Tallinn is a beautiful city worth visiting. You can go on a trip on weekends, May holidays or on vacation. In any case, a trip to Tallinn will be interesting, eventful and memorable.
Travel options
In our article we want to talk about what you need to know about a trip to Tallinn. You can visit the capital of Estonia for the weekend - this is quite a common option. The ancient medieval city has long attracted tourists.
You can organize an independent trip to Tallinn by bus or train. And of course, the most convenient option is to travel by car. By car, even a short trip can be turned into a real adventure. Own transport gives freedom of movement, so in one trip you can see not only Tallinn itself, but also the surrounding area. For example, you can walk through forests, visit castles, admire Estonian waterfalls, admire seaside villages and even plunge into the world of Estonian culture and nature.
All the main parks and sights can be seen, for example, during a one-daytrips by car to Tallinn from St. Petersburg. However, if you wish, you can get to this beautiful city from any corner of our country if you buy, for example, a bus tour.
Ride on the bus
Numerous travel companies offer trips to Tallinn by bus (from St. Petersburg, Moscow and many other cities). At the same time, you have a choice of the tour program and the duration of the trip. Tour operators guarantee a trip on comfortable buses accompanied by a guide. And yet, many tourists prefer independent travel, which gives freedom of movement.
Residents of St. Petersburg and nearby regions are lucky in this regard, as they can travel to Tallinn by bus on a weekend tour, which is very convenient. The road to the Estonian capital is not too long, and therefore not tiring. In addition, carriers provide comfortable buses. Up to ten flights are offered daily from St. Petersburg bus stations. The duration of the trip from St. Petersburg to Tallinn by bus is six to seven hours, since the distance between the cities is only 370 kilometers.
Many companies offer their services, among them: Lux Express (ticket price from 700 rubles), Temptrans (from 840 rubles), Ecolines (from 550 rubles), etc. Each carrier sends at least two buses a day. Therefore, tourists have the opportunity to choose for themselves the optimal time and fare. Trips to Tallinn by bus are in high demand among travelers.
Train ride
Possible trip to Tallinn and by train. So, for example, from St. Petersburg you can take a ticket for the B altic Express to the Estonian capital. The train departs from Moskovsky railway station in St. Petersburg at 6.25.
The journey takes about seven hours. A train ticket will cost tourists much more than a bus: a coupe - from 3,100 rubles, a seated one - 1,700 rubles, a suite - more than 6 thousand
To Tallinn by plane
Trips to Tallinn from St. Petersburg are convenient because of the small distance between cities. But despite this, there is also air communication between St. Petersburg and the capital of Estonia. Regular flights will be of interest to those people who want to save time. The flight duration is only one hour. The cost of round-trip tickets is a little more than five thousand rubles, which is lower than the fare in a train compartment. And the flight takes much less time.
Trip from Moscow
Trip to Tallinn is also possible from Moscow. The distance between cities is about a thousand kilometers, so buses fade into the background. For Muscovites, trips to Tallinn by train or plane are more relevant. The flight to the Estonian capital takes about two hours. The ticket will cost more than 10 thousand.
The B altic Express, which we mentioned earlier, runs between Tallinn and Moscow. It also passes through St. Petersburg. The cost of a compartment ticket is more than 6 thousand rubles.
Drive a car
Many tourists prefer an independent trip to Tallinn by car. Such a journey hasmany advantages, because you decide where to go and what to see. You do not depend on anyone, you can, at your discretion, adjust the viewing time of a particular place. In addition, you can develop an individual route for yourself, including only the objects of interest to you. When planning a trip to Tallinn by car, read the local traffic rules in advance, consider the route, select a list of attractions, and collect all the necessary documents.
To get to the Estonian capital, you will have to cross the border at checkpoints: Kunichina Gora - Koidula, Shumilkino - Luhamaa, Ivangorod - Narva. The nearest checkpoint to St. Petersburg is located in Ivangorod, however, here you can stand in line for up to five hours. To regulate the queues, the Estonian authorities have created a service for booking the time of crossing the border of the country. You can use it on the online service. How effective it is, you be the judge.
