Tallinn in autumn. Tallinn and St. Petersburg in late autumn. Best time for excursions

Having in our pocket a passport with a six-month Schengen multivisa, stuck by the kind Hungarians before our trip to Budapest - Prague (which I will tell you later), we decided in the fall of 2016 to visit the capital of the former Soviet republic, and now the capital of a European state and, it’s even scary to imagine, a member NATO - good old Tallinn. We have already been to St. Petersburg countless times with both the elder Herman and the younger Matvey: Peter and Paul Fortress, the Hermitage, Palace Square, the Artillery Museum (specially created for boys) ... But a traveler who considers himself at least somewhat cultured can visit St. Petersburg without one, not two, not three.

There are direct trains from our native Vladimir to St. Petersburg (the old and new capitals of Rus' should be directly connected to each other), but the logistics of our trip did not provide for an easy solution to the problems. We got to Moscow, from there on an incredibly cheap train to St. Petersburg, then into the deepest St. Petersburg metro and onto the Ecolines bus. I bought tickets to Tallinn about a month in advance; to be honest, I don’t remember the cost, but it was quite affordable. The bus stop is at the Vitebsky railway station, here. The bus is more than good, the driver is excellent, the coffee is free - what else does a not-exhausted traveler need? Forward: to the former ESSR, and now to the Schengen zone. Where to start preparing for your trip? Oddly enough, I received quite a lot of information from a purely commercial site, which I then supported by studying real reviews.

A bit of memories (where at my age would I be without them...). I had the opportunity to visit Tallinn with my work colleagues before: in the mid and late 80s of the last century. The first visit was a shock after seeing the slogan “Glory to the CPSU” in the store, built from cans of instant coffee. Us, residents of a godforsaken village on the border of Vladimir and Yaroslavl regions, who were already accustomed to coupons (that’s what the authorities bashfully called food cards so that the population would not associate them with wartime famine times) and who saw sausage only during the next raid on Moscow stores, for obvious reasons, was surprised by the second (the slogans “Glory to the CPSU” in At that time, the only thing that was enough was not from canned seaweed).

Our second visit to Tallinn took place already in the era of the cooperative movement and, fortunately, was fully paid for by the Estonian host. Otherwise, we would have been left without pants, since the State Bank of the Country of Soviets, fearing, apparently, the imminent exit of the Baltic republics from the USSR, “pumped up” them with money supply, and therefore salaries in these still socialist republics were several times higher than the Union average and our more than modest daily allowance was barely enough for a loaf of bread. What is daily allowance - see Wikipedia. Enough lyricism.

We are approaching the border. On our side - Ivangorod, on the Estonian side - also a seemingly Russian city - Narva.

Before crossing the border, I strongly recommend that you familiarize yourself with customs regulations. Note to smokers: you are allowed to import no more than two packs per adult person. In Estonian stores, cigarettes are not bashfully hidden behind a curtain, like ours; however, by multiplying the price indicated on them in euros by the appropriate exchange rate, the desire to buy and smoke evaporates by itself. Thank God that my wife was with me, and when asked by the customs officer whether she smoked, the answer was: “It’s just like that..., the truth doesn’t drag on” (well, then I got it lightly in the nose...). In a word, crossing the border was routine, expected and not at all time-critical: not even half an hour had passed, and outside the bus window there was already a European landscape and, oddly enough, it was no different from St. Petersburg.

Upon arrival in Tallinn, we went to a store next to the bus station (in Estonia they are called R-kiosks), where we bought plastic ones, refilled them and went to the apartment. You can also have a snack at the R-kiosk: the smell of coffee and pastries there was delicious. As usual, we booked the apartment on Airbnb. The owners are Eivin and Evelyn: a young couple with three wonderful children, they live on the floor below the apartment.

Everything is just wonderful, not to mention the sauna. Honestly: the apartment is a converted attic space, which includes a living room with a kitchenette, a bedroom and a shower room with a real sauna. The stop is opposite the house, a ten-minute drive to the old town, next to a supermarket and a large shopping center. In a word, don’t even think twice, I recommend it. As for the language barrier: according to my observations, approximately half of the population of Tallinn is either specifically Russian-speaking or completely understands and speaks Russian. A good example is our hosts: Eivin - yes, Evelyn - no, which did not prevent them from being pleasant in communication. I remind you again and again that a smile and sympathy for us, independent travelers, are worth a lot.

Having quickly had a snack, we quickly ran to the Niguliste church, where the organ was sounding just at that time. We walked around the museum and appreciated the famous masterpiece “Dance of Death”,

after which we went through the old city to the “Fat Margaret” tower to the observation deck.

The view was amazing, the seagull was already accustomed to posing.

That's probably enough for today. Tram, shop, apartments, lunch combined with dinner and to the SAUNA.

The next morning, our acquaintance with Tallinn began with the tallest tower of the old city called “Long Hermann”. Its height is impressive. And we will definitely send the photos to our eldest son Herman as soon as we find ourselves in the coverage area of free WiFi.

The presidential palace is very close by.

Estonian reader Ekaterina corrected me in her review. It turns out that this is called the “Riigikogu” (the president sits in another place - Kadriorg." And here the government of Estonia is located (the author, that is, me, needs to prepare his publications more carefully). Don’t judge strictly...

The walk through old Tallinn is over. We have planned a trip to the Lenussadam Maritime Museum for tomorrow.

