Tallinn
[Snapshot lead for Tallinn is brief. The city's defining salience (medieval Old Town UNESCO 1997, e-Estonia / digital-technology hub, Skype birthplace, Tallinn-Helsinki ferry twin-city economy, free public transport for residents since 2013) is carried in the wikivoyage and Economy sections.]
Typical weather
1981–presentCity Rhythm
measuredOpening hours, by kind of place
median across mapped venuesVital absurdities
measured · the Anti-AwardsSame time system
by rhythmWhat to do each season
2winter
cold, snowy, dark (latitude 59°N — ~6 hr daylight midwinter); mean −5.0 to 9.1 °C across the range; January mean min −6.0 °C; Baltic Sea partly freezes; reliable snow cover
- indoor cultural season: the Kumu Art Museum, the Estonian Art Museum (Kadriorg), the Estonian History Museum, the Estonian National Opera
- the Christmas Market in the Old Town Hall Square (UNESCO 1997) — the medieval-civic indoor-and-outdoor economy activates
- the Helsinki-Tallinn ferry (2 hours) carries the winter overflow of Finnish shoppers — Helsinki-Tallinn as twin cities
summer
mild, long days (>18 hr daylight midsummer, white nights late May to mid-July); mean 12.5-17.6 °C, July mean max 20.2 °C; precipitation 2.2-2.5 mm/day
- the Old Town (UNESCO 1997) at full visitor flow; the medieval Town Hall Square activates
- the Pirita beach and the Kadriorg park become usable; the Baltic is swimmable
- the Tallinn-Helsinki ferry carries summer tourists in both directions
- the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF, November) closes the warm season
What it is known for
Important moments in a year
Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival
- PÖFF — one of the largest film festivals in Northern Europe
Tallinn Old Town Days
- the medieval Old Town's annual festival — processions, markets, concerts
Tallinn Music Week
- Tallinn Music Week — multi-genre showcase and citywide conference
Estonian Song and Dance Celebration
- the Song Festival Grounds hosts 100,000+ singers/dancers — Estonian choral civic ritual
On the record
source-trackedTallinn may be cheap compared to other major European cities, but it is no longer the bargain deal it once was. Though not overtly touristy, it is much more expensive than the rest of the country. Prices can be comparable to Munich and Milan.
The Old Town is best navigated on foot, not that you have much choice.
A network of buses, trams and trolleybuses covers the rest of the city [outside the Old Town].
There is an abundance of relatively cheap taxis. Before you jump in a random taxi car make sure you check the price on the window of the car. In Tallinn there are more than 20 taxi companies and some can be a rip-off.
All ferries dock at Reisisadam port, to the north of the centre.
[Tallinn] is no longer the bargain deal it once was. Prices can be comparable to Munich and Milan.
The method behind this atlas — 196 pp. Not published yet.