Tallinn Estonia

Tallinn, Estonia

The beautiful capital city of Tallinn is one of the Baltic's great surprises, a fairyland jewel of medieval architecture perched dramatically above the sea. In 1991, Estonia won its independence from the Soviet Union without bloodshed, and since then, Tallinn has succeeded in restoring its beauty and charm. A member of the famed Hanseatic League that dominated trade in the Baltic during the Middle Ages, Tallinn has preserved its medieval Old City with its high church spires and red-tiled roofs.

The One Thing You Don't Want to Miss

Discover the influence of the old Hanseatic League in the well-preserved medieval quarter of Tallinn, with its narrow cobblestone alleyways. You'll find old walls, winding cobbled lanes and buildings that date back to the Middle Ages.

Other Fun Things to Do

	Tour the Upper Town of Tallinn and explore the open-air museum of Rocca-al-Mare.
	Visit Toompea Castle, in the upper part of the Old Town. Dating from the first half of the 13th century, the castle has undergone much reconstruction and is now fronted by the pink Parliament House built in 1773.
	Hop on a bicycle and head to the picturesque area of Kakumäe, where you can find local performers in national costumes presenting a folkloric show.
	See Kadriorg, an English garden founded by Peter the Great. There, you'll find Kadriorg Palace, built in 1718 as one of his summer palaces.

Get a Taste of Local Flavor

Estonia is known for its local specialties of jellied veal (sult) and roast stuffed breast of veal, served with herring and beats in a vinaigrette dressing (taidetud vasikarind).

Local Currency

The unit of currency in Estonia is the kroon (EEK). It is a controlled currency, so it is illegal to bring it in to or remove it from the country. In the past, the U.S. dollar was widely accepted, but recent laws restrict the use of foreign currencies. For this reason, we recommend returning your unused kroon to the same exchange office where you purchased them.