Tallinn Guide
Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It is located in the northern part of the country on the coast of the Gulf of Finland. It covers an area of 159 km2 with a population of around 429 thousand. To the north, about 80 km across the Gulf of Finland, is the Finnish capital Helsinki. Russia's St. Petersburg to the east and Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, to the west. Tallinn is the oldest capital city in the northern part of Europe.
Accommodation in Tallinn
If you are looking for accommodation in Tallinn, be sure to stay in the Old Town near Toompea Castle. From here you will have all historical monuments close by. Fans of romantic accommodation, which can be enjoyed at the Schlossle Hotel, Cru Hotel, Hotel Telegraaf or Merchants House, will find their place here. If you are looking for cheap accommodation, we are happy to recommend one of the apartments or boarding houses. During the summer months, Tallinn is full of tourists, so if you are planning a trip here, don't forget to book your accommodation in time. The most popular accommodations in Tallinn include, for example, Hotel Rocca al Mare, Hotel Telegraaf, Swissotel Tallinn, or Tallink City Hotel.
History of Tallinn
Tallinn is a historical city. Its origins date back to the Middle Ages. Already in 1050, the first fortress was built here on Toompea Hill. As an important trade port between Russia and Scandinavia, Tallinn became the target of raids by Teutonic Knights and the Kingdom of Denmark during the 13th century. In 1219, Tallinn fell under the rule of the Danish Kingdom. From the end of the 13th century, the city was known under the name Reval until 1917. In the following centuries, Tallinn became a figurehead in the geopolitical games of its great neighbors. It passed into Swedish hands in 1561 and subsequently fell under Russian rule until the end of the First World War. In 1918, Estonian independence was declared and Tallinn became the capital. 26 years later, Tallinn was again occupied by Soviet troops until August 1991. When the independence of the whole of Estonia was declared again. Today, Tallinn is a modern metropolis with tall buildings and a beautifully preserved historic center.
Transportation to Tallinn
Most visitors go to Tallinn by ferry from Helsinki, Finland. The trip takes around 1.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on the ferry. The price is around 16-30 Euro for one way. The amount of the price depends on the type of shipping company and the period. Tallinn Airport (Lennart Meri) is located about 5 km from the city center on the eastern shore of Lake Ülemiste. The connection between the airport and the center is provided by bus No. 90 K. In the city, you can use public transport, which is mainly provided by buses.
Weather in Tallinn
Tallinn has a humid continental climate with mild summers and cold winters. During the winter months the temperature is around zero. In summer, temperatures rise to 19-21 degrees Celsius. Which is a nice temperature to explore the city's sights.
Landmarks in Tallinn
The historic center of Tallinn is a real gem, which is why it has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1997. The main historical monuments of the city are concentrated in the Old Town and the castle hill of Toompea. It used to be separated from the Old Town in the past. Today it is already part of it. The most interesting historical monuments here include the old fortifications and Väike Iinnus (Little Castle), which today houses the Estonian Parliament. A castle in the truest sense of the word is Suur Linnus, i.e. the Great Castle. It includes a number of church buildings (St. Mary's Cathedral from the 13th century). The Old Town consists of well-preserved historical and architectural monuments from the 13th to the 17th centuries. This part of the city belongs to the best-preserved old towns in Europe. The main sights are the Town Hall Square (Raekoja), the city walls and towers (Kiek in de Kök and Paks Margareeta). The open-air museum in the western part of Rocca al Mare is definitely worth a visit. Here you can see around 72 buildings of Estonian folk architecture. Every Saturday and Sunday, a traditional dance performance (free) takes place here at 11 a.m.
Culture in Tallinn
Tallinn is not only a city of historical monuments, but also a center of cultural events. In 2002, the city hosted the Eurovision Song Contest.
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