TD;DR: Tallinn is a delight. Please go see this town.
There were a great many things about the town that were a curiosity to me, and others that were a shock! Curious? Read on!
First off: food!
The grocery store is confusing, but it’s definitely the most affordable place to eat. Tallinn is not expensive compared to many European cities, but eating like a local will prolong your travel budget. In Tallinn, that means learning a whole new method of shopping. I’ll drop this link here so you can read it from someone smarter than myself: A Guide to Living in Estonia
If you are looking to go out and eat, there are loads of options, but I think my favorite was F-hoone. Any time of day, there is something to try there. Check out Hell Hunt if you are looking for a fun pub in the old town central plaza.
Next up: Adventure!
If you feel like taking your pants off in Tallinn, have I got good news for you! The Nudist winery is ready and waiting!
On the advice of AZTravelGuy, we went to the Depeche Mode bar. It was basically what one would expect, so don’t fight the crowds to get in here, but if you are a fan and have an hour to kill, go take a look around.
Interesting things we saw, Chains in the drain pipes from all the buildings. We couldn’t puzzle out what all the chains were for but later someone told us it was to break up ice that formed in the pipes when it was cold. We don’t run that risk in summer, but I can see it being of great value in winter. The once might Linnahall (once called the “V. I. Lenin Palace of Culture and Sport”) from the Moscow Olympics has fallen into disrepair, but it’s a short walk if you want to take a look around it. The KGB museum in Tallinn is interesting. I felt it was worth the price of admission, and helps to explain the local attitude towards foreign involvement. The KGB museum is near the Russian Embassy. Given the decorations outside the embassy, they don’t appear to have increased in popularity with the locals, recently. If you are curious about that particular aspect, Google or YouTube can probably show you what I mean. No Photo: My mate, Will Robinson, can tell you that we have a long tradition of “No Photo!” violations. Tallinn was no exception. #nophoto
If you are given the choice, don’t drive anywhere. At the time we were there gasoline was over $8 USD per gallon. Nearly 3x the cost of gasoline in the USA at that time. That said, we’ve already extolled the virtues of Bolt as a car service in Tallinn. Bolt is like being an extra in a low budget Fast and Furious movie. One of our Bolt drivers was particularly wild in our transport. TJ and I were surprised that he didn’t crash, and not surprised when we saw him getting arrested a few minutes later when we walked back down that same street.
Speaking of walking, get a walking tour! They are plentiful and VERY well worth it. We learned loads about the old town and the history of Estonia. Like, why there are signs saying “Kik in de Kok” all over the place! It’s not what you think, so if that’s your thing you may have to look elsewhere. I’m very pro walking tour (especially with local guides) so you may want to start with a tour, then ask the guide all your other questions about exploring the city further. We didn’t see a lot of pay-to-pee public toilets, and while you should still carry a 50c coin just in case (Tallinn is expanding their public toilet presence), be sure to grab a drink from a local restaurant if you need to pee while you are out. They can give you advice and tips on things you might not know about.
Locals are always the way to go, and after years of traveling, I have run into a lot of folks who now live everywhere around the globe. Occasionally, I wind up in a town where someone, whom I have previously met, now lives and they can give me some tips. Tallinn is one such instance, happily. Viktor and I bumped into each other at a Couchsurfing event in Hungary some years ago, and now he’s back in Tallinn. He agreed to meet TJ and I and walk around the old town and grab a coffee.
Viktor told us about the local festivals and dances that had just finished, explained some of the regions history, and spoke of his new relationship. Viktor has been famously re-quoted many times by TJ and I as saying, “I’m 35, Dave. It’s time to settle down.” We saw a local coffee shop, and once Viktor found out I lived in Texas, he insisted we go to the “Texas” restaurant. While I am certain the menu is great for Eastern block Tex-Mex, I still prefer eating local fare when I am abroad.
Wrap up:
- Go to the grocery store and not to the Texas restaurant.
- Get the BOLT! app if it’s too far to walk. Big time and money saver!
- Take the walking tour. I sound like a broken record, but do it.
- Carry a 50c piece for the public toilets in an emergency.