| Tallinn | ||
 | ||
Coat of arms and flag   | ||
| State | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Northern Estonia | |
| Altitude | 9 m a.s.l. | |
| Surface | 159.2 km² | |
| Inhabitants | 430.805 (2018 estimate) | |
| Name inhabitants | tallinlane | |
| Prefix tel | 372 6 | |
| POSTAL CODE | 15080 | |
| Time zone | UTC 2 | |
Position
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| Tourism site | ||
| Institutional website | ||
Tallinn is the capital ofEstonia
To know
Tallinn today is a vibrant and modern city of nearly half a million inhabitants. Its port is one of the largest in the Baltic with frequent connections with Helsinki is Stockholm and increasingly touched by cruise ships.
Also because of them tongue, very similar to the Finnish and easy connections with Helsinki, the Estonians and in particular the inhabitants of Tallinn, nowadays feel part of theScandinavian Europe, tending to deny their past ties with theEastern Europe, especially their long-standing subjection to Russia Tsarist and the Soviet Union. However, the presence of elements of theEastern Europe is still significant in the city: 2011 statistics reveal that 46.7% of the population spoke the Russian as a mother tongue. They followed the language at a distance Ukraine and Belarusian.
Behind the modern glass and steel buildings in the center lies the old town (Vanalinn) with the particular charm of its ancient buildings and the spiers of its bell towers. Visiting Tallinn you will discover three different eras, each with its own architectural style: medieval Europe at the time of Danish supremacy, the crusades promoted by the papacy for the forced conversion of the rebellious natives, the sword-bearers and the Hanseatic league whose most significant examples are consisting of the fortifications of the old city, the Soviet era of which the enormous prefabricated condominiums remain and finally Europe of the third millennium with glittering glass and steel skyscrapers that are changing the face of the center and where more and more fast-food restaurants are appearing. food.
Geographical notes
Tallinn is located on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland, just 70km south of Helsinki. The highest point in Tallinn (64 meters above sea level) is located in the Nõmme district, in the southwestern part of the city. The coast of the Estonian capital is 46 kilometers long and includes three important peninsulas: Kopli, Paljassaare and Kakumäe.
Within the city area there are several lakes. The most important is Lake Ülemiste which extends for 9.6 km² and from which the city derives most of its water supplies. The second largest lake (1.6 km²) is the Harku. The only important river is the Pirita which flows north, in the suburb of Pirita, and has been a protected area since 1957, due to its naturalistic value.
When to go
Tallinn has a humid continental climate mitigated by the influence of the sea. Winters are severe with frequent snowfalls. The average temperature in February, the coldest month, is -4.3 ° C, enough to freeze the ground. Cold air masses can cause temperatures to drop below -18 ° C for an average of 6 days a year. Winters have perennially cloudy skies and are characterized by a few hours of sunshine (from 0.5 hours a day in December to 4.1 hours in March). At the winter solstice, daylight is only 6 hours.
Still in spring (March, April) snow can occur and the ground can be frozen after which temperatures gradually increase to an average of 15.2 ° in late May while night temperatures oscillate on average from -1.0 to 5.2 ° C
Summers (June-August) are mild with daytime temperatures ranging between 19 and 21 ° C and with night temperatures between 9.9 and 12.7 ° C. The hottest month is usually July, with temperatures reaching and occasionally exceed 21 ° C.
During the summer, the skies are often partially cloudy. Sunshine hours range from an average of 10.1 hours in June to 7.4 hours in August. In summer, rainfall is high but does not last all day. At the summer solstice, the sun lingers on the horizon for 18 hours and 30 minutes.
In early autumn, temperatures are still mild, averaging 11.3 ° C in September. In October, they quickly plummet to freezing point as early as the second week of November.
Tallinn receives an annual average of 618mm of rain. March and April are the driest months (around 30mm) while July and August are the wettest months (74mm). The average air humidity is 81%, with a low of 69% in May.
In winter, the average wind speed is 3.5 meters per second (around 4.0 meters per second in January) while summers are less windy, around 2.9 m / s in July and August.
