Places to visit in Estonia
Updated: Jan 6, 2023
The atmosphere of the Baltic countries is different. They have always been more attractive to me than other European countries. If you are asking what I can do differently in Estonia, this article is for you.
Tallin
The old town center in Tallinn; absolutely pristine and in all its charm promises you a few days there. Of course, if you love to explore, which is because you're here, you love it. So we start.
Vanalinn - Old Town
Tallinn old city center is a very well preserved area in terms of historical values and it is truly a treasure for those who love to tour the old city. Slightly larger than the old towns of many European cities. You can have a great time here. You will discover many places yourself. That's why I don't explain structures such as churches, cathedrals and towers in detail. However, I am adding the things you should not miss below.
Viru Gate
The old town entrance between 2 huge towers.
Town Hall Square
The center with the historic town hall and also many restaurants and cafes.
Kiek In de Kök Museum and tunnels
This structure, which was formed by combining 4 towers with tunnels and passages, began to be built in the Middle Ages. There are a few sections in which life in wartime is portrayed, and my favorite part was a painter's room. There are also dungeons, a section where a market place is animated, and a cafe with a beautiful view. Although it looks simple from the outside, it is a bit more complicated when you get inside. So head and explore all the tunnels and doors you see both to the right and to the left, as well as to all the stairs you see both up and down. Exit when you're sure you've seen all 4 towers. I spent 2 hours there. Of course, you can also leave in less time. Entry is 8 euros.
Danish King's Garden
Kiek In, which I mentioned above, is actually Root's garden. Even if you do not intend to enter the towers, I recommend you to stop by this courtyard. It is a quiet and interesting garden with a beautiful view. When you leave from here and continue on the road from the top, you reach Toompea Castle and Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. If you want, you can enter the Toompea Castle garden and take pictures of the landscape from the other end and relax on the benches here.
St. Mary's Cathedral
A place you can visit on Toompea hill. You will definitely pass by on your way to the terraces. You can go in and have a look.
Toompea Hill, Patkuli and Kohtuotsa Terraces
Looking at the places visited from above creates a different perspective. Patkuli and Kohtuotsa viewing platforms (Viewing Platform) provide this opportunity. You can take beautiful photos and if the peddler of mulled wine at the entrance is there, you can buy and taste the most beautiful mulled wine in the world. Although these platforms are side by side, the views they have are different due to the curve of the hill. When you get out of one, you have to walk back to the square and then turn to the other again.
Suomen Suurlahetystö: (Consulate of Finland)
It's a structure that will most likely be on your way if you decide to descend back into the square after exiting the Kohtuotsa Observation platform. Actually, try to go down this road specifically. (Kohtu street) Because the building is really beautiful. However, if you go straight down the road and do not turn your head to the left and look into the courtyards, you may not be able to see it. Many tourists went down without seeing it. You can go into the garden and take a picture. The door is already open.
Saiakäik/Saiakang Passage
This passage, one side of which is in the Town Hall, is a very cute and small passage. There is also a cafe inside, which has very good coffee and cakes.
Katariina Kaik (St. Catherine’s Passage)
A gateway where you can breathe the medieval air to the fullest.
Revali Raeapteek (Town Hall Pharmacy)
You can visit this historical pharmacy located in the Town Hall square. The pharmacy is open and they also sell normal drugs, but it is always full of people who want to visit the pharmacy. Forget about all kinds of care, from the drugs used in history and the tools used for drug making to the animals such as hedgehogs and snakes buried in jars. Entry is free.
Master's Courtyard
A cute courtyard with a few small shops and a cafe.
Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom
In the museum, situations related to the occupation of Estonia by the Soviets, its liberation and also the crimes against humanity committed at that time are revealed. You can get an e-tour guide at the museum, which is included in the entrance price. There are interactive activities for children and there is also a separate e-tour guide for them. Entry 11 euro
Rotterman City
An interesting district where you can get out of the Old Town and walk for 10 minutes. I don't think you should come back before you go here. You will discover very interesting buildings in this center that will remind Rotterdam to those who have seen it before. New and old buildings have been combined and an area has been created where you can have a good time. You can stroll between the buildings in the open air and then have your coffee in one of the venues. You can also do shopping. After taking a full tour of the neighborhood, go in between, climb the stairs, mix here and there for more detailed exploration. Explore the small terrace in front of the black building. (bottom middle picture) I'm sure you'll take lots of photos here. There is not even an uninteresting square meter of space here.
