Visiting Tallinn In Winter: The Ultimate Guide

Tallin makes for the perfect weekend city break from London. Just shy of a 3 hour plane ride away, you can fly out to Estonia’s capital early on a Saturday morning, returning late on Sunday night. Cheap flights, affordable destination and no annual leave required always feels like winning the city break lottery – and this is exactly what we did!

According to Skyscanner, February is the cheapest month to fly from London to Tallinn, closely followed by January, which is when we visited. I was desperate to experience ‘proper snow’ and what better place to do that than visiting Tallinn in winter. It felt like flying right into a winter wonderland.

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Aware that heavy snow would slow us down, I managed my expectations and wasn’t expecting to see everything that Tallinn has to offer in one short weekend. And slow us down it really did; getting stuck in a heavy snowstorm while trudging up Toompea hill on day one was certainly an experience. Nothing can prepare you for thick snow pelting down on you at all angles; especially on your face, reducing visibility.

Day two followed by me slipping and falling on black ice, spilling my coffee all over myself and giving myself a muscle spasm in my neck in the process, which was certainly was a reminder that you can’t walk fast in the snow. 

While my neck is still not completely fixed two weeks on, I was genuinely more upset about that coffee I spilt. It was my last one from my favourite coffee shop I’d taken a detour for before I was due to fly home as well (sob). What a waste!

Anyway, I digress. 

There are some wonderful things to do in Tallinn in winter if, unlike me, you can manage to stay upright the entire trip! The first thing you will need to think about is whether you want to purchase a Tallinn Card..

The Tallinn Card

Tallinn has a brilliant tourist pass you can purchase that gives you access to free public transport, free entry into over 50 museums and attractions and discounts at certain restaurants and other tours and activities.

Once you have figured out which of the things you would like to do an see in Tallinn, you can work out if the cost of the pass is beneficial for you. We didn’t purchase one as I knew we wouldn’t have enough time to visit all the sites we wanted to see during our time there. 

If you are really into museums and you want to visit more than 3 or 4, then the card is probably worth it for you. The current prices of the Tallinn sard in 2025 are as follows:

• 24 Hour: €45 per adult
• 48 Hour: €65 per adult
• 72 Hour: €78 per adult

It is important to note that many museums are closed on Mondays and on public holidays. So factor that into your decision making process too.  The card is activated upon first use.

You can purchase the Tallinn card online and download the Tallinn card app on your phone, which I would recommend. The app shows a map of Tallinn with pins of all the locations which are covered by the card – super useful for tourists. 

My cousin purchased the card as she wanted to visit more museums than we did. From what I saw, you can filter by just the types of attractions or museums you’re interested in, making it really convenient to navigate. She also had offers such as a free bar of chocolate in a shop when you present your Tallinn Card, and no purchase necessary.

You simply show them the QR code in the app for free entry or for your discount to be applied.

Best things to do in Tallinn in winter

Tallinn in winter was such a magical experience and the perfect post-Christmas pick me up that we all crave.

This Estonian city’s Old Town is stunning in the snow, with all their Christmas trees and decorations still up, the ornate churches and medieval architecture dotted around amongst the cosy cafes and restaurants.

Book a walking tour in Tallinn

Whenever I visit a new city, I like to book walking tour on the first day. Walking tours are the best way to get an overview of any city from a local, as well as insider tips on the best spots to visit, to dine or drink at which aren’t usually geared for tourists.

I have done walking tours in Vilnius and Riga, so I went in three for three around the Baltics and booked a walking tour that started 3 hours after we landed. It was such a great way to familiarise ourselves with the city, visit some of the sites on our list and learn about some of the history.

This is the tour I booked, but there are plenty of options on Get Your Guide depending on your specific interests: 

Explore Tallinn Old Town

Many of the sites you visit will take you through the Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. In fact, it is entirely possible to just walk around the old town to ‘get a feel for Tallinn’ in one day. Many people do this as a day trip from Helsinki, Finland via a two hour long ferry ride.

Wander through the snow-covered medieval streets of Tallinn’s Old Town and admire its well-preserved architecture.

Viru Gate 

Viru Gate was part of the defence system of the Tallinn city wall built in the 14th century. The two towers have become the symbol of Tallinn Old Town and is the main gateway into the old town from the new town, so you will inevitably walk through it. 

The street is lined with beautiful flower stalls that are frequented by locals.

