ESTONIA |
In this article, you will read about Tallinn. |
Neighboring Russia in the east, and Latvia in the south, Estonia looks at Finland from the opposite side of the Gulf of Finland. Estonia’s proximity to Finland is also obvious when you travel from Helsinki to Tallinn, which will only take approximately 2 hours by ferry. And indeed, that is how my journey to Tallinn began!
For me, it is so strange that you can go from one country in Europe to the other in just 2 hours. Whereas in Istanbul, I could only go from one distant neighborhood to the other in the exact same time period!
On October 14, 2017 early in the morning, we took a ferry from Helsinki’s South Harbor to Tallinn. It was a gloomy and rainy day, which made us to be worried about our experience in Tallinn: what if we wouldn’t see the sun during our stay! And luckily, it turned out to be alright and on the 2nd day of our stay in Tallinn, we finally got to see the giant bright in the horizon, which made our experience even more energetic and pleasant!
I have already talked about my Tallinn experience in my blog on a daily basis when I was travelling around the city. But this time, I will give some practical information about the city. So if you are considering about visiting Tallinn, this article is meant for you!
Enjoy reading!😊
For me, it is so strange that you can go from one country in Europe to the other in just 2 hours. Whereas in Istanbul, I could only go from one distant neighborhood to the other in the exact same time period!
On October 14, 2017 early in the morning, we took a ferry from Helsinki’s South Harbor to Tallinn. It was a gloomy and rainy day, which made us to be worried about our experience in Tallinn: what if we wouldn’t see the sun during our stay! And luckily, it turned out to be alright and on the 2nd day of our stay in Tallinn, we finally got to see the giant bright in the horizon, which made our experience even more energetic and pleasant!
I have already talked about my Tallinn experience in my blog on a daily basis when I was travelling around the city. But this time, I will give some practical information about the city. So if you are considering about visiting Tallinn, this article is meant for you!
Enjoy reading!😊
Tallinn
Mini Info about the City
Being the capital and largest city of Estonia, Tallinn has an old town (Vanalinn) which was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The medieval old town was built between 15-17th centuries and it’s very well preserved: most landmarks are still standing as in the old times!
The city of Tallinn has a lot to offer! This picturesque city is located just by the sea, which enables an easy connection for the visitors coming from Finland, Russia and Sweden. The old town is surrounded by the medieval fortifications and towers, and nested in the mixture of several architectural styles including Gothic churches, Russian revival style cathedrals and Baroque buildings. If you are planning a visit to Tallinn (or even haven’t decided yet), I highly recommend you to walk along the cobblestone streets of the city, and enjoy the historical spirit deep inside!
Like I did, you can visit Tallinn by taking a ferry or catamaran from Helsinki. There are several companies operating daily, such as Linda Line, Eckerö Line, Tallink Silja and Viking, and have varying prices. I used Linda Line (paid €29 for round-trip with a student discount) and had a pleasant journey without any problems. You can get to see Tallinn also by flight from various destinations including Russia, Germany, Turkey, Norway, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden and Denmark.
During our stay in Tallinn, we’ve never used public transport as the old town is small enough to walk around and most of the touristic and historic landmarks are very close to each other. You can also do so by enjoying the cobblestone streets and splendid architecture, and if you are lucky, the great weather!
Being the capital and largest city of Estonia, Tallinn has an old town (Vanalinn) which was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The medieval old town was built between 15-17th centuries and it’s very well preserved: most landmarks are still standing as in the old times!
The city of Tallinn has a lot to offer! This picturesque city is located just by the sea, which enables an easy connection for the visitors coming from Finland, Russia and Sweden. The old town is surrounded by the medieval fortifications and towers, and nested in the mixture of several architectural styles including Gothic churches, Russian revival style cathedrals and Baroque buildings. If you are planning a visit to Tallinn (or even haven’t decided yet), I highly recommend you to walk along the cobblestone streets of the city, and enjoy the historical spirit deep inside!
Like I did, you can visit Tallinn by taking a ferry or catamaran from Helsinki. There are several companies operating daily, such as Linda Line, Eckerö Line, Tallink Silja and Viking, and have varying prices. I used Linda Line (paid €29 for round-trip with a student discount) and had a pleasant journey without any problems. You can get to see Tallinn also by flight from various destinations including Russia, Germany, Turkey, Norway, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden and Denmark.
During our stay in Tallinn, we’ve never used public transport as the old town is small enough to walk around and most of the touristic and historic landmarks are very close to each other. You can also do so by enjoying the cobblestone streets and splendid architecture, and if you are lucky, the great weather!
Must-See Places
St Olaf’s Church is one of the most notable landmarks of Tallinn. Located in the north of the Old Town, the church can be seen from many places in the city. The Gothic-style church was originally built in the 12th century, and has a 120-meter tower to which you can climb with a fee (adults for €3.5, students for €2). If you want to climb the tower, be ready to be exhausted as the stairs are too narrow. But eventually, it will worth it as you’ll see the city of Tallinn with an amazing sight!
