Answers for your trip in Tallinn

Estonia is in the EU and Schengen area — EU/EEA citizens just need an ID card or passport, and many other nationalities can visit visa-free for up to 90 days, though it depends on your passport, so it's worth checking your own country's requirements before booking.

Yes — Estonia has been an EU member since 2004, uses the Euro, and is part of the Schengen area.

Summer (June–August) is warmest and liveliest with long daylight hours; December brings a popular Christmas market in the Old Town; May and September are quieter, milder options. I can't check today's live forecast, but that's the general pattern.

Daylight swings a lot: around midsummer the sun sets after 10:30 pm and it barely gets dark (“white nights”), while in December there are only about six hours of daylight. Pick indoor-friendly plans for winter afternoons.

Tallinn runs on Eastern European Time — UTC+2 in winter, UTC+3 during summer daylight saving.

Estonian is the official language, but English is very widely spoken, especially by younger people and in hotels, restaurants and shops.

Tallinn Airport is only about 4 km from the centre. Tram line 4 takes roughly 15–20 minutes to the centre, and a taxi or Bolt/Uber ride is usually around 10–15 minutes.

Tallinn has trams, buses and trolleybuses, and there are two easy ways to ride. Option 1, pay as you go: just tap your contactless bank card on the machine (validator) when you board a tram or bus, or buy a ticket in the Tallinna Transport app. Option 2, a Tallinn Card (24, 48 or 72 hours): unlimited public transport plus free entry to over 50 museums and attractions, so it pays off if you plan several paid sights. Buy it in the Tallinn Card app or online store, or as a physical card at sales points in Tallinn and on ferries arriving in Tallinn: visittallinn.ee ↗

The Tallinn Card (24, 48 or 72 hours) includes unlimited public transport and free entry to over 50 museums and attractions, so it pays off if you plan several paid sights in a short time. Compare it with your plan's actual stops before buying. Buy a digital card in the Tallinn Card app or online store, or a physical card at sales points in Tallinn and on ferries arriving in Tallinn; it starts on first use, and some sights are closed on Mondays, Tuesdays or public holidays. If you would rather not buy a card, you can simply tap your contactless bank card on the machine when boarding a tram or bus: visittallinn.ee ↗

Bolt (founded in Estonia) and Uber are the easiest ways to get a ride — you see the price upfront. Regular taxis are fine too; check for a visible tariff or agree the fare first.

Very much so — the Old Town and city center are compact and pedestrian-friendly, with most sights within easy walking distance.

Ferries between Tallinn and Helsinki take about 2 hours and run several times a day (Tallink, Viking Line, Eckerö Line and others). They leave from the port next to the Old Town — book ahead for weekends and holidays.

You can store luggage at self-service lockers: at Tallinn Airport (terminal level 0, always open), at the Old City Harbour in Terminal A (arrivals, 1st floor) and Terminal D (1st floor), where you pay by card and open the locker with a QR code on your phone, and at Tallinn Bus Station (lockers to the left of the main entrance, plus a staffed Cargobus office for larger luggage). Prices depend on the locker size and how long you leave your bag, so check the place's own page for current prices and hours.

Estonia uses the Euro (€), and cards are accepted almost everywhere, so you'll rarely need cash.

Tipping isn't obligatory — rounding up or leaving 5–10% for good service is appreciated but never expected.

Free Wi‑Fi is widespread in cafés, hotels and public places, and mobile coverage is excellent. EU SIM cards roam at home rates; visitors from elsewhere can pick up a prepaid SIM or eSIM at the airport or in shops.

Estonia uses the European two-pin plug (type C/F) at 230V, same as most of continental Europe.

Most shops open around 9–10 and close between 18 and 21; big shopping centres are usually open on Sundays, while some small shops and restaurants close on Sundays or Mondays. Public holidays such as 24 December and 24 February can mean shorter hours. Your plan already checks each place’s opening hours.

Tallinn is generally considered one of Europe's safer capitals — normal city-sense precautions apply, like keeping an eye on your bags in busy tourist spots.

112 is the single emergency number for police, fire and ambulance across Estonia.

Yes — tap water in Tallinn is safe to drink straight from the tap.

The legal drinking age in Estonia is 18, and bars or clubs often ask for ID, so carry a passport or ID card.

The Old Town’s cobbles and the steep lanes up Toompea can be tough with a wheelchair or stroller. Trams and most buses are low‑floor, and modern museums, malls and hotels are generally step‑free.

Local flavours to try: dark rye bread, smoked and marinated Baltic fish, kama (a roasted grain dessert), kohuke (a glazed curd snack), seasonal berries and mushrooms, and craft beer. Ask me to add an Estonian restaurant to your plan.

Sauna is a big part of Estonian culture, and many spas and public saunas in Tallinn welcome visitors. Shower first, and check the venue’s swimwear rules — they differ between mixed and single-sex sessions. Want me to add a sauna or spa to your plan?

Recurring highlights: the Old Town Christmas market (late November to early January), Midsummer bonfires on 23–24 June, Old Town Days in early summer, the Tallinn Music Week festival in spring and the Black Nights Film Festival in November–December. Ask me what’s on during your dates.

Tallinn’s medieval Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 1997), split into the Upper Town on Toompea hill and the Lower Town. It’s compact and cobbled — comfortable shoes help, and it’s best explored on foot.

Handy areas to know: the Old Town (medieval core), Rotermann Quarter (design and restaurants), Kalamaja (wooden houses and cafés), Telliskivi Creative City (street art, bars, markets), Kadriorg (park, palace and the KUMU art museum), Pirita (seaside) and Nõmme (villa district).

Popular day trips from Tallinn: Lahemaa National Park (about 1 hour), Jägala Waterfall, Tartu (about 2 hours), Pärnu (about 1.5–2 hours) and Helsinki by ferry (about 2 hours). I can plan a curated day trip — try “add Lahemaa to day 2”.

TOIMU shows what is happening in Tallinn right now: real updates, offers and events published by local businesses, on a map and in a live feed, available in English, Estonian, Finnish, Russian, German, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Simplified Chinese.

The Concierge plans your time in Tallinn in two ways: a guided form, or a chat where you talk naturally. It builds day-by-day plans from real TOIMU places, answers everyday city questions, and lets you change the plan afterwards.

Signed-in members can use the form and the chat up to the build step. PRO builds the full plan, gives place suggestions and near-me help, lets you change a plan in the chat, and keeps your plans in My plans. PRO costs €3.99 per month.

Save it to My plans once it is built. In the chat, an unsaved plan is only kept on this device for about 30 minutes, so save it if it suits you.

TOIMU is available in English, Estonian, Finnish, Russian, German, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Simplified Chinese across the website, app, form and chat. You can switch languages from the menu at any time.

Tallinn only for now. If you tell the chat about another city, it says so and offers to plan Tallinn instead, including day trips such as Lahemaa.

Use the Contact & support page. If your question is about your account or subscription, include the email address connected to your TOIMU account.