Have you ever considered visiting Tallinn, Estonia? This small European capital city is one of the most underrated destinations to visit in 2023.
Tallinn may not be on the radar for many travelers, but this city has a lot going for it. Anyone who visits Tallinn will be rewarded with its beautiful sights, including the Old Town and Kadriorg Palace, affordable prices, delicious food, and interesting history and culture.
Located on the Baltic Sea, Tallinn is the historic capital city of Estonia, which along with Latvia and Lithuania, makes up the Baltic states. With a population of 426,000, Tallinn is a small but vibrant city.
Here are the top reasons to visit Tallinn, Estonia this year:
1. A Beautiful Old Town
Tallinn’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and among the prettiest in Europe. The fortified walled city dates back to the 13th century, with most structures built before the 16th century.
The Old Town is filled with winding, hilly cobblestone streets punctuated by church spires and the pointy tops of defensive towers.
Enjoyed by tourists and locals alike, Tallinn’s Old Town is filled with popular restaurants, shops, and museums.
2. Affordable prices
Although Estonia is not among the cheapest countries in Europe, Tallinn is still a very affordable city compared to many other European capitals.
While you won’t find the dirt-cheap prices of other European cities like Belgrade and Sarajevo, Tallinn remains much more affordable than Western Europe and Scandinavia.
Accommodations and food in Tallinn are particularly affordable, making it a great destination for both budget travelers and luxury travelers who want to splurge without spending a fortune.
3. Digital nomad hotspot
Tallinn is known for being a fast-growing hub for tech and start-ups. It’s a great base for digital nomads, and Estonia was one of the first countries in Europe to offer a digital nomad visa.
The country’s visa program allows remote workers and self-employed digital nomads to live and work in Estonia for up to one year.
If you can demonstrate proof of income equaling €3,504 a month, you can apply for Estonia’s digital nomad visa. Otherwise, Americans and visitors of many other nationalities can stay in Estonia for up to 90 days without a visa.
4. Food, culture, and nightlife
Despite being a relatively small city, Tallinn has a lot going for it.
It’s home to many great restaurants, serving everything from traditional Estonian food to inventive and contemporary cuisine. Estonian food is known for being heavy on meat, potatoes, and bread, but in Tallinn, you can also find lots of fresh fish.
Tallinn is also home to a number of great museums, including the Kadriorg Palace and the Eesti Kunstimuuseum for art, and the KGB Museum based on Estonia’s Soviet occupation.
If you’re in search of nightlife, Tallinn also has a lot going on, from bars to nightclubs.
5. A green capital
Tallinn was named the European Green Capital of 2023 because of its commitment to the environment and sustainability.
More than a quarter of Tallinn consists of parks and green spaces, like the enchanting Kadriorg Palace parks and gardens. Tallinn is also located directly on the sea, with several public beaches and waterfront parks.
Additionally, Tallinn is close to plenty of nature, like the seaside resort town of Haapsalu and the bogs and wetlands of Soomaa National Park.
6. Easy access to the rest of Europe
Finally, Tallinn is ideally located on the Baltic Sea, with easy access to the rest of Europe.
The Tallink ferry makes the journey to Helsinki, Finland in just over two hours, while Stockholm, Sweden is a short one-hour flight away.
Numerous budget airlines connect Tallinn to dozens of other popular destinations in Europe.
