Private Day Trips in Estonia from Tallinn

Did you know there’s more to Estonia than Tallinn? The medieval capital of Tallinn is lovely indeed, but you also have to explore the rest of the country. Learn where to go with these wonderful day trip options from Tallinn!

Whether you’re in Estonia for a day or longer, there’s plenty of time and reason to explore what lies beyond the capital city. From fishermen’s villages to rural islands, from bogs to old soviet barracks – there’s so many unique, relaxing and exciting places nearby Tallinn for a diverse range of interests.

A day trip out of Tallinn with a private guide is so much more rewarding with a local insight and know-how, and should include a visit to the coast where among other things you can see historical fishing villages, scenic rural landscapes of fairy tale forests and fields. If you’d like to explore further than just the coast, then head across the sea and discover the many unique rural islands a short sail away at Muhu and Saaremaa islands. For those looking for something a bit more alternative, there is also a coastal town of Paldiski, which was once a closed off Soviet nuclear submarine training center.

Here is what our clients say about us!

Couldn’t be better!

We had such a wonderful time. Despite being very busy that day, Nordic Experience found a way to give our family a private tour we’ll never forget. Our tour guide, Erik, was a wealth of knowledge. He told us history not only of Estonia but of the whole region while walking us around Tallinn. He was kind and patient with our children and very accommodating for Grandma who has some mobility issues. After the walking tour, he took us to the Viking Village where we had an outstanding meal and then a ton of fun throwing axes, shooting bows and arrows, and flinging a trebuchet. The kids had a blast while we all actually learned lots of history. Wonderful!

Date of experience: August 2019
Estonia – surprises in a small package

We are a group of 9 travelers who spent 4 days in Estonia.
We took 3 tours with Estonian Experience. The planning part was very easy, as we were very ably served by Triin, who helped us combine tours to ensure we covered what we wanted to in the days we had available.

The 2 tours we very much enjoyed were :
–Day Trip to Muhu & Saaremaa Islands, and
–Lahemaa National Park & Manors with Bog Walk

They offered an interesting combination of food, sea/coastal views, manor visits, castles, windmills in rural Estonia. Christina our guide was most attentive and friendly.
Estonia is a small but interesting country with young energetic people; and Estonian Experience did a fantastic job showing it to us.

Date of experience: May 2018
Viking Village Trip

Really good trip for all ages. Excellent guide in Neil who is extremely knowledgeable on Viking and Estonian history.
We were there in the snow which actually added to the beauty of the place. Lunch was very good and the trip was well organised in terms of transportation.
This was actually the second time my wife and I had done this trip and we enjoyed it so much the first time that we wanted our sons and granddaughter to see the place.

Date of experience: February 2018
Half Day Paldiski and countryside

Did this tour on Saturday with Hanno as our guide. Was a great way to spend 4 hours outside of Tallinn. We drove to the port town of Paldiski with a couple of scenic stops along the way. Tour also included coffee and cake at an old Manor House, visiting some monastery ruins near manor house. Hanno provided us with some information about the history of Tallin’s occupations – very informative. Hanno was very polite and courteous and happy to drop us near hop-on-hop-off bus stop at conclusion of tour. Extremely comfortable car for the tour.

Date of experience: August 2017

Lahemaa National Park Private Tour with Palmse Manor
Thank you for a fantastic arrangement, I have received so much positive response from my colleagues. We warmly recommend other departments in our company and friends to contact you if they are planning a department trip to Tallinn. And a special thanks to the bus driver and the guides, everything was just perfect and the weather is forgotten.

Ann-Christin Ström / Nordic Investment Bank

 

Book Your Day Trips from Tallinn for discovering Estonia here:

www.nordicexperience.com/

Lahemaa National Park Private Tour with Palmse Manor

This is a perfect alternative of a shorter day trip to discover Lahemaa National Park pearls of Palmse Manor and Käsmu captain´s village with the romantic charm of North Estonian countryside.

Käsmu village, Lahemaa National Park

FUN FACT!

