Estonia Travel Guide

The Baltic state of Estonia is one of the region’s most remarkable destinations. A true blend of Nordic and eastern European cultures, Estonia straddles the coast of the Gulf of Finland to the north and ebbs southwards to the Russian-Latvian borderlands. 

For many, visiting Estonia usually consists of walking the charming streets of its port capital city Tallinn. Yet, the nation’s interior is amassed with breathtaking beauty, consisting of thick forests, endless lakes and a culture essentially unchanged in centuries.

Starting in the picture-postcard medieval city of Tallin, your time visiting Estonia will take you from the stunning landscapes of Soomaa and Lahemaa National Parks to the island of Hiiumaa and everything in between. A country that constantly gives and surprises travellers, the beautiful balance between modernity and tradition makes visiting Estonia a truly unforgettable experience.

Whether you wish to explore the cobblestones of its action cities or the sweeping natural landscapes of its rural hinterland, Estonia is a patchwork of travel opportunities and exciting revelations. 

This guide will lift the lid on this often overlooked country, showing you a world of opportunity and adventure. Once you have soaked up the allure of Estonia from this guide, simply sit back and let our Local Designers do the rest. Let’s take a look at what visiting Estonia has to offer;

Being one of the northernmost Baltic countries, the best time to visit Estonia is during late spring and summer, the country’s warmer months. Towards the end of May, the days grow longer, the rains stop and temperatures begin to rise.

Visiting Estonia during its summer months of June, July and August allow you to escape the cities and explore the vast interior with ease. The national parks, endless lakes and rolling countryside are best seen during the pleasant summer months when the country is green and lush.

Being so far north, visiting Estonia during the high summer will allow you to experience the White Nights of Estonia. During this time, vague sunlight remains right into the night, with daylight hours reaching f 19 hours.    

For those who love to see the beauty of winter in northern Europe, visiting Estonia during the winter months can also be a rewarding choice. Temperatures can drop to below freezing, especially during the month of January, yet it offers the chance to see the country blanketed in an undeniably beautiful winter white.

Tallinn

The capital of Estonia, Tallinn, is a pure snapshot of the nation overall; winding cobbled streets, fairytale buildings, and still, modernism elevate this Baltic nation above all others. Although not the largest of European capitals, there is so much packed into Tallinn’s small city area that every turn brings something new.

A walking tour of Tallinn will take you through one of the best-preserved medieval Old Towns in all of Northern Europe - so much so that the whole Old Town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within the city’s Old Town is a network of picturesque cobblestone streets flanked by merchant houses, medial fortifications and the world’s oldest still-functioning apothecary. 

The Upper Town of Tallinn is also not to be missed; a plethora of modern buildings, such as the Estonian parliament building, blend seamlessly with the chocolate-box buildings. An impressive starting point for any tour of Estonia, the city of Tallinn is one European city that should never be overlooked.

Lahemaa National Park

Estonia is a country home to around six national parks, a testament to the nation’s natural beauty. The largest and arguably the most stunning is Lahemaa National Park, a short journey from its capital Tallinn.

Lahemaa National Park covers a vast swathe of land, spanning nearly 300 square miles. A mass of winding rivers, lush meadows and forested cliffs make it the perfect escape for those who adore the countryside.

Alongside the park's natural beauty, it is also home to an array of wildlife, making it one of Europe’s most important conservation areas. Animals such as moose, wild boars, brown bears, lynxes and foxes are all commonplace - making it a mecca for the wildlife enthusiast among us.

For a streamlined journey from the capital to the national park, join a 7-day tour of Estonia, leaving you free to bask in these unmissable sights. 

Kadriorg Palace

It may come as a pleasant surprise to the uninitiated that Estonia has endless palaces and historic buildings. Like a picturebook of a fairytale land, every twist and turn will bring you to yet another castle, palace or tower. 

One of the most celebrated of these architectural beauties is Kadriorg Palace, an early 18th-century royal palace constructed by Italian architect Nicola Michetti on behalf of Tsar Peter the Great of Russia.     