Balti Jaama Turg (Train Station Market)
When you cross the other side of the train station, which you will reach by walking no more than 10 minutes and using an underpass just outside the Old City, you will see a Market place there. Above the underpass it says Baltijaama and the underpass is closed between 11pm and 6am. In the first part you enter, there are florists, fruit sellers and fishermen downstairs. At the same time, although it is an indoor place, there are structures like small one-storey houses inside and you can sit inside and eat the food you ordered. When you pass from the inner side to the other part, you will arrive at a larger building. Here, too, there are small cafes, restaurants and many shops. But definitely don't imagine it like our shopping malls. Upstairs there are open stalls and shops. Kind of like a marketplace. You can find very thick and hand-knit wool socks, scarves, hats or casual clothes and accessories. It is also more affordable than the stores. My favorite shop here was AntikVariaat. There are various antique items. All from the Soviet era, of course. I immediately bought 3 badges from those symbolizing those days.
Telliskivi Creative Center
When you exit the Baltijaama turg market building and turn right, you can reach here with a 10-15 minute walk. On the way, you pass through an area where there are fast food restaurants and clubs made entirely of wagons, and you reach the center on the left. If you have time, you can stop by here after the market. Although there are a few cafes, a park and a few shops, the most interesting ones are the murals and some snapshots in the garden.
Sadama and Tallin City Hall
This is the port where large ships depart to Finland and the former Soviet-era concert and ice rink area. If you have time, you can stop by here. From Rotterman City, keep going after you get to the street. On the left you will see the big ferries. Proceed there. After crossing the bridge that shines brightly in the sun on the port side, you can buy something a little more affordable than in the city from the small shops on the lower and upper floors of a passage you will see in that vicinity. There are generally non-branded clothes and household items. It's not very special, but there are many things from t-shirts, hats, glasses, knives to coffee table covers. When you exit here and go to the wide stairs a little further ahead, you will reach the event space from the old Soviet times. You can't go inside, but you can climb the stairs to the top and look at the endless sea and the city. It's an interesting place. It was closed in the early 2000s because it was decided that it was dangerous. However, before that, it was a very entertaining activity area filled by Tallinians. It is now an abandoned and neglected place. If you want to see photos of the old and new versions, you can search "linnahall Tallin" in google images.
DISCOVER!
Here is a building from the 1200s. It is a delicious place that most of those who go to Tallin do not see. I haven't seen it mentioned so many places. It's hard to find the exact location even on the map. I discovered it by accident too. Are you ready? Here is the Kloostri Gallery and the Dominican Convent.
You are inside the oldest structure in Estonia!
Kloostri Galery: A wonderful medieval courtyard. Usually the door is closed. There is also a tiny sign and it is not clear what is inside. That's why people pass by without noticing.
Enter Müurivahe Tanav street. There, find the door with a small sign on it that says Kloostri Gallery. Push the door and go inside. There is most likely no one. Is your camera ready? Here you are in the middle of the middle ages. Don't miss the details. Look above too. Confuse everywhere. Visit the inside of the monastery. This is a unique opportunity, especially for those who say how old is so beautiful!
Attention:
Old City de gezerken ara ara üzerinde yeşil tabelaların size gezilecek yerleri işaret ettiği direkler göreceksin. Bu tabelaların çoğunun yönü yanlış. Tabelalar, sanki birisi akşam gelmiş de bu direkleri gelişigüzel döndürmüş gibiler. Her zaman kontrol et.
Attention:
When you look at the navigation while in Freedom Square, wherever you go, it first directs you to the underpass there and takes you across the street. Then when you look again you realize that you have to go back. Pay attention to this too.
Haapsalu
“I came to Estonia, but will I only see Tallin? If you want to take a look at other places, you can choose cities such as Haapsalu, Tartu, Parnu. I will talk about this city as I went to Haapsalu among them.
Haapsalu; A small and quiet city by the sea. The houses are usually one or two storeys and have a garden. There are also many wooden houses. Here are the two main places you can visit; It could be the Castle and the Promenade. While walking towards the center after getting off the bus, there is Tourist Information on your way. You can also get your free map from there. You can climb the castle walls and take beautiful city photos. The Promenad is a very beautiful area where you can take a walk on the seashore. You arrive here after a little further from the castle. You can climb the bird watching tower. There is a beautiful view. However, I recommend using your map while walking around because although it is a small city, the seaside is not straight and the Promenad is a curved road. The map is very helpful to be able to see every place in real terms and not to go through the same places again. The sea is like a pond here and there are reeds on which hundreds of seagulls perch. This city has a different atmosphere.
How do I get to Haapsalu? In Tallin, you can buy a ticket from Bussijaam by bus or go to Baltijaam by train. The journey by bus is very enjoyable and takes 1 hour and 45 minutes. Go directly to the terminal and buy your round-trip ticket from the box office there. The round trip price is 18 Euros.
Get off at the Niine stop one stop before the end and turn right on the same pavement 20 meters ahead, walk inwards and reach the center of the city. On the way back, go to the last stop and get on from there.
