Travel to Estonia — everything you need to know
When to go to Estonia?
- May – September — Baltic summer : Pleasant temperatures (16–22°C), very long days (sunset as late as 11 pm in June), festivals (the Song Festival, Tallinn's medieval festival), and lively beaches. The best time to go.
- December – February — White winter : Tallinn under the snow is stunning — Christmas markets on Town Hall Square and a snow-covered old town. Temperatures range from -5 to -15°C. Cross-country skiing on the peat bogs.
Weather in Estonia
Check the weather city by city, starting with Tallinn.
- Tallinn: daytime highs from -1 to 22 °C depending on the season, 58 mm of rain per month on average.
- Saaremaa: daytime highs from 1 to 21 °C depending on the season, 45 mm of rain per month on average.
What to do in Estonia?
Estonia is the most digital nation on earth — the first country in the world to vote online (2005), to declare Internet access a human right, and to offer global e-residency. Its capital, Tallinn, has one of the best-preserved medieval old towns in Europe (UNESCO). Birch forests, peat bogs, 2,000 islands and Baltic Sea beaches complete the picture.
Tallinn — UNESCO-listed medieval old town
Tallinn has one of the best-preserved medieval old towns in Northern Europe (UNESCO): Town Hall Square (14th century), the watchtowers along the city wall, Toompea Hill with its castle and blue-domed Orthodox cathedral, and the Hanseatic guild halls. The city is both medieval and hyper-digital — a fascinating contradiction.
Highlights : Tallinn Town Hall Square (14th century) and Raekoja Tower, Toompea — hill with the castle, parliament and Orthodox cathedral, Medieval city wall — Kiek in de Kök towers and the ramparts walk, Telliskivi district — alternative culture.
Saaremaa Island — Nature and windmills
Saaremaa is Estonia's largest island: the Angla windmills, Kuressaare's episcopal castle (the best preserved in the Baltic states), the Kaali meteorite crater (one of the most visible in Europe), and the Panga cliffs on the Baltic coast. A peaceful, windswept island with a distinctly Nordic character.
Highlights : Angla windmills — the finest in Estonia, Kuressaare Castle — an intact Gothic episcopal fortress, Kaali meteorite crater (4,000 years old, 110 m in diameter), Panga cliffs — Baltic Sea views from the escarpments.
Peat bogs and forests — Nordic hikes
Estonia is covered by 50% birch and pine forests and 22% peat bogs — sphagnum moss wetlands crossed on wooden boardwalks. Lahemaa National Park (70 km from Tallinn) is the country's largest: Baltic manors, virgin forests and a rocky shoreline. Mud baths and bog saunas are part of the local tradition.
Highlights : Bog walk (Viru Bog, Lahemaa) — like walking on clouds, Palmse Manor (18th century) in the heart of the park, Käsmu rocky beach — the captains' village.
Tartu — University city and culture
Tartu is Estonia's second city and the country's intellectual capital: the University of Tartu (founded in 1632 by Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden) is one of the oldest in the world. The Estonian National Museum (with its striking contemporary architecture), the cafés of the old town and the Élan Festival in July make Tartu a lively, creative city.
Highlights : Estonian National Museum (Tartu's KUMU) — remarkable architecture, Toome Hill — medieval cathedral ruins + observatory, Lively old-town streets — cafés, galleries, students.
Travel budget for Estonia
Estonia has used the euro since 2011. Prices are 30–40% lower than in Western Europe outside Tallinn. Tallinn's old town is more touristy (and pricier) — step outside the centre to get back to local prices.
- Backpacker : 60–95 €/j — Hostel + local restaurant + public transport
- Comfort : 100–180 €/j — 3★ hotel + restaurants + excursions
Practical tips for travelling to Estonia
- Flight from Paris : ~2h30 (Ryanair Beauvais–Tallinn, Air Baltic via Riga). Ferry from Helsinki takes 2h30 (Tallink).
- Visa : No visa required — Schengen area. A French national ID card is enough.
- Currency : Euro (€). Cards are accepted everywhere — Estonians pay for almost everything by card. Cash is barely needed.
- Language : Estonian (a Finno-Ugric language, close to Finnish). Young people speak excellent English. Russian is still spoken by 25% of the population.
- Electricity : Type C/F (European) — 230V. No adapter needed.
- Health : No special precautions. EHIC valid. Ticks in the forests — wear long trousers. Tap water is safe to drink.
- Digital : Estonia is the most digital nation in the world: free WiFi everywhere (even in forests and on ferries), tax returns filed online in 3 minutes, and e-residency available.
- Sauna : Sauna is just as central here as in Finland: every house, farm and guesthouse has one. Tradition calls for a dip in a cold lake or river afterwards.
Compare Estonia with other destinations