pinterest pin The Christmas Markets of Tallinn

Prologue

During the Christmas of 2019, we decided to set off for a marathon road run, A Baltic and Scandinavian Christmas | A 7000 km Cruise and Road Trip across Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, and Sweden from the Netherlands | Travel Itinerary, Tips, and Tricks, that turned out to be one of the most memorable trips of our lifetime. So based on our experience, today I’m going to take you along with me on a ride across the top 7 things to see and do during Christmas in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. Let the journey begin!

About Estonia

Estonia is a nation of northeastern Europe and the northernmost of the 3 Baltic states (a term given to the countries in northeastern Europe situated on the Baltic Sea, namely Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia) comprising 2317 islands and islets (as per statistics from 2020). Throughout a large part of its history, Estonia has been dominated by foreign powers. Following the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, Estonia was invaded and occupied by the Soviet Union in June 1940. On August 6, 1940, after a rigged election, the parliament proclaimed Estonia as one of the Soviet Union's constituent republics, thereby naming it as the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic (Estonian SSR). Estonia remained a Soviet republic until August 20, 1991, when it declared its complete independence, which was acknowledged by the Soviet authorities on September 6, 1991, and membership in the United Nations followed soon after. Estonia began the process of converting its government to a parliamentary democracy and shifting its economy to market capitalism. It desired further European integration and joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU) in 2004.

Welcome to Tallinn

Tallinn is the capital of Estonia. When Estonia belonged to the Soviet Union, tourism to this city was reserved for a small group of people, who had to go to great lengths to get a visa. Those who traveled to Tallinn were then closely monitored by the Russian KGB. Times have changed a lot now. Estonia is now a full member state of the European Union. The number of tourists who travel to Tallinn every year is somewhere between 3 and 4 million, of which more than 2 million arrive via the Lennart Mari Tallinn Airport.

As a tourist, you have to deal with two completely different parts of Tallinn. Centrally located is Vanalinn, the historic city center of Tallinn. If you remove the cars, modern street lighting, and all kinds of logos from the facades, you can easily imagine yourself back in the Middle Ages. The old city center of the place, which for years was known as Reval, is so well preserved that UNESCO placed the historic city center on the World Heritage List in 1997. The part of Tallinn that is outside the city walls had its main growth period during the Soviet Union. The Russians converted Tallinn into a Soviet stronghold in just a few decades. Just before the fall of the Soviet Union, more Russians than native inhabitants lived in Tallinn. After regaining its independence, Tallinn has undergone a transformation that actually continues to this day. The typical Russian residential blocks around the center have largely been replaced by new construction. Therefore when you visit Tallinn, you get to deal with these two completely different faces. The touristy historic center accompanying high prices, many tourist shops and all kinds of people who approach you because they want to earn something from you. Outside this tourist area, in the 'New Tallinn', real life takes place where there is a healthy mix of local people and tourists.

Top 7 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Tallinn

Map created using Wanderlog, a vacation planner on iOS and Android

1. Visit the Christmas Market at Raekoja Plats (Town Hall Square)

Tallinn's medieval Old Town takes on a particularly romantic look in the winter, when a new dusting of snow covers its rooftops and candles cast a flickering glow across its cobblestone alleyways. Tallinn is at its most enchanting during the winter, despite the dark nights. From ice skating on the Old Town's outdoor rink to sipping mulled wine on the ancient Town Hall square at one of Europe's best Christmas Markets, it's a true winter wonderland!

Visit the Christmas Market in Raekoja Plats (Town Hall Square) and make wishes under the magnificent Christmas tree that towers over the fairy-tale-like Town Hall area as early as mid-November. On the First Sunday of Advent, the tree lights are turned on. Apart from enjoying the aroma of gingerbread and mulled red wine and visiting charming stalls selling hand-knitted shawls, mittens, socks, fragrant candle lights, artisanal spoons, and other woodwork in the Christmas Market, you can also choose to go for a joy ride on the toy train that takes you around the town center.

Christmas Market at Raekoja Plats (Town Hall Square) tallinn estonia

2. Enjoy the Christmas Decors

Tallinn's old cathedrals, quaint boutiques, and cozy cafés are all in a festive mood in December. As you walk across the Old Town, you can find Christmas decors - big and small, Christmas street lightings, and various other decorations.

Christmas Decors old town tallinn estonia

boy standing tallinn estonia christmas market

3. Explore the Pikk Street

Take your time to explore the ancient Long Street (Pikk Street), which is lined with attractive cafes, boutiques, and art galleries with Gothic architecture. From Town Hall Square to the historic port entrance, this 1,182 m (3,878 ft) long street is known as one of the area's busiest and most scenic areas. Observe the bizarre juxtaposition of antique mansions, crumbling walls, and quirky art galleries, and try to set aside some time to explore the peaceful cobblestone side alleyways that run parallel to the main road.

4. Take a stroll down the St. Catherine’s Passage

St. Catherine's Passage is a must-see for anyone interested in learning more about life in Tallinn's Old Town. It's only a few blocks away from the Town Hall. This historic corridor connects the Vene and Muurivahe streets. The remains of St. Catherine's Dominican Monastery Church, one of the city's oldest churches, may be found near the northern end of the passage from which it derives its name. Many visitors like looking at the historic tombstones that are an important component of the sanctuary. St. Catherine's Cemetery is home to a number of well-known Estonians.

