Tallinn

Return flights from London Stansted using Easyjet
(I travelled From Berlin using Easyjet).

Date Travelled: 20-22 November 2004

Emerging from its Soviet past, is the country of Estonia, and its capital Tallinn.

From the airport, take bus number 2 to the centre, cost 15 Estonian Kroon (75 pence). I stayed at the Reval Inn, which is right next to the old town, the port, and the last bus stop from the airport.

To start your Tallinn adventure, head through the old town gates, through all the narrow cobbled streets, to the old town square.


Tallinn old town entrance gate.

The old town square features a pleasant market, selling all sorts of local souvenirs and produce. As I visited before christmas, the square also had a beautiful tree, festive music, and seasonal gifts to purchase.


The old town square, with its market.

After enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of the square, head towards the steep hill, known as Toompea. As you walk up, you are soon greeted with fine views over Tallinn city, and over the Baltic Sea towards Scandinavia.


The view over Tallinn.

Once at the top, Tallinn's biggest church awaits you, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, with its onion domes similar to St. Basils Cathedral in Moscow.


Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

Once you have had a good half hour looking around this great church, and enjoying the sweet smell of insense from within, head back down Toompea hill, where you will see Estonia's parliament building, covered in a garish shade of pink!


Estonia's parliament building.

Once you've arrived back at the bottom of Toompea hill, why not try some local beer. Called "Saku", it has a light, refreshing taste, for about 25 Estonian Kroon (about £1.25).

Once you've had a refreshing drink, head towards new town, where you will be suprised how developed this area of the city is, considering nearly 20 years ago, the country was under strict communist rule.

If you fancy a day trip from Tallinn, 90 minutes away by ferry is Helsinki, capital of Finland.