Lahemaa National Park is the largest park in Estonia and one of Europe’s biggest national parks. Area: 725 km2 (280 sq mi)

 

Private Day Trip to Muhu & Saaremaa Islands

Fresh sea breezes welcome you to this idyllic hideaway of Estonian islands. Endless juniper fields, rustic windmills, old castles, stone fences, thatched roof houses and the largest meteorite crater in Europe provide an experience, which cannot be found elsewhere. Estonia is a land of many islands and islets and Estonians are really proud of them. The journey to the islands will firstly take you through classical landscapes of the Western Estonia and leave you plenty of time to get to know each fact and fable you need to know about this land. Short and joyous ferry trip across the strait enables you to enjoy the waves, salty winds and cries of the seagulls.

 

 

Saarema Island, Estonia: beautiful aerial top view of summer fields and Angla windmills in Leisi Parish

FUN FACT!

Common fish to eat as a local delicacy are smoked eels, flatfish and herring.

Private Viking Village Visit

Step back in time and get a feeling of what life was like during the 11th century Viking Age in Estonia.

The Viking Village in a beautiful natural surrounding is waiting for you. You can partake in traditional Viking activities that are captivating both young and old.

Viking Village visit is a trip full of simple and pleasant entertainment. If you prefer relaxing in the natural surroundings full of ancient atmosphere and encouraging energy of the old Viking warriors, then you will certainly enjoy your day here.

FUN FACT!

According to Heimskringla sagas, in the year 967 the Norwegian Queen Astrid escaped with her son, later king of Norway Olaf Tryggvason, from her homeland to Novgorod where her brother Sigurd held an honoured position at the court of Prince Vladimir. On their journey, “vikings from Estonia” raided the ship, killing some of the crew and taking others into slavery. Six years later, when Sigurd Eirikson traveled to Estonia to collect taxes on behalf of Valdemar, he spotted Olaf in a market on Saaremaa and paid for his freedom.

Paldiski Private & Countryside Drive

Discover the natural beauty of Estonia’s north east coastal region during our half day countryside tour.

Enjoy spectacular views from a top coastal cliffs and explore the magic of Estonian second largest waterfall. See historical manor estates and the medieval monastery ruins at Padise. Find out how Paldiski, once a key military base of the Russian empire and the Soviet Union has transformed.

The road to Paldiski, a small coastal town with a long and colourful history, offers visitors a few surprises along the way. The landscape along this stretch of coastline is stark and yet hauntingly beautiful. See historical manor estates and the medieval monastery ruins at Padise.

FUN FACT!

On 23 June 1912 the Russian emperor Nikolai II and German kaiser Wilhelm II met for the last time before World War I in Paldiski.

Additional ideas about things to do in Tallinn you can also get from Kayak’s Tallinn Travel Guide.

Contact us to inquire about availability or a custom tour itinerary meeting your needs and interests!

PROTO Invention Factory Now Open in Tallinn

EXPLORE, INVENT AND DISCOVER

First educative virtual reality center is now open! In PROTO invention factory you’ll be able to immerse yourself in an interactive fantasy world. You will get to experience the great scientific discoveries of past centuries – unique prototypes brought to life by cutting-edge 21st-century technology.

PROTO invention factory is situated in historic Noblessner foundry. The history of the Noblessner shipyard goes back to 1912, when two Saint Petersburg businessmen – Europe’s foremost oil tycoon Emanuel Nobel and the owner of Lessner machine works Arthur Lessner – built Tsarist Russia’s most important submarine factory. Combining the surnames of the two men, the shipyard was named Noblessner.

Some of the fascinating exhibits to try out and discover are a hot air balloon with a few tricks, free-flying machine, a flying bicycle,  a self-driving cart, subterranean vehicle, racing cards with steam engines, steam train, a modern conveyor belt and deep sea exploration vessel. 

For tickets in Proto, see here: http://prototehas.ee/en/tickets/

Top Events in Tallinn- Music, Theater, Film and Concerts

Here´s what is happening in Tallinn

Tallinn city’s cultural calendar has a colorful choice of events to offer all year round, from classical music concerts and medieval festivals to state-of-the-art concerts and high-level sport competitions.

We recommend

Christmas Jazz Festival
29.11.2019 – 12.12.2019

The diverse program of the annual Christmas Jazz festival will surely put you into a holiday mood and fill your heart with warm melodies. Artists from all over the world will take to the stage and perform music suited for the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Christmas Market on the Town Hall Square

The fairy-tale atmosphere of the Christmas market, which is held on the Town Hall Square in Tallinn, makes anything possible!