What you need to know about traveling
To travel to Tallinn by car, you must have a number of documents with you. This is a Schengen visa, passport, car and medical insurance, driver's license, car registration certificate.
If you are traveling from St. Petersburg, it is more logical to cross the border in Ivangorod. You will have to make a big detour to the rest of the checkpoints, which is illogical. There are few cars at the border at night. Crossing it takes no more than forty minutes. The place is incredibly picturesque, since Narva Castle andIvangorod fortress. At night, they are illuminated by lights, which makes them look just fabulous.
Further from Narva to Tallinn it is necessary to overcome another 210 kilometers. The road after the border consists of two lanes. It passes through small villages. Seventy kilometers from Tallinn, the highway turns into a 4-lane highway.
In the Estonian capital, it is necessary to immediately resolve the parking issue, since there are very high fines for parking in the wrong place. Beforehand, you should carefully study the plan of parking zones. It is most convenient to use the parking of the hotel where you plan to stay. Therefore, when choosing a hotel, check the availability of parking in it and immediately reserve a place for your car.
City attractions
Every tourist wonders what to see in Tallinn. The trip can be longer or very short, so you need to have time to visit the main attractions. Their list will vary depending on the duration of your stay in the Estonian capital and your preferences.
The first thing you need to see during a trip to Tallinn (whether the tour is scheduled for the weekend or for a longer time is not important) is the Old Town. It is quite small and resembles a single pedestrian-tourist zone. In Tallinn, ancient buildings of the medieval era have been miraculously preserved. It is very interesting to walk along the old streets of the city, plunging into the atmosphere of past centuries. Locals will help you to plunge deeper into the atmosphere of antiquitycafes stylized as the Middle Ages. Visiting one of them is a must. Tourists recommend going to the Old Hansa restaurant or to the medieval tavern located in the town hall building. Here you will be prepared dishes and drinks typical of that era. And the food itself will be served on the table in rough clay dishes.
Old City
If you are planning a trip to Tallinn for 2 days, then you should start exploring the capital from the Old Town. Here are the main attractions. It is worth noting that in Tallinn, literally every street or house in the old town area has its own history. Even a simple walk will bring many impressions.
In ancient times, the center of any town in Europe was the town hall and the square in front of it. Only representatives of the upper class could enter the building itself, but the squares were open to the public. The heart of Tallinn is the Town Hall Square. From time immemorial, fairs have been organized on it, holidays, executions and all significant events in the city were held. Absolutely all sightseeing walks in Tallinn begin from the Town Hall Square. The area was formed in the period of 14-20 centuries. At this time, buildings were built around it. At all times, the square has been the center of attraction for all segments of the population. Theaters gave their performances here, the market worked, musicians and acrobats performed.
The main square of the city is a unique place, since it is from here that you can simultaneously see the spiers of the town hall, the Dome Cathedral, the temples of Niguliste, Pühavaima and Oleviste.
She is beautiful at any time of the year. In summer it is decorated with brightsummer restaurants and cafes, and in winter - a fluffy spruce appears, which is installed in the very center.
City Wall
Tallinn is impossible to imagine without the city wall, which is the main attraction and symbol of the city. A powerful stone fence has a height of about twenty meters. Fortifications were built around the city to protect against enemy attacks as early as the thirteenth century. The city walls were also equipped with 50 high towers. Less than half of them have survived to this day. And yet the structure still looks majestic.
Tourists have the opportunity not only to walk near the wall, but also to visit the towers. The most important of them now houses the Museum of Military Affairs. Visitors not only inspect the armor and weapons of the twelfth century, but also descend into the secret rooms in the building's dungeon.
The most beautiful of all the towers is called Fat Margaret. There is also a museum within its walls. Its exposition is dedicated to maritime affairs.
