3 DAYS IN TALLINN – ESTONIA

Tallinn is the capital of Estonia and is located in Northern Europe, just a 2 hour ferry ride from Helsinki.

I had 3 days in the city and didn’t plan what I wanted to see before my trip, which is something unusual for me, but I knew it wasn’t big so I wanted to be surprised!

⊵ DAY 1

TALLINN OLD TOWN

I arrived to Tallinn around lunch time on my first day and didn’t much for the rest of the day. I was staying at the Telegraaf Hotel, a beautiful luxury hotel located just in the heart of the Old Town.

So, after checking in we just headed over to the Old Town to get a fell on the city atmosphere.

The Old Town, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site still preserves the medieval look of the old days. The buildings, the menus at the restaurants, people dressed up with medieval clothes and the heavy snow all around all looked out of a fairy tale book.

We sat down for a late lunch and I was in a mood to try some Estonian traditional dishes. I decided to pick some small starters to share. We had salted herring, chicken liver pâté with rye bread and a cheese platter. Then for main the traditional Estonian pork roast with boiled potatoes, sour cream and egg.

After lunch I decided to go for a walk around the Old Town but without any plans just observing people and checking the traditional markets selling warm clothes.

In the evening we stopped to have hot chocolate nor far from out hotel and then it was time to relax and be cosy at the hotel Jacuzzi.

I spend the rest of my time planning my itinerary and reading more about Tallinn.

⊵ DAY 2

TALLINN HISTORY

I started the day by having a super breakfast the Telegraaf Hotel.

As I wanted to learn more about Tallinn and it was incredibly cold I decided to be warm and comfortable by going on a hop and off bus around town.

I normally like to do this type of buses because it’s possible to learn more about the history and inside stories of the cities I visit.

The hop and off bus in Tallinn departs from Viru Square and it’s easy to find. From there normally 3 lines run with a good amount of buses.

In my case and maybe because it was the winter and in the middle of the week, I was the only one doing this tour! I learned a lot about Tallinn’s history and Estonians.

We stopped at Tallinn tallest building: the Television Tower, with 314 meters. Built to improve telecommunication in  1980 Moscow Summer Olympics regatta, became a very important symbol of the Estonian independence.

One thing that impressed me was the size of their Song Festival Stage which apparently can hold up to 15,000 singers. These festivals mean a lot to Estonians and they gather there every year to sing patriotic hymns over the power of the Soviet control.

There is a beach in Tallinn. Yes. And it looks pretty good! It’s in Pirita district and very near the Old Town, so if you come on the summer you can easily stay for a week.

An interesting thing is the fact that the city was not always called Tallinn. Reval was actually the name for the city between the 13^th century and 1918.

Also did you know that Tallinn is the city of the first Christmas tree in the world? I was able to witness and participate in the excitement just like in 1441 when they put the first tree up in the Town Hall Square.

⊵ DAY 3

WALKING ITINERARY

The best way to get around in the Old Town is by walking. Leave one day just for this and go on an adventure…I got lost several times but that’s the fun part!

[highlight]STOP 1: TOWN HALL SQUARE[/highlight]

I started in what they call Lower Town from the Town Hall Square because it’s the most recognizable square in Tallinn and anyone will be able to give you directions there.

The square has remained the same for at least eight centuries. It served as a market in the past and was the meeting place for a lot of merchants.

Nowadays it’s still the heart of the city and famous for the Christmas tree and the Christmas Market. Apparently there is a circular stone in the middle of the square that if you stand there you can see the top of all five Medieval spires in the city!

[highlight]STOP 2: TOWN HALL[/highlight]

In Tallinn since 1404 this is the oldest town hall in the whole Baltic Region. At the top of the town the weather vane was named ‘Old Thomas’ and it’s considered the town’s defender.

[highlight]STOP 3: TOWN HALL PHARMACY[/highlight]

The Raeapteek, built in 1422 is one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe still working.

[highlight]STOP 4: ST OLAF’S CHURCH[/highlight]

St Olaf’s Church was built in the 13^th century and was the tallest building in Europe during Middle Age. Lightning is known to have struck the tower 10 times!

[highlight]STOP 5: TOOMPEA HILL[/highlight]

After this I venture myself in what they call the Upper Town up the hill. Just follow the crowd and in about 10 minutes you will get to Toompea Hill.

[highlight]STOP 6: ALEXANDER NEVSKY CATHEDRAL[/highlight]

The beautiful domed structure is Estonia’s main Russian Orthodox cathedral built in 1900.

[highlight]STOP 7: TOOMPEA CASTLE[/highlight]

This 800 year castle will stay in my memory because as soon as I step inside I was transported to medieval times.  That and… the ghost’s stories!

So they say that the castle main gate was supposed to prevent ghosts sneaking in from the Danish King’s Garden and that there have been sightings through the tower walls and voices but upon inspection nothing…

Another interesting thing was the fact that the Maiden Tower was used as a prison for prostitutes.

[highlight]STOP 8: MAIDEN TOWER COFFEE HOUSE[/highlight]

The access is hard with a lot of steep stairs but don’t give up because what I found amazed me! I loved my cappuccino by the big fireplace.

[highlight]STOP 9: KOHTUOTSA VIEWING PLATFORM[/highlight]

Just outside the Maiden Tower, this viewing platform as some pretty impressive views over the Old Town.

[highlight]STOP 10: DANISH KING’S GARDENS [/highlight]

[highlight]STOP 11: KIEK IN DE KÖK [/highlight]

This tower which name means “Peek into the Kitchen” is so high that in the pass guards joked about that they could peek into the kitchens of the houses below.

It was a bomb shelter in the 1944 Sovietic bombings.

[highlight]STOP 12: BASTION PASSAGES[/highlight]

The underground passages built in the 17^th century were used by the soldiers to move silent against the enemy. They are now open to the public.

[highlight]STOP 13: FREEDOM SQUARE[/highlight]

This square is where the military parades happen and various concerts take place. Also serves to commemorate Estonia War independence between 1918 – 1920.

[highlight]STOP 14: CATHERINE’S PASSAGE[/highlight]

This small passage in between streets it’s full of quirky shops offering ceramics and jewelry workshops.

[highlight]STOP 15: TOWN WALL[/highlight]

This is Europe’s best preserved medieval fortifications from the 13^th century. It was destroyed in 1994 and restored in 1952. The fairy tale medieval looking town gets a new magic from up there!

[highlight]STOP 16: VIRU SQUARE[/highlight]

This cute little square houses a small flower market and the two towers that were once part of the 14^th century gate system of the town.

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Have you ever been to Tallinn? Would love to hear your stories!

 

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