I hope that the tireless blogger and traveler Roman Mironenko will not be offended by me if I publish a map of old Tallinn borrowed from him

You can order yourself in advance, and we’ll go to the maritime museum. I recommend dedicating at least two hours to it, and if your family has teenage boys, then even two hours will not be enough. The museum is located outside the old town in a seaside area called Kalamaja. Bus number 73 stops at the museum itself, tram stops 1 and 2 are about a kilometer from the museum. The landmark is the hangar of the air harbor, that is, the museum is located in the former property of the Ministry of Defense of the Soviet Union. It must be said that the organizers of the museum disposed of it very, very rationally. Prices for entrance tickets are quite reasonable, and if you are traveling with your family any number of offspring under 18 years old, then the cost of visiting will be 28 total (or whole, depending on who) euros, but this pleasure is worth it. Just for acquaintance - a few photos:

The museum is interactive, that is, you can not only familiarize yourself with the exhibit on the screen, but also send this information to your email.

The culmination of everything at the end was a photo for memory,

which arrived in my email with a welcome note.

In a word, we were delighted. Using the same tickets, you can continue the excursion to Tolstoy Margarita, but everything there is ordinary and uninteresting.

Walked around the old city:

photographed as a souvenir of Old Thomas, the symbolic guard of the Estonian capital, for souvenirs and

"See you soon, Tallinn".

Eivin ordered a taxi for us in the morning, we said goodbye warmly and went to St. Petersburg by bus with the same carrier. We flew across the border with the breeze and...

How in love am I with St. Petersburg:

Ivan, the owner of the apartment, ordered us a taxi to the bus arrival point and at about one o'clock in the afternoon we were already there. The apartment, as expected, was not as magnificent as in Tallinn, but for its price it was very good. The location is excellent: in close proximity from St. Isaac's Cathedral, everything is within walking distance. The windows overlook a quiet courtyard-well.

We didn’t plan any large-scale inspections in St. Petersburg, just walk the streets and squares and breathe the St. Petersburg air. We visited the Maritime Museum, the Cathedral of the Savior on Spilled Blood, the Russian Museum (just for show: well, I don’t understand the work of Petrov-Vodkin and others like him). It turned out that we arrived on the day of free admission to museums and it turned out to be not at all great - there was no crowd. Cultural capital..

But what truly delighted us was the miniature museum. It looks like it opened quite recently. Just a few photos:

Low bow to the young, simply wonderful Guide. He described all the sights of St. Petersburg and the palace environs, answering numerous questions along the way. Smart girl. And at the exit, a gift awaited us: unbeknownst to us, someone was photographing our family, both together and individually, magnets with our images hung on a magnetic board. If you have the desire and opportunity, buy it, the price is symbolic. Of course, we couldn’t resist and bought everything: when else will I see such an inspired face (remember Etush’s phrase from the timeless film: “Take off your hat”).

I never tire of repeating that I’m an old bore, so I decided to check Russian Railways for the minimum tariffs for Sapsan St. Petersburg - Moscow. Indeed, in 60 days at about seven in the morning I bought three tickets for 999 rubles. every. Maybe they were the first and the last - I don’t know, but the fact remains: CLASS!

Do you prefer to live at home when traveling? Get a bonus on your first Airbnb booking.

Are you bored with reading? Tatyana Donskikh (partner of my blog, I hope for a long time) shares with you. Read at your leisure.

Read about the news of this blog and the latest travels in my

Tallinn– the capital of Estonia, a beautiful and stately city on the shores of the Baltic Sea. By virtue of geographical location it is inevitably compared with other Baltic capitals, but it should be noted that this comparison is in favor Tallinn. Here, like nowhere else in Northern Europe, they managed to preserve and enhance the spirit of the medieval city. Powerful stone bastions and the city wall, the strict forms of the city hall and the tower of the Dome Cathedral, cobbled streets, buildings of merchant guilds and ancient houses with chimneys, squares with fair rows and craftsmen's courtyards are not decorations, but an active part of the city, open to tourists. IN holidays here you can meet actors and musicians in national costumes, and the aromas of national Estonian dishes emanate from the welcomingly open doors of taverns and cafes.

At the same time, familiarity with Tallinn is not limited to endless excursions. Five well-maintained beaches, centers active rest, more than fifty parks and squares, theaters, museums, nightclubs and entertainment centers, spa complexes and sports clubs allow every tourist to discover new facets of the city.

Geographical position

Tallinn– the capital, the largest tourist, economic and cultural center of Estonia. Geographically Tallinn belongs to Northern Estonia. It is located on south coast Gulf of Finland, 80 km from Helsinki.

Tallinn lies on the shores of four bays at once, separated by the long Kopli peninsula, the Paljassaare and Kakumäe peninsulas. Openness to the sea provided the Estonian capital with fresh sea breezes. Coastline 46 kilometers long, heavily indented by harbors and capes. On the territory of the city there are large reservoirs - Lake Ülemiste, a source of drinking water, and Lake Harku, whose waters are abundant with fish.

Vegetable world Tallinn– these are coniferous forests typical of the Baltic coast – with perennial pine trees growing on sand dunes, meadows flooded by the sea, swampy lowlands. On the Kopli Peninsula there is a state-protected birch grove. A greater variety of flora is presented in city parks and squares - here you can find trees rare for Estonia - Manchurian walnut, English oak, ginkgo, Amur velvet.

Climate

Climate Tallinn temperate, coastal, with moderately cold winters and cool summers. On weather The city is influenced by Atlantic air masses and sea currents.

Winter is moderately cold, long, with changeable weather. This time of year is characterized by alternating thaws and frosts. The average temperature of the coldest month, February, is -4.3°C.

Spring is long and late. In April there are still frosts and often snowfalls. The snow finally melts at the end of April-beginning of May.

Summer in Tallinn begins in mid-June, when average daily temperatures reach 15°C. The average air temperature in July is 17.2 °C.

Autumn comes in late August-early September. The first half of September is usually characterized by dry, clear and warm weather. The first frosts occur in early October.

Average annual precipitation in Tallinn– 620 mm.

The number of hours of sunshine is 1780 per year.

Swimming season V Tallinn lasts from mid-June to mid-August. The water temperature during this period fluctuates between 17-23°C.

