Magical Tips for Visiting Tallinn at Christmas

Mulled wine, twinkling Christmas stalls, cobblestone streets, and medieval charm – visiting Tallinn at Christmas is pure magic.

Here are my top tips to make the most of a festive visit to the Estonian capital!

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Is Visiting Tallinn At Christmas Worth It?

Absolutely! Tallinn at Christmas feels almost unreal, with its cobblestone streets, medieval buildings, and Christmas lights glowing around every corner.

The renowned Christmas market brings the festive atmosphere to life, while Tallinn’s UNESCO-listed Old Town makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a Christmas movie.

We unfortunately didn’t get to experience Tallinn covered in snow, as the snow only arrived when we were at the airport on our way home. Regardless, Tallinn at Christmas was absolutely magical, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a proper Christmas-y destination!

8 Tips for Visiting Tallinn at Christmas

1. Choose Centrally Located Accommodation

To make the most of your Christmas trip to Tallinn, I highly recommend choosing accommodation within walking distance of Tallin’s Old Town.

Odds are this is where you’ll be spending most of your time during your Christmas stay, and you probably won’t want to spend too much time traveling back and forth to your hotel.

This is especially important if you’re only spending a day or a weekend in Tallinn, when every hour counts.

We stayed at ibis Tallinn Center, which was a great hotel overall, but the location wasn’t ideal for exploring the Christmas Market and Old Town in a short amount of time.

We ended up spending more time than we would have liked walking back and forth, which wasn’t always the most enjoyable experience in the cold winter weather.

Hotels in Tallinn to consider:

Nunne Boutique Hotel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: Beautiful boutique hotel with a spa and gym, a great location, and family rooms available.

The Three Sisters Hotel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: Charming hotel full of character, set in a historic building dating back to 1362.

The Burman Hotel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ : Stunning boutique hotel for those looking for a luxurious stay in an excellent location.

2. Start at the Tallinn Christmas Market

In the heart of Tallinn’s Old Town, right next to the 15th-century Gothic Town Hall, you’ll find Tallinna Jõuluturg, the city’s popular Christmas market.

Here you can wander between wooden stalls and twinkling lights, with the smell of glögi (Estonian mulled wine) and roasted almonds filling the air.

Add some live music, happy people, a delicious meal and a hot drink, and you’ve got a pretty perfect Christmas day, if you ask me!

Take your time exploring the different stalls. There is so much to choose from, and it’s the kind of place where you’ll probably want to look around twice before deciding what to buy.

The Christmas market is truly magical and, in my opinion, a must when visiting Tallinn at Christmas. Make sure to check the opening dates and plan your trip to Tallinn accordingly.

Tallinn Christmas Market

📍 Town Hall Square
🗓️ Open yearly between late November and early January
ℹ️ Christmasmarket.ee/en

3. Shop For Unique Christmas Presents

One of the best things about Christmas in Tallinn is getting the chance to find unique Christmas presents.

Estonia has a strong and living craft tradition, so it’s easy to find high-quality local products such as wool mittens, leather accessories, ceramics and glassware.

Tallinn’s Old Town, including the mentioned Christmas market, is one of the best places to see these local crafts up close – and, of course, to do some shopping.

There are plenty of small shops and stalls where you can find something a little different from the usual Christmas presents.

Both the Christmas market and Old Town in general is also a great place to find local sweets. If you’re a chocolate lover like me, make sure to pop by Choco Boutique – they have so much delicious chocolate its hard to choose!

4. Don’t Forget To Purchase A Christmas Ornament

Getting a Christmas ornament is one of those little things I think you shouldn’t miss when visiting Tallinn at Christmas.

There are so many lovely ones to choose from, both at the Christmas market and in the shops around the Old Town, with everything from traditional designs to more modern and quirky options.

Whether you’re buying one as a unique Christmas present or as a souvenir to remember your trip by, a Christmas ornament is a fun little keepsake to bring home.

I chose a traditional rocking horse, and it has now become a lovely reminder of my time in Tallinn every time I see it on my Christmas tree.

5. Try The Tasty Local Food

What is Christmas without good food? One of my favourite parts of visiting Tallinn at Christmas was getting to try some of the local food.

For a more traditional Estonian Christmas experience, look out for things like sausages and sauerkraut, which are common parts of the Christmas table.

One dish you’ll often see around Christmas is verivorst, a gently spiced blood sausage that is typically served warm alongside jam and sauerkraut.

In addition to the Christmas market, the rest of the Old Town is also home to plenty of local restaurants where you can sit down and try more traditional Estonian dishes. So make sure to arrive hungry!

Bonus tip 🍕
Need a break from heavy winter food? Try the amazing pizza at La Pizzeria Di Orm Oja.

6. Dine medieval-style at Olde Hansa

One of the most iconic places to eat in Tallinn is Olde Hansa, located in Tallinn’s Old Town. Yes, it’s a bit touristy, but in my opinion, that’s part of the fun – especially if you want to experience Tallinn’s medieval side.

The restaurant serves dishes inspired by 15th-century recipes, with hearty food that feels especially fitting during the cold winter months.

You can also try old-style beer and other traditional drinks while dining by candlelight, surrounded by medieval decor.

The staff wear medieval costumes, and the whole place has a cosy, slightly magical atmosphere that feels perfect for a cold evening.

If you’re visiting Tallinn at Christmas, I definitely think Olde Hansa is worth adding to your list for a memorable dinner.

Olde Hansa

📍 Vana turg 1
📝 Tripadvisor

7. Explore More of Tallinn’s Medieval Old Town

While the Christmas market is definitely one of the main attractions of the holiday season, there is so much more to see around Tallinn’s Old Town.

It is one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval trading cities and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so simply wandering around is an experience in itself.

Take your time walking through the narrow, winding streets and admiring the colorful old merchant houses along the way.

During the Christmas season, the Old Town is also beautifully decorated with lights, Christmas trees and other festive details, making it even more charming.

And if you’re lucky enough to visit when there’s snow, make sure to explore the Old Town after dark. The Christmas lights reflecting off the snow-covered streets make Tallinn feel especially magical at this time of year.

Not to miss in Old Town:

🛍️ Meistrite Hoov: A charming medieval courtyard filled with local crafts and small artisan shops.

🏘️ Katariina Käik: A beautiful, narrow medieval passage lined with historic buildings and artisan workshops.

🌲 Tornide väljak & Toompark: Two lovely parks where you can enjoy views of Tallinn’s medieval walls and towers.

📸 Toompea Hill: Get the best views of Tallinn from several viewpoints, and check out the stunning Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

8. Catch The Ferry To Helsinki

Did you know that you can easily combine a trip to Tallinn with a visit to Helsinki?

The two capitals are connected by regular ferries, with the journey taking around 2 to 2.5 hours. If you have enough time, this makes Helsinki a great addition to your Tallinn trip.

Finland’s capital is worth visiting in its own right, but it’s especially charming around Christmas, when you can enjoy the festive atmosphere and visit its outdoor Christmas markets.

A fun way to experience Tallinn at Christmas and explore another Nordic capital during the same trip!

🎟️ Ferry tickets: www.trip.com

📝 Related post: How To Make The Most of A Layover In Helsinki

Additional Things To Do In Tallinn, Estonia

Have you been to Tallinn at Christmas? Share your favorite spots below!

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