Visit Estonia: A Wonderful Small Country in Northern Europe!

Visit Estonia: A Wonderful Small Country in Northern Europe!

Estonia Basics

• Currency: Euro. Credit cards are widely used everywhere. There are also exchange bureaus available but you almost never need cash.
• Language: Official language is Estonian. Although the younger population speaks and understands English very well, it may not always be the case with the older ones. There is also a notable Russian community here so Russian is spoken as well.
• Restrictions: No covid restrictions as of April 2022 within the country.
• Location: Northeastern Europe. Part of the Baltics & Nordics. Has strong cultural ties with Finland which is located up north across the Baltic Sea. Estonia is a member of the EU, the Schengen area and the Eurozone.
• Climate: Cold in general. Freezing winters and chilly summers. It is highly recommended to dress in layers when traveling to Estonia.

With its capital Tallinn having a reputation as the best preserved medieval city in Northern Europe, Estonia is a truly wonderful country that should be at the top of every Nordic traveler’s itinerary. It is located in the Baltics bordering the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland.

Estonia is packed with castles, historic churches, modern cafes and locally adored saunas. With a population of more than 1,3 million and its stunning nature, this small country never stops amazing its visitors!

 

Getting to Estonia

There are various ways to get to Estonia, plane being the easiest and most available option of all. One can also drive to Estonia from Poland and the other Baltic countries with a valid driver’s license.

A number of international busses and coaches also pass through Estonia from Central Europe, the Baltics and Russia; although the Russia option may not be available anymore under current circumstances.

There is also a train line connecting Latvia and Estonia in addition to the frequent ferries from Stockholm and Helsinki.

Make sure to check the official website to find out more about the ways to go to Estonia and also the activities to do while you’re there!

 

10 Interesting Facts About Estonia

• Birthplace of the one and only Skype
• Public transportation is free in the capital Tallinn! (For its residents)
• Black bread is very popular among the locals
• Almost 50% of Estonian land is covered with forests
• Have been voting online since 2005!
• Has an unbelievable amount of islands, 2,222 to be exact!

• Has the highest number of supermodels per capita (And the population is mostly female)
• The least religious country in the world
• Estonian is unrelated to most of the European languages (Its only close relative is Finnish)
• Wife-carrying is a very serious sport here!

 

Major Cities

Tallinn: Having a population of slightly more than 400,000; Tallinn is a stunning city with its fairytale-like Oldtown. Being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tallinn’s famous oldtown will make sure that you spend a quality time here walking down the colorful streets, gazing at the historic towers and experiencing the great Town Hall. Exploring the medieval roots of the city and enjoying the views from Toompea Hill’s platforms are just a couple of many fun activities to do in Tallinn!

Tallinn also has a rich café culture dating back to 1860's, inviting its visitors for a quick stop just to sit back and enjoy a cup of coffee while watching the scenery. There is always an activity going on in the city so make sure the check out the official city calendar here.

Tartu: The second largest city of Estonia that is easily accessible from the capital in just two hours by train. Tartu is the oldest city out of all the Baltic countries dating back to 1000’s.

With its high quality university and rich culture, Tartu has an important place in the Estonian national identity. There are many festivals and concerts organized in the city and it gets especially beautiful during Christmas!

Pärnu: Otherwise called as the summer capital of the north, Pärnu is a great vacation place during the summer. Most Finns & Estonians that do not get a chance to travel to the southern countries in summer go to Pärnu instead to swim, get a tan and have a good time. Its sand beaches are one of the best and there is a lively street where you can take a stroll and watch the street musicians!

Saaremaa: Saaremaa Island is easily accessible from Tallinn in around four hours by bus. At one point the bus gets on the ferry to make it across to the island so there is a chance to get out of the bus and have something to eat during the ferry ride. The island is home to the beautiful Saaremaa Castle, fine restaurants and a mysterious meteor crater so make sure to check them out!

Nearby Countries

In addition to its own attractions, Estonia is also geographically very close to a number of countries that can be added to your itinerary as a secondary country to visit.

Finland comes at the top of the list with the frequent ferries on a daily basis between Tallinn and Helsinki. The ferry is so much fun on its own and I recommend anyone who is travelling to either city to take this opportunity to hop on the ferry and go discover an additional country!

Speaking of the ferry, there is also a longer ride that takes its passengers to the Swedish capital Stockholm. This popular ferry line takes around 17 hours overnight. 

It may come as too long at first but I wouldn't worry about the long hours since the ferry offers lots to do including a disco, cigar club, wellness spas, restaurants, shopping and more! Here is a link to take a virtual tour inside the ferry.

Neighboring Estonia to the south, Latvia and Lithuania are the other two Baltic countries that are very close and worth a visit. A bus ride from Tallinn will take you to Riga in approximately 4 hours and then to Vilnius which the capital of Lithuania in 4 more. Both cities are fantastic places to visit with Riga being slightly larger than Vilnius. 

While at it, I must say that traveling by bus is very comfortable no matter the season and what makes it even more enjoyable is that there is also free coffee on board! Lux Express the most common provider in these lines. Keep in mind that you still need your passport though for the bus ride when you are switching countries.  

There are also ferry, train and bus rides from Estonia to St.Petersburg which is a major city in Estonia’s eastern neighbor Russia. A visa may apply to the EU citizens for this one.

All in all, Estonia is a great gem in the north that is waiting to be discovered by you, and if you have any more questions feel free to contact me via here or on my IG!