Connection

Services cellular communication And mobile internet V Tallinn, as throughout Estonia, they are offered by the operators Tele 2, Elisa and EMT. All operators have special tariff plans for tourists and SIM cards that do not require a contract. You can purchase SIM cards from local operators in mobile phone stores, newsstands, gas stations and shops. In the territory Tallinn SIM cards of Russian mobile operators operate in international roaming mode.

Most cafes and restaurants, city hotels, public places Tallinn equipped with Internet access points.

Telephone code Tallinn – 6.
To call from Russia to Tallinn From a landline phone you should dial 8-10-372-6-subscriber number.
To call to Tallinn from a cell phone, you should dial +372-6-subscriber number.

Population

According to 2015 population estimates Tallinn is 435,245 people. Most of of the city's residents, about 55% are Estonians, 36% of the population are Russians. Ukrainians, Belarusians, and Finns also live in the Estonian capital.

Transport component

Tallinn– the largest transport hub in the country. Here are located main airport, railway station and bus station of the country.

Air transport. international Airport Tallinn serves ships of 27 airlines. Regular flights connect the Estonian capital with Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vilnius, Warsaw, Helsinki, Stockholm, Amsterdam and London. There are bus stops at the airport, from which you can go commuter buses to the center Tallinn And intercity buses before major cities. In addition, the airport has car rental offices and a taxi dispatch desk.

Motor transport. Within walking distance from historical center The city has an International Bus Station Tallinn Tallinn. There is regular passenger service with Moscow, St. Petersburg, Riga, Vilnius, and Kiev.

Urban public transport Tallinn– buses, trolleybuses, trams. There are over 65 people in the city bus routes, 7 trolleybus routes, 4 tram routes. There are a huge number of taxi services in the Estonian capital - from large taxi fleets to small private companies. If you have a license, you can rent a car. The city has offices of major international car rental companies.

Tourism

IN Tallinn equally developed spheres excursion tourism, active rest, beach holiday and ecotourism.

Excursion tourism. It’s not for nothing that the Estonian capital is called “a museum under open air" A huge number of attractions are concentrated in the historical center of the city - architectural monuments of various styles and eras, cultural centers and museums, memorable places and sculptures. The streets of the city are lined with pedestrian observation and thematic excursions, and beyond its borders there are routes of bus educational tours. A Tourist Center has been opened on the territory of the Old Town, where you can purchase tickets for various events, and tourist maps with routes for independent excursions.

Beach holiday. In the territory Tallinn There are five public beaches: Pirita, Stroomi, Harku, Kakumäe and Pikakari. Pirita Beach is the largest and busiest in Tallinn. A wide strip of sand, 2 km long, is equipped with ball courts, playgrounds, and rows of sun loungers along the edge of the sea. Water sports equipment can be rented on the beach. Pirita beach is awarded the Blue Flag for its cleanliness and safety. There is a promenade and a park along the beach, offering impressive views of the old city and the peninsula.

In the northern part of the coast Tallinn, on the shore of Kopli Bay, Stroomi Beach is located. The beach curves like a crescent around the sea waters; on a wide strip of sand there are rental points for water sports equipment, trampolines for children, and outdoor cafes. Behind the beach stretches a strip of forest park with picnic meadows and walking alleys.

On the Paljassaare peninsula there is Pikakiri Beach, popular among young people. The sea here is gaining depth very sharply, and ferries passing by are catching up high waves, which creates conditions for many types of water sports. The most sparsely populated, but at the same time remote beach on the sea coast Tallinn is Kakumäe beach.

There is also a beach in the western part of the city, on the shores of Lake Harku. The gentle entrance to the water, warm water, and fine sand have made Harku Beach popular among tourists with children. On the beach there are sports grounds, rental stations for boats, catamarans, and SUP boards.

All public beaches Tallinn are free for visitors, and conditions have been created on Pirita beach for people with disabilities.

Leisure. IN Tallinn tourists are provided with opportunities for active recreation and sports. The most widespread are aquatic species sports - kite and wind surfing, yachting and sea walks. Water sports centers and boat bases operate on rivers and lakes in the vicinity of the Estonian capital.

IN Tallinn There are tennis courts, stadiums, bicycle rental points, karting centers, horse yards and complexes, paintball arenas, and shooting ranges. Tourists are offered to overcome rope courses in adventure parks, rafting down rivers, and take to the skies in a balloon tethered to the ground. There are fitness complexes in the city, ice arenas, sports clubs, as well as several trampoline centers. Near Tallinn There are three large golf clubs, each with an 18-hole course, and mini-golf courses are located directly within the city.

Popular winter activities include ice skating and skiing. In city parks, skating rinks are being built, cross-country ski trails are being laid, and slopes for skiing are being built. alpine skiing and snowboarding, tubing trails.

Ecological tourism. IN Tallinn and its surroundings there are environmental complexes and natural monument parks. Ecological trails run through the Kopli Birch Park, wetlands in Hiiu Forest, and there is an ornithological reserve on the Paljassaare peninsula. Information materials, special excursions and tours have been prepared for tourists, including active ones - horseback riding, cycling, and in winter, skiing.

Wellness holiday. IN Tallinn There are over a dozen large health and spa complexes offering a wide range of services - from cosmetology rituals and body wraps to massage, hardware techniques, and consultations with specialists.

Important phone numbers

Emergency numbers in Tallinn:

Fire and rescue service and ambulance – 112
Police – 110
Paid information service – 1181, 1184, 1182, 119

You can find out information of interest about the operation of transport, tourist routes, sign up for excursions, purchase tickets or tourist cards at the city’s tourist information center, operating at the address:

Niguliste 2 / Kullasepa 4 Ka ( Old city)
Tallinn 10146
Tel.: +372 645 7777

Attractions

Tallinn- a real treasure trove of architectural and historical monuments. The center of the Estonian capital, the Old Town, and its Vyshgorod district are a collection of open-air attractions. The buildings of the 11th-15th centuries have been amazingly preserved here, for which the area was included in the list of objects World Heritage UNESCO.