Town Hall Square | Raekoja Plats

Town Hall Square was the heart of medieval Tallinn and originally began as a market for the city’s Hanseatic merchants. They built their houses and warehouses around it, which you will spot in gorgeous pastel pink, blue and yellow shades. This is the postcard view of Tallinn you will often see online or on social media.

You might also find a compass rose carved onto a stone in the middle of the square (when it’s not covered in snow). This is pretty unique thing to discover as it marks the centre of Tallinn. Unfortunately, there was far too much snow for me to be able to find this on my visit though.

Top tip for photography enthusiasts: for the best view of Town Hall Square, head to Mundi Street. This is where you will find the infamous view through the pedestrian street to the Town Square, with Town Hall in the background. Around Christmas time, you can frame the Christmas tree perfectly from this spot.

Tallinn Town Hall

Tallinn Town Hall is located in the square and you can’t miss it. It is a 13th-century Gothic Town Hall with 64-metre-tall tower and is the oldest surviving town hall in Northern Europe.

Unfortunately the Town Hall has seasonal opening hours so isn’t somewhere you can visit in Tallinn in the winter. It wasn’t open while we were there, but if you go at any other time of year, you can climb up 115 steps to the tower for some panoramic views.

€7 entry or Free with Tallinn Card

Visit the Town Hall Square Christmas Market

If you are visiting Tallinn in December, the Town Hall Square is where the Tallinn Christmas market is located, which is voted the best in Europe. There is a giant Christmas tree, decorated with twinkling lights and lots of smaller ones surrounding it. Stalls sell traditional Estonian Christmas classics like gingerbread, sausages and sauerkraut, as well as gifts, crafts and decorations too.

The Christmas market wasn’t on when we visited in January, but the trees against the snow made it feel magical nonetheless.

This insta-perfect walking tour of Tallinn looks great if you are a photography enthusiast!

Town Hall Pharmacy

Just off the main town square is the oldest pharmacy in Europe, which still operates as a pharmacy today. It was first mentioned in town records in 1422 and 10 generations of pharmacists from one family have worked here! 

There is a compact museum attached to the pharmacy with some interesting old apothecary relics that you can visit, for free.

Kiek in de Kök Fortifications Museum and the Bastion Passages 

Kiek in de Kök is a museum complex that includes 4 of Tallinn’s 26 surviving medieval towers from the 13th century. The fortification museum also includes mysterious underground bastion passages, which house the Carved Stone Museum.

You can visit to learn more about the different ways the tunnels have been used by Estonians throughout history.

€16 entry or Free with Tallinn Card

Freedom Square

Freedom square is home to the War of Independence Victory column. This is a memorial for those who died during the Estonian War of Independence in 1918-1920. 

The pillar is 23.5 metres high and consists of 143 glass plates, all of which cost a staggering 8.5 million euro to erect.

St. Catherine’s Passage

St. Catherine’s Passage is a unique, picturesque medieval alleyway in one of the oldest parts of the city. A photographer’s dream, especially in the snow.

You will also find a number of workshops here, where you can watch the artists at work such as creating ceramics, glass and more.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is undoubtedly the most notable and impressive building in Tallinn. This Eastern Orthodox church was built in the late 1890’s when Estonia was part of the Russian Empire. 

The architecture is as breathtaking as the interior. You can enter for free, but there is no photography allowed inside. However, the cathedral is absolutely worth a visit.

Incidentally this was the hill, Toompea Hill, which we were climbing when the snowstorm hit! 

It didn’t look that bad in my video footage, but we later learnt that flights were cancelled due to the weather that day, and that says it all for Estonia! Unlike the UK, their country doesn’t usually shut down at the first sprinkling of snow, but coupled with high winds, visibility was very poor.

Kohtuotsa Viewing Platform

Nearby is the Kohtuotsa Viewing Platform, which lies in the Old Tallinn city walls for some great views of the city.  

It is free to visit and open 24 hours a day meaning you can time your visit at sunrise or sunset if you wish to avoid the crowds. On a clear day, you might also be able to see the Gulf of Finland over the Baltic Sea in the distance too!

Patkuli Viewing Platform

Also on Toompea Hill, Patkuli Viewing Platform is nearby and has similar views. You might want to visit both, however Khotuotsa is arguably is the more popular and better view of old town. The photos speak for themselves!

