All you need to know for your first trip to Estonia

12.06.2024 - 16:15 / lonelyplanet.com

Jun 12, 2024 • 10 min read

The northernmost country of the three Baltic States may be small and sparsely populated, yet Estonia’s wild landscapes and fascinating history offer a unique combination of nature and culture.

Over half of Estonia’s surface is covered by forests and a third of the population lives in Tallinn, the capital, leaving most of the territory dotted by small settlements surrounded by trees. Still, it would be wrong to think that the country lacks diversity – bogs, lakes and over 1200km (7456 miles) of coastline facing thousands of islands that emerge from cold Baltic waters make the outdoors well worth exploring.

Tallinn and Tartu, Estonia’s two largest cities, lead the cultural heritage. The capital was an important trading center, part of the German-led Hanseatic League, during the Middle Ages and is still one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Northern Europe. Charming Tartu, nominated European Capital of Culture in 2024, is home to Estonia’s first and most prestigious university, which has been cultivating great minds since the 17th century.

In short, summer. The warmer months of the year, between June and August offer endless days for exploring cities and the countryside. The sun hardly sets at this time of the year and while the weather is unpredictable, you’ll have the highest chances of avoiding rain.

These are particularly good months if you plan to spend much time outdoors, maybe cycling around the islands of Estonia’s Western Archipelago or hiking a section of the Baltic Trails. Many music festivals, such as Viljandi’s Folk Music Festival or Setomaa’s Treski Festival, take place in July and August.

Estonian winters are famously harsh, but the Christmas atmosphere livens up Tallinn and Tartu in December with markets and ice-skating rinks that transform the historic centers into festive playgrounds. Outside of bigger cities, driving can be risky, as snow and ice cover many of the countryside roads. Plus, the darkness doesn’t help, unless you plan on seeking a rare view of the northern lights.

In spring the weather is unpredictable, but you’ll also have a chance to encounter a unique natural phenomenon. Between March and April, Soomaa National Park experiences the “fifth season” – floods cover the park transforming it into a kayaking playground for a few weeks.

On June 21, Estonia celebrates Jaanipäev (Midsummer) to welcome the arrival of summer. This is one of the oldest and most awaited traditions in the country, marked by huge fires set up across the rural areas.

The vast majority of people who visit Estonia only spend a weekend in Tallinn, often arriving via the daily ferries that connect the capital with Helsinki on the opposite side of the Gulf of Finland. Besides its