A trip to Tallinn can be a mesmerising experience, not least for the city's seamless integration of old and new. Walking down the medieval streets of the old town and being confronted with glitzy restaurants and seemingly ever-present Wi-Fi internet can be a little overpowering to the senses at first, so it's a good idea to do your research into the essential sights and experiences of Tallinn before diving headlong into your trip.
Visiting the aforementioned old town of the Toompea is a popular first port of call, and offers much more than most medieval city centres due to its impressive size. Navigate your way through the winding backstreets to discover delights such as Toompea Castle, Herman's Tower and St Olav's Church - once the tallest church in Europe - which visitors can climb to achieve an incomparable view over the city. If you're looking for a place to bag bargain mementos of your visit, Toompea's charming market stalls are also just the place.
Another great place to peer into the past is the nearby Estonian Open Air Museum along Kopli Bay, where you can enjoy both the natural beauty and architectural elegance of this proud country, a great day out for families or history buffs. If you're keen to explore further into Tallinn's history, the award-winning Occupation Museum can be an insightful and moving experience too, giving an idea of what life was like for those living in Estonia under Nazi and Soviet occupation.
That doesn't mean Tallinn's attractions are just about looking to the past though, especially with the city's thriving theatrical and musical scenes putting Estonia firmly on the cultural map. Events like the annual Ollesummer festival have risen to become among the most popular in Europe, regularly attracting crowds of 80,000 revellers to see some of the biggest bands in the business. Meanwhile, the city's home-grown talent wows the crowds with exceptional productions in Tallinn's prestigious theatres year-round, such as the dedicated Drama Theatre and Van Krahl Theatre.
But if all this history and culture gets a little overwhelming, you can take a load off and head to the beach at Pirita, popular with locals and visitors alike and just 10 minutes from a centrally located hotel Tallinn. Pirita is also home to Tallinn's Botanic Gardens, which can be the ideal place to unwind amidst beautiful plants and flowers on an escape from the city.
Visiting the aforementioned old town of the Toompea is a popular first port of call, and offers much more than most medieval city centres due to its impressive size. Navigate your way through the winding backstreets to discover delights such as Toompea Castle, Herman's Tower and St Olav's Church - once the tallest church in Europe - which visitors can climb to achieve an incomparable view over the city. If you're looking for a place to bag bargain mementos of your visit, Toompea's charming market stalls are also just the place.
Another great place to peer into the past is the nearby Estonian Open Air Museum along Kopli Bay, where you can enjoy both the natural beauty and architectural elegance of this proud country, a great day out for families or history buffs. If you're keen to explore further into Tallinn's history, the award-winning Occupation Museum can be an insightful and moving experience too, giving an idea of what life was like for those living in Estonia under Nazi and Soviet occupation.
That doesn't mean Tallinn's attractions are just about looking to the past though, especially with the city's thriving theatrical and musical scenes putting Estonia firmly on the cultural map. Events like the annual Ollesummer festival have risen to become among the most popular in Europe, regularly attracting crowds of 80,000 revellers to see some of the biggest bands in the business. Meanwhile, the city's home-grown talent wows the crowds with exceptional productions in Tallinn's prestigious theatres year-round, such as the dedicated Drama Theatre and Van Krahl Theatre.
But if all this history and culture gets a little overwhelming, you can take a load off and head to the beach at Pirita, popular with locals and visitors alike and just 10 minutes from a centrally located hotel Tallinn. Pirita is also home to Tallinn's Botanic Gardens, which can be the ideal place to unwind amidst beautiful plants and flowers on an escape from the city.
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