Estonia travel guide: Tallinn, forests, islands and how to get around
Estonia is a small, flat country of medieval towns, bogs, forests and islands, with a capital that is among the best-preserved in Northern Europe. It suits a city break with a day or two outside. The one thing to know is that you cross it by bus and train, and outside the capital distances are short but services thin out in the evening.
The short answer
- First trip
- Base yourself in Tallinn for three days, then add Lahemaa National Park or Tartu if you have time.
- How long
- Three or four days covers Tallinn and one day trip. A week lets you add Tartu and the coast at Pärnu.
- Best time to go
- June to August for long light evenings and the coast. December for Christmas markets, and a cold, bright winter if you like snow.
- Getting around
- Long-distance buses and Elron trains link the main towns. Tallinn's old town is on foot, and the rest of the city has trams and buses.
- Money
- The euro. Cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere, including small cafes and markets.
- Book ahead
- Ferry crossings to and from Helsinki at peak times, summer rooms on the islands and weekend dinner tables in Tallinn.
Best cities to visit in Estonia
Tallinn
A walled medieval old town above the Baltic, with a modern harbor, design shops and a lively food scene around it. It suits couples, history lovers and anyone who wants a compact city with a short ferry ride from Helsinki.
Give it 2 to 3 days
Beyond the cities
Tartu
Estonia's university town, with a cathedral hill, wooden houses and a young, café-led feel. Buses and trains from Tallinn take about two hours and run through the day.
Lahemaa National Park
Bogs, boardwalks, pine forest, fishing villages and manor houses on the coast east of Tallinn. It is easiest by car or a day tour, about an hour out of the capital.
Pärnu
A seaside spa town with a long, shallow beach and a relaxed summer mood. Buses from Tallinn take about two hours, and it is quiet outside the summer months.
Saaremaa
The largest island, known for windmills, a medieval castle at Kuressaare and quiet coast. Reach it by bus and ferry from the mainland, allow most of a day each way from Tallinn, and plan a night or two.
Estonia itineraries
- Four days: Tallinn and Lahemaa
Spend three nights in Tallinn on the old town, the harbor and a museum or two. On the fourth day take a day tour or hire a car to Lahemaa for a boardwalk walk and a coastal village, and return in the evening.
- Seven days: Tallinn, Tartu and Pärnu
Three nights in Tallinn, two in Tartu, then bus to Pärnu for two nights by the sea. Buses link all three, and the last leg back to Tallinn takes about two hours.
- Ten days: Estonia and Latvia
Four nights in Tallinn, a night or two in Tartu or Lahemaa, then a bus south over the Latvian border for the rest. Buses to Riga take about four to five hours, so give the trip a clear day.
Best time to visit Estonia
June to August is the main season. Days are very long, the weather is mildest and the coast and islands are open. The weeks around midsummer, in late June, have bonfires and festivals, and some cafes and rooms book early.
December is cold and dark, but Tallinn's old town is at its most atmospheric, with Christmas markets and snow. Winter between January and March is quiet and cheap, and many coastal places close. Spring and autumn are cooler, with fewer visitors and good color in the forests.
How to get around Estonia
- BusesLong-distance buses are the backbone. Lux Express and other operators run frequent services from Tallinn to Tartu, Pärnu and the coast, and to the islands in summer. Buy tickets online or on the bus.
- TrainsElron runs the national trains, with services from Tallinn to Tartu, Pärnu, Narva and a few other towns. Check the timetable on the day, as timetables change and some lines run less often than the bus.
- City transportTallinn has trams, trolleybuses and buses, and the old town is on foot. Residents ride free, and visitors use a travel card or contactless payment, so check the current options on the city's transport site.
- Ferries to FinlandFerries and fast boats cross to Helsinki in about two to three and a half hours, depending on the boat. Many people add a day in Finland, but book peak weekends ahead.
- CarsA car helps at Lahemaa, the islands and small villages, and roads are good. In Tallinn you will not need one.
What to book before you go
These are the ones that sell out across Estonia. Each city guide has its own list.
- Ferry to or from Helsinki2 to 4 weeks ahead for weekends
Fares and cabins are cheapest early, and peak crossings fill up.
- Rooms on the islands and coast in summer1 to 3 months ahead
Small places have few beds, and July weekends sell out.
- Dinner tables in Tallinn1 to 2 weeks ahead
The better restaurants fill up at weekends and in the Christmas season.
Money, tipping and practical things
- CurrencyThe euro. Estonia is in the EU and the euro area.
- Cards and cashCards and phone payments are taken almost everywhere. Carry a little cash for markets and rural places, but you will rarely need much.
- TippingService is not always included. Rounding up or leaving about 5 to 10 percent for good service in a sit-down restaurant is usual.
- Tourist taxesAt the last check, Estonia had no national tourist tax on hotel stays, and Tallinn and Pärnu had asked the government for the power to charge one. Check whether your booking mentions a local charge.
- EntryNon-EU visitors are registered at the border by the EU's Entry/Exit System. Whether you need a visa, and an ETIAS travel authorization once it starts, depends on your passport: check the EU's official site, travel-europe.europa.eu, before you book.
- PlugsType C and Type F sockets at 230 volts. Most UK and US plugs need an adapter.
What to skip in Estonia
- Eating every meal on the old town's main squares
Costume-led menus and hawkers near the squares are aimed at day visitors. Walk a few streets away, or to Telliskivi and Kalamaja, for better value.
- A rushed day trip to Helsinki
The crossing takes hours each way, so a day leaves little time in either city. Stay a night, or keep the trip for a longer break.
- Planning a car-free trip to the national parks
Lahemaa and the islands are hard to see by bus alone. Take a day tour, share a hire car or pick another stop.
Estonia: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Estonia?
Three or four days is enough for Tallinn and one trip out. A week lets you add Tartu and Pärnu, and ten days gives time for the islands or Latvia.
What are the best places to visit in Estonia?
Tallinn comes first. Beyond it, Tartu, Lahemaa National Park, Pärnu and the island of Saaremaa are the most popular choices.
Is Estonia expensive for tourists?
It costs less than the Nordic countries, though more than it used to, and Tallinn's old town is priced for visitors. Eating away from the main squares and using buses keeps costs down.
What is the best time to visit Estonia?
June to August, for long days and the coast. December has Christmas markets, and winter is cheaper but dark and cold.
Is Estonia easy to get around without a car?
Yes, for the main towns. Buses and trains connect Tallinn with Tartu and Pärnu, and the old towns are walkable. A car only helps at the national parks and on the islands.
Which currency does Estonia use?
The euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, so most visitors use cash very little.
Can you visit Estonia and Finland on one trip?
Yes. Ferries run between Tallinn and Helsinki in about two to three and a half hours, so the two cities pair well in a week.