TALLINN
General Info
Country: Estonia | Language: Estonian, Russian | Currency: EURO (EUR) | Flag: 🇪🇪 | When visited: Apr. 2024, Jul. 2015, Jan. 2013, Oct. 2012
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🗺️ Check out my new “Now and Then” travel account on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nowandthenjourney
🚗 How to commute
Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport is just 4km away from the city centre. The best and cheapest way to reach the city centre is the public transport (bus or tram, which is not operating currently). Other options include taxi, or a rental car.
🏨 Where to stay
This time we have been staying with our friends. But previous times we have been staying at “Pirita Top Spa Hotel” (now “Pirita Marina Hotel & Spa”). Even though we have been around the hotel this year, I'm not 100% sure it's working! But we have seen another lovely place to stay in the same Pirita area, which could be even a better option during the supper time due to its closeness to the Pirita Beach: “Pirita Beach Apartments & SPA”. Both these options are directly on the sea shore, feature direct access to the beautiful forest, big supermarket and bus stops with direct connection to the city centre in 5-10 minutes walk.
🍽️ What and where to eat
One can enjoy both Estonian and Russian traditional cuisine in Tallinn. From affordable snacks in supermarkets to restaurants with a seafood and sea view. Multiple options are available to choose from!
Some highlights include: -R-Kiosk (multiple locations around the city) where one can buy traditional for Baltic countries street food – hot dogs 🌭
-Maxima (X / XX / XXX) supermarkets where one can buy pastry, ready to eat salads, meat, fish, vegetable etc. The quality is great, prices are super affordable and it's tasty! Our favourites are cabbage pies 😋
-Pelm (Nautica Keskus and few more locations) cosy place with a nice interior and great affordable menu highlighting Russian cuisine dishes and desserts as well as super tasty fruit tea. They also have a friendly restaurant's network called “Repa”.
-Samsa Family Bakers (Viru Keskus and few more locations) this Uzbeki cuisine place features the best Pilaff (Plov) and Chebureks for sure.
-PAAT restaurant is located on the seashore near the Viimsi Open Air Museum and serves fresh and delicious seafood dishes.
-Karja Kelder this pub is located in the touristic old town area, but has a pretty affordable menu featuring mixed Estonian and Russian dishes and local beer.
-Armudu restaurant serves tasty Shashlik, grilled vegetables and Khachapuri.
Of course, there are all familiar fast-food chains, and some local food/coffee chains like Caffeine, Hesburger etc.
👀 What to do and what to see
Tallinn Old Town including Viru Gates, Hellemann Tower and Town, Tallinn Town Hall and Town Hall Square, St. Nicholas' Church, Danish King's Garden, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, St. Olaf's Church, Toompea Castle and more places including beautiful small streets and passages.
Tallinn Town Wall including Tallitorn, Maiden Tower Museum, Kiek in de Kök Museum and Bastion Tunnels and other places around.
Freedom Square.
Reidi tee promenaad and the whole area around Tallinn harbour, which was newly renovated and features multiple playgrounds, leisure spots and places to eat tasty food.
Open Air Museums such as Estonian Open Air Museum and Viimsi Open Air Museum.
Pirita area including Pirita Beach, Pirita Convent Ruins, beautiful forest (Pirita mets), adventure park and so on. Near this area, one can also visit Tallinn Botanic Garden and Tallinn TV Tower.
💡 Some highlights
- We noticed that everything, including food, got much expensive in Tallinn, and one can compare local prices with ones in western-European countries such as Germany or France etc.
- Close to Tallinn one can also enjoy a beautiful nature and find such things as waterfalls (for example Jägala or Keila waterfall), natural parks and forests.
- From Tallinn, one can easily take a day trip to Helsinki by ferry.
