The Most Underrated Capital in Europe
A lot of bloggers use titles like the one above to lure their readers in, "click bait" if you will, but I do genuinely feel this way about this city, and not announcing it in the title above was merely an exercise to see if anyone might actually guess what it might be before entering the post.
Just for the hell of it, I encourage you not to scroll down and to take a wild guess at what city I'm referring to based on the facts below:
In the city I feel is the most underrated capital in Europe…
More than 30 percent of the population of the country lives there
The Old Town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (and rightfully so)
It used to be known as "Reval" from the 13th century until just after WWI
It gets mighty cold in the winter
It's location on the Gulf of Finland has made it culturally relevant since medieval times
Whether you guessed it correctly or, more likely, scrolled down a little too far and saw the answer anyhow, the city that has recently taken over my imaginary city travel throne is…
Tallinn, Estonia!
I love Tallinn like I love pizza - any temperature, any time.
Briana and I made our first visit to this illustrious city this past November, and instantly fell in love with it. I've never seen an old town so well preserved, nor a city that was more decidedly walkable. Not to mention, despite covering a rather large area, the main places to eat, walk, have a beverage and indulge in general tourist activities is extremely manageable.
In four days, I feel like we intimately got to know the city of Tallinn, and I miss it like I miss an old friend. Needless to say, one day I know we'll return - though perhaps in the middle of summer or the middle of winter. I'd like to see it either blossoming with flowers or with its rooftops covered with a soft layer of snow.
Each and every alleyway was worth walking down, and that's more than you can say about a ton of other capital cities, especially particular capitals I've visited like Bucharest, Managua, or Manila ( and where it might just cost you your wallet.) But that's the point, whether we were in the bustling Town Hall Square, or taking the long walk out of town to the Kuma Museum, we felt very at home.
There really aren't very many cities this size that I feel like I could explore for a lifetime, appreciating every nook and cranny. And beyond its physical appearances which have an innate charm, the history is fascinating, for better or worse. Tallinn is no stranger to occupation (both Russia and Germany raised their flag in this city in the 20th century), but they're also no stranger to rebellion, both quiet and loud. That's really only a small tidbit of what makes Tallinn interesting, they've been a city worth of mention almost since the turn of the first millennium.
The history of Tallinn is one of resilience, which has formed this city into what I can safely say is one of the most pleasant and agreeable on the planet. So, hats off to Tallinn, what I'll confidently call the most underrated capital in Europe. As part of me tipping my hat to the city, I'll show off a little of what the Nikon captured along the way.
Plan Your Trip to Tallinn, Estonia
Go to Tallinn and see for yourself why I think it’s the most underrated capital city in Europe. Here’s what you need to know to plan your trip.
Vital Information
Language: Estonian (closely related to Finnish, in the Uralic language family).
Currency: Euro [1 Euro = 1.5 CAD]
Visa Requirements: Travelers with Canadian passports do not need a visa to enter Estonia and can stay for 90 days or less.
When to go: Shoulder seasons are always a great time to save money and avoid large crowds, but there are benefits to visiting Tallinn during peak seasons.
Like the popular summer months (May-September) during which the weather is agreeable and there are many festivals to enjoy. It will be crowded with a handful of packed cruise ships spilling into the streets on a daily basis, but fortunately all those visitors have to be back on their ship by the late afternoon.
Fans of cross-country skiing or those really into the holidays will enjoy Tallinn in the winter months. Imagine being in town for the Christmas markets and a tree raising tradition that is hundreds of years old.
How to Get to Tallinn
Due to Estonia’s location in the Baltics, travelling to Tallinn will take some forethought and planning, depending on where you’re coming from. Fortunately, there are lots of options.
Air
Flights to Tallinn will involve multiple stops if you’re coming from North America. Piece your journey together yourself by flying into a nearby European hub city first. Air Canada flies to Helsinki, Finland, multiple cities in Germany, Stockholm, Sweden, and other nearby countries. Then book a flight with one of Europe’s many budget airlines, like easyJet or Ryanair. Plan plenty of time between flights to allow for delays and changeovers.
Rail
Unfortunately, a direct train to Tallinn does not exist. The closest Eurail gets to Estonia is Vilnius, Lithuania or Helsinki, Finland. Otherwise, grab a bus from Vilnius to Tallinn or a ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn.
A local Riga-Tallin train is available if you’re travelling to Tallinn from Latvia.
Bus
Busses are definitely the cheapest form of transportation in Europe but not always the most comfortable. Hop on one in most major cities and small towns across Europe to eventually get to Tallinn. Try Ecolines or Lux Express.
Ferry
Travelling by sea is a fun alternative. Take a ferry to Tallinn from Helsinki, Finland or Stockholm, Sweden. The Helsinki-Tallinn ferry takes 2-3 hours and the Stockholm-Tallinn ferry takes a little over 7 hours. Try Tallink.ee or Eckeroline.com.
Accommodations in Tallinn
Once you figure out how to get there, next will be sorting out where to stay in Tallinn. Accommodations range from shared rooms at hostels, guest houses, or guest apartments in Tallinn to fancy five-star hotels in the city center. There is somewhere to stay for every budget.
What to Do in Tallinn
As the cultural and educational center of Estonia, you will have plenty of things to do. A simple walk around the Old Town of Tallinn is a good start to familiarize yourself with the city.
Make sure to see Town Hall Square, Town Hall Pharmacy, St. Catherine’s Passage, and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Try the self-guided Tallinn walking tour in the Lonely Planet Guide to Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania.
Tallinn Museums and Galleries
There are more than 60 museums and galleries in Tallinn covering a range of interests for art, nature, and culture lovers. Some top museums and galleries to consider:
Kumu Art Museum
Tallinn City Museum
Estonian Museum of Natural History
Estonian Maritime Museum (Seaplane Harbour)
Kadriorg Park and Palace
Where to Go for Views of the City
The tallest building in Tallinn is the Tallinn Television Tower, which offers sweeping views of the city from the 314 metre high viewing platform. Also try the scenic overlooks of Toompea Hill or climb the tower of St Olaf’s Church.
Other Things to do in Tallinn
Enjoy the Tallinn nightlife like live music, theater, dancing, or just drinks with friends in an atmospheric club, pub, or bar in Old Town and around the city.
If nightlife isn’t your thing, there are plenty of cafes in Tallinn or markets to explore. Plus, plenty of restaurants to try a dish from the up and coming Estonian food scene.
Get out of the city center for a day with one of many day trips from Tallinn. Visit Maarjamäe Castle in Pirita (20 minutes away by tram) or venture further out to Lahemaa National Park in Vihasoo (70km away).
There is no shortage of Tallinn experiences.
In Conclusion
Hopefully, you feel good about how to plan a trip to Tallinn, Estonia after digesting all that information. And, hopefully you’ll love it as much as I do!
Want to even more Tallin content? If you’d like to see more photos of Tallin’s Old Town, this post from Adventures and Sunsets does the trick! If you have only one day in Tallinn, this post will help you make the most of your time.