House of the Blackheads
Walking along Pikk Street, you can see the house of the Brotherhood of the Blackheads. Behind such a mysterious name lies an alliance of foreign merchants, created in the fourteenth century. The Association of Merchants was created for joint business activities. The merchants purchased the building, which was later named the House of the Brotherhood of the Blackheads.
At one time, not everyone was accepted into the community. It was not enough to be known as a successful entrepreneur; marital status was of great importance. Surprisingly, all the merchants of this community were not married. The Brotherhood lasted until the middle of the twentieth century, then it was dispersed. And the building itself passed into municipal ownership.
Dome Cathedral
The white-stone cathedral is dedicated to St. Virgin Mary. It is considered one of the oldest temples in Tallinn. The Dome Cathedral was consecrated in 1240. Over the centuries, the temple has been repeatedly rebuilt and restored, but still many relics have been preserved in its interiors. It contains burials of the thirteenth century, there are epitaphs and coats of arms of noble families. Among the ancient burials there is also the grave of the navigator I. F. Kruzenshtern.
Toompea Castle
The famous Toompea Castle is simply impossible to miss. It is located on the mountain of the same name in the very center of the city. The castle was built in the thirteenth century and has been perfectly preserved to this day. At one time it was the concentration of power in the city. Ever since the knights built the stone fortress, all the foreign kings and kings who ruled Estonia have used it as their residence. The castle has not lost its significance even now. Parliament sits within its walls.
The fortress has been rebuilt and restored many times throughout history, but at the same time, the masters managed to preserve its original features. The complex of buildings of the castle includes the Long German tower, the height of which is 46 meters. She is a national symbol. Traditionally, the Estonian flag is hoisted to its top every day.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
There are many Orthodox churches in Tallinn, among which the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral stands out. The domes of the majestic building are visible from almost anywhere in the city, and the bell ringing can be heard even outside of it.
The cathedral was built over a hundred years ago. In the same place, there was also a church earlier, but it no longer accommodated all the believers, so it was decided to build a new church. The fate of the building was threatened more than once. In the thirties, the temple was generally listed for demolition. But still he managed to defend. Then, during the war, they wanted to destroy it, later they intended to place a planetarium in the building. And yet the cathedral remained intact and intact.
Church of Niguliste
A notable landmark of the city is the church of Niguliste. The building is equipped with a high spire, which is visible from almost anywhere in the city. The Lutheran church was built in the thirteenth century in honor of Saint Nicholas, who is the patron saint of all sailors.
Before the start of the war, the temple was active. But then his activities were terminated. During the bombing, the temple was badly damaged. Later, the building was restored and opened as a branch of the Tallinn Art Museum. Now in the exposition of the institution there are church items dating back to the 16-17th centuries. The church periodically hosts organ music concerts.
Tallinn Zoo
If you come to Tallinn with children, you should visit the city zoo. It is located in the city, but at the same time it occupies most of it.forest. About 8 thousand animals live on its territory. The construction of the zoo began in 1937, when Estonian shooters brought a small lynx from the competition. Since the animal needed somewhere to live, the residents of the city decided to organize a real zoo, the idea of which had been discussed for a long time. The lynx Illu became its first inhabitant and a real symbol. The staff of the institution did not disperse their forces in all directions, and therefore it was decided to work in several directions. The zoo now boasts an impressive bird collection, including a huge variety of cranes, vultures, eagles and owls.
The main activity of the institution is the care of endangered representatives. Ten Amur leopards, which are on the verge of extinction, have been born on the territory of the zoo in recent years.
Kids will surely enjoy walking and feeding the animals.
Oleviste Church
Among the many churches in Tallinn, the Baptist Church of Oleviste can also be distinguished. It got its name from the name of the Norwegian king Olaf II. The exact date of construction of the temple is still unknown. It is assumed that this happened in 1267.
Until the sixteenth century, the church remained the tallest religious building in the world. It was because of the height that the temple repeatedly suffered from natural elements. The spire on the building attracted lightning, from which several times there were even fires. Now the temple is open to all believers. But tourists canclimb to the observation deck of the building.
