Many travelers treat Tallinn as a day trip, seeing a few sights on a quick jaunt from Helsinki or a cruise ship excursion. But the Estonian capital will reward you abundantly for giving it more time! In two or three days, you can explore the fascinating Old Town and the surrounding neighborhoods.

While summer’s the most popular time to visit Tallinn, December brings many delights. Ice skating rinks open across the city. Locals enjoy saunas and cross-country skiing. Did you know that the first Christmas tree in Europe was put up in 1441 at the Tallinn Christmas Market? Head there in the evening to browse local crafts while snacking on gingerbread and sipping hot drinks.

The weather may be snowy and the daylight hours short, but Estonian hospitality (and saunas) will warm your heart. Here’s a quick Tallinn travel guide with advice on what to do, where to stay and eat, and the best travel insurance to protect your trip.

3 reasons to buy travel insurance for Estonia

1. Victim of a crime? Travel insurance can help. It’s generally safe for U.S. citizens to travel to Estonia, although pickpocketing and theft do occur in touristy areas of Tallinn.¹ If you’re the victim of a crime, notify the police and then contact 24-hour assistance. We can help you replace your passport and get money wired from the U.S., so your trip isn’t ruined.
2. Get sick on your trip? Travel insurance can help. Doctors and hospitals in Estonia typically won’t accept U.S health insurance. Instead, private hospitals require cash or credit card payments. Travel insurance with emergency medical benefits can reimburse the cost of medical care and ensure you get high-quality care.
3. Need to cancel your trip for a covered reason? Travel insurance can help. When life gets in the way of travel, your Allianz Travel Insurance plan can reimburse you for covered trip cancellations and trip interruptions.

3 of the best travel insurance plans for Estonia

1. OneTrip Prime is our most popular travel insurance for Europe. This single-trip plan includes all the essential protections for international travel: emergency medical and transportation benefits, trip cancellation/interruption, trip delay, baggage protection, and more. One big bonus: Kids 17 and under are covered for free when they’re traveling with a parent or grandparent (not available on policies issued to Pennsylvania residents).
2. OneTrip Basic offers solid, economically priced protection for international travelers. Get up to $10,000 in emergency medical benefits, up to $10,000 in trip cancellation/interruption benefits, and more.
3. AllTrips Prime is a wise choice for frequent travelers. Select a start date, and this annual travel insurance plan can cover all the trips you take in 365 days. It protects international trips, U.S. trips, cruises, road trips, business trips and more, all for one low price. Note that trip cancellation/interruption is capped at $3,000 per year; to protect more expensive trips, buy AllTrips Premier.

Heading overseas soon? Don't wait to buy travel insurance. The sooner you buy, the sooner you're protected: Get a quote .

3 of the best things to do in Tallinn

1. Explore Tallinn’s Old Town. Centuries ago, Tallinn was two rival towns: The Old Town where prosperous merchants lived and worked, and Toompea, the hilltop village crowned with a castle. Today, both are a lively maze of medieval buildings, walls and watchtowers. You can take a guided tour or just wander on your own.
2. Learn about Estonia’s history. The Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom tells the story of how Estonia survived Soviet and Nazi occupation, then finally won its independence. You can even see the KGB cells where the Soviet secret police held political prisoners.
3. Take a sauna break. Many hotels have spas, but you should also visit one of Tallinn’s historic public saunas. The oldest is the sauna at Tartu Maantee, which dates to 1882. There are separate areas for men and women. Guests don’t wear clothes, although flip-flops are recommended. You can rent a towel or bring your own, as well as purchase a birch whisk to use for a slapping massage. It’s traditional to enjoy a light beer after a sauna session.

3 of the best boutique hotels in Tallinn

One favorite is Nunne Boutique Hotel in the heart of Old Town. Get the best of both worlds: contemporary comfort in historic surroundings. The hotel is actually built around a limestone wall constructed in the mid-13th century by Queen Margrete Sambor. In the Medieval Studio suite, the wall runs right through the living room. There’s also an on-site restaurant and spa.

Hotel Schlössle is another historic gem: a boutique hotel in Tallinn with just 23 rooms and suites. “The central chimney, portals of cut stone, small spiral staircases, and living chambers with irregular corners and wall niches, all this belongs to classic limestone architecture from medieval times and can be experienced as they once were,” a local historian writes.² In the summer, enjoy live music and meals on the terrace.

For exceptional luxury, check into The Burman Hotel. Guests rave about everything: the locally sourced breakfast, the high-end mattresses and pillow menu, the outstanding service, and the spa, which incudes a Japanese bath, hot tub, and steam room.   

3 of the best restaurants in Tallinn

Lee Brasserie, in Tallinn’s Old Town, is named for an old Estonian word meaning “to gather around a fireplace, exchange stories and share good food.”³ While Lee’s interior is much more glam than a rustic hearth, the spirit is the same. Embark on a culinary journey through Estonian food: sourdough bread, salted trout, fried quail, wild mushroom risotto.

Party like it’s 1492 at Olde Hansa, a medieval-themed restaurant in Old Town. Expect costumed servers, singing troubadours, and a cozy, candlelit dining room. Sample a lavish menu of traditional food: salmon, herring, venison, herb-and-juniper cheese, sausage, rutabaga, and much more. Is it touristy? Definitely. But it’s also delightful.

If you’d prefer simple, elegant fare, book a table at Rado. One of the best fine-dining restaurants in Tallinn, Rado offers exquisitely presented dishes and great Estonian wine.  “The chatty team will guide you through the menu of seasonal modern dishes; don’t miss the venison carpaccio,” Michelin advises.⁴

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