The Weekend in Tallinn

I have just come back from Helsinki where we spent 2 days for the practical part of our Global health course. I am now blogging from Tampere, tired and with a sore back. During the weekend, we have been carrying our backpacks and running around Tallinn, the beautiful capital of Estonia. It was my second European country to visit and I loved the place. It was beautiful and the old medieval buildings almost brought me to another dimension. For one, the trip going to Tallinn from Helsinki was already exciting. It was my first boat ride across the Baltic Sea, aboard Viking Express. The ship was huge and inside the ship was a grocery, dozens of food shops and bars, a dance floor, even a couple of playrooms for the kids. It was almost surreal.

When we docked at Tallinn, it was a long walk to our Hotel where we immediately left our bags and headed outside to the Old Town where a lot of tourists were also finding their way in the labyrinthine cobblestone streets of the historic city.





Of course, we visited Churches and Museums. I loved the Orthodox Church right infront of the Toompea Castle. I had to buy an icon of the Mother of Perpetual Help to commemorate my visit to this Church. There were other churches that we visited. The next day we were able to Visit the St. Nicholas Cathedral, a Catholic Church where the famous Dance of Death Painting is housed. For more information about Bernt Notke's famous painting, here's a link.


We went around the Old City, dropped by at some souvenir shops which were selling cheaper items compared to Helsinki and even Tampere.

It was raining when we got there but the following day, it was better. We were also able to visit Museums like the Museum for Torturing Instruments and a Natural History Museum.




By Sunday afternoon we were heading back to Helsinki, getting ready for our Practicals for the Global Health Course. If given the chance, I would want to come back to Tallinn with my family. I am sure they would have loved the place as well.

Tips for travelers to Tallinn:
1. It is not necessary to change your Euros to Kroons, although there are shops and museums in the Old Town where they only accept Kroons. A credit card however is accepted almost every where. If you are paying in Euros, make sure that they are making the right conversion from Kroons to Euros.
2. It is best to travel light especially if you are only there for a night. At the same time, you have to carry a bottled water with you. Water is not free or complimentary in most Estonian restaurants, at least, that is what we have experienced.
3. There are buses and taxis available but most of the sights are walking distance from the Old Town. I would prefer walking around the Old Town and maybe a few blocks to the City Center. One day in the Old Town may be enough.
4. There are many souvenir shops but the cheaper items can be bought in the souvenir shops located at the periphery of the Old Town. The Old Town Center Square is usually filled with booths where you can buy stuff but they are mostly expensive.
5. A meal can be worth 10 - 15 euros, that includes a main course and a beer. There are buffets too and some buffets can range from 7 to 15 euros.
6. Do not forget your camera. And don't be shy.
7. It is best to have a map of Tallinn and the Old Town. They are available at the Harbor or aboard Viking Express. You can also get one at the Information Center at the Old Town. They are for free.