Eesti
With so much in the Old Town, it took me a long time to realize just how much I was missing. The city might seem small, but there’s a ton to see. Here’s my city guide to the must-see places of Tallinn:
KALAMAJA
This historical neighbourhood made up of picturesque wooden townhouses is just a short walk from the old town. My favourite place in Tallinn and the hub of this district is Telliskivi, and it’s just as the name describes it, The Creative City. Full of graffiti and unique restaurants, cafés, local design stores, studios and bars. The perfect place to explore, take your friends and get some inspiration. Something is always happening down here, with a weekly flee market every Sunday and different events throughout the year. My personal faves are Renard Coffee Shop, F-Hoone, Lendav Taldrik, Klaus and Kukeke.
KADRIORG
Another short ride away from the Old Town is Kadriorg Park, a beautiful promenade leading up to the president’s palace. Here you can find art and history museums (highly recommend the KUMU Estonian art museum!), sculptures and gardens. For some great coffee just head across the street to Gourmet Coffee – recommended to me by some locals and I can confirm it was amazing.
Only a few minutes away is the Tallinn Song Festival grounds, best known for its Song Festival every 5 years. It’s a cultural landmark in Estonia, and definitely a must-see. Be on the lookout, they host many events like concerts and pop up shops, and you can even go snow tubbing and sledding there in the winter!
PIRITA
Take a walk or bike ride across the coastline, passing Pirita Beach and the Harbour. The beach is pretty quiet in the winter, with only a few brave souls out for a winter swim (EBS students did it last weekend!), but I’ve heard its a top destination once the sun goes out with a beach bar and small market.
Also in Pirita you can also find the TV tower, the tallest building in Estonia. I haven’t gone there yet, but I’ve heard that its a great place to see a panoramic view of the city, walk along the edge or eat in the restaurant while enjoying the view.
Or check out the Tallinn Botanic Garden – a beautifully designed nature exhibit and totally insta worthy.
Tallinn is split into 8 districts, and here I’ve only mentioned a few. Even though I’ve been here for 3 months, I still have a lot of ground to cover. With the help of the lovely Estonians I’ve met so far, hopefully I’ll be able to branch off the beaten path and discover the hidden gems of this city. Don’t worry, I’ll fill you in on any secrets in my upcoming articles – stay tuned.
Cheers,
Jackie
Photos: Jackie Muru, Fabian Meixner & Vasilis Krystallakis
Editor: Kärt Mättikas
