. Let’s see if I can convince you.
1. Tallinn makes it easy for travelers.
Most people speak English! You’re paying with Euros! Western food abounds! Coming from Saint Petersburg, which was lovely but a bit hard on the solo non-Russian speaking tourist, settling into Tallinn was like pulling on my favorite pair of boots.
It wasn’t hard to navigate Tallinn, and I didn’t feel like people resented me just because I was a tourist. In fact, people who worked in tourism in Tallinn seemed to enjoy their jobs! I went to a medieval restaurant for dinner one night, and the woman who served me seemed to love her medieval busy-body know-it-all alter ego. She had a whole sketch routine about being kidnapped by pirates. How can you not love a place like that?
2. It’s a fantastic place to party.
I love everything about Tallinn’s nightlife. I love that there’s a bar called Labor where the bartenders wear white coats and serve shots in test tubes. I love that my friends and I got embroiled in a Canadian couple’s drama and somehow felt responsible for talking them down out of an all-out brawl. I love that I met a woman who said she went on a life-changing pub crawl the night before. I love that there’s a street in the Old Town where at 4 am you can see people staggering out of one bar and into another, tough guys taking wildly inaccurate swings at each other, partiers crying on the curb. I love that if none of that appeals to you, there are quiet little bars where you can get yourself a fancy craft brew and talk about everything from politics to workplace gossip because you can actually hear each other’s words over the chill background music.
No matter what kind of nightlife you like, there’s absolutely no reason for you to be snuggling under your blankets and putting in your earplugs before midnight.
3. Estonia’s a tiny country with a lot of history.
Unfortunately, most of this history involves being occupied by bigger, pushier countries. But it was history that originally piqued my interest in Tallinn. One of my aunt’s favorite travel stories is how she visited Tallinn as part of a trip to the USSR in the early 1990s, on the precipice of the union’s collapse. She said, “As soon as our Soviet guide had wandered away, our Estonian guide turned to us and said, ‘Go back to your countries and tell them that we are an occupied nation.’” Estonians often been subject to the political machinations of the countries around it, but their persistent march for independence has led to a free and thriving country.
4. Tallinn’s not just medieval.
Tallinn may be famous for its fairytale Old City, which does feel like you’re wandering through a real-life Hogsmeade, but that’s not that only thing it’s got going on. In fact, I’d try to persuade you to get out of the Old City as soon as you’ve had your fill. Tallinn is a vibrant, dynamic city that has everything from Japanese gardens to abandoned Soviet prisons. I can’t wait to show you what else captivated me about Tallinn (and the area around), but that will come later!
5. I feel like I would be friends with all the people.
I went on the tourism office’s free walking tour, and our guide was so good-naturedly self-deprecating, so pleasantly snarky, that I felt like we could have been best friends. (Also he had elbow patches on his jacket.) He told us that Toomas Hendrik Ilves, the current Estonian president, is a voracious Twitter user, wears bowties, and likes taking selfies with people as he goes about his daily business (Yes, I DESPERATELY wanted to meet him after that). The Estonian prime minister, Taavi Rõivas, is married to an Estonian pop star and they have a baby named Rhianna. These people have to be the coolest people ever and I want to be friends with all of them.
6. It’s so darn pretty!
I mean, come on. WIth a number of picturesque spots in Tallinn, It’s like not even fair to other cities.
After four short days, I was in Tallinn’s adorable airport (they have a multilingual lending library!), sniffling over the most deliciously hipster cappuccino I’ve had outside of Brooklyn, devastated because it was time to move on. Just four days, but Tallinn had managed to sink itself into me. I don’t often to return to the cities I travel to, but Tallinn has me dreaming up plans. If I visit Riga, surely I can jump on the train to Tallinn… Helsinki is just a ferry ride away… I think there’s a boat from Stockholm, too…
Have you been to Estonia? What were your impressions? If you haven’t been, can I answer any questions to persuade you to go?