Suggested readings
- The train to Tallin (Mondadori, 2016. ISBN 8804665947) - A detective thriller in which the city of Tallinn is depicted so vividly that one has the impression of visiting it in real form. The author is Arno Saar, pseudonym of Alessandro Perissinotto.
Background
In 2000 BC the first settlements of Finnic tribes were formed on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland. The first evidence dates back to a map of 1154, although the first fortress was built in Toompea in 1050. In 1219 the king of Denmark Valdemaro II, after having occupied the city, built a fortress; thus began the domination Danish and the city, then called Reval, thanks to its port it soon became an important commercial hub towards the Russia in the 14th century and at that time a large part of Tallinn's Old Town was built. The city was ceded to the Hanseatic League in 1285 and in this period the local population converted to Christianity. Tallinn later became a pawn in the geopolitical game of its great neighbors by passing under the control of Sweden in 1561 and then to the Russia under Peter the Great in 1710. In 1721, during the Great Northern War, the Russian Empire occupied the city.
In February 1918 the new independent Republic of Estonia was proclaimed and Tallinn, whose population had reached 150,000 people, was proclaimed the capital of the new state.
Estonia was then occupied by the Soviet Union in 1940, only to be conquered by the Germany Nazi in 1941 and then taken over by the Soviets in 1944. During the Second World War the city was heavily bombed by the Soviets but fortunately the historic center did not suffer major damage. The Soviet Union initiated a massive migration program of Slavic peoples by occupying and effectively incorporating the territory, so much so that today about 36% of the inhabitants of Tallinn are of Russian ethnicity (compared to the 25% average of the entire nation ). On August 20, 1991, Estonia proclaimed its independence and Tallinn became the capital again.
How to orient yourself
Districts
Tallinn is divided into 8 districts (linnaosa). The most relevant for passing tourists are the central district and a few others described briefly below together with the districts that compose them:
Dome Hill (Toompea)
Modern center at the vespero
View of the Kalamaja district
Pirita beach in October
How to get
By plane
- 1 Tallinn airport (IATA: TLL). The official name is Lennart Meri International Airport (Lennart Meri Tallinna Lennujaam) and is dedicated to the memory of the Estonian president Lennart Meri Lennart Georg Meri (1929 – 2006).
- As of 2019, flights from Italian airports were operated by airlines easyjet (one flight from Milan–Malpensa) and Ryanair (one flight from Bergamo-Orio al Serio).
- The trams of line "4", inaugurated on 1 September 2017, connect the airport with the center. Trams run mostly at 6-minute intervals and the journey from the center to the airport (or vice versa) takes 18-19 minutes. Trams run through the tunnel under the Tallinn-Narva railway, which is 150 meters long.
- Alternatively, you can also take the buses of line "2" which stop at the Mõigu district (southern suburbs) and the passenger port. Buses run mostly at 20-minute intervals. After the inauguration of the tram line, the bus terminal at the airport has been moved to the other side of the car park and is not directly visible from the terminal exit so it is better to use trams. Furthermore, the buses that stop at the exit of the terminal and the terminus of the tram are not directed to the center but to the suburb of Mõigu (opposite direction). This could be confusing and there are many tourists who go up there sure to go downtown.
- The "Täistunniekspress" bus of the bus companies Lux Express provides a direct connection with the city of Tartu, as well as bus 158 of the SEBE (one a day).
- The nearest railway station is that of Ülemiste, about 800 meters away, where trams of line 4 and buses of line 65 stop.
- There are also private companies that organize transfers from the airport to the center, convenient and fast, if you are in a group you can share the expenses.
By ferry
The most common route is from Helsinki, Finland to the port of Tallinn, with about 20 departures a day. Depending on the ferry, the journey takes between 90 minutes and 3 and a half hours. Average prices are € 16-30 per way, depending on the operator, the season (in summer it costs more), day of the week (Friday and Saturday cost more) and time (to Tallinn in the morning and back to evening costs more). Day cruises are very common and cost around € 19 round trip. All ferries except Linda Line ferries also carry cars, € 25 each way.
