About Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn, Estonia’s capital on the Baltic Sea, is the country’s
cultural hub. It retains its walled, cobblestoned Old Town, home to
cafes and shops, as well as Kiek in de Kok, a 15th-century defensive
tower. Its Gothic Town Hall, built in the 13th century and with a
64m-high tower, sits in historic Tallinn’s main square. St.
Nicholas Church is a 13th-century landmark exhibiting ecclesiastical
art.
Tallinn’s Old Town is one of the best preserved medieval cities in
Europe and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tallinn is the
major political, financial, cultural and educational center of Estonia.
Often dubbed the Silicon Valley of Europe, it has the highest number of
startups per person in Europe and is a birthplace of many international
companies, including Skype. The city was a European Capital of Culture
for 2011, along with Turku in Finland.
Plan and Book:
Overview
Tallinn is a city bustling with activity; a city that begs to be
explored. This capital of Estonia is an incredible region, one that
features outstanding museums and cultural sites, fabulous shopping, and
an outrageously active nightlife. Both the Theater and Music Museum and
the Maritime Museum are excellent, and Castle Square, found in the
heart of town, is wonderful.Located inside the Castle Square are the
Toompea Castle and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, two exquisite
man-made triumphs.Old streets and lovely architecture still exist, but
modern Tallinn is alive and well. Its government knows that Tallinn is
far and away the primary tourist destination of travelers to Estonia,
and therefore are doing everything in their power to bolster the
desirability of this great city.
A few years ago, the dining options in Tallinn were so limited that
sometimes you would have been better off skipping a meal! These days,
the eateries still fall short of the quality of the shopping and
nightlife, but thankfully, there are a few standouts worth visiting.For
nearly one thousand years, outside influences have sculpted and altered
the city of Tallinn. The Danes founded Tallinn, and in fact, the name
directly translates to Danish fort. They did not want any confusion as
to who it was that originally established this coastal beauty. The
Danes settled here in the beginning of the 13th century and claimed the
area as their own.
Even though they may have been the first to take control of the region,
they were certainly not the last. While present-day Tallinn is a
peaceful and harmonious community, enjoyable in every way, it took
hundreds of years of struggle for it to get that way. German nobility
took control of Tallinn’s public life, and this remained the case even
as the Russian tsars claimed control of the city itself. The kings of
Sweden felt as if they had a say as well, and they alleged that Tallinn
was theirs to rule. A great deal of fighting ensued in the quest for
Estonian domination, and the German culture is the one that ultimately
proved the most significant influence on present-day Tallinn. The
fortress of the German knights still stands, as do other German forts
and armories. But nowadays, Tallinn has a personality all of its own,
with interesting sights laced throughout the city.
Attractions and Activities
Hop-on, Hop-off Tour of Tallinn: Take a tour of Tallinn and
discover the city’s ancient stone ramparts, the medieval Old Town (a
UNESCO World Heritage Site), Toompea Castle, Estonia’s National
Theatre, the Presidential Palace, and the Estonian Art Museum. Plus
many more historic monuments and landmarks.
Private Tour of Tallinn: This city tour combines a comfortable drive
around the city’s picturesque districts with a walking tour of the old
town. For first-time visitors, this is an excellent orientation tour
that gets to the heart of Estonia’s capital.
Tallinn Walking Tour and Rocca al Mare: Combine a tour of Tallinn with
a tour of Rocca al Mare. See Tallinn’s main landmarks and stroll
through the medieval old town before discovering Estonia’s rural
customs at the Estonian Open Air Museum in Rocca al Mare.
Excursion to Lahemaa National Park: The jagged coastline, vast forests,
and lush wetlands of Lahemaa National Park offer a welcome reprieve
from Tallinn’s bustling streets. Visit the Museum of Estonian Art
before enjoying a traditional tavern lunch at Atja, a 400-year old
fishing community.
Kalamaja
Located just a short hop from the Balti jaam train station lies the
eclectic and historic district of Kalamaja. The area’s name means ‘Fish
House’ and many street names here betray Kalamaja’s fishing-, sea- and
industry-related roots: Kõie (Rope), Kalaranna (Fish Beach) and
Telliskivi (Brick). Travel a little beyond the Kalamaja area and
you’ll run into the more industrial district of Kopli which, as
of yet, has little to offer sightseers except perhaps some interesting
crumbling architecture. There is a beach at the end of the Paljassaare
Peninsula where, at the far end, many of Tallinn’s Naturists seem
to congregate in the warmer months. Both regions, often lumped together
as one, are within walking distance or a short tram or bicycle ride
from Old Town. Although it’s certainly a nicer jaunt from Spring
until Autumn, Kalamaja has quickly become a year-round destination,
especially for locals.
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