26 Comments
Dominique
The way you wrote this post tips me over the edge to really put this destination on the top of my travel list for 2016. I’ve read bloggers stories about Tallinn but none of them describe the city as beautifully as you do! I can’t wait to read your other articles about the city/country!
Amy
Thank you, Dominique! I’m glad I was able to paint a beautiful (and accurate) picture! I do agree Tallinn’s been on a lot of travel bloggers’ radars, but I mostly see them focusing on the Old City. It’s gorgeous, don’t get me wrong, but I also enjoyed exploring the city beyond its medieval history (which is what my next post will be about). I hope you can get to Tallinn soon!
Huong Lan
Thanks for helping me discover a new wonderful city! It totally has the European city vibe. I like the fact that most people speak English.
Amy
You’re totally welcome and thanks for stopping by! Loads of Estonians speak English and they’re so friendly. I met tourists from all over the world while I was there (except the US, actually!). Maybe you’ll get to visit soon, too! 🙂
Kevin Wagar
Look breathtaking! Thanks for sharing, this is definitely being added to my list.
Amy
Glad you enjoyed it! It’s definitely a special place.
Kirstie
Wow, Tallinn looks beautiful! I haven’t yet been to Estonia, but it’s on the list, now more than ever! Perhaps next year?
Amy
I’m hoping to get back next year too! Right now I’m seeing lots of pictures of Europe in the snow, and — since I’m boiling in the SEA — I’m totally pining for it!
Erica
It’s places like this that I find myself getting lost in. Estonia seems so underrated, and that is exactly why I know I’m going to love every bit of it!
Amy
I can’t wait to go back and explore more of the country outside of Tallinn too! For such a small country, I can imagine being able to spend a lot of time there.
Marta
I’ve never been to Estonia but Tallinn really seems gorgeous! I usually hear about it as a stag night destination (not always the most appealing of stories, to be honest) so it’s great to see a different take on it. I’d love to go: I travel with my kids and this different point of view on the city makes me think it woul be great for a family trip
Amy
I think Tallinn would be a great place to visit with kids! There’s a lot of accessible history there. And, if you’re able to venture outside the city, there are a lot of cool places to visit, like Lahemaa National Park and an abandoned Soviet prison!
Nancy
I have been wanting to visit Tallinn forever! You brought up a lot of reasons why we should go. I love that it has not been changed much by modernization like so many other European cities. Loved your post!
Amy
Glad you enjoyed it! I heard a rumor that part of the reason why the Old Town is so well preserved is because when all the other European cities were upgrading their buildings, Tallinn didn’t have enough money. Not sure if it’s true or not, but it’s a funny story! If you do go, I definitely recommend the free walking tour. The guides are super well informed!
Sean
I absolutely love the fact that you’ve introduced us to a place we had never even heard of! Tallinn sounds like an incredible place – a reason to put Estonia on our list. Thanks!
Amy
As more and more people visit Tallin, I think it’s becoming Europe’s ‘worst kept secret’. 🙂 It’s already a flourishing — but authentic — tourist destination, and I can only imagine it growing! I’m glad to have introduced it to you, and hopefully you’ll get there soon!
Alexandrea
Such a beautiful looking place. I can’t wait to visit Europe one day
Amy
I’m getting through Europe in bits and pieces. 🙂 Hopefully I’ll be spending a large chunk of time there next year, exploring places that are a little more off the standard Western European routes!
Ruth - Exploramum
Hope you enjoy Cuba with your Auntie. I loved it!
Amy
Thanks! I’m super excited about going early with the new rules!
Arild
Lovely post about Tallinn. I’ve been there about 12 times and always discover new things, Have you read the book My Estonia by Justin Petrone? About an, U.S. citizen who moved to Estonia
Amy
I’ve never heard of it but I’ll definitely look it up! Thanks for the recommendation. Maybe I can figure out a way to follow his example. 🙂
Tallinn 101
An interesting post and great photos! Kudos! 🙂
Amy
Thanks so much! I’d love to get back and take more photos — looks like Tallinn in the winter is pure magic!
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