At the heart of it all – apart from Santa and his reindeer, who are eternal favorites with the kids – is Estonia’s most famous Christmas tree, surrounded by little huts selling their wares. Here you will find handicraft specialists and their work and seasonal Estonian food and drink.

Tallinn Christmas Market has been voted as the Best Christmas Market in Europe in 2019.

Book your private walking tour here: Winter Walking Tour in Tallinn Old Town

Sex & the Sea exhibit at the Seaplane Harbor / Estonian Maritime Museum

The sensual exhibition experience, created by Dutch installation artist Saskia Boddeke, describes life at home and at sea, deep emotions and physical needs.

’Sex & the Sea’ illustrates sailors’ fantasies during long sea voyages and the reality that awaited in port.

The exhibition also includes a special installation “Message in a bottle” inspired by the emotional love letters sent by Finnish women to an Estonian sailor from Hiiumaa in 1915-1916.

Visit Seaplane Harbour

or let yourself be guided by our expect local guides to make your visit to the Seaplane Harbor even more memorable.

Book your private tour at the Seaplane Harbor here: www.nordicexperience.com.

 

 

Best Ideas on How to Spend Three Days in Tallinn?

A three-day city guide to Tallinn is all you need for your discoveries to the best of the Estonian capital

We have put together a list of some of the must-see sights, museums, trendy neighborhoods and must-visit cafes for  your next visit to Tallinn. We are here pleased to answer any questions you might have to give your Estonian experience a memorable twist. If a local expert is what you are looking for, book one of our charming and entertaining tour guides to show you around here: Tallinn Tours 
A top tip: If you plan to use public transport and visit several museums, consider purchasing a Tallinn Card, a sightseeing pass that includes free entry to Tallinn’s top museums and free use of public transport. Plus, you don’t have to wait in line to buy the tickets! 

Day one: Tallinn’s Old Town and Kalamaja

Tallinn’s unique medieval Old Town is the perfect place to start your trip. Divided into the Lower Town and Upper Town (the hill of Toompea), the area is quite big yet still compact enough to explore on foot.
You can easily spend an entire day discovering the Old Town, but recommend getting the best of local legends, intriguing ghost stories, architectural marvels and stunning views reviewed on a 2-hour Tallinn Old Town Walking Tour, which would leave you an afternoon of exploring on your own through the colorful wooden houses, bohemian cafés, trendy shops and the impressive Seaplane Harbour museum at Kalamaja.
Image result for seaplane harbor
Did you know? The most exciting maritime museum in Europe is located in the Seaplane Harbor!
About 200 authentic items are on display at the historical seaplane hangar: a submarine called Lembit, a century-old icebreaker Suur Tõll, a seaplane called Short 184, remains of the oldest ship found in Estonia, and much more. There is also cafe MARU and a museum shop. Globe-trotting in a submarine, having your picture taken in a navy uniform, an aquarium, simulators, throwing paper airplanes, a children’s corner with drawing tools, building blocks, an authentic sailboat, and an outdoor playground – programmes and materials meant for independent visits are playful and broaden the horizon of children and adults alike.
Tour the stunning coast of north Tallinn, walk the streets of Kalamaja and visit the unique concrete dome hangars on our Bohemian Kalamaja & Seaplane Harbor Museum Tour.

TOP three things to do in the Old Town

1. Wander around the ancient cobblestone streets. In addition to the impressive medieval defense system, the area’s top sights include the only intact Gothic town hall in Northern Europe, the oldest continuously operating pharmacy in Europe (since 1422), numerous churches, viewing platforms and much more. You can just walk around aimlessly, sit in one of the many cute cafés and take in the fairy-tale-like surroundings, or go for a more structured approach and try to check these top sites off your to-see list:

Tallinna Raekoda & Raekoja Plats (Town Hall & Town Hall Square )
Raeapteek (Town Hall Pharmacy)
Katariina käik (St. Catherine’s Passage)
Masters’ Courtyard
Niguliste Muuseum (St. Nicholas’ Church)
Oleviste kirik ja torn (St. Olav’s Church and Tower)
Holy Spirit Church
Toompea Castle
Kohtuotsa viewing platform
Cathedral of Saint Mary the Virgin (Dome Church)
St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

2. Enjoy the views. Visit one of the numerous viewing platforms on Toompea hill, climb a Gothic church tower, or for a complete medieval immersion, visit some of the ancient defence towers – for example, at the Kiek in de Kök Fortifications Museum, you can not only walk on the town wall from one tower to another, but also explore the fascinating, hidden underground passages. For a guided visit we recommend our Bastion Underground Passages & Tallinn Lower Old Town Private Tour.

