Walking through Tallinn’s Old Town, with its 13th-century castles built by crusading knights, you half expect to encounter characters from a fairy tale. Cobblestoned streets curl into alleyways, artisans craft their wares behind Easter egg–hued façades, and classical music drifts out of stone churches. It seems unreal, but it only takes one visit to the Museum of Occupation to discover the tension residing beneath the picturesque surface. Subjected over the ages to Danish, Swedish, and—most recently—Russian rule, Estonians have long grappled with their identity. Since gaining independence in 1991, however, the fast-growing economy has fueled the burgeoning restaurant and nightlife scenes.
DON'T MISS
Enjoying a chilled cocktail made with local vodka at Ice Bar, while admiring the 14th-century painted ceiling, one of the city’s best-preserved frescoes.
Shopping for cutting-edge Estonian designs—abstract clocks, sculptural vases, and whimsical bowls—at Nu Nordik.
Touring the fascinating exhibits at City Museum, including a six-foot replica of a merchant’s house.
RECOMMENDED LINKS
- For more restaurants in Tallinn, visit NileGuide
-
Beautiful Waterfalls Around the World
Twenty-two million: that's how many made it to Niagara Falls last year. Yes, it’s touristy, but travelers—even hipsters—clearly can’t resist snapping... Read More
-
Tallinn: Making It New
Before I arrived in Estonia's capital, Tallinn, last summer, I had already spent several months in cities once concealed and distorted behind the iron... Read More
-
T+L Reports: Eastern European Hotels
Western Europe, pay attention: your neighbors to the east are in the middle of a design-hotel boom. PRAGUE Aria Hotel (9 Trziste, Mala Strana; 212/201... Read More
-
Our Hotel Highlights
United StatesCalistoga RanchDon’t Miss An outdoor yoga class on a lakeside redwood deck. Napa Valley; 707/254-2800; www.calistogaranch.com; doubles from... Read More
-
Estonia Reborn
Driving into Tallinn from its tiny airport is like hurtling back through time. The outer ring of Estonia's capital is grim Soviet high-rises. The inner... Read More