One of the symbols Tallinn is the famous Dome Cathedral - the oldest church in the city and the main Lutheran church in the country. The white stone cathedral stands majestically on top of Toompea Hill. The temple with a high baroque tower topped with a pointed roof was built in the 13th century. The cathedral tower is equipped Observation deck, from which a panorama of the Old Town opens. Next to the cathedral is one of the most impressive architectural complexes in Estonia - Toompea Castle, built in the 13th-15th centuries on the steep cliff of the hill of the same name.

Appearance Tallinn unthinkable without the city wall surrounding the old part of the city. The once 20-meter stone fortress had more than fifty towers and bastions, of which only half have survived. In the most powerful tower of Kiek in de Kek, today there is a museum where ancient weapons and armor are exhibited. The tower is connected to the bastions by a system of underground passages, which are also open to tourists. In the squat and wide fortress tower, ironically called “Fat Margaret”, there is an open Maritime Museum. Near the city wall and bastions there are many cozy gardens and squares.

The heart of the Estonian capital – central square city with a Gothic town hall, a tower with a spire and a weather vane - a figurine of the patron Tallinn Tallinn, Old Toomas. Behind the building's austere Gothic façade are colorful rooms with arched ceilings decorated with intricate wood carvings. The ensemble of Town Hall Square consists of the oldest operating pharmacy in Northern Europe. Must-see attractions of the Old Town – The House brothers Chernogolovykh, Katarina's creative lane full of street artists and musicians, the Yard of Masters with architectural ensemble XIII century.

With history Russian Empire The formation of the Kadriorg district is closely connected - walking through the local gardens and palace and park complex you can plunge into the era of Peter I and Catherine the Great. The main attraction of the area is the palace, erected by order of the Russian emperor. A pompous building in the Baroque style, surrounded by a flower garden. Inside the palace, visitors can see the ceiling paintings and stucco moldings of the two-story high main hall and the restored kitchen building. Other attractions of Kadriorg are the House of Peter I, where you can see the emperor’s personal belongings, as well as the country’s largest concert venue, the Singing Field.

Attractions in Tallinn There are also outside the Old Town. Ancient manors surrounded by beautiful but slightly neglected gardens, ancient castles and temples can be seen in remote areas of the Estonian capital - Nõmme and Pirite, and in the Kalamaja area, separated from the historical center by railway, a bohemian atmosphere reigns - this is where art centers and art are concentrated -cafes, workshops of contemporary artists and street ruins.

Leisure at the resort

Restaurants. IN Tallinn Tourists are offered a huge selection of restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, pizzerias and trattorias, bars and pubs, fast food outlets, bakeries and pastry shops with takeaway food.

By tradition, the most sophisticated restaurants are located in the historical center of the city. Getting to know the culture Estonian cuisine many people prefer to start with a visit to the restaurant “Kuldse Notsu Kõrts”, the name of which can be translated as “the tavern of the golden pig”. In an establishment furnished in accordance with national traditions, guests are served Estonian-style sour cabbage soup with pork and sour cream, pork, lamb, wild boar sausages, blood sausages and bacon, baked potatoes with stewed cabbage, homemade berry pie. From peasant cuisine to formal Estonian cuisine, you can go to the Gloria restaurant, which recreates the atmosphere of the 30s of the last century. You can get acquainted with the modern national cuisine of Estonia at “Farm”. The unusual combination of products and the form of execution give the dishes a new taste.

Dine on board the ship moored in Tallinn Tallinn port, invites you to the Admiral restaurant. View of the bay and pier, wooden furniture self made, models of ancient ships - all this is conducive to a leisurely meal. The Admiral menu includes dishes of Mediterranean, Balkan and Russian cuisine, with special attention paid to seafood treats - here you can taste sturgeon fillet grilled over charcoal, tiger shrimp tails in sauce.

IN Tallinn The palette of international cuisine is most fully represented among Estonian cities. The best establishment in order to have breakfast with croissants and pancakes made from buckwheat flour with coffee, many Tallinnians Tallinnians consider the cafe “Art Nouveau”. End the day with a French-style dinner and a glass of Merlot at the exquisite Bonaparte restaurant. Popular in Tallinn German cuisine. In the armory room of the medieval tower there is the Schnitzel Haus restaurant, where you can taste Bavarian cuisine - fried sausages with stewed cabbage, goulash, and more than ten types of schnitzel. Available in Tallinn restaurants serving Mediterranean, Argentine and Mexican cuisine. You can join the culinary culture of China and India in the cozy Kathmandu Hill cafe.

To feel the spirit of the medieval Tallinn The Peppersack restaurant is worth a visit. The restaurant's rooms are decorated in accordance with the theme - the walls are decorated with shields and swords, coats of arms and ancient objects, and the establishment itself is located in a reconstructed building of the 15th century. At Peppersack, you can try dishes with very unusual names, such as “The Weakness of Mother Margaret” or “The Tricks of the Fool Peppersack.” In the evenings, restaurant guests can watch epee fights and performances by folk ensembles.

Parks. IN Tallinn there are more than fifty parks, squares, gardens and boulevards; in addition, promenades and embankments are popular walking areas. The old city is literally surrounded by gardens and parks, laid out on the site or near ancient bastions and towers. Such is the small Commandant's Garden, the garden on Tower Square, the Garden of the Danish King.

A lively green island is Toompark, formed on the site of former earthworks around the Schnelli pond. Actually, the pond itself is the only surviving section of the system of water-filled ditches. On the territory of Toompark there is the Patkuli staircase, which connects Vyshgorod with the Lower Town, a stadium, and tennis courts. There are gazebos near the pond, and in the depths of the park there are fountains and recreation areas.