Patkuli &  Kohtuotsa viewing platforms
Piiskopi viewing platform
Cathedral of Saint Mary the Virgin (Dome Church’s) Tower
Kiek in de Kök Fortifications Museum
Oleviste kirik ja torn (St. Olav’s Church and Tower)
Tallinna Raekoja torn (Town Hall Tower)
Tallinn Town Wall: Nunna, Sauna and Kuldjala towers

3. Visit a museum. Tallinn’s Old Town is dotted with fascinating museums, such as the Tallinn City Museum, the Great Guild Hall of the Estonian History Museum, the Estonian Museum of Applied Arts and Design, and the KGB prison cells. If you are interested in recent history, go to the Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom on the edge of the Old Town.’

Estonian History Museum – Great Guild Hall
KGB Prison Cells
Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom
Niguliste Muuseum (St. Nicholas’ Church)
Kiek in de Kök Fortifications Museum
Estonian Museum of Natural History
Estonian Health Care Museum

 

How to get to the Old Town?

  • From the airport: Tram number 4 and bus number 2 take you directly to the city centre, just a five-minute walk from the Old Town.
  • From the port: The Old Town is located walking distance (15-20 minutes) from the main terminals.

Kalamaja

Located just outside the Old Town, Kalamaja is sure to charm you with its bohemian atmosphere, local vibe and unique ability to make the most out of its industrial heritage.
Image result for kalamaja

TOP three things to do in Kalamaja

1. Take a stroll around the streets of Kalamaja to see the area’s trademark colorful wooden houses. Head to the streets of Valgevase, Kalju, Kungla, Köie, and Niine for the most charming examples. For a break, stop at one of the cafés dotted around the area or stop by the Balti Jaam railway market`s street food court.

2. Enjoy a meal or do a bit of design shopping in the uber cool Telliskivi Creative City. In addition to a large choice of shops, restaurants and street food, Telliskivi is home to some of the trendiest event venues and galleries in town, including the Tallinn branch of the renowned Fotografiska, the Swedish Museum of Photography.

3. Or stop by the Noblessner seafront quarter, the up-and-coming district on the other side of Kalamaja, which counts amongst its residents a restaurant with a Michelin-starred chef, a top-level local craft brewery, an art café, and a beloved Estonian-Norwegian home design brand.

Balti Jaam (Baltic Station) Market

Kalamaja Park

Patarei Prison exhibition area

Telliskivi Creative City

Fotografiska Tallinn

Telliskivi Indie Shops

180°

Põhjala Tap Room

 

In addition to the Tap Room, you can visit Põhjala’s beer and merchandise shop or join one of the regular tours to the brewery. Tours must be booked in advance and are given in English and Estonian, with Finnish and Russian available upon request.

 

Founded by four Estonian beer enthusiasts in 2011, the Põhjala Brewery exports its craft beers to more than 30 different countries and has been named among the world’s top 100 breweries by the international online beer guide Ratebeer.com.

 

Image result for põhjala tap room

Shishi

Shishi’s impressive flagship store in the historical Port Noblessner will get you inspired to decorate. Shishi is an Estonian-Norwegian home decor brand offering vases, artificial flowers and trees, candelabras, candles and a wide variety of Christmas products.

Navitrolla Gallery

Navitrolla’s art career began in the early 1990s. He used elements of both the naivist and surreal style in his early work and he still considers his works to be a combination of these styles, which he calls naviism. As an artist, Navitrolla is extremely versatile: he does oil painting, graphic arts, sculptures, and gigantic murals.
The gallery, which was opened in 2000 and only exhibits the work of Navitrolla, is located at Peetri 5 in the Noblessner Quarter.

How to get to Kalamaja?