As well as seeing both parts of the old town and out to the neighbourhood of Kalamaja, there are a handful of tourist shops and quaint narrow alleyways in this area to discover as well.

House of the Blackheads

If you have been to Riga Latvia, I should preface this by saying that from an architectural point of view, the House of the Blackheads in Tallinn isn’t nearly as impressive as the one in Riga.

This 15th century building served as a gathering place for members of the Blackheads, which were an association of merchants.

€3 entry or Free with Tallinn Card

Ice Skating in the Old Town

If you’re anything like me, you are probably already thinking ‘hell no!’ and I can confirm that I absolutely did not go ice skating. The streets alone felt like an ice rink and so I didn’t feel the need to potentially injure myself further.

If however you are more adventurous, there is an outdoor ice rink on Harju Street in Tallinn in winter. Uisuplats Ice Rink is open daily from December until the end of March and is a very popular activity for locals as well as tourists.

You can hire skates and I imagine it is beautiful ice skating with a backdrop of beautiful snow topped medieval buildings.. or simply just people-watch from the warmth of a nearby cafe. If you choose the latter, I recommend ‘Caffeine’ – a chain of coffee shops around the Baltics that serve excellent coffee.

I do think this is a very cool and unique activity to do in Tallinn though.

Prices start from €8

Seaplane Harbour, Estonian Maritime Museum

Seaplane Harbour is a brilliant, interactive museum that is part of the Estonian Maritime Museum.

There is a real decommissioned submarine you can step into and discover, just be warned that the steps are steep! Together with learning about all the boats, there is a flight simulator in a plane, and numerous interactive projects dotted around for kids and adults alike.

You can easily spend 2-3 hours here. It is one of the most fascinating museums I have been to, and while the price may seem steep if you haven’t purchased a Tallinn Card, I can say it was most definitely worth it.

€20 entry or Free with Tallinn Card

Kalamaja

Kalamaja, a neighbourhood across the road from Seaplane Harbour, boasts some of the best preserved wooden architecture in Estonia. 

This quaint area is worth a walk around to admire the gorgeous pastel coloured wooden houses, which were the former living quarters of the factory workers in the 19th century. Now, they are home to families and young professionals. 

When the streets are covered in snow, this area looks even prettier.

PROTO Invention Factory 

If you want to escape the cold of Tallin in winter, the PROTO Invention Factory is said to be a fascinating place to visit while in the area. 

They use virtual reality technology to teach you the wonders of science and innovation, and is the first of it’s kind to offer a unique experience that cannot be seen anywhere else in Europe.

Sadly we didn’t have time to visit, but it does look very cool though and I have heard great things. Definitely worth a visit if you purchase a Tallinn Card.

€20 entry or Free with Tallinn Card

Balti Jaama Turg

Balti Jaama Turg (market) had a complete renovation in 2017, transforming an old outdoor market into a modern place full of street food vendors as well as those selling fresh produce. 

It is one of the better markets I have been to. Located just behind the train station, there are plenty of eateries on the ground floor, with a supermarket, a gym and various other businesses offering things such as key cutting on the floor below.

I was impressed with the amount of vegan food offerings here too. It’s a great spot walk around and grab some lunch. 

Warm up inside a museum

If the below freezing temperatures of Tallinn in winter become too much, you can either cosy up in a coffee shop with a hot drink or warm up in a museum. There are plenty to chose from aside from the ones I mentioned above, and if you purchase the Tallinn card, many of them have free entry too.

• KGB Prison Cells – the prison cells have remained a symbol of communist terror to this day. You can learn about the Russian occupation in Tallinn.
• Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom – learn about the decades of occupation in Tallinn through personal stories from people who lived through life under Soviet control.
• Niguliste Museum and viewing platform – located in a former church, where ecclesiastical art can be presented in its historical context. You can also go up the church tower in a glass lift to the skydeck for a 360° view of the Old Town.
• Estonian History Museum, Great Guild Hall – is more of a modern museum environment.

Does it snow in Tallinn in December?

Snow is never guaranteed, but it is unlikely for it to not snow in Tallinn in December. It usually does snow in Tallinn in December and January and the average temperature stays below freezing until March.

Is Tallinn worth visiting in winter?

If you come from a temperate climate such as the UK, you may want to experience proper snow. This is exactly what I was hoping for on my trip to Tallinn and the weather gods did not disappoint.