In the northeastern part Tallinn There is a spacious Kadriorg park. The park has preserved its natural landscape, which is emphasized by numerous alleys, flower beds, slides and lawns. The flora of the park frames the ensemble of Kadriorg Palace, and the park paths connect small architectural forms - fountains, sculptures and gazebos. In the park there is a Swan Pond with an island, as well as a Japanese Garden, where azaleas, rhododendrons and irises are planted.

Popular places for leisurely walks and relaxation in Tallinn are the former manor parks of Ceterhelm and Charlottenthal, and the Kakumäe coastal park with a health trail and sports facilities.

Theaters and cinemas. IN Tallinn The main stage and concert venues of the country are located - the Estonian Drama Theater and the Russian Theater of Estonia. Comic and humorous performances are performed on the stage of the Old Baskin Theater. Not only performances, but also lectures, creative meetings, festivals and readings take place on the stage of the Von Krahl Theater.

IN Tallinn a large number of cinema halls - modern multiplexes and restored and restored cinemas that have been operating for decades.

Museums. Number of museums in Tallinn just huge. Tourists are invited to get acquainted with thousands of collections of archeology and ethnography, visit highly specialized museums, private museums and exhibitions, unusual museums and open-air complexes.

Of interest are the exhibitions located in the towers and bastions of the Old Town. Here you can see collections of weapons, coins, and restored historical interiors. The Museum in the Kiek in de Kek Tower is always popular. Visitors can see medieval tools, exhibits that allow them to learn about the development of the city wall and fortifications of the city, as well as about crimes and the punishment system in the medieval Tallinn. From the tower you can get into the dungeon of the bastions.

You can get a closer look at the history of the Estonian capital and learn about the culture and way of life of the townspeople in bygone eras at the City Museum Tallinn, and the guild building houses the Estonian historical Museum. Both children and adults will be interested in the exhibition of the Museum of Puppetry Art and the House of Author's Dolls.

Popular among Russian tourists are the Museum of Peter I in Kadriorg, where you can not only see interior items from the Peter the Great era, but also the personal belongings of the emperor. Art lovers should visit the Kadriorg Art Museum, whose collection features works by the best Estonian artists working in the genre of academic and contemporary art.

On the seashore in the Viimsi area there is an open-air museum illustrating the way of life of fishermen. The complex includes preserved original buildings - a residential barn from the 1820s, a residential building built at the beginning of the 20th century, a barn, restored fishermen's huts, net sheds, boat sheds and hanging sheds.

In the Rocca al Mare area there is an ethnographic complex. The vast open-air museum area contains thatched village houses, farmsteads, a mill, a village school and a village chapel. Visitors to the complex can see the traditions and customs of the Estonian village and take part in folk festivals.

Entertainment and shopping centers. IN Tallinn a large number of shopping and entertainment complexes. The city's large shopping centers “Forum”, “Järve Keskus”, “Sikupilli” are represented by stores of leading fashion brands, electronics stores, recreation areas and food courts.

Tallinn, as befits a capital, pleases guests with a rich nightlife. After sunset, the doors of bars and pubs, billiard rooms, cigar salons and clubs are open to visitors. The most popular nightclubs in the city are Hollywood and Venus Club. Performances by musicians, including world-famous stars, take place on the stage of the Rock Café.

IN Tallinn there are gambling establishments. Large casinos “GranPrix” and “Olympic” are represented by roulettes, gaming tables for poker and blackjack, and slot machine halls.

The Megazone entertainment complex is open for the whole family, combining a laser tag arena, play areas for children, car and flight simulators, Segway tracks and a climbing wall.

Water parks. IN Tallinn There are several small water centers. In the Kalev Spa water park, visitors will find three swirling tube slides of varying lengths, a 50-meter pool with 8 lanes, a 25-meter pool, a children's pool, a fantasy pool for small children, and Jacuzzi baths. In addition, the aquatic center has Finnish and steam saunas.

Another water complex, Aqua Spa, does not have slides, but provides opportunities for relaxation and entertainment in the water. There is a swimming pool with a bar, a children's pool, a seawater pool, a year-round heated outdoor pool, all kinds of hydromassage installations and Jacuzzi baths, Finnish, Turkish and steam baths.

Amusement parks. There is a small amusement park in the Kadriorg area. The entertainment complex is mainly aimed at children. There are several carousels, prize shooting ranges, slides, and electric car rentals.

Adventure parks with rope courses for children and adults can be considered a kind of amusement park. Similar parks with trolleys, rope ladders and bridges operate in Nõmme, next to the ancient Glenn Park, in Pirita next to the beach of the same name.

Poster

Tallinn is the cultural center and capital of Estonia, so this is where the loudest, brightest and largest events in the country take place.

In May the city celebrates the day Tallinn. On celebration days, city squares turn into concert venues, spaces for theatrical performances, fairs, contests and competitions.

Every year the beginning of summer is marked by the Old Town Days. The event enlivens the streets of the historical center of the capital - here and there you can see people in historical costumes belonging to different eras, music sounds everywhere, theatrical performances take place in the squares, ancient mansions open their doors to visitors.

Significant events in the life of the city are the Annual Guitar Music Festival and the street food. Of considerable interest are the Days of the Middle Ages and the Days of the Sea, a colorful festival of Kadriorg Park.

The largest concert venue in the country, the Singing Field, annually becomes the venue for the Õllesummer Beer Festival, in which more than 100 musicians and groups from Estonia and other countries take part every year.

Among the traditional Tallinn events – Tallinn chamber music festival, Festival musical theaters"Birgitta" and the architectural biennale.

While talking with friends after returning from Estonia, I made two important discoveries. First, none of my actively traveling friends have ever been to this country. Secondly, no one can imagine what you can see there, except Tallinn. Therefore, viewing the photographs was accompanied by long comments, and at the end of the story a verdict was made: we had to go.

