Know Before You Go: Things You Should Know Before You Visit Estonia
Greetings from Tallinn, Estonia! Today, we’re sharing some tips of things you should know before you visit Estonia. It’s a small country in terms of population, with just over 1.3 million residents, but it’s a great country to visit. There are many things to see in Estonia: beautiful nature, islands to explore and the prettiest city in the Baltics: Tallinn.
Where is Estonia?
The first question most people ask about Estonia is: Where Is Estonia? When you look at a map of Europe, and you see three little countries between Poland and Russia, Estonia is the one in the north along the Baltic sea, above Latvia and Lithuania.
Currency & Technology in Estonia
Estonia is part of the European Union, and therefore uses the Euro. ATM’s are readily available, but most of the time you will pay with cash or pay with your phone. That’s right! Estonia is incredibly tech-savvy, which also means you’ll have WiFi pretty much everywhere you go. Electrical plugs are the same as in Europe, with two round plugs, so bring your adapter!
Language in Estonia
Estonia has a very large Russian population, so Estonian, Russian and English are all spoken here. Most Estonians seem to learn English in school, which is great for tourists because it’s easy to get around without speaking the native language in Estonia.
Getting Around Estonia
Estonia has a pretty decent tourist infrastructure here. The majority of in-country travel is by bus. There are also a few trains that go around to a few of the towns in Estonia.
Prices in Estonia
Compared to other popular parts of Europe, prices in Estonia are very affordable. Tallinn is one of the pricier cities in the Baltics, but the hotel prices are usually only higher on the weekends, when tourists from Finland arrive by ferry.
Safety in Estonia
Estonia is safe in general, even in Tallinn. As with any city in the world, there are places to avoid, so just ask your hotel. While the hotel service isn’t super friendly, they will be able to give you guidance on where to go in Estonia and where not to go. Tallinn is a popular weekend drinking destination, so beware of that.
Estonian Food
I recommend asking the locals where to eat in Estonia. One popular part of Estonian cuisine is the garlic bread, which is a black bread that is fried and served with a green mayonnaise. You’ll also find a lot of soups, a lot of fish, meat and basic, hearty food. The tap water is safe to drink, although it doesn’t always taste great, so we stick to bottled water.
Where to Go in Estonia
There are so many things to do in Tallinn, that it should be the first place you visit in Estonia. Tallinn’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ve got Town Hall Square, St. Mary’s Church, St. Olaf’s Church, plus tons of museums. There’s the Occupation Museum, The Estonian History Museum and the Tallinn City Museum. Outside of Tallinn, there are other places to see in Estonia. Check out the lakes along the Russian border in the East, or the coastline along the Baltic Sea.