Tallinn City Travel Guide Business & Tourist
Tallinn sightseeing Tallinn attractions Tallinn history Tallinn restaurants Tallinn nightlife Tallinn accommodation Tallinn hotels Tallinn apartments and Tallinn weather
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Tallinn History Overview
The earliest documentation for Tallin dates back to a map in 1154. As a port it has for centuries been a vital trading between Scandinavia and Russia. Denmark first invaded it at the beginning of the 13th century.In 1285 they later sold it to a German military and trade group. In 1561 it became part of Sweden. In 1710 Swedish lands including Tallinn fell into Russian hands though the city was allowed to be fairly autonomous in political terms.
In the late 19th century, Tallinn's port became very important as the country's economy grew and Russia influence and domination of the city increased. After the end of WW1 Russia in 1920 signed the Tartu treaty which gave Estonia Independence and Tallinn became the country's capital. In 1941 Germany invaded Estonia. Three years later German occupation of Tallinn was replaced by Russian occupation. When the Soviet hold on Eastern Europe collapsed Tallinn and Estonia reclaimed their freedom on August 20th 1991.
Over the last 800 years Tallinn has seen many battles and been pillaged on many occasions and during WW2 the Soviet Air Force heavily bombed the German troops occupying the city. Inspite of these intrusions the Old Town, which dates back to the Middle Ages, has a wealth of charm which UNESCO recognised in 1997 when designating it as a World Cultural Heritage site.
Tallinn City Guide - Business & Tourist Travel Information
Sightseeing and Attractions in Tallinn
The Kadriorg Palace built in 1718 by Tsar Peter 1st for his partner Catherine can be found at Weizenbergi 37 (Tel: 372 606 6400). This baroque building is commonly known as The Kadriorg Art Museum as it now permanently hosts Estonia's collection of foreign art from the Estonia Art Museum. It has an amazing collection of exhibits including over 900 paintings and 3,500 prints made between the 16th & 20th century. This work comes from Europe and Russia. There are also 3.000 sculptures and 1500 pieces of antique furniture, glass and porcelain. The museum also hosts lectures, concerts and theatrical productions. The grounds which include a 18th century style flower garden are open to visitors in the summer.
The Tallinn City Museum at Vene 17 (Tel: 372 644 6553) is an exhibition about life in Tallinn between the 13th and 20th centuries. Its promotes Tallinn as 'the city that will never be completed' . The museum is open daily except Tuesdays and is closed from the beginning of November until the end of February. The Childrens Gallery at Kuninga 6 (Tel: 372 644 6873) (www.kullo.ee) is noted for its examples of Estonian and foreign art. Probably unique is The Myy Art Gallery at Muurivahe 39 (Tel: 372 5542 0088) which is famous for it exhibitions of ceramics, pottery and textiles. The difference here is that you order the same based on your own design knowing that it will be made by skilled craftsmen. As a consequence of this service the gallery is well known for producing personalized business gifts. In the old Town, the Alexandar Nevski Catherdral is worth visiting as is the Dome Church - but the latter is not always open.
St. Olav`s Church
St. Olav’s Church Tallinn, (named after the Norwegian King Olav 11 who after his death was cannonised as a saint) has a history which few churches can mirror. There has been a church here from the 13th century but the present one dates back to around 1500. At that time its spire was 159 metres high and it was the tallest building in the world.
600 years later it remains Tallinn's tallest building inspite having been struck by lightening eight times and being burned down on three occasions. On one occasion the fire was visible from the Finnish coast. Today it is nearly 124 high and open to visitors between April and October seven days a week with a small admission charge.
Close By
About 6km from Tallinn's city centre are the ruins of St Bridgets Convent at Kloostri Tee 9. Originally built in 1407 it was destroyed about 150 years later. The surrounding grounds are very relaxing and occasionally host open air concerts. For further information Tel: 372 605 5044. At Piricta Beach during the summer you hire surfing equipment - Tel: 372 503 2522. It is also possible to hire canoeing and rowing boats for trips down The Piricta River. -Tel: 372 632 1779 (www.barrelbg.ee). Further information on sightseeing is given in the official Estonian and Tallinn tourist board information site at the top of this page.
Tallinn - Rich In Restaurants !
