Attractions Nearby Tallinn, Day Trips and Excursions

(Tallinn, Harjumaa, Estonia)

Estonia's Harju County is filled with attractions close to Tallinn, many of which are based around its lengthy shoreline. A popular coastal resort on the western side of Estonia and to the south-west of central Tallinn, Haapsalu is where many tourists head during the Estonia's sunny summer months.

An important city and the second biggest in Estonia after Tallinn, Tartu is home to a population of just over 100,000 people. Standing to the north of the city and across the Gulf of Finland, the Finnish city of Helsinki may be in another country, but its endless attractions can be easily reached by regular ferries departing from the city's port.

Helsinki

The journey between Tallinn and Helsinki, Finland, lasts just over two hours in total. Tourists arriving in Helsinki will be greeted with many exceptional attractions, such as the Presidential Palace (Presidentinlinna), the 19th-century Helsinki Cathedral (Tuomiokirkko / Suurkirkko), the Olympic Stadium (Olympiastadion) and the Linnanmäki Amusement Park, which is home to some 40 different fast rides, including a historical wooden roller coaster known as the Vuoristorata.

Haapsalu

Famed for its water and inviting seawater and 12th-century wooden buildings, the town of Haapsalu was founded towards the end of the 13th century and still contains many of its earliest attractions, such as the Haapsalu Castle, where it is reputed that on the night of a full moon, an image of a lady appears within the interior of its chapel. This tale in known as the 'Legend of the White Lady'.

Rakvere

A northerly Estonian town within the Lääne-Viru County and just a relatively short distance to the south of the Gulf of Finland, Rakvere can be found to the east of Tallinn. The main attractions within Rakvere include the market building, town stadium, the theatre house, the Rakvere castle, and the rather famous and extremely large Tarvas statue, a sculpture of a now extinct aurochs cow, made from bronze and created by a local Estonian artist as part of the town's celebrations during its 700th birthday.

Tartu

Located directly south-east of Tallinn and close to both the towns of Otepää and Poltsamaa, the city of Tartu is considered to be the country's cultural hub. Tartu is dissected by the Emajogi River, which links two of Estonia's biggest lakes. Attractions to look out for include the 18th-century Town Hall, the Luthern St. John's Church, the remains of a grand cathedral dating from the 13th century, and the University of Tartu, which is home to around 19,000 students and was founded as long ago as 1632. Amongst its many historical buildings are a number of rather surprising modern structures built with glass and steel.