The following companies operate between Tallinn and Helsinki:
- Eckerö Line. They only have a 2000 passenger ship Finland (2 and a half hours). Often the cheapest.
- Linda Line. Service with small catamarans Merilin is Karolin. Fast (90 minutes) and with frequent departures but depending on the weather conditions. April-November only (or at least as long as the sea is free from ice).
- Tallink Silja. Up to 6 daily departures on large Star and Superstar ferries (2 hours). They also have the Baltic Princess (3.5 hours), a 2800 passenger luxury ship with cabins to spend the night in Tallinn. Discounts for Eurail ticket holders.
- Viking Line. It has the ferry Viking XPRS (2 and a half hours), two trips a day.
- Tallink. It also offers a service for Stockholm which takes 16 hours.
All ferries except Linda Line dock at the port Reisisadam north of the center. Tallink uses Terminal D on the southeast side of the bay and Eckerö and Viking Terminal A / B on the northwest side. From there bus 2 travels both to the center (A. Laikmaa stop), the inter-city station (Autobussijaam stop) and the airport (Lennujaam stop). Alternatively, you can take a 15 minute walk first towards Mere and then up to Viru square. Here one line map 2.
Linda Line uses the terminal Linnahall very close to Reisisadam, and bus stop # 2.
The port of Tallinn it is one of the largest and most important in the Baltic Sea. During the tourist season, more than 30 cruise lines dock here. Cruise ships typically dock at the old town harbor which is about a kilometer from the historic center. Within the port area there are several passenger terminals with free Wi-Fi zones in terminals A and D.
Buses and trams run from 06:00 to 23:00. Tickets can be purchased at newsstands in the terminals or directly from the drivers. Bus 2 runs between the port (stops at terminals A and D) and the airport via the center. You can also take the red hop-on / hop-off bus which stops at the port but it costs more. The tram (lines 1 and 2) stops near the port.
The best way to reach the historic center is to walk, less than a kilometer to the south-west. [1]. Look for the blue line painted on the ground and follow it to the harbor entrance, exit, cross the street and go left. At the next intersection with a large road, Sadama, turn right and you will come to a somewhat chaotic intersection with several traffic lanes. Go to the church spire of St. Olav. You should see the Fat Margaret Tower (Paks Margareeta), the entrance is next to it.
On the train
- 2 Baltic station (Balti jaam). Also called "Central Tallinn" (Tallina reisijaam), is the city's main railway station located north-west of the center. Passenger trains to other locations in theEstonia (Tartu, Pärnu, Viljandi, Paldiski) are managed by the company Elron while the international nocturnal ones directed to St.Pietroburgo are managed by Go Rail. In 2008 the connection was canceled due to lack of passengers, but in 2012 it was re-established on an experimental basis.
- Network modernization is planned but at the moment (2019) Estonians prefer to use buses, which are much faster than trains.
By bus
- 3 Suburban bus station (Tallinna bussijaam), Lastekodu 46 (City bus stop of lines 17, 47 and 54).
How to get around
The historic center can be easily explored on foot. Guides are available in the form of smartphone apps, but there are also some available at tourist offices.
If you are on a day trip to Tallinn for a few hours then you can walk Viru street (10-15 minutes walk from the ferry terminal) or take a taxi to arrive and then wander the old town on foot. There are some excellent "lookout points" where you can take in spectacular views of the rest of the Old Town.
By public transport
Public transport consists of buses, trolley buses and trams that cover the whole city. Tickets are available at newsstands and newspaper outlets and must be validated once on board. They are offered in cuts of one or two hours and also of 24 or 72 hours.
Subscriptions can be monthly, quarterly and valid for 10 days. Unlike tickets, they must not be stamped.
Preschoolers and seniors over 65 are entitled to free travel.
Foreign visitors can purchase the Tallinn Card which entitles you to free use of public transport.
