Estonia Flag
Why visit Estonia?
Known for beaches, boating, canoeing, churches, culture, fishing, golf, historical sites, horseback riding, islands, kayaking, lakes, medieval castles, manor houses, museums, national parks, pagan ruins, saunas, skiing, and winter sports.
Saaremaa (largest island), Estonia. Photo Credit: Makalu/Pixabay
At a Glance
- Souvenirs to Buy: Amber, caviar, dolomite marble, juniper wood carvings, hand-knit sweaters, leather goods, pottery, and vodka.
- Local Cuisine to Try: Curd Snack (sweet curd cheese). Hernetatrapuder (porridge). Kiluvõileib (sandwich). Leivasupp (bread soup). Mulgipuder (national dish). Rukkileib (black rye bread).
- Local Drink to Try: Kasemahl (birch sap). Vana Tallinn (herbal liqueur).
Tallinn, Estonia. Photo Credit: Martin Hochreiter/Pixabay
Fun Facts
- In 1807, A Le Coq brewery was founded.
- In 1820, Saku Brewery was founded.
- In 1918, became independent from Germany and later invaded by Russia.
- In 1920, Russia resigned all sovereign claims.
- In 1926, radio broadcast began.
- During 1930, engaged in "secret military cooperation" with Finland.
- In 1943, thousands fled to Finland to avoid fighting in the German military.
- Held 1980 Summer Olympics Sailing Regatta (Tallinn).
- In 2001, won the Eurovision Song Contest
- In 2004, became a NATO Member.
- In 2005, the first country in the world to hold internet voting in local elections.
- In 2011, adopted Euro currency.
- In 2016, Kelly Sildaru, Freestyle Skier won the Winter X Games becoming the youngest gold medalist (13).
- Home to NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence.
- Has 2222 islands and over 1400 lakes.
- The city of Tartu has been burned down over 65 times.
- Island lore, place a doughnut-shape stone on the pile of stones and your wish will be granted (Hiiumaa Beach).
- Citizen Developers were instrumental to computer application, Skype.
- Saaremaa Island was off limits for many years.
- Rare Siberian Flying Squirrel is present (east area).
- Healthy males between 18-28 serve in the military for 8 or 11 month term tours of duty.
- All their natural gas is imported from Russia.
- Port of Tallinn is one of the largest port enterprises of the Baltic Sea.
- First post-Soviet Republic country to legalize same-sex marriages.
- Students learn English, Finnish, French, German, Russian, Spanish, or Swedish.
Pühtitsa Convent,
Kuremäe, Estonia. Photo Credit: Makalu/PixabaySpecial Holidays/Occasions
- Annual Events: (January) Baroque Music Festival, Tudengijazz Festival, (March) International Conference on Management, Economics & Social Science (ICMESS), Meremess, Saaremaa Opera Days, Tallinn Music Week, (April) Harpsichord Days Festival, International Choir Festival, International Conference of the Estonian Nurse Directors Association (EstNDA), Jazzkaar Festival, (May) Tallinn Craft Beer Weekend, (June) Grillfest Good Food Festival, Into The Valley Festival, International Folklore Festival BALTICA, Old Town Days, (July) Estonian Song Festivals, Haapsalu Tchaikovsky Festival, Hard Rock Camp, Hiiu Folk Festival, Juu Jaab Festival, Ollesummer, Parnu Opera Days, Tallinn Organ Festival, Tallinn Song Festival Grounds, Viljandi Music Festival, Voru Folklore Festival, (August) August Blues, August Dance Festival, Culture Night, Kuressaare Maritime Festival, Leigo Lake Music Festival, Tallinn Pride, Tartuff, Weekend Festival Baltic, White Lady Festival, (September) Walking Lights Festival, (October) Rainbow Jazz Festival, Tartu City Marathon, (November) St Martin Day Fair, Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, Tallinn Food Fest, (December) Christmas Jazz, Christmas Market, Kalana Saund Winter Wonder, and Midwinter Night's Dream.
- Holidays: New Year's Day, The Epiphany, Independence Day, Anniversary of the Tartu Peace Treaty, Good Friday, Native Language Day, Easter Sunday, Spring Day, Whitsunday, National Flag Day, Day of Mourning and Commemoration, Victory Day, Midsummer Day, Restoration Independence Day, European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism, Resistance Fighting Day, Local Government Day, All Souls' Day, Fathers' Day, Day of Declaration of Sovereignty, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.
Port of Tallinn, Estonia. Photo Credit: Angelo Giordano/Pixabay
Good to Know
- Old Hanseatic Tallinn is considered one of the most beautiful Eastern Europe Cities.
- Ski Season starts late December, best in the south.
- Ski tracks are often lit by torches.
- Late summer the sunrise is around 3AM and sunset around midnight.
- Lunch is their main meal.
- By law you must wear small reflectors on clothing during darkness outside. Failure to do so is subject to $50-$500USD fine.
- Pickpockets are known to target tourists.
- Crumpled, defaced, discolored, or torn U.S. currency is often rejected.
- Has zero tolerance for Driving Under the Influence (DUI).
- Beyond metropolitan cities, medical care is considered below our standards.
- Seatbelts are mandatory.
- It's illegal to turn right at a red stop light.
Viru Gate, Tallinn, Estonia. Photo Credit: Aleksander Trunov/Pixabay
This international destination requires:
- A valid passport with three months of validity upon return and one blank page for entry stamp.
- Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: $10,000USD.
Palmse Manor, Haljala Parish (Lääne-Viru County), Estonia. Photo Credit: Ningel/Pixabay
- Best Time to Visit: May - September
- Coldest Month: January - February
- Hottest Month: July
- Peak Season:
Haapsalu Castle, Haapsalu, Estonia. Photo Credit: Pixabay
Your Must-See & Do
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Historic Centre (Old Town) of Tallinn and Struve Geodetic Arc.
Rakvere Castle, Rakvere, Estonia. Photo Credit: AI Leino/Pixabay
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All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.
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