  • Kalamaja and the Telliskivi Creative City are located at a walking distance (15-30 min) from the Old Town, just across the tracks of the Balti Jaam railway station. You can also take trams number 1 or 2 from the city centre to the stop Telliskivi.
  • For the Seaplane Harbour and the Noblessner seaside district, opt for bus number 73 (stop Lennusadam for the museum and Noblessneri for the district).

Day two: Kadriorg and Pirita

Kadriorg

Kadriorg is a green, upscale residential area located just a short tram ride away from the center. Named after the wife of Peter the Great, Catherine I, the neighborhood is home to a baroque palace established by the emperor himself, the city’s favorite park and Estonia’s best art museums. Book a local private guide for a tour of Kadriorg here: Tallinn Private Old Town Walking Tour and Kadriorg Park & Pirita.

TOP three things to do in Kadriorg

1. Do as the locals and enjoy the scenery at the Kadriorg park. In addition to a swan pond, fountains, canals and several different styles of gardens, the 300-year-old park hides many historic buildings. Among them is the 18th-century summer palace established by Peter the Great, now home to an art museum, and the Estonian presidential palace. If you wander a bit further, you will arrive at the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds, home to the Estonian Song and Dance Celebration, which brings together up to 34,000 performers and 200,000 spectators every five years.

2. Visit a museum. In addition to Kadriorg palace, the park is also home to the headquarters of the Art Museum of Estonia – KUMU – which serves both as a national gallery and a center for contemporary arts. The nearby Mikkel Museum displays an interesting array of foreign art and porcelain donated by a private collector, Johannes Mikkel.

3. Discover the neighborhood around Kadriorg park. The surrounding streets are lined with ornate wooden villas – not surprising for an area that was once the first seaside resort of the Russian Empire. If you wish to get a sense of how people used to live in Kadriorg, stop by one of the area’s museums of Estonian writers: Anton Hansen-Tammsaare’s house from the 1930s or Eduard Vilde’s residence in an 1850s villa.

Tallinn Concert and Song Festival Grounds in Estonia with a Gustav Ernesaks monument. A national landmark.
How to get to Kadriorg?

  • Take tram number 1 or 3 from the city centre to the stop Kadriorg.
A tip: After a long day by the seaside, return to the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a nice meal or a drink at the sleek and trendy Rotermann Quarter in the city center. We recommend restaurant Nomad located at Roseni 9.

Day three: Day Trip from Tallinn to Saaremaa & Muhumaa islands or a day at the Lahemaa National Park

Hiking or walking – whatever your activity of choice, Estonia’s nature will take you through beautiful national parks, forests, bogs and along the sea. Breathe some of the purest air in the world and follow in the tracks of fox, rabbits and moose as well as some of the most striking manor complexes and local folklore in Estonia. The following tours are ideal for a day trip from Tallinn.
Tour includes
6h Private tour guide
6h Lahemaa sightseeing tour by car/bus
2- course lunch
Photo stop at Jägala waterfall
Entrance’s to Palmse Manor and Käsmu Maritime Museum
This is a perfect alternative of a shorter day trip to discover Lahemaa National Park pearls of Palmse Manor and Käsmu captain´s village with the romantic charm of North Estonian countryside.

2. Day Trip to Muhu & Saaremaa Islands

Tour includes
12h private tour guide
12h private vehicle
Sightseeing tour to Muhu and Saaremaa islands
Entrances to Angle Windmill Park, Kuressaare Castle and Pädaste manor park
Visit to St Katherine´s Church of Muhu
Visit to Kaali Meteorite Crater
Ferry tickets
2-course lunch and beer, local ham, cheese and bread tasting at Angla Windmill Park
Visit to Pädaste Manor Park

3. Our Finnish neighbors in Helsinki are just a short boat ride away. The ferry connections run almost every hour (depending on the season) and take you from coast to coast in 2-2.5 hours. For more information about ferry booking your Tallinn to Helsinki Day Trip, see here: Tallinn to Helsinki Day Trip and Walking Tour

Tour includes
3h private tour guide services
Transfer from hotel to port & port to hotel in Tallinn
Round-trip ferry tickets
3h Walking tour & tram ride in Helsinki
Entrance to Rock church
1 h transportation pass of Helsinki

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