Tallinn is one of the best-preserved medieval cities, with its historic buildings protected as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The word Tallinn means ‘Danish town’. Tallinn is the capital of Estonia, a Baltic State. More than half of the country’s territory is covered with forests, 22 percent of it is agricultural. The country, which has breathtaking beauty with more than 1500 islands, is home to a large number of bird species and is one of the top 3 bird watching centers in Europe. Estonia is also proud of the world’s largest collection of folk songs, with more than 133 thousand officially registered.

 

Unlike many other European capitals, Tallinn has managed to fully preserve its medieval and Hanseatic origins. Based on the 13th-century town plan, the Old Town was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997 as one of the world’s most famous landmarks.

You can explore the city on foot or rent a bicycle if the weather is favorable. As one of the northernmost capitals of Europe, you can have a fairytale-like winter vacation in Tallinn, which has cold winters, and you can also enjoy your summer vacation in this city with its beautiful beaches, although it does not stand out much with this feature in summer.

Voted European Capital of Culture in 2011, Tallinn will make you feel like you’re in the middle of the Middle Ages. We especially recommend you walk around the historic city and even get lost in the streets. The old town is divided into ‘Upper Town’ and ‘Lower Town’. Tallinn Old Town has many well-preserved historical buildings and St.

Olaf’s Church is one of the most iconic ones. The church, which was the tallest building in the world during the XV and XVI centuries, is one of the top places to visit in Tallinn. In the past, the height of the building was around one hundred and sixty meters, but when it was destroyed by fires and lightning strikes, its height was reduced by forty meters to one hundred and twenty meters. In addition to the architectural beauty of St. Olaf’s Church, another special feature is the observation deck that offers panoramic views of Tallinn.

Although it is a bit of a hassle to climb up to this terrace, which is about sixty meters above the ground, once you reach your destination, you can’t help but say, “I’m glad I came here.” In fact, it would not be wrong to say that Tallinn is one step ahead of other European cities in terms of panoramic observation points. The bell tower of the City Hall, Kohtuotsa, Patkuli and Piiskopi lookout points, Hellemann Tower and City Wall are among the must- visit places especially for photography enthusiasts with their eye-catching city views.

With New Year’s Eve just around the corner, it’s worth mentioning Tallinn’s spectacular New Year’s atmosphere. As the New Year approaches, a huge pine tree adorned with lights is placed in the Town Hall Square, known as the heart of the old town. The Christmas Market in the same place gives the old town a completely different look, full of life, and this fairy-tale scene is complemented by the snow-covered streets, the yellow lights that give the city a cozy atmosphere despite all the cold, and the cozy cafes around the square. Yes, Tallinn is a cold city in the winter months, very cold, given its geographical location, but it is also one of the most beautiful European capitals that makes you feel the Christmas spirit to the fullest.