Travelers "pinched" without a suitable travel document are punished with a fine of around 38 euros. Since 2013 Tallinn is the first capital in the European Union to have free public transport for all its residents. This is part of an environmentally friendly European development.
tlt operates buses, trolley buses and trams from 6am to 12pm. Online are available timetables is maps (choose Ühistransport). There Tallinn Card allows unlimited access to the public transport network.
The network of the tram covers the city center. There are 4 lines and they all meet at Viru Center, at the Hobujaama stop. About 15 wagons have a lowered intermediate section which makes the trams wheelchair accessible. The departure times of these carriages are marked with a yellow background in the timetables. Usually these vehicles serve lines 1 and 4.
The lines trolleybus they all go south or west. There are seven: 1, 3-7 and 9.
By taxi
Tallinn has many independent taxi and taxi companies. There is no basic price or standardized price per kilometer. Some taxis are scams for tourists and have very high prices so before you get on one make sure they have posted the price on the window.
Don't take taxis at the port or train station, avoid those that don't have a company name or look old and ramshackle.
Some of the most reliable companies are:
- Tallink. Yellow like those of Tallinn Taxi, it is quite expensive.
- Sõbra. Cheaper but generally the taxis are clean and the drivers reliable.
- Marabou.
- Luxlimu.
Taxi App
With guided tours
Tour bus tours (look for the red colored buses) are also available at designated stops in the Old Town.
As in many other major European capitals, Tallinn is also home to i City SightSeeing Bus. The cost of the ticket is 20 €.
By bike
There are more than 180km of cycle paths in Tallinn. The international Eurovelo route runs from west to east and allows you to comfortably pass through the city. Many cycle paths are located in green parts of the city and are more suitable for leisure, although they are equally suitable for travel. If you decide to use a bike to get around you can turn on any street, and although it is allowed to go on the sidewalks beware of pedestrians.
Remember not to leave your bike out unattended overnight or for a long time if you don't want it to be damaged or stolen. Many hostels provide their customers with a safe space to park their bikes.
- 4 City Bike, Veins 33, ☎ 372 5111 819, @[email protected].
Mon-Sun 10 am-5pm. May-September 10 am-7pm. Bike rental open all year round and run by two-wheel enthusiasts who provide all the necessary information on cycle tourism in Tallinn and Estonia.
Mon-Sun 10 am-5pm. May-September 10 am-7pm. Bike rental open all year round and run by two-wheel enthusiasts who provide all the necessary information on cycle tourism in Tallinn and Estonia.What see
Property listings can be found in individual articles urban districts.
Events and parties
- Estonian Song Festival (Üldlaulupidu). July. Held every 5 years in the Estonian Song Festival Auditorium. The XXVII edition will take place from 4 to 7 July 2019 and will mark the 150th anniversary of the festival.
- Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (Tallinna Pimedate Ööde Filmifestival or PÖFF). November. Annual film festival whose first edition dates back to 1997.
What to do
Property listings can be found in individual articles urban districts.
Beaches
- 1 Pirita beach and marina. Very popular in the summer, it was the site of some competitions during the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
- 2 Kakumäe (Take bus 21 from Balti jaam or 21A from Väike-Õismäe. Get off at the Landi stop (21) or Sooranna tee (21A) and continue on foot for 1km following the signs). One of the best beaches in Tallinn.
- 3 Aegna. A small island that can be reached by a summer ferry line or by boats that leave from the port of Pirina. It has two beaches where you can camp.
Tour
- Kilometer of culture (Kultuurikilomeeter). A 2.2 km pedestrian path that takes place along an abandoned railway section. It goes through some of the most famous places in the city.
Shopping
Property listings can be found in individual articles urban districts.
The areas of Viru and Rotermann are the most suitable for shopping. There are all kinds of shops, from classic souvenirs to design products and local crafts.
How to have fun
Property listings can be found in individual articles urban districts.
Night clubs
The nightlife is lively in relation to the small size of the city. Beware of stag groups (especially British and German).
Where to eat
Property listings can be found in individual articles urban districts.
The old town is full of places to eat, especially around the town hall square (Raekoja plats).
