Things to Know Before Visiting Tallinn 🇪🇪

Tallinn is one of those places that feels like it leapt straight out of a fairytale — cobblestone streets, pastel houses, and medieval towers that look like they’re auditioning for a Disney remake. It’s where Old Town charm meets modern cool, with enough cosy cafes and hidden bars to make you consider relocating (or at least extending your stay by a few “accidental” weeks).

Where Is It?

Tallinn is the capital of Estonia, tucked along the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe. It’s part of the Baltics, alongside Latvia and Lithuania — a region often overlooked by travellers, but it's packed with history, culture, and charm.

How to Get There & Get Around

You can reach Tallinn by land (through neighbouring Latvia), sea (ferry from Helsinki), or air. It's well-connected to Western European hubs, such as Paris — our transit option of choice this time around. Tallinn Airport (TLL) is a small yet efficient airport, located just a short ride from the city by public transport or taxi.

Once here, walking is the best way to take in the entire area. Tallinn’s compact, clean, and wonderfully easy to navigate — precisely the kind of city where you can accidentally walk 15,000 steps without realising it. You do, however, have a range of transport options if you have mobility difficulties or want to give your legs a rest:

🚕 Taxis and Bolt (an Estonian-owned ride share company) are your go-to for quick, cheap rides.

🚃 Buses and trams are a reliable mode of transportation, and you can use contactless cards for payment.

🛴 Scooters: in summer, e-scooters are everywhere — fun but chaotic on cobblestones.

Seasons & Best Time to Go

We visited in May, when the city was starting to come back to life — the days were getting longer, tulips were beginning to bloom, and locals began emerging from their winter hibernation.

Summer (Jun–Aug): warm, extended daylight (up to 18 hours!), outdoor dining, and festivals.

Autumn (Sep–Nov): crisp, colourful, quieter — beautiful for photography.

Spring (Mar-May): mild, less crowded, and more budget-friendly.

Winter (Dec–Feb): very cold, snowy, magical — think Christmas markets and mulled wine.

🔆 Best for weather: June to August.

💸 Best for budget: April, May or September.

How Long to Stay

We stayed for four weeks to ease into our European leg of our long-term travels, but 3-4 days is enough to see the highlights comfortably. Tallinn also makes an excellent starting point for a “Visit the Baltics” trip.

Best Area to Stay

Here are some of the more popular areas to stay:

Old Town: wake up surrounded by centuries-old buildings; it's worth every uneven step.

Kalamaja: hipster heaven — full of street art, creative energy, and old wooden houses.

Telliskivi Creative City: trendy and full of indie shops, galleries, and cafes.

Kadriorg: family-friendly and home to Kadriorg Palace and Park.

We stayed in Ruau, between Old Town and Kadriorg. It tucked us away from the tourist scene but allowed for easy walks to both the medieval magic and the beautiful green space of Kadriorg Park. For first-timers, the Old Town is unbeatable — yes, it’s touristy, but it’s also stunningly beautiful. 

What to Do

Tallinn might be compact, but it’s packed with personality. From medieval towers to modern design, you’ll find plenty to fill your days — and your camera roll. Some must-sees include:

Tallinn Old Town: wander Toompea Hill for city views, check out Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and get lost in the maze of cobbled streets.

KGB Museum (Hotel Viru): a fascinating peek into Soviet-era surveillance — quirky, creepy, and memorable.

Telliskivi Creative City: converted warehouses turned into art studios, design stores, and cafes.

Lennusadam Seaplane Harbour: a world-class maritime museum in a massive hangar — even non-boat people would love it.

Kadriorg Park: a sprawling green space with fountains, art museums, and picnic-perfect lawns.

Balti Jaam Market: even if you don’t buy anything, it’s a feast for the senses.

Useful Tips

💬 Three words to learn: Tere = hello || Aitäh = thank you || Terviseks! = cheers

💳 Money: Estonia is one of the most digital countries in the world — cards and contactless are accepted everywhere. We didn’t use cash once. Hold onto some Euros if you do want cash on hand.

📱 eSIM: Airalo offers great eSIM plans, perfect if you're out of a wi-fi zone.

💡Bonus tip: Bring comfy shoes — those cobbles look cute, but they’ll test your ankles.

Our Real Costs

($AUD based on two people over 4 weeks — 2025)

✈️ Getting there: $377 (one-way from Paris)

🏠 Accommodation: $69 per night (Airbnb)

 🍽 Food: $33 per day

🚇 Transport: $8 total (bus from airport, we walked everywhere else)

🎟️ Activities: $253 total (we each invested in an Estonian Museum Card)

📱Data: $13 total (eSIM)

Our Thoughts

Tallinn is one of those rare cities that feels both old and cutting-edge. One minute you’re climbing a 14th-century tower; the next you’re sipping wine in a trendy restaurant. It’s romantic, quirky, and surprisingly affordable (for Europe).

We loved the balance of history and modern life, and the ease of exploring without stress. It’s the kind of city you plan to visit once — and somehow end up in again a few years later.

Will we return? We were Googling long-term visa options before we even left — that probably answers the question! 😉