St Olaf’s Church is one of the most notable landmarks of Tallinn. Located in the north of the Old Town, the church can be seen from many places in the city. The Gothic-style church was originally built in the 12th century, and has a 120-meter tower to which you can climb with a fee (adults for €3.5, students for €2). If you want to climb the tower, be ready to be exhausted as the stairs are too narrow. But eventually, it will worth it as you’ll see the city of Tallinn with an amazing sight!
St Nicholas’ Church can be considered as the twin of St Olaf’s Church, as these two churches look alike each other. Although St Nicholas’ Church was heavily damaged during the World War II, and has encountered a fire, it was renovated and now is being used as a museum.
Viru Gate is one of the entrances to the Old Town, located at the Viru Street, which is considered as one of the most famous shopping streets of Tallinn. It used to be part of the defense system of Old Tallinn starting from the 14th century. As the entrances to the Old Town were widened, several gates were demolished, including the Viru Gate. However, the twin towers at the corner are well preserved.
Town Hall and Town Hall Square (Raekoja Plats): Being one of the oldest town halls in the Nordic and Baltic countries, Tallinn’s Town Hall is located right next to the Town Hall Square. Built in the 14th and 15th centuries, the hall is now being used as a museum. Town Hall Square is surrounded with several cafes and restaurants where you can sit right opposite to the Town Hall.
Toompea Hill: Being a solid limestone, the hill where Toompea Castle is also located is visible from almost anywhere in the Old Town, and especially from the tower of St Olaf’s Church. A Russian Orthodox cathedral called Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is also located on the hill, and right opposite to the entrance of Toompea Castle.
Toompea Castle is currently the seat of Estonian Parliament. Each ruler has built and fortified this place according to their needs and tastes. Built by the Danes between the 13th and 15th centuries, and in the 18th century by the Russians, the castle complex involves different buildings with several architectural styles. The well-fortified castle, together with the walls and several towers, have been preserved up until now. You can also visit the castle, and see the visiting hours from the official webpage.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is a Russian Orthodox Cathedral built in the 19th century during the Russification period when Estonia was part of the Russian Empire. During our visit, the cathedral was under renovation, so we couldn’t capture good photos of it. Nevertheless, as the cathedral has preserved its magnificence up until now, you’ll surely be mesmerized!
War of Independence Victory Column is a monument located in the Freedom Square, right opposite to St John’s Church. Opened in 2009, the monument is a dedicated to those who fell during the Estonian War of Independence.
Kadriorg Palace and Kadriorg Park are probably the most magical places in Tallinn. Built as an imperial palace for the Russian tsars in the 18th century, Kadriorg Palace now hosts some paint collections and other art. Whereas a portion of the complex is occupied by the Office of the President. The palace is located in Kadriorg Park, where you can taste the beauty of the nature that is perfectly nested within the city. If you are visiting Tallinn, I highly recommend you to wander around this outstanding urban and palatial park!
Telliskivi is a neighborhood located in Kalamaja District, in the north of Tallinn, and often referred as a place for hipsters. The interestingly funky district which is surrounded with ruined buildings, abandoned factory buildings and graffiti walls offers great bars, cafés and restaurants, as well as art studios, food trucks and pop-up stores. You can give Telliskivi a try once you’re in Tallinn without any hesitation!
Bars of Tallinn: There are several local breweries in Tallinn, which offer a variety of beers. If you are a big fan of beers, or you just like to taste beers from different varieties, you can find different bars according to your preference and taste. During our stay in Tallinn, we’ve been to Beer House which is a Bavarian style brewery with a restaurant, and tried the dark beer that I can highly recommend!
Where to Stay
As a city in general, Tallinn is way cheaper comparing to the cities of the Nordic countries and Northern Europe. That is why you can also find cheap accommodation options at the very center of the city, and especially in the Old Town. I stayed in Tallinn Backpackers Hostel which offer a pleasant stay in a friendly and familial environment.
As a city in general, Tallinn is way cheaper comparing to the cities of the Nordic countries and Northern Europe. That is why you can also find cheap accommodation options at the very center of the city, and especially in the Old Town. I stayed in Tallinn Backpackers Hostel which offer a pleasant stay in a friendly and familial environment.
What to Taste (*heavy breathing*)
During our stay in Tallinn, one of the things I tried for the first time in my life was rye bread, which I realized later that I can also find in Finland 😊Thanks to my Estonian friend, she took me to a local bazaar located in Telliskivi neighborhood, and I bought the bread from a traditional bakery there. You can find rye bread also in supermarkets in Tallinn. Fish is also very popular and common in Tallinn, especially the smoked ones. You can taste different types of smoked fish in local bazaars. Pickles are also very widespread in Estonian cuisine. Different kinds of fruit and vegetable pickles can be found in market places and supermarkets. |
Highlights