Tallinn Life and Visitor Travel Tips
(Tallinn, Harjumaa, Estonia)
Estonia's most visited city, Tallinn is home to a major seaport, which has played an integral part of Estonian life for many years and still continues to do so. Tourists arriving in Tallinn will immediately find many sights are close to the harbour, while others reside firmly within the historic Old Town.
During your time in the city, do think seriously about purchasing a Tallinn Card, which is advertised as an 'all-in-one ticket to the city'. This card offers considerable savings if used extensively and is accepted by more than 100 different locations citywide. The discount card also includes free bus travel and sightseeing tours, spa visits, entrance to Club Hollywood and discounts at many restaurants, being valid for up to 72 hours. However, if you don't think that you will make full use of the Tallinn Card during your stay, it may be more cost effective to pay as you go.
Useful Contact Details
The Tallinn Tourist Information Centre is a good place to visit when you first arrive in the city and offers guided tours of the city, led by experienced, certified guides. These multi-language tours last around one and a half hours and can be extremely popular, so you will need to book well ahead.
Tallinn Tourist Information Centre
Address: Niguliste 2 / Kullassepa 4, Tallinn, Estonia, EE
Tel: +372 06 45 7777
Fax: +372 06 45 7778
Email: turismiinfo@tallinn.ee
Website: www.tallinn.ee
Language and Dialect
Estonian, the official language of Estonia and Tallinn, is spoken by more than one million people across the country. If you are intending to spend more than just a day or two in Tallinn, do seriously consider bringing an Estonian phrase book and learning some of the most useful phrases before you arrive. Here is a selection to get you started.
- Please - Palun
- Thanks - Aitäh
- Yes - Jah
- Good morning - Ei notere hommikust
- Good afternoon - Tere päevast
- Good night - Head ööd
- Goodbye - Head aega
- Excuse me - Vabanda
- How are you? - Kuidas käsi käib?
- My name is... - Minu nimi on...
- What is your name? - Mis on teie nimi?
- Do you speak English? - Kas te räägite inglise keelt?
Dos and Don'ts / Tourist Traps
- Dining Out - many popular cafes and pubs line the Town Hall Square (Raekoja Plats), and whilst these tend to be expensive tourist traps, their central location and views of the busy square are considered by many to be more than worth the money
- Rickshaw - if you are tired of walking around Old Town Tallinn and yet still have plenty of sights left to see, consider taking a trip on one of the many rickshaws, which can take up to three people and are powered by a keen pedalling student
- Souvenir Shopping - the most pricey Estonian souvenirs tend to be sold in the central shops around the Town Hall Square, so if you have the time, do shop around to find the best value gift ideas
- Travelling in Taxis - if you must travel by taxi in Tallinn, always use only official companies and request them by telephone if at all possible. Always avoid old taxis and make sure that the meter is working correctly, or agree a fare before you actually leave