One of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in the entire Baltic region, Kadriorg Palace was once home to Estonian rulers and today plays host to Kadriorg Art Museum. The museum houses some of the most prized possessions of Estonian and western Russian art.

Narva 

Visiting the city of Narva is the perfect way to illustrate the diverse nature of Estonia. Situated in the far east of the country, the city of Narva straddles the Estonian-Russian border and provides a whole new perspective to east meets west.

What makes the city of Narva really stand out is its obvious soviet influences. Once the old Barque cityscape, which is seen everywhere else, was destroyed during the Second World War, soviet architecture replaced the ruins. 

Although maybe not as aesthetically pleasing as elsewhere in Estonia, the sheer difference in the city's landscape makes it an overwhelmingly interesting place to visit. Taking a tour of the whole country and region will allow you to see the different influences that created Estonia.

Mustvee

Another often-overlooked place within Estonia is the town of Mustvee. Straddling the shores of Lake Peipus, one of the top five largest in all of Europe, Mustvee has long been a destination that has drawn people in.

The beauty of the town and its lakeside shores can not be understated. With rolling sand dunes and pine forests, it is easy to lose yourself in the picturesqueness of Mustvee. 

As well as the surrounding idyllic nature of the town and lake, Mustvee is also home to one of the most unusual museums, the Old Believers Museum. This museum explains the textured history of Old Believers who fled nearby Russia and settled in the Lakeside town of Mustvee. 

Parnu

Visiting Estonia isn’t all humble villages and open spaces, and the city of Parnu is a testament to that. Nestled along the shores of the Baltic Sea, the resort city of Parnu has been a haven for those looking for Estonian beaches and resorts.

Popular with both visitors and locals alike, Parnu is the perfect place to rest from the summer heat and take a dip in the refreshing Baltic Sea. Parnu is a great place to soak up Estonia’s nightlife and restaurant scene alongside its beaches and resorts.

The bustling resorts town has given birth to some of the region’s most groundbreaking restaurants, serving up a variety of cuisines, both international and Estonian. See for yourself the wide variety of incredible Estonian cuisine during a tour across this north Baltic country. 

Bus

Taking the bus across Estonia is an excellent option for budget travellers. With short distances and regular services, travelling through the country and even beyond into neighbouring Baltic states via its bus routes couldn’t be easier.

Train

Train services run throughout Estonia, making it easy to cross the country in no time at all. This being said, rail journeys are often limited to the country’s major cities. Cost-effective, easy to catch and efficient, train journeys across Estonia also allow you to see the countryside as it passes you by. Train tickets are even more affordable if booked in advance through our Local Designers in Estonia.

Private Driver and Car Rentals

Car rental in Estonia is one of the cheapest in Europe, and with reliable roads and good countrywide connections, it can be one of the more pleasant ways of getting around. Being a relatively small country, driving around Estonia can be done with considerable ease.  

If you want the freedom of travelling across Estonia without the stress of driving yourself, hiring a car and driver through a Local Designer in the country is a fantastic option. This will also provide the same freedom, with far less stress!

Tallinn

The Estonian capital of Tallinn is also the country’s biggest region, drawing in the majority of the country’s visitors every year. With a mix of modernity and tradition, there are a number of different places to stay within the city, all depending on the experience you wish to have.

Tallinn’s Old Town is the ideal place to stay if you want to be truly immersed in the traditional romantic feel of the city. Staying further out in the Südalinn or Tõnismägi neighbourhoods still gives you the traditional Tallin but also means you can indulge in the more suburban and modern sensibilities of the Estonian capital.

Lahemaa National Park

All be it only a few miles northeast of Estonia’s capital, Lahemaa National Park is a premier region all within itself. The outback-esque and natural environment of this elite Estonian national park draw in thousands every year for its impeccable natural landscapes.

Amongst this world-class accommodation is a huge accommodation culture of woodland retreats and Baltic loghouses. The wetlands, woodlands and hiking areas all play host to similar abodes; these include cabins, caravan parks and manor houses. All of which have been converted to holiday homes.

