What to do at Christmas and not in Tallinn, find out what to see in the city of Estonia not only in the most magical time of the year but in every month beyond December, follow the post.
Tallinn it is a city that becomes known over time: once you have fallen in love with its oldest part, envelops you with his more modern and innovative part, catapulting you into different eras. Tallinn is also famous for being the city of Christmas, thanks to its traditional celebrations, to the thousand lights that characterize the historic center and to the splendid ones Christmas markets which attract thousands of visitors to Town Hall Square every year.
Christmas is almost upon us and it is always time to plan new trips, so today I give you some advice on what to do in 2 days in Tallinn, the city of Christmas.
As soon as you get into the old part of the city, located on a hill overlooking the landscape, you feel like you are taking a dip in the past: Gothic spiers, ancient churches, palaces that seem straight out of a fairy tale and a cobbled street. You are in the Old Town and more than a city it seems to be in a large country town, with its alleys that create a continuous ups and downs. It is no coincidence that it was declared UNESCO World Heritage Site. But the Estonian capital does not end here, its more modern part called Kesklinn (literally "city center") is the largest of all and encloses the financial area with large hotels and shopping centers. Actually as a capital it is quite small, you can easily visit Tallinn in a couple of days, or use it as a base for a Baltic Sea tour thanks to the cost of living definitely low cost. Visit it in winter however, it has a completely different charm: the Christmas holidays are very heartfelt and already in November the city begins to be decorated with a thousand lights, together with the inevitable snow that makes the landscape fabulous. So here are some tips on what to do in Tallinn in 2 days!
1 Visit the Christmas market
It may seem trivial but during the Christmas period, a stop at Christmas market is a must! Located in Raekoja Plats (the main square) it is open from November 18th until January 7th and is known throughout the country for its huge Christmas tree. In the market you can find handicrafts, as well as typical Estonian products and a train that takes visitors around the center. If you love Christmas and are passionate about typical markets, this is definitely one of those to be included in your to do list!
2 Take a photo from the Kohtuotsa platform
While in the old city, you must stop at the Kohtuotsa viewing platform, a balcony from which you can see part of the Old Town with its characteristic roofs, as well as the modern city center and the port. Remember to take a picture from here, to always have it with you Tallinn skyline, considered one of the most beautiful in northern Europe! In winter, the view is even more impressive, with smoking chimneys and snow on the roofs.
3 Walk along the Katariina käik
Il Katariina käik (passage of Santa Caterina) is one of the more suggestive alleys of Tallinn, located just behind the church of Saint Catherine, one of the main ones in the city. In this alley joins the ancient medieval atmosphere with craft shops in which even today, visitors can do creative workshops and observe the artists at work. During the Christmas period, the alley is decorated with garlands and lights that make it even more suggestive!
4 Visit the Kumu Art Museum
One of the most avant-garde museums in the Baltic countries: the Kumu on the outside is an architectural work of great beauty. Inside it houses both the national gallery, be a center for contemporary art with permanent collections and temporary exhibitions. Not to be missed are the works of the Soviet period which give a clear overview of the problems and difficulties experienced by the Estonian population in that period. The Kumu can be visited for free together with the other museums in the city with the purchase of the Tallinn Card, which also guarantees access to means of transport.
5 Go shopping in Keskturg
Il Keskturg and the Tallinn central market and it is open every day. Inside you can find typical Estonian products, but also clothes and handicrafts. Markets are always great places to get to know a country's local culture, and Keskturg is definitely a must-see.
6 Have an aperitif in the Rotermann district
Located between the historic center and the port, the Rotermann district is a perfect example of architectural recovery. It was once the most industrial area of the city with large factories, today most of the buildings have been recovered and transformed into trendy clubs, restaurants, bars and shops. This is the ideal place to shop, but also to enjoy an aperitif or a romantic dinner.
7 Get lost in Telliskivi Loomelinnak
It is a city within the city: obtained from an old Soviet district, the Telliskivi Loomelinnak today it is a creative city that hosts ethnic restaurants and bars, together with a local handicraft market of the highest quality. The hipster style joins contemporary art with the influence of different cultures of the world: in short, the perfect place for those who love good food, street art and markets.