The route of the trip, organized by the tourism development center Enterprise Estonia, covered the cities that were part of the Hanseatic League - Tallinn, Viljandi, Tartu and Pärnu, as well as the islands of Muhu and Saaremaa. Existing in the XIII-XVII centuries in Northern Europe to protect trade and merchants, the union united about 200 cities in the Northern and Baltic seas. It included cities of the German Empire, or cities inhabited by German citizens and having autonomous government and their own laws.

"It's good to go to Tallinn..."

There is no need to talk about how beautiful ancient Tallinn is. Its winding narrow streets are dizzying, enchanting and from time to time lead careless tourists to a place completely different from where they intended to go. Locals welcoming and friendly. Seeing our company, armed with cameras, the grandmother who was walking towards us stopped and began to passionately explain something in Estonian, persistently pointing to the left and repeating: “Tip-tip-tip,” which is probably akin to our “top-top.” We nodded, thanked him in English, and then exchanged a few words with each other in Russian. “Well, I can explain it to you in Russian,” the grandmother perked up and said that if you turn into the nearest alley, you can see the picturesque ruins of medieval buildings.

“I don’t need much, My visit is almost pointless: Wander around restaurants, Stand in the snow and see Ian and Helen,” David Samoilov wrote in a famous poem about Tallinn. Luckily, we missed the snowfall by a couple of months, and they showed us some of the best restaurants in the capital.

Right on Town Hall Square there is the Maikrahv restaurant, where guests can enjoy several rooms that can accommodate more than 200 people, as well as a summer veranda, where in hot weather it is pleasant to drink a cup of excellent coffee.

Here, on the square, there is another noteworthy restaurant - Kaerajaan, included in the list of the 50 best restaurants in Estonia. Its interior is designed in national style, and the menu combines the traditions of Estonian cuisine and modern European achievements in the art of cooking.

A real gem, restaurant O is located on the border of the old and new towns. The decor uses an exquisite combination of black and white, and the menu features dishes prepared exclusively from Estonian products, pleasing not only the palate, but also the eye.

Another restaurant in the Old Town - Gloria - features an interior designed in the "Stalinist Empire" style, a varied menu and is proud of its wine library, where more than 2 thousand varieties of drinks are collected. The door to the wine library is located next to the entrance to the restaurant. There you can buy wine, as well as have dinner with friends - in a real labyrinth of small halls, there are tables cozy enough to accommodate a small company.

Lahemaa Park - a natural paradise

At dusk we left hospitable Tallinn and went to national park Lahemaa, on whose territory there are preserved old estates or, in Estonian - manor. Now the estates house hotels and museums. We stopped for the night in one of these hotels - on Vihulu Manor. It’s worth spending a few days here, enjoying the silence and beauty of nature, walking through the picturesque park. This morning walk gave us energy for the whole day.

From Vihulu we moved to another estate - Palmse, which once belonged to the barons von Palen. This is a real museum with a recreated atmosphere of the century before last, its own greenhouse and a French park. The house has a dressing room with costumes from the last century. All of them are sewn today, so guests are not forbidden to try on hats and numerous dresses.

While the ladies are enthusiastically exploring the contents of the room, the men should go down to the garage near the manor house, where a solid collection of bicycles, motorcycles and cars is collected.

Tartu - the student capital

Next, our path lay in the student city of Estonia - Tartu. A fifth of the total population here are students. Therefore, the small town lives a hectic life, and it is impossible to call it sleepy even at night, as I was convinced of after making an educational night walk around the surrounding area.

Once a year, on the eve of May 1, the mayor of the city cedes his powers to students for one night. There are many traditions and customs associated with this night. For example, the monument to Baron von Baer is given a real dressing down with champagne, after which they put a pre-purchased tie on it.

We settled directly opposite the university building - at the Antonius Hotel. This cozy hotel has 16 rooms, each decorated in its own style. It is ideal for a relaxing holiday - even despite its proximity to the university, silence and serenity reign here.

For conferences, meetings and other events with big amount participants, we can recommend the Dorpat Hotel. This is a modern building that includes 205 rooms with a separate floor for allergy sufferers, a conference complex and a spa center with an impressive list of wellness treatments, in addition to all kinds of massages, even offering “leech therapy.”

Pärnu - a city by the sea

Having said goodbye to noisy and cheerful Tartu, we went to the summer capital of Estonia - Pärnu. On the way, we stopped in Viljandi - a charming town, drenched in sun and full of flowers, seeming like an improbable idyllic place from the canvas of a romantic painter. Alas, we didn’t have time to wander through its streets; we only had time to explore the city cathedral and the ruins of an ancient fortress, taking a few pictures as we went.

In Pärnu, the biggest impression was Villa Ammende. This is a 24-room hotel, the interiors of which are designed in the Art Nouveau style, taking all the best from this direction in design of the early 20th century. Here you can hold business meetings, conferences, and also arrange a wedding ceremony.

Islands

From Pärnu our route lay to the island of Muhu. From Virtsu port you can get there by ferry in half an hour. Peace and quiet reign on the island.

Among the attractions, tourists are offered to explore the local history museum, which introduces guests to the history of these places and traditions, as well as the museum of the Soviet poet Juhan Smuul, whose monument is erected on the seashore. Both museums are located in the village of Koguva.

You can stay at the Pädaste Manor Hotel, which was awarded a five-star hotel certificate this year. The hotel is located in a former manor house built 500 years ago. It consists of three houses - Manor House, Carriage House and Private Farm House and is deservedly considered one of the most luxurious in Estonia. Here, the simplicity of interior design - stone walls, wooden beams, massive furniture - is combined with the most modern technologies: a plasma panel built into the headboard, a docking station and much more. Private Farm House stands apart, a stone's throw from the seashore, and is designed for secluded relaxation. Here guests can live completely independently. They have at their disposal several bedrooms and bathrooms, one of which is located on a glassed-in veranda, and a living room with a fireplace. It’s worth coming to the hotel for a week to completely dissolve in nature and enjoy peace and solitude.