When you are prepared for it by layering up in thermals, the cold is completely manageable.

How long to spend in Tallinn in winter?

If you really want to explore Tallinn and get a feel for it, the absolute minimum time you should spend here is two full days. If this is your first time experiencing a properly cold and snowy country, you might only want to dip your toe in and travel for one or two nights.

Three full days will give you plenty of time of time to explore the city and see most of what it has to offer. Any more than that would be too long in my opinion.

One thing to bear in mind about winter in Tallinn though is that you only have approximately 6 hours of daylight.

When is the best time of year to visit Tallinn?

The best time of year to visit Tallinn really depends on the type of weather you want to experience. 

For warm weather, June to September is the best time of year with pleasant weather for exploring the city and enjoying outdoor activities without having to layer up. 

If you want to experience the festive Christmas markets, December is the best time to visit. To properly experience Tallinn in winter, November to February is the best time with the potential for snow. 

How to get around Tallinn

Tallinn is a compact city that’s very walkable. Many of the sites you visit are all within walking distance of one another, and for those further out, it is easy to use public transport or get a Bolt taxi. Incidentally, Bolt was founded in Estonia, so that is their taxi app of choice – and taxi prices are very affordable here.

If you don’t purchase the Tallinn Card, you can buy easily a bus ticket for as little as €2 for one hour or €5.50 for a 24 hour ticket. 

The first thing you need to do is purchase a Ühiskaart (green fare card) for €3 from a shop called R-Kiosk (there are multiple locations dotted around everywhere). The card works in the same way as an Oyster Card in London; you simply top it up with the amount of your choice. Once you have the green fare card, you can top this in the shop or on the app ‘pilet.ee’.

We paid €17 for two people; €3 each for the card and €5.50 each for a 24 hour pass.

You just need to remember to validate the card each time you use it; all busses have a machine you can use yourself.

What to wear in Tallinn in winter

Personally, I think that warm countries are so easy to visit. We all have a summer wardrobe and likely have swimwear too, which is all easy to throw into a suitcase and jet off. 

Many people travel for good weather and let me tell you, packing for minus degrees is much more challenging, if you aren’t already equipped. I had to go out and buy better thermals and things we will likely never need in the UK, but it made for such a great experience.

You will need to pack:

• Waterproof snow boots – an essential.
• Thermal base layers; tops and leggings.
• Hand warmers. I was skeptical about these, but they really do work! 
• A warm coat 
• Hat 
• Thick gloves
• Scarf
• Thermal socks
• Layers – the key to staying warm is to layer up. I wore 2 pairs of leggings (one thermal pair), a thermal top with a t-shirt and jumper over the top, all under my outerwear.

Where to Stay in Tallinn, Estonia

We stayed at Nordic Hotel Forum which I would certainly recommend. Not only is this hotel the epitome of affordable luxury, this modern hotel is located a short walk away from the old town, making it the perfect base to explore the city from.

The rooms are incredibly clean and spacious with excellent amenities, brilliant service and spa facilities including a pool, sauna, steam room, hot tub and gym. Sadly this was closed for renovation during our visit, so we didn’t have an opportunity to use it.

Rooms kitted out with Elemis toiletries, slippers, robes and an extremely comfortable bed, I would wholeheartedly stay here again. The lobby area is also a warm and inviting space to hang out and try the national drink of Estonia, Vana Tallinn. 

I hope I have inspired you to visit Tallinn in winter, it made for such a wonderful experience. Aside from wanting to go back in the warmer months to compare the two, it has given me the encouragement I needed to visit more colder countries.

Read more about the Baltic countries:

• 5 Places To Eat The Best Vegan Food in Tallinn
• 25 Fascinating Things To Do in Vilnius Lithuania
• The Best Ways To Travel From Vilnius To Riga
• 12 Things To Do In Kaunas: Explore Lithuania’s Hidden Gem
• How To Spend 3 Days in Riga, Latvia: An Itinerary
• Where to Stay in Vilnius: 5 Best Areas and Hotels for First Timers
• The Best Vegan And Vegetarian Restaurants in Vilnius, Lithuania
• Guide To The Best Restaurants In Kaunas For Vegetarians
• Lithuanian Food For Vegetarians: 10 Dishes You Need To Try
• Where To Eat In Riga: The Best Vegan Food Guide
• A Wonderful Luxury Stay At Grand Poet Hotel by Semarah, Riga