Estonia travel guide

Estonia Tourism | Estonia Guide

You're Going to Love Estonia

Sheltered in the grandeur of the Baltic Sea, Estonia holds a unique character that is distinct from its neighboring countries. A raw untouched beauty remains in the vast forests, while cities, such as the capital Tallinn, have maintained medieval constructions and architecture in remarkable condition. City walls, stone towers, and cobblestone lanes leave an impression that you've time traveled back a few centuries.

What to do in Estonia

1. Get Lost in Lahemaa National Park

The huge astonishing parklands is home to flourishing ecosystems within lakes, rivers, and pine forests. There are countless hiking trails to explore as well as sandy beaches if the weather is warm.

2. Soak Up the Spirit of Tartu

The city is the second largest in Estonia and was transformed less than others during the Soviet Union era. In addition to medieval ruins, you'll find the country's oldest university, national museum, and a swarm of lively bars and restaurants.

3. Take a Trip to Saaremaa

The largest of more than 2,000 Estonian islands is blessed with lime-rich soil, making it a haven for migrating birds, such as swans, geese, and owls.

4. Discover Tallinn's Old Town

You'll be swept away in the magnificence of longstanding buildings that include the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Town Hall, St. Olaf's Church, and Toompea Castle.

5. Visit the Estonian Open Air Museum

A life-size reconfiguration of a rural fishing village, the museum has 80 freestanding historic structures that represent traditional accommodation, windmills, and farmyards.

1. Get Lost in Lahemaa National Park

The huge astonishing parklands is home to flourishing ecosystems within lakes, rivers, and pine forests. There are countless hiking trails to explore as well as sandy beaches if the weather is warm.

2. Soak Up the Spirit of Tartu

The city is the second largest in Estonia and was transformed less than others during the Soviet Union era. In addition to medieval ruins, you'll find the country's oldest university, national museum, and a swarm of lively bars and restaurants.

3. Take a Trip to Saaremaa

The largest of more than 2,000 Estonian islands is blessed with lime-rich soil, making it a haven for migrating birds, such as swans, geese, and owls.

4. Discover Tallinn's Old Town

You'll be swept away in the magnificence of longstanding buildings that include the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Town Hall, St. Olaf's Church, and Toompea Castle.

5. Visit the Estonian Open Air Museum

A life-size reconfiguration of a rural fishing village, the museum has 80 freestanding historic structures that represent traditional accommodation, windmills, and farmyards.

When to visit Estonia

Due to the harsh Baltic climate, the summer is particularly short and it is best to go between June and August if you plan on embracing the outdoors. The snowfall around Christmas offers a magical contrast, though regional destinations are likely too dangerous to access.

How to Get to Estonia

Entry Requirements

It is a member of the Schengen Agreement and thus, there are no border controls from the majority of European Union locations. Outsiders from countries like the US and Canada can spend up to 90 days within a 180-day period inside the Schengen zone.

Plane

Most international flights arrive at Tallinn Airport, with direct routes available from Scandinavia, major European hubs, Ukraine, and Russia.

Train

Direct services can be caught from Moscow and take roughly 15h. Multiple cabin classes are available and tickets start from approximately €77 ($86).

Car

Crossing from Latvia requires no border control as both countries are part of the Schengen Agreement, while traveling from Russia can be a little more complicated.

Bus

Companies offer routes from a range of departure destinations, including Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, and Ukraine.

Boat

Ferries can be caught from Stockholm, Helsinki, Mariehamn, and Rostock. Freezing in the Baltic Sea means that boats only operate in summer months.

Entry Requirements

It is a member of the Schengen Agreement and thus, there are no border controls from the majority of European Union locations. Outsiders from countries like the US and Canada can spend up to 90 days within a 180-day period inside the Schengen zone.

Plane

Most international flights arrive at Tallinn Airport, with direct routes available from Scandinavia, major European hubs, Ukraine, and Russia.

Train

Direct services can be caught from Moscow and take roughly 15h. Multiple cabin classes are available and tickets start from approximately €77 ($86).

Car

Crossing from Latvia requires no border control as both countries are part of the Schengen Agreement, while traveling from Russia can be a little more complicated.

Bus

Companies offer routes from a range of departure destinations, including Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, and Ukraine.

Boat

Ferries can be caught from Stockholm, Helsinki, Mariehamn, and Rostock. Freezing in the Baltic Sea means that boats only operate in summer months.

Popular airports in Estonia

Popular airlines serving Estonia

Lufthansa
Good (7,107 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,348 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (8,650 reviews)
British Airways
Good (6,827 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,615 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,918 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,105 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,435 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,798 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,510 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,655 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (800 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (8,329 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,288 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (356 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,223 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,334 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,140 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,304 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,876 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Estonia

A range of hotels and youth hostels can be found in major cities. Tourism farms are located in regional towns and provide budget-friendly options for travelers wanting to explore the countryside.

Where to stay in popular areas of Estonia

Most booked hotels in Estonia

Radisson Collection Hotel, Tallinn
5 stars
Excellent (9.4, Excellent reviews)
S$ 159+
Nordic Hotel Forum
4 stars
Excellent (9.1, Excellent reviews)
S$ 107+
Swissotel Tallinn
5 stars
Excellent (8.9, Excellent reviews)
S$ 126+
Hilton Tallinn Park
4 stars
Excellent (8.9, Excellent reviews)
S$ 133+
Lermitage Hotel Tallinn
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, Excellent reviews)
S$ 64+
Kalev Spa Hotel & Waterpark
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
S$ 117+

How to Get Around Estonia

Public Transportation

Train and bus systems are comprehensive and reliable throughout the country. However, be careful if you are traveling in the winter months as it is best to limit time spent outside.

Trains

Regional lines connect Tallinn to a number of large cities, including Rakvere, Tapa, Vilandi, and Narva. A ticket salesperson boards the train so no pre-purchase is necessary.

Bus

Domestic services are available across Estonia, with the most common route between Tallinn and Tartu scheduled roughly every hour.

Car

The highways and roads are kept in fantastic condition, plus car rental is very cheap. You can pick up a car for roughly €10 ($11) per day, being mindful that headlights should always be switched on regardless of the time of day.

Plane

The only domestic routes operated are between the islands of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa with the capital Tallinn.

Public Transportation

Train and bus systems are comprehensive and reliable throughout the country. However, be careful if you are traveling in the winter months as it is best to limit time spent outside.

Trains

Regional lines connect Tallinn to a number of large cities, including Rakvere, Tapa, Vilandi, and Narva. A ticket salesperson boards the train so no pre-purchase is necessary.

Bus

Domestic services are available across Estonia, with the most common route between Tallinn and Tartu scheduled roughly every hour.

Car

The highways and roads are kept in fantastic condition, plus car rental is very cheap. You can pick up a car for roughly €10 ($11) per day, being mindful that headlights should always be switched on regardless of the time of day.

Plane

The only domestic routes operated are between the islands of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa with the capital Tallinn.

The Cost of Living in Estonia

Food and transport prices are considerably cheaper than Scandinavian countries like Finland and Sweden. You can eat out at a standard restaurant for roughly €8 ($9), while 2.2 lb of fruit, such as apples and bananas, cost approximately €1 ($1.10). A prepaid SIM card will provide about 5GB of data and 130 calls and cost approximately €8 ($9). Credit cards are widely accepted and carrying cash is not a necessity, though to be on the safe side, it's always good to have some on you for small transactions.

Popular cities in Estonia