Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tallinn's Old Town is a fascinating package of pleasing towers, ramparts, facades,
striptiis
bars, churches, shops, and people-watching. It's a rewarding detour for those who
want to spice their Scandinavian travels with a Baltic twist.
Planning Your Time
On a three-week tour of Scandinavia, Tallinn is certainly worth a day. Get oriented with
either the official walking tour or my self-guided walk. Check concert schedules if you'll
be around for the evening.
Day-Trippers:
Whether arriving from Helsinki or Stockholm, hit the ground running
by following my self-guided walk right from the ferry terminal. Enjoy a nice restaurant in
the Old Town for lunch. Then spend the afternoon shopping and browsing (or out at the
Estonian Open-Air Museum if you enjoy folk history, or at the Kumu Art Museum if you
like art).
Note that Tallinn can be inundated with cruise passengers and other day-trippers; if the
Old Town is simply too jammed, consider getting out of town (Kadriorg Park is pleasant)
and coming back when it's less crowded.
Remember to bring a jacket—Tallinn can be chilly even on sunny summer days. And,
given that locals call their cobbled streets “a free foot massage,” sturdy shoes are smart,
too.