The passage's southern end will take you past some of Tallinn's top artisan businesses. You may observe the painters in action. It's one of the best places to pick up a souvenir during your trip to Tallinn. The entire passage is worth a morning trip just for the exercise. If you wish to take a break, grab a cup of coffee from one of the charming little shops strewn along the path.

lady standing St. Catherine’s Passage tallinn estonia

5. Visit the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

When Estonia was a member of the Czarist Empire in 1900, the huge and ornately decorated Russian Orthodox church on Toompea Hill was completed in a hybrid historicist style. The well-kept cathedral is one of Tallinn's most impressive examples of Orthodox ecclesiastical architecture. The church towers in Tallinn house the city's most powerful ensemble of church bells. Tallinn's largest bell, weighing 15 tonnes, is among the 11 bells on display. Before services, the complete ensemble can be heard playing carillons. The inside, which features mosaics and icons, is also worth seeing.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral during snowfall tallinn estonia

man standing in front of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral during snowfall tallinn estonia

6. Relish a different perspective of Tallinn from the Patkuli Viewing Platform

The two most popular vantage points to get a bird’s eye view of the Old Town of Tallinn are the Patkuli and the Kohtuotsa viewing platforms situated at stone’s throw from each other, out of which our favorite is the Patkuli viewing platform. The Patkuli viewing platform is located on the north side of Toompea Hill, atop a limestone cliff in one of Tallinn's oldest neighborhoods. It provides fairytale views of the Old Town and its towers and ramparts, all the way down to the port. The staircase that leads to the platform was built in 1903. Toompea is connected to the town below by 157 steps, with the stairs ending at Toompark near the Shnelli pond.

different perspective of Tallinn from the Patkuli Viewing Platform estonia

7. See the sunset from Radisson Blu Skybar Lounge24

To enjoy a different perspective of Tallinn, go to the Skybar Lounge24 located on the 24th floor of the Radisson Blu hotel, order your dinner or snack (I say snack because being in the northern part of Europe, the sun sets at around 15:15 during Christmas time in Tallinn), and watch the sun go down over the Tallinn Skyline. The only impediment to photography is that the access to the open terrace is closed during winters. So you can only take pictures from inside through the glass windows and hence you may get reflections.

sunset from Radisson Blu Skybar Lounge24 tallinn estonia

Visiting Tallinn

Best Time to Visit: Normally, the tour brochures say that the best seasons to visit Tallinn are late spring (May to June) and early autumn (September to October), when the city is less crowded with tourists and the weather is moderate or while summer (July to August) when it is warmer and the days are longer. But we think the best time to visit Tallinn is during Christmas when quaint Christmas Markets and decorations adorn the city. The downside could be that the days are quite short but the Christmas Market lights bring the city to life even after sunset. So nothing to worry about! We visited Tallinn during Christmas.

Number of Days to Stay: Two to three days is a good amount of time to spend visiting Tallinn. During this time, you can see the major sights and immerse yourself in the lively local culture.

Best Place to Stay: Staying in the Old Town area of Tallinn puts you in close proximity to numerous significant sights, including Town Hall Square and Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. The region is renowned for its lively ambiance, cobblestone streets, and medieval architecture. Another option could be Kadriorg, a classy district close to city center that offers a blend of modern amenities and historical charm. For those who want to stay in a more modern environment close to important attractions, we recommend Rotermann Quarter, a hip neighborhood with a mix of modern architecture, dining, shopping, and entertainment options.

Best Way to Arrive: Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport is the main airport of Tallinn roughly 4 km from the city center. The airport offers links to a number of long-haul locations as well as places throughout Europe. Excellent ferry links exist between Tallinn and other Baltic Sea cities, including Helsinki (Finland) and Stockholm (Sweden). The ferry port is located close to the city center. Tallinn is served by a number of domestic and international bus companies. The main bus terminal (Tallinna Bussijaam) is a short distance from the city center. Although there aren't many foreign trains that stop in Tallinn, the city is connected to other parts of Estonia by domestic trains. You can drive to Tallinn, particularly if you're visiting the Baltic region or coming from a nearby country. We drove to Tallinn from Riga in Latvia.

Best Local Mode of Conveyance: Tallinn Transport (Tallinna Linnatranspordi AS) runs an effective public transportation system in Tallinn that includes buses, trams, and trolleys. In Tallinn, taxis are easily accessible, and ridesharing services such as Bolt function within the city limits. You can use taxis for short excursions or traveling late at night when public transportation is less frequent. Tallinn is getting more and more bike-friendly, offering services for rentals as well as dedicated bike lanes. In Tallinn, electric scooters are well-liked and available for rental via a number of apps. They are a convenient and enjoyable method to travel throughout the city, particularly over short distances.

Epilogue

So that brings us to the end of our journey across the top 7 things to see and do in Tallinn during Christmas. Please let us know in the comments below if you enjoyed reading this article.

And if you wish to read the day-by-day account of our complete 7000 km road run across the Baltics and Scandinavia during Christmas 2019, please visit our article A Baltic and Scandinavian Christmas | A 7000 km Cruise and Road Trip across Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, and Sweden from the Netherlands | Travel Itinerary, Tips, and Tricks. Until then, merry traveling and happy shooting!