These are the words that will help you
Kesklinn: Center
Vanalinn: Old city
Jaam: Station
Bussijaam: Bus Station
Balti jaam: Train Station
Avatud. Open
Solitud: Closed
Keskus: Shopping Mall
Turg: Market
All tips on transportation in Estonia
For the airport: When entering Estonia in May 2022, the passport control did not ask for the vaccination certificate, but the hotel asked to see the reservation and return ticket.
On the way back, since self check-in is not possible from the airline application, you have to go to the check-in counter and he wanted to see the vaccination certificate there.
If you think you will have trouble showing them on mobile, get their transcripts beforehand.
Transportation from the airport to the city: When leaving the airport, you walk through a glassed corridor towards the door. There is a machine on the right 3 meters before the exit. Buy the tram ticket from him. (If there is no barcode on the ticket, it means you did not get your ticket. Try again. The picture of the machine is below.) If you are going to the Old City, take the tram number 4 right in front of the door you exit. Get off at the Viru stop. Viru from the airport takes 15 minutes.
When you get on the tram, if you buy your ticket from inside the tram, it is 2 euros, but if you buy it from the machines, it is 1.25 euros. By the way, while I was there, they said, "The model of buying tickets from the tram is being removed". At present, that possibility may not even exist. Secure your job.
Where can you buy a tram ticket if you're in the Old City? From the old city, exit the Viru gate and cross the street. There you will see Viru Keskus aka Viru Shopping Center. On its lower floor there is a bus terminal for transportation for the city. Either there is a staircase just below the entrance, or if you enter from the other side, walk straight forward to that floor, come to the staircase there, go down and buy your ticket from the machine there. You can also buy daily, two-day or three-day pass tickets from small markets called R-Kiosk – which are available in many places. They also have a deposit. You can see the location of all of them when you type R-Kiosk in the search line on Google Map. When I was going to get on the tram, I was buying tickets from Viru Keskus. Seems more economical to me.
What to eat and drink
Kofeman Cafe: a stylish cafe where I go to have a coffee and watch the outside. It's a warm environment. The coffee is also very good. (Photo1)
Saiakangi Kohvik Cafe: A cute cafe with good coffee and cakes. It is located in a narrow but busy street that you can enter from the Town Hall square. (Photo2)
Levier Cafe Rotermann: You can take a break for light snacks or dessert and coffee and sit comfortably. (Photo3)
Labor Bar: It is completely radioactive inside. If you want to see a fun and interesting place go here. Pay attention to all the details from floor to ceiling. Your drinks come in test tubes. I paid a total of 5 euros for 10 tube tequila cocktails. This place has more affordable prices than other bars and cafes in Tallinn. Otherwise, the prices are not like that in other bars. (Photo4)
Tallin Pizza and Kebab: If you are looking for the tastes you are used to, it is a place where you can eat doner kebab. The prices of the place where the owner is Turkish are much more affordable than many other places.
Tule Estonia: Located in the Town Hall square, both the lower and upper floors of this restaurant are furnished in a medieval style. The upper floor is slightly different and pleasant than the lower floor. There is live music on Saturday evening and they usually play folk music in accordance with the atmosphere.
I highly recommend the starter ''Garlic rye breads with sauce''. https://tuleestonia.ee/
III Draakon (Third Dragon): This is a medieval style restaurant where you can have a pleasant time. https://www.kolmasdraakon.ee/
Best time to go
I went in early May. There was great weather. So it was 17-18 degrees. It is very suitable for traveling without getting tired and getting hot. It rained only one day and it got a little chilly. In addition, the places you go are not very crowded and you are walking calmly. It's very enjoyable. I looked at the photos of the same places in the summer and said I'm glad I didn't go in the summer, It was very crowded. However, it may be better to go after the 15th of May, because some places you may want to see can be opened from May 15th. Of course, flight and hotel/hostel prices are also more affordable in May. For the ticket I bought with 15,000 miles in May, I was paid 30,000 miles in June.
Post office
Since I have a habit of sending postcards to a few people from every country I go to, I always call the post office wherever I go. Here, I went to the post office on Parnu street outside the borders of the Old City, but I saw on Google map that it is also in the Old City (Finest Postkontor). If you first find and open the old city section on Google map and then type Postkontor in the search line, you will find the nearest post offices.
This trip cost me (in May 2022)
Ticket: 800 TL (+15,000 miles. If I didn't have miles, it would be 4,500 TL.)
Accommodation: 900 TL for a total of 56 euros for 4 nights,
Food and Drink: 965 TL for about 60 euros (I brought some from Turkey, bought some from the market and made it at the hostel, and ate and drank some in cafes and restaurants.)
Museum entrances are approximately 20 euros: 320 TL.
Travel expenses within Estonia: Trams (6 euros in total) + round trip to Haapsalu (18 euros) in total: 385 TL for 24 euros.
I do not include the visa and magnets, bracelets, etc. that I bought from Tallin.
Have a nice trip
