Estonia holidays

If you want to fully immerse yourself in the Estonia culture, its local dishes and regional drinks are a great place to start. Influenced by Scandinavian, German and Russian traditions, expect a mixed bag when it comes to its culinary offerings. There’s a huge emphasis on meat and potatoes here as well as smoked fish. Want to eat like a true Estonian? Then kiluvõileib, rye bread topped with sprat fillet and a poached egg is a must-try. As is verivorst, a blood sausage which is sold in abundance at the country’s annual Christmas markets. They also have their own drinks including Verivorst, a rum-based liqueur found all over Estonia, when you’re not drinking it straight, you’re bound to find it in a range of cocktails. Plus, with half a dozen craft beer breweries, you can expect a great tasting pint. For trendy Nordic food, Leib in Tallinn is the place to go for beautifully plated dishes without the pretentious atmosphere and high prices. Specialising in authentic food with an Asian twist, NOA is also found along the capital’s waterfront.

Estonia is full of landmarks worth cramming into your itinerary, whether you’re looking for natural points of interest like Jägala Waterfall, the largest waterfall in the country where eight metres of flowing water is bound to captivate any traveller. Just 30 minutes outside of Tallinn it’s easy to locate too. When it comes to man-made structures, Estonia has some awe-inspiring landmarks including St. Olaf’s Church, which was the tallest in the world from 1549 to 1625 and comes with an observation tower, but be warned you’ll have to walk 232 steps to reach it. You can’t miss Kadriorg Palace meets art museum either, which sits surrounded by picturesque gardens. If its modern attractions you’re looking for, you can’t avoid the imposing Tallinn TV Tower, measuring 314 metres in height, the tallest in the country.

When you’re not exploring medieval architecture, century-old churches and grand palaces, Estonia is a country of unspoken beauty with natural parks, waterfalls and a sinkhole as well as vast forestry making up its diverse landscape.

Explore every nook and cranny of the capital: Tallinn is an exceptional city with so much going on, blink and you’ll miss its many highlights. There are tons of architectural gems including the Town Hall, which dominates its medieval Old Town and St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Estonia’s main Russian Orthodox building. Its large stone walls which were put in place to protect the city still stand today, giving you a greater glimpse into the capital’s history. You can also step back into the past through its choice of museums including Lennusadam, which explores its maritime background and Estonian History Museum, where weapons and coins are put on display. The city is also known for its tavern style restaurants, craft beer bars, public parks, Christmas markets and countless viewing platforms.

Escape to Lahemaa National Park: Within driving distance from the capital, it’s hard to believe that you can go from an urban backdrop to a natural paradise in under an hour. As one of the most breathtaking natural parks in Estonia, this is a great place to spot the country’s fascinating wildlife. Trips here show you what Estonia’s scenic side has to offer. Forests sit close to lakes and rivers, allowing outdoorsy types to trek across its enchanting terrain. However, you may prefer to stop for a photo or two on those frosty winter days.