We spent one night at Pädaste Manor, and the next day we went to the island of Saaremaa, which is connected to Muhu by a four-kilometer causeway. The light rain that had started in the morning did not bother us at all, although the bad weather did cause some concern - we had a boat trip to the seal reserve ahead of us. It has existed in Saaremaa for a long time, in different time there are from 70 to 300 individuals here. 40 minutes on the road - and you can watch these animals, which, however, also do not deny themselves the pleasure of studying the guests.

There are many comfortable hotels in Saaremaa. In the largest city on the island, Kurressaare, tourists are offered a wide selection of small hotels located in historical buildings, and modern complexes with spa, swimming pools and conference rooms. For lovers of active recreation, there is the Saare Golf center, which became the first golf course in Estonia located within the city. Wits call the island Spaaremaa for the abundance of spa centers. There are 7 spa hotels and many centers offering a wide variety of treatments in Kuressaare.

The Arensburg Boutique Hotel & SPA deserves special attention, occupying two buildings in the city center - one modern, the other from the 18th century. There is a restaurant, considered the best in the city, a spa center with a swimming pool, and conference rooms.

The newly opened boutique hotel Ekesparre, where we stayed, overlooks the bishop's castle built in the 13th century. The hotel has 10 rooms decorated in Art Nouveau style. Here you can not only relax in comfort, but also hold receptions and seminars using the library located in the attic, which can accommodate a group of up to 12 people.

Having rented a bicycle, you should start the morning with a walk around the city - take a ride to the beach, get to the center, look at the local market, where they sell fresh fish and where friendly sellers chat animatedly with customers and not only about “commercial” matters. They can tell many amazing stories that the island is rich in. For example, they will tell the legend about the giant Tylla who lived here, who defended these lands from the evil giant Vanapagan. A sculpture by master Tauno Kangro, standing on the shore, depicting the big Tõll and his wife Piret, also reminds us of this story.

Saaremaa hosts many events, including Kuressaare Castle Day, which features a noisy festival with theatrical performances, and Kuressaare Sea Days, held in early August. Therefore, those who not only value a relaxing holiday, but also love all kinds of entertainment, will not be bored.

The time has come for us to say goodbye to hospitable Estonia. From Kuressaare airport we flew to Tallinn in about 45 minutes, from where we headed back to Russia.

Olga Storozhilova

The pearl of the Baltics, a charming city Northern Europe and “part-time” the permanent capital of Estonia, Tallinn, freely spread out on the southern shore of the Gulf of Finland, is the center of attraction for numerous travelers. Find out on the Tour Calendar why the most optimal time to visit it is from late spring to early autumn.

Tourist season in Tallinn

Tallinn has long won the sincere love of the wider tourist community. Covered with ancient legends and traditions, imbued with the romance of the Middle Ages, it is a real open-air museum. Such a dense concentration of ancient monuments and buildings, perhaps, is not found in any other corner of Europe. That is why this Baltic city primarily attracts fans of rich excursion program and lovers of time travel. Yes, yes, we didn’t make a reservation: the Estonian capital conveys the original spirit of the Middle Ages so realistically that turning into one of the nooks and crannies, you can suddenly be transported several centuries ago. The bulk of tourists arrive here as part of bus tours. Their duration ranges from 3 days (so-called weekend tours) to two weeks. Those who prefer comfort and are willing to pay extra for it take tour packages with air travel. They also come to Tallinn for cruise ships, trains and own cars(when independent travel). From year to year entry tourist flow is only growing. By national composition Finns are in the lead, followed by Russians, Latvians and Norwegians. In principle, Tallinn is a year-round tourist center, but still the concept of high and low seasons is not alien to it.

High season

Tallinn has always been the center of attention of inquisitive tourists. Twice a year the interest shown in him is especially great. The traditional and main peak of the high season occurs in the summer months. With the onset of warm, sunny days, tourists flock to the city from almost all corners of Europe. It is not surprising that accommodation problems may arise at this time. Therefore, it is advisable to book a room in advance. The second surge in tourist activity is observed on the eve of Catholic Christmas and New Year, and continues until approximately January 8-9. So on a trip you can also note the usual Orthodox Christmas. Preparations for the holidays begin at the end of November. Streets decorated with a series of multi-colored garlands, shop windows decorated with light installations, magical castles dusted with snow and a fluffy Christmas tree flaunting on Town Hall Square - all this creates the feeling of a fairy tale and evokes an atmosphere of expectation of a miracle. In addition, a short rush among foreign guests can be observed during major festivals, international conferences and various exhibitions. Typically, the end of May, June, July and August are the highest rates for hotels and air tickets.

Low season

In early spring, in the second half of autumn and winter, when it gets significantly colder, Tallinn is less popular, which allows you to relax much more economically than in summer. At this time, travel agencies sell tours with significant discounts. If you like regularity and leisurely, calm and quiet, and do not accept the tourist crowd, then you should think about a visit to Tallinn at this time. Walking around the city will take place without crowds of tourists, and in order to see the sights, you won’t have to stand in lines. The only negative, in fact, can be considered the weather. However, depending on what you compare with: Tallinn’s climate is more moderate than the climate middle zone Russia. And if you dress warmly, then no cold will be scary!

Beach season in Tallinn

Tallinn is a phenomenal city. Despite the fact that it is not a resort, it has 5 excellent beaches, 4 of which are located on the shores of the Gulf of Finland. The swimming season is short, it lasts from June to mid-late August. The average water temperature is 20 degrees, on the hottest days - +21..+22°C.

