Do you know how it feels when you chance upon a rare gem? How you bask in its beauty and let your discovery of it fill you with such delight? Well, it'll probably the same when you discover Tallinn. With such astounding beauty, nostalgic novelty, historic heritage, and old-world charm, Estonia’s capital city is one of the 'hidden gems' of Europe. Well, not hidden, per se, but it's just that the city honestly deserves as much recognition as Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, and the like. There's so many to see and do here you'll never get bored!
Travel Back in Time in Old Town
Among all the
districts in Tallinn, Old Town is one of the most popular and definitely the most beautiful. The moment you pass through the famous Viru gates, it's as if you traveled back in time. The medieval castles, the grand manors, the quaint little corners, and the cobblestone streets all look like they came straight out of a fairytale. A nostalgic charm that tugs at your heartstrings and makes you even more curious about the history and heritage of the city (as well as of Estonia). It's a good thing the city has preserved all old-world wonders!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Marvel At Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Perhaps one of the most unique sights in Tallinn, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral almost looks out of place in the Old Town. But that's what makes it so intriguing. Granted it's a fairly new addition to the district—having been built in 1900—it's become one of the most visited places in the city. Its most notable features, the black onion domes topped by golden crosses, stand proof that it's a Russian Orthodox church. Many have even noticed the similarities between the cathedral and the iconic Kremlin fortress in Moscow, Russia. Add to that the traces of Moorish influences in the exterior's design and you've got yourself quite the man-made marvel!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Walk Along Tallinn Town Wall
Tallinn is a medieval town through and through and you can see it with how its structures and the preserved castles, palaces, and the like. One that's definitely worth checking out is the Tallinn Town Wall! surrounding most of the city, 1.9 kilometers long with 20 towers standing throughout. Standing at 16-feet-tall, you can actually take a leisure stroll along with the structure and see the amazing views all over the city. Walk the steps of the Estonian watchdogs that kept Tallinn safe and secure all those centuries ago! It's almost nerve-wracking thinking about the history of the place!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Spend Time In Telliskivi Creative City
Though it's a bit challenging to get to via
public transport, going to Telliskivi Creative City is worth all the effort! This is the place to be if you want to appreciate local art, fashion, and creativity. Home to a bevy of galleries, museums, boutiques, and
coffee shops, you can spend an entire day here and you'd still want to explore more! It's a hip district that's more akin to the likes of
Paris' Montmartre, New York's Brooklyn, and Barcelona's Gothic Quarter! Though the Telliskivi Creative City is definitely a lot more modern than all of those places! a
Source: Wikimedia Commons/© Relkmsaiia
Indulge in Marzipan Chocolate
With so many
Estonian delicacies to choose from, who would have thought that marzipans would prove to be important in Tallinn? After all, even though many believe that Germany originated the confection, there are some that dispute that it was actually a man from the Estonian capital that actually invented it. Perhaps that's why chocolate marzipan is all the rage here in Estonia? Possibly! But today, you can blame the sweet craze on the Kalev Chocolate Shop and Workshop in the Rotermann Quarter. The place has become a popular hotspot for tourists and locals alike, all of whom have a strong sweet tooth!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Visit The Rummu Quarry
Want to visit a slightly eerie yet definitely intriguing place just a little outside of Tallinn? Go to the Rummu Quarry! The place was built and used to be a haven for prisoners of the Soviet Union and its relics remain by the lake to this day. In fact, you can even swim by it when it's hot outside. Surely snorkeling through these ruins would be a blast, right? Not to mention scary, exciting, and will pump your adrenaline unlike any other! How's that for a memorable summer experience in Tallinn?
Source: Wikimedia Commons/© Janno Kusman
Watch The Seals
When you go to
Tallinn during springtime, make sure you head to the coast? Why? Because you get to see seals play and lounge about! Now that's something you won't see every day. Watch in wonder as these beautiful sea lions enjoy life by their natural habitat, splashing about, taking a rest, and looking all cute and adorable! Just be careful as you won't want to scare them! Don't ruin the fun for everyone! It's likely that, during spring, these adorably whiskered critters are what draw crowds. It's like watching
National Geographic live!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia, is a lot more beautiful, a lot more fascinating, and definitely a lot more exciting than you probably realize. You'll only know this if you visit the city yourself and see what's there to do even for just a day!