Tallinn has for a small city what seems to be an abundance of restaurants which offer food from all over europe including Greece, Turkey and Italy. For traditional Estonian food the following have their own distinct ambience: The Eesti Maja at Lauteri 1 (Tel: 645 5252). It serves well prepared and well cooked Estonian Cuisine - their fish dishes and bean soup are particularly pleasing. A very impressive restaurant in the old town is Kudse Notsu Korts at Dunkri 8 (Tel: 628 6567) . The food is good and it is served in a restaurant which includes a real fire in the centre of the room which walls with wagon wheels and other country items displayed on it. The service is good and this is one to consider - especially on a cold night.
One strange but endearing restaurant in the Old Town is The Talu Korts at Viru 18 (Tel 641 8387). It has old and what seems to be scorched furniture which is though old is very comfortable. Good food here with a menu which ranges from herring,mutton and a very good roast deer in wine, with accordion music playing in the background. One surprising fact about Tallinn, given the Russian influence and culture there is the shortage of good Russian restaurants. One that is well worth visiting is Troika at Raekoja plats 15 (Tel: 627 6245). This establishment is in a very old building, possibly medieval, with a classic oak staircase which leads you into a dining area that includes a carved wooden ceiling. The food is exceptional and the atmosphere is enriched by Russian folks songs played and sung by a lone guitarist.
In the old town The Villa Thai at Vilmsi 6 (Tel: 641 9347) offers a good choice of Indian and Thai dishes all of which are outstanding. Their lunchtime specials are especially good value. Another good place for weekday lunch is the Hungarian Egeri Kelder at Roosikrantsi 6. Good Hungarian food here but it does not seem to be open on Saturdays and Sundays.
Nearby at Roosiktanski 2a is The Baieri Kelder (Tel: 640 7440). This very German restaurant is famous for the very very generous portions it serves. Their dumplings and sausages are very enjoyable and they have quite a few good German beers available as well. The atmosphere is this restaurant is very relaxed even if has a 'formal' air about it. It closes early though at 11pm.
Crime and Personal Safety & Security In Tallinn
In recent years there has been an increase of crime targeted at tourists. For the most part this has involved pick pockets and occasionally muggings. The Old Town in Tallinn is the most likely place for this to happen especially in bars, clubs,and nightclubs. You are most vulnerable when drunk and in poorly lit and unlit streets. Parks after dark are particularly dangerous
It is also safer to phone for a taxi rather than hail one in the street.
Theft of property should be reported in person to Tallinn Central Police Station, Parnu maantee 11, tel 6124200.
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| Tallinn Estonia Weather Details: |
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Tallinn Estonia Weather Forecast |
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monthly average and extreme temperatures Tallinn Estonia: |
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sun hours per day |
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Average Daily |
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Minimum |
Maximum |
Lowest |
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January |
1 |
-10 |
-4 |
-30 |
5 |
February |
2 |
-11 |
-4 |
-30 |
3 |
March |
4 |
-7 |
0 |
-25 |
12 |
April |
6 |
0 |
7 |
-13 |
21 |
May |
7 |
5 |
14 |
-3 |
27 |
June |
11 |
10 |
19 |
0 |
31 |
July |
10 |
12 |
20 |
5 |
29 |
August |
8 |
11 |
19 |
2 |
31 |
September |
5 |
9 |
15 |
-3 |
28 |
October |
2 |
4 |
10 |
-7 |
19 |
November |
1 |
-1 |
3 |
-21 |
11 |
December |
0 |
-7 |
-1 |
-25 |
7 |
extreme cold |
hot |
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Sale Of Alcohol
Currently the sale of Alcohol from cafes and shops in Tallinn and its suburbs has banned from 8pm to 8am. Alcohol can still be purchased from bars restaurants and in clubs at these times.
This ban has been introduced as an experiment due to the bad behaviour of younger tourists, many of them British who have frequently purchased alcohol at these outlets to drink in the street before going to clubs at night.
Illegal Taxis
Tallinn has a problem with pirate taxis who are insured often not roadworthy and are always expensive. Legitimate taxis firms are Klubi Takso Tele 6380638, Krooni Takso Tele 6381111, Linnatakso Tele 6442442 and Tulika Takso Tele 120000. and ) rather than hail one from the street.
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