My Tales of Tallinn, Estonia
My travels and tales of Tallinn. As it were for me, Estonia isn’t somewhere that jumps out to people to visit. As it is with with most places, that’s usually down to little knowledge. If you read my last blog ‘Lucifer Reigns In Mediterranean Heaven’, then you would know how wonderful a surprise that can turn out to be!
Tallinn, the capital of Estonia is UNESCO world heritage place which was was granted city rights back in 13th century by the then King of Denmark. Many of its buildings dating back even prior to this. It’s 1.9km original city wall still surrounds the awe-inspiring fairytale-esc Old Town.
The surreal feeling as you walk through the gateway is almost as if stepping back in time. With its stunning Gothic town hall at the heart of old town staring down on you as you walk its cobbled streets. You blink twice and rub your eyes as shopkeepers, waitress’s, bar personal and plague doctors walk around the streets, restaurants and bars in medieval clothing. It really is like walking into a different world!
Tallinn Christmas Market
Depending on the time of year you visit; within the heart of Old Town a wonderful christmas market is slap bang in the middle of the square. The market takes place from the last week of November, right through until the first week of January. The markets are full of handcrafted Estonian treasures, from jewellery and trinkets to drinking goblets and glogg (mulled wine).
One of the great sights I witnessed was one that was quite surreal. An Estonian biker gang all dressed as Father Christmas. Parked up around the edge of the market giving out orange segments and candy to children!
This brings me to one thing out of all that stood out for me in Tallinn…the food!
Must Visit Eateries Of Tallinn!
My first experience of Estonian food was at ‘Peppersack’. Situated just around the corner from the town square. Greeted in medieval dress was a great way to grab attention and escorted inside and back in time further. Even the menu itself was a piece of art straight from the history books, adding to the medieval charm! The food was to die for! Im positive everything on the menu would have been as superb as my meal!
This was also the place I found a new favourite beer, honey beer. This was Peppersack’s own beer brewed to their taste. What a taste it was! Brewed right around the corner in a small local brewery-bar. This unfortunately did mean that it wasn’t available to buy unless dining there. So If you do visit, have a cold one for me!
Korsaar Pirate Resturant
This is a hidden gem and an absolute must while visiting Tallinn! Korsaar is a pirate of the caribbean style restaurant. It is completely transformed into the inside of a pirate ship. Tables to toilets decorated in torture devices and nautical theme. It even has a pond as you walk in with huge carp and turtles around the main ‘mast’ of the restaurant!
It is also not just the surroundings that are pirate themed. The food on the menu is what you would expect of being in such a place. I had the ‘Black’ Burger with prawn steak. the ‘black’ being a bun made using real squid ink, and so being jet black! How cool is that?!
You could honestly spend more time looking around at all the details of this hidden gem than actually eating! Which, of course, they encourage once you have finished!
One word of advice would be to find it on a map, and get directions. Even with these directions, you walk into one of the many brewary-bars and would be forgiven for walking straight out. Korsaar is actually through a ship decoration as you enter, and down the stairs. Once you see the stairway…you will know your in the right place!
Not something you expect to find in the baltic’s but an absolute gem! Don’t miss this place!
The Fundamentals
However you arrive in this wonderful place; plane, train, automobile or cruise (as I did from Stockholm), you will not be disappointed! There are hotels in abundance for very reasonable prices. Many of which have their own spa facilities too! Who doesn’t love a spa?
There are cruises that travel from Stockholm and Helsinki to Tallinn. I travelled from Stockholm aboard the Tallink; Boasting 7 levels, several resturants, bars, casino and even a night club!
Estonia has the Euro, so bare that in mind if coming on a cruise from Stockholm or Helsinki.
The locals are very welcoming and speak a range of languages so you wont be caught out! The city really is a fairytale waiting to be explored. Seeing really is believing with this place, and most probably not on everyones list yet, but definitely should be!
Let me know if you have or plan to travel to this magical land from the past!
Founder and creator of Travel With Cooky.
This website and its blog posts are based on my own experiences and recommendations. My goal is for you to learn how to travel the world on a budget as I do and help you see more of the beautiful world we live in!