Yes, Tallinn is highly recommended in December, as it transforms into a cozy, festive, and often snow-covered, fairytale destination. The highlight is the award-winning, intimate Tallinn Christmas Market in the medieval Old Town Square, complemented by ice skating, hearty Estonian cuisine, and romantic, illuminated streets.
Is Tallinn worth visiting in winter? Yes, Tallinn is a great winter destination. The city turns magical with snow-covered medieval buildings and a renowned Christmas market. Despite shorter daylight hours and chilly weather, Tallinn's winter charm makes it a worthwhile visit. Just pack warmly!
The Tallinn Christmas market has been recognized by Forbes and European Best Destinations as one of the top Christmas Markets in Europe. While this recognition's brought a lot of tourists to Tallinn for the Christmas Market, it hasn't lost its charm.
You can explore the cobbled alleys of the charming, small Old Town in a day, but that doesn't mean you should rush Tallinn. Reserve two days and you'll have time to include Kadriorg, a sprawling park with two of the best art museums in town. Three, four or more days allow you to take things slower and head out further.
In Tallinn, avoid leaving drinks/belongings unattended, accepting drinks from strangers, using unmarked taxis, and walking in poorly lit areas or rough neighborhoods like parts of Kopli late at night, while also being cautious of pickpockets in crowded tourist spots and being aware of strict drug laws.
This is why you NEED to visit Tallinn | Europe's Snowiest City (VLOG)
Is Tallinn cheap or expensive?
Tallinn ranks 93rd city in Europe when it comes to cost of living, but is the most expensive city in Estonia. For a family of four, the estimated monthly expenses are around €3,031, plus rent of about €1,194, bringing the total to approximately €4,225.
Here's how to dress for the Estonian winter, layer by layer: Base layer: warm, breathable, and close to your skin. Merino wool or thermal underwear keeps you dry. Middle layer: something insulating, like a fleece, wool jumper, or lightweight down jacket.
How much does a meal cost in Tallinn? In Tallinn, the cost of a meal varies. A casual dining experience in a mid-range restaurant can range from €10 to €20. For budget meals, like those in cafes or street food, expect to pay around €5 to €10.
Visitors will generally find more to do in Tallinn than Helsinki. While Helsinki is larger than Tallinn, Tallinn has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Tallinn is better known for its nightlife, historical sights, and quaint atmosphere, while Helsinki is more popular for its food.
If you consider beauty of high importance - every Baltic capital is beautiful in their own right. Tallinn has a beautiful medieval old town, Riga looks the most grand with their art nouveau buildings, while Vilnius has one of the biggest old towns in North and Eastern Europe.
Currently, there are no ferries running between Riga and Tallinn in Estonia. This may be because of seasonal restrictions or other operational constraints.
Additionally, Tallinn is a safe and secure city with a low crime rate. On the other hand, the cons of living in Tallinn include its cold climate, limited job opportunities, and language barrier. Additionally, the city can be quite expensive for tourists, making it difficult to explore the city on a budget.
Like all cities in Estonia, Tallinn uses the Euro as its official currency. Each Euro is divided into 100 cents. While you're in Estonia, you'll see the symbol € in shops and restaurants. If you're exchanging currencies, keep an eye out for the currency code EUR.
The Tallinn Christmas Market is one of Estonia's biggest annual events and has often been mentioned on lists of the best Christmas markets to visit. It is held in the historic setting of Tallinn's mediaeval Old Town Square, which makes for a more intimate experience than many of Europe's Christmas markets.
Estonians, on the other hand, eat whatever their hearts and bodies desire in the moment. For breakfast, they might enjoy hearty rye bread topped with cheese, a warm bowl of porridge with fresh berries, or even pastries and yogurt. Lunch could range from a quick sandwich or salad to a comforting bowl of soup.
If you mostly plan to spend your time in Tallinn, then you'll find that almost everyone among the younger generations can speak English, but if you venture out of Tallinn and Harju County, then it might be useful to know some Estonian to help you communicate with the locals.
Tipping. Tipping is not required in Estonia, and a tip will not be included in the bill at most restaurants, but if you're happy with your waiter's service, a 10% tip is polite. When paying by card, do keep in mind that it's not usually possible to add a tip electronically, so a bit of cash comes in handy.
Tallinn in winter is cold and snowy, with only six hours of daylight in December. Average temperatures stay below freezing from December until March, and January and February are the coldest months with average highs of -2°C (28°F) and lows of -7°C (19°F).
Larger hotels, stores and restaurants accept Visa, MasterCard, Eurocard and American Express debit and credit cards. However, it is advisable to carry some cash with you.
Some unexpected expense examples include: The sudden need for roof repair or newly discovered foundation issues. Problems with plumbing in the home, including burst pipes and sewer system backups. Making repairs related to natural disasters, such as flood, fire or earthquake damage.