South Estonia 

Although one of the most remote regions in Estonia, South Estonia is a playground for those looking to explore the hidden corners of the Baltic. Bordering Lativa and Russia, these less travelled regions of Estonia offer far more of an immersive experience and allow you to experience hidden Estonia through Local Designers on the ground.         

Through sporadically placed hotels, b&bs and local homestays, south Estonia becomes a far more accessible and open region of the country. It also becomes somewhere that can be just as illuminating as its far more popular northern capital.

Vürtsikilu Suupiste

A combination of eastern European and Scandinavian food, it is no surprise that the Vürtsikilu Suupiste dish is a staple within Estonia. Combining the beloved oily fish known as the sprat with a mixture of spices with a slice of toasted bread and vegetables, this is the perfect dish for seafood lovers.

Hernesupp Suitsukoodiga

Drawing in on the far more hearty traditions of cold-weather foods, Hernesupp Suitsukoodiga is a traditional Estonian soup made from onions, garlic, and smoked pork bones. Quite an acquired taste, the dish is something beloved by the older generations of Estonians. In the depths of an Estonian freeze, a warm bowl of Hernesupp Suitsukoodiga not only soothes the soul but transports you to the frontier days of a country in step with the elements.

Estonian Potato Salad

Another culinary influence from its giant Slavic neighbour Russia is the Estonia Potato Salad. Like the Russian dish, the Estonian Potato Salad combines the ever trusty potato crop with eggs, cucumber, sour cream, and smoked sausage. A version of this can be found all across Eastern Europe and the Baltic, and no visit to Estonia would be complete without sampling the local version.

Verikäkk

A true Estonian local delicacy, the Verikäkk is a blood dumpling that requires a real adventurous nature to sample. Crafted from spices, milk, and the blood of pig, Verikäkk is a rich sausage that is a true divider when it comes to trying the local cuisine.

Day of Tallinn

The Day of Tallinn festival is a celebration of Estonia’s capital, Tallinn. Seen as the nation’s independence day, the Day of Tallinn festival takes place at the end of February every year. The festival includes firework displays, parades and a general party atmosphere throughout the city.

After the parades, speeches are often given by prominent local leaders and significant faces of Estonian culture. If you happen to be in the Estonian capital during the Day of Tallinn, you are in for a real treat.

Old Town Days

Another festival that celebrates the traditions and culture of Estonia is the Old Town Days. This festival elevates the culture seen throughout the capital’s Old Town and transforms the region of Tallinn into its former glory.

This includes things such as live folk music performances, medieval celebrations and a generally championing of the Estonian capital’s former glory.

Tallinn FoodFest

Towards the end of the year, Tallinn FoodFest showcases some of the best restaurants, eateries and Estonian cuisine from across the nation. Food stalls, pop-up stalls and food markets display some of Estonia’s most famous chefs and local produce - this is a real showcase for any true foodie!

Visa: Estonia is part of the Schengen region, making travelling within this region very easy. If you require a Schengen visa, they are valid for 90 days.

Currency: As part of Europe, the currency in Estonia is the Euro. At the time of writing, March 2022, 1 Euro is equal to 1.10 USD. 

Language: People in Estonia speak Estonian. English is spoken among younger people. However, many speak both Estonian and Russian, particularly among the older generation.

Cultural Notes: Generally speaking, the Estonian temperament can often seem cold and standoffish due to the more formal Estonian culture. Don’t be offended if it takes a while to get past the hard exterior of the locals. 

Budget: As a relatively new popular country to travel to, Estonia is one of the cheapest European countries to travel in throughout Europe. 

Are you searching for a European country that offers a real mix of east and west, modernity and traditional culture, and so much more? Estonia may be the place for you.

To see what this north Baltic nation has to offer, peruse our fully customisable trips to Estonia to see what awaits. If you wish to explore Estonia and its neighbouring Baltic states, our Local Designers are on hand to create the perfect trip.

If a trip doesn’t meet your needs, simply design your own trip to Estonia by answering a few simple questions. Once we have all the information we need, our Local Designers in Estonia will design your perfect trip across this Baltic wonderland.