Other areas are Kalamaja and Kopli where many new trendy clubs have sprung up. Nothing touristy, but very welcoming places, often frequented by locals.
Where stay
Property listings can be found in individual articles urban districts.
Safety
As always, the normal rules of common sense apply. Avoid isolated and dark places during the night hours, do not leave valuables in sight in the car and always be very careful in the busiest areas to avoid any pickpocketing. Tallinn is a very safe city but that doesn't mean you can't run into problems.
- In Tallinn you will have to defend yourself from drunks: the Estonian population is plagued by alcoholism problems that have appeared since the time of Mikhail Gorbačëv (before the glasnost alcoholism studies and statistics were prohibited)). Many Finns go to Tallinn with the sole intention of stocking up on alcohol by taking advantage of the much lower local prices due to a lower incidence of government taxes. A 2014 study revealed that 34% of the alcohol produced in Estonia it is bought by Finns.
- In 2019 there was an increase in thefts in apartments rented by private individuals to tourists for a short period of time, so it is necessary to carefully evaluate this type of accommodation before choosing it.
The unified emergency number is 112. The 5 police command is at Kolde puiestee 65 (east of the station). More information can be found on the official site of the Estonian Police (in English).
How to keep in touch
Internet
L'Estonia is included among the European countries where you can take advantage of the GB made available by your tariff plan at no extra charge. If you run out of them and your hotel does not have a wi-fi connection to the network, you can always connect from one of the many shopping centers. Several bars and restaurants offer free internet access to their customers.
As of 2019, Tallinn was covered by 4G and 4G plus except some areas such as Toompea and the area around Ulus street, where the connection was still in 3G. Also in 2019, some internal areas of the airport terminal allowed connection only in 2G while on the runway the signal was scarce or completely absent.
Around
- 6 Naissaar - A small island that closes the bay of Tallinn, entirely covered by dense woods. The name means "Island of Women".
- West
- 7 Paldiski (49 km / hour by bus or even train) - A former Soviet naval base for nuclear submarines. The base had two reactors on the mainland and had around 16,000 workers. The Russians left in 1994 and since then the population of Paldiski gradually dwindled down to 3,000 inhabitants in 2018. Until around 2010 Paldiski saw throngs of hikers from Tallinn who went to the abandoned base to experience horror movie sensations, propelled by dramatic descriptions of tour guides comparing there locality to a small Chernobyl. Much has been done since then: some installations of the base still have a derelict appearance but the gloomy Soviet terraced apartment buildings have been painted white, the parks and gardens have been rearranged and the old Russian barracks have been restored to house battalions and corps. Estonian Army. The old port now serves as a berth for passenger and cargo ships from Hanko (Finland) and from Lübeck. Paldiski also boasts a beautiful rocky coastline that ends in the north on a promontory where a very tall lighthouse stands. Offshore the Pakri islands stand out, today uninhabited and also with a sad story: they were bombed by the Soviets in 1992, shortly after the unilateral declaration of independence ofEstonia but fortunately the bombs did not cause excessive damage to the natural environment.
- East
- 8 Jägala (31 km) - Famous for the waterfalls of the same name.
- 9 Palmse (80 km) - Town with a 17th century manor house and a hotel at the entrance to the Lahemaa National Park which extends for km on the coast of the Gulf of Finland.
- 10 Rakvere (98 km) - Town of about 17,000 inhabitants with the ruins of a 14th century castle where in the summer there are costume shows with a historical background of some interest given the professionalism of the actors of the internationally recognized Rakvere theater company .
- 11 Narva (213 km) - Third largest city in Estonia by population, Narva it is bathed by the homonymous river which marks the border with Russia.
Useful information
Tourist information
- 12 Tourism Office, Niguliste 2 / Kullassepa 4, ☎ 372 645 7777, @[email protected]. Free city maps, book a guide, ask for advice, use the free wifi or ask for a computer. Open every day.
Pharmacies
- 13 Südameapteek, Tõnismägi 5, ☎ 372 644 2282. Mon-Sun 00: 00-24: 00. The closest pharmacy to the center among those open 24h.