Best time for excursions

The abundance of ancient heritage sites and the vibrant history of Tallinn, which has preserved its original style and architecture, attract lovers of educational recreation, and the developed club industry and thriving restaurant business attract lovers of a leisurely lifestyle. The most common misconception among tourists who come to Tallinn for the first time is that this compact modern capital can be seen in a couple of days. To feel the city and get to know it properly, you need to wander for a long time along its narrow winding streets, enjoying the magnificent examples of architecture, get lost in the intricate labyrinth of alleys among the cobbled streets, and then find your way out on your own, taste the roasted almonds on the Town Hall Square, whose aroma is not a joke whets your appetite, and spend money on cute trinkets in souvenir shops and handicraft shops. In other words, although a mandatory trip to Tallinn is unthinkable without a “race” through its museums and galleries, most of the time will still have to be spent on outdoors, therefore, when planning a vacation, it is important not to miscalculate the weather, so as not to spoil it with capricious weather phenomena. The most successful period, in our opinion, for these purposes is June, July, August and the beginning of September, when the days are moderately warm and there is sun.

Cruise season

Tallinn is a maritime city with navigable coastal waters. Every year the number of cruise ship passengers only increases. The Estonian capital is connected to Russia by a year-round ferry service from St. Petersburg to Tallinn. From late spring to late autumn, high-speed ships and catamarans ply, delivering to the final destination not in the standard four, but in just one and a half hours.

Sale season

The picture of vacation risks being incomplete if you forget about such an integral component as shopping. There are a lot of boutiques and shopping centers, where they sell high-quality branded clothing and shoes at prices below average European prices. If updating your wardrobe is one of the main goals of your trip, then we recommend bringing it closer to the sales season. The global sale in Tallinn is timed to coincide with Christmas. Signs with discounts begin to decorate street windows a few days before December 25 and remain there until the last days of January. In addition, throughout the year, some brand stores organize global liquidation of collections from the past season. But it is impossible to know the specific dates of their holding in advance.

It's time for holidays and festivals

Cultural life in Tallinn is wrapped in a “garland” of various events. These can range from medieval festivals and classical music weeks to conferences. At the end of March - at the beginning of April, a gathering of talented creators and fans of multi-genre music takes place in Tallinn - “Tallinn Music Week”. This festival does not have a single venue: its concerts are scattered throughout all corners of the Estonian capital. It has already become a tradition that large-scale celebrations in honor of City Day are held annually on May 15th. They open with a solemn ceremony of launching fountains in city parks. Events include: performances by musicians and dance groups, exhibitions modern sculpture, competitions and fireworks. Tourists love to attend festivals such as Tallinn Old Town Days, which start at the end of May, Tallinn Medieval Days and Tallinn Sea Days, which fall in early or mid-July. The culmination of the cultural summer is the Brigitta opera and ballet festival within the walls of a dilapidated ancient monastery. The arrival of autumn is not a reason for boredom. In September, the traditional Tallinn SEB Marathon is expected, and at the end of the month - the Festival of Orthodox Sacred Music. In the first ten days of November during three days St. Valentine's Day Fair is held. Martin, and in the latter, artisan markets come to life on Town Hall Square. 1st of January - New Year. You can find out about other holidays in the article about Estonia.

Climate in Tallinn

Tallinn is located in an area with a transitional climate from temperate maritime to temperate continental. The proximity of the Baltic Sea has a huge influence on the weather.

Tallinn in spring

In March it is still winter. Slush, dampness, nondescript landscapes. Yes, and it's cold. But by the 20th of April, the ground is covered with green grass, and young leaves appear on the trees, and your soul becomes happier. In May, the air is crazy with the aromas of spring. Nature is quickly waking up, the sun is shining more gently. True, the evenings are quite chilly, so it’s too early to part with jackets.

Temperature and weather in Tallinn in spring

	Weather in March	Weather in April	Weather in May
Temperature average	-2	+4	+10
Temperature during the day	+2	+8	+15
Temperature at night	-5	0	+5
Water temperature	0	+4	+8
Rain	4 days	8 days	9 days
Snow	5 days	0 days	0 days

Tallinn in summer

With the beginning of summer, almost all days are marked by moderate warmth and sunshine. The average daily air temperature remains at +21 degrees Celsius. Sometimes gloomy clouds gather over the city, pouring rain on the streets, but precipitation is usually short-lived, so there is nothing to worry about. From the second half of August it gradually gets colder, and autumn is approaching.

Temperature and weather in Tallinn in summer

	Weather in June	Weather in July	Weather in August
Temperature average	+15	+17	+16
Temperature during the day	+19	+21	+20
Temperature at night	+10	+12	+12
Water temperature	+13	+18	+21
Rain	10 days	12 days	11 days

Tallinn in autumn

With each September day the air cools more and more. By the end of the month, patches of yellow appear on the dark green crowns of the villages, and by the beginning of November the leaves may all fall off. To be honest, the weather since mid-autumn leaves much to be desired. This is not the best time for walking.

I told you that too.

It's time to talk about Tallinn.)))

And Tallinn is beautiful in the fall, I must admit. Even if it's rainy.

In general, I used to visit Tallinn periodically. I worked in a hotel, and our main Baltic office was in Tallinn, and therefore I sometimes went there for work. That’s why I also know something about hotels in Tallinn.

I was asked to recommend something for an overnight stay, but the choice is so large that it is difficult to choose just one. It all depends on your preferences and financial capabilities. But I would definitely consider a hotel in the center or near it.

It is located in close proximity to the Old Town. She herself, however, is no longer the first freshness, but that’s why you can get a good price. The luxury rooms are on two floors! And tomorrow I’ll tell you where we stayed this time.

Tallinn itself looks somehow more developed, more European, or something. Take, for example, the same skyscrapers all around; there are not so many in Riga, although Tallinn is much smaller than Riga.