If you’re bring the whole family to Tallinn – a good idea –we recommend hiring car and striking out beyond the capital as well, as it takes less than four hours to get to the southernmost point. Sights outside Tallinn include Lottemaa theme park in Pärnu, the Ahhaa science centre in the university city of Tartu, water parks and spa hotels in along the western coast, the historical north-eastern resort town of Narva-Jõesuu and wondrous southern Estonia, Elistvere free-range zoo in Jõgeva, canoe trips on the River Valgejõgi, the “fifth season” (high water in spring) in Soomaa National Park, and the beautiful and distinctive islands in the western archipelago make a holiday here truly memorable.

Tallinn Zoo

One of Europe’s most attractive and engaging zoo is in Tallinn, just six kilometres from the city centre. The zoo, which has over 7,000 individual animals and 600 different species, recently opened a new Polar Bear World, which won the hearts of visitors even before opening. Besides polar bears Friida, Aron and Nord, the zoo has dwarf hippos named Holger and Pupa, a hook-lipped rhino from E. Africa named Kigoma, and lynxes Kristiina and Keiu.

Seaplane Harbour

The Estonian Maritime Museum, which was reopened in historical seaplane hangars in 2012, is one of the most innovative museums in northern Europe. Set by the sea, in the northern city-centre district of Kalamaja, the museum is truly fascinating, featuring the only extant Estonian submarine the Lembit, which was raised from the deep; the possibility of walking on board the icebreaker Suur Tõll, also a unique vessel; and participating in hands-on activities for younger family members – simulators, paper airplane throwing, costumed photo ops in naval attire, and an aquarium.

Energy Discovery Centre

Tallinn’s city centre, on the borders of the Old Town, is home to this science centre that introduces the exciting phenomena around us that often seem to resist easy explanation. A well-appointed planetarium will send you spaceward straight away, and sound and light experiments provide answers to questions of how sound waves form, why light is refracted, where rainbows are located, and whether it’s possible for hair on your head to defy gravity.

Tallinn hosts a truly large number of concerts for fans of classical music and the pop and alternative scene. Theatre performances, exhibitions and festivals take place in Tallinn and all around Estonia.

Kanuti Gildi SAAL

This venue is one of the gems of the contemporary Estonian theatre, with plays, concerts, performance art, showings and festivals all year round. Local language proficiency not required in many cases.

Estonia National Opera

Estonia National Opera opened for the first time 112 years ago. Since that time, it has enthralled the public with theatre, opera and ballet productions. The playbill is multifaceted with masterworks by local composers and world-renowned greats.

Old Town

With an entry on the UNESCO world heritage list, Tallinn’s Old Town shines with its buildings and architecture from as far back as the 11^th century. See St. Nicholas Church with one of Europe’s most famous artworks, Bernd Notke’s Danse Macabre. Romantic cafes, breathtaking architecture and small boutiques take you on a wonderful voyage far removed from everyday routine.

Kalamaja

The architecture in this district has mainly preserved its authentic charm in its wooden houses and pleasant atmosphere. Today Kalamaja has a very youthful population in the cultural industries, with lots of cafes, restaurants, cultural centres and design shops. A common denominator is love of a lifestyle that fuses recycling ethos and a community spirit.

Tallinn has nearly 400 different cafes, restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs that are all about ambience. Restaurants have received for the calibre of the head chefs who love what they do and are dedicated to their profession. The most beautiful northern European capital loves to eat well and with international flair

V

One of the country’s best vegan restaurants is right here in the Old Town on Rataskaevu Street. Vegan Restaurant V is so popular that even meat lovers are known to frequent the place. The challenge may be booking a table. The menu, as noted, is exclusively plant-based, which means no eggs and dairy products, either.

NOA

Ten kilometres from the city centre where the city’s Pirita district blends into Viimsi Municipality, is the crowned head of Estonian restaurants, NOA. A breathtakingly beautiful view right across the bay and the menu befitting a distinguished restaurant will be cherished by diners even months and years later.

Pudel

Estonia’s first gourmet beer bar Pudel, also in Kalamaja, is one of the most popular places for local craft brews and ciders and some of the world’s most unusual and rare beers.

Tallinn has many small design shops with works of local designers ranging from jewellery to accessories to clothing to footwear. The bigger shopping centres are located in the city centre and we recommend setting aside enough time to give them a proper look.

Tali

Estonia’s biggest design shop with nearly everything a soul might want in its selection. Tali has works by the finest artists and a broad range of items, with clothing, accessories, jewellery and interior design all represented.

Viru Keskus

Between the Old Town and the downtown area is one of the biggest and most premium malls, Viru Keskus. Besides shops and cafes, it’s hoe to the legendary department store, the Tallinna Kaubamaja. The range of merchandise is wall to wall and nearly every member of the family can find what they want – you can even buy a car here!

As Tallinn is so unintimidatingly compact, it’s convenient to get around on foot, bicycle or public transport, or with Uber and Taxify. Tallinn Card holders tide public transport free of charge. The cards come in 24-, 48- and 72-hour varieties and include many discounts on admission to museums and theatres, meals in restaurants, and tours.

Visitors who yearn to visit places outside the capital are advised to rent a car. The nearest scenic wetlands are located just a couple hundred kilometres from Tallinn.

If you take a taxi, we recommend exercising caution and asking about the approximate fare first, because sometimes drivers are adept at taking a circuitous route to the destination.