Estonia
Estonia is a Baltic country with a medieval capital, Tallinn, six national parks and more than 2,300 islands and islets.
Estonia is a Baltic country on the east coast of the Baltic Sea, bordering Latvia and Russia, with Finland across the Gulf of Finland to the north. Its capital, Tallinn, received town rights in 1248 and was a Hanseatic League member, and its medieval old town is the main draw in the capital. Tartu, the second-largest city, is the country's university center. Estonian is the official language, and the euro has been the currency since 2011.
Outside the capital, the draw is nature. Lahemaa, on the north coast, is the largest and oldest of the six national parks, and Soomaa, near Pärnu, is known for its large wetlands. Matsalu is known for its many bird species. Saaremaa and Hiiumaa are the largest islands, among more than 2,300 smaller islands and islets. Summer brings warm weather and white nights from early May to the end of July, while autumn and winter bring strong winds and rain. Tallinn suits a city stay, and the parks and islands suit travelers who want forest, wetlands and coast.
Five things to know before Estonia
- Check the entry rule for your passport
US, UK, Canadian and Australian passports need no visa for up to 90 days in any 180 across the Schengen area. Non-EU visitors may be asked to register fingerprints and a photo in the EES, and ETIAS is not yet in operation. Visa checker
- Pair Tallinn with Helsinki by ferry
This is the usual way to combine Estonia with Finland. The Tallinn guide covers day trip versus overnight, the terminals and the ID you must carry between the two countries. Tallinn guide
- Treat the Russian border as an external one
Cross Estonia's Russian frontier only at official points; the Koidula, Luhamaa and Narva road crossings close overnight. The German Foreign Office says crossings can close at short notice and advises against trips into Russia. Border crossing points
- Pack repellent and layers for bog trails
Boardwalk trails in Lahemaa and Soomaa are easy but exposed. Bring a waterproof layer, and repellent in summer.
- Plan island ferries before you drive
Muhu and Saaremaa are reached by ferry from the mainland. If you are driving, check the operator's timetable and booking options before you set out.
Estonia travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
The walled Old Town, the airport tram and the Helsinki ferry.
Read the guideHelsinkiThe other end of the ferry crossing.
Read the guideVisa checkerEntry rules by passport, checked against official pages.
Read the guideEES at the borderFingerprints and a photo on your first Schengen entry.
Read the guideThe 90/180 ruleHow Schengen days add up across the Baltics and Finland.
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for hiking, ferries and health care.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMEU roaming rules apply for EU plans; eSIM options for others.
Read the guideMoney and costsCards almost everywhere and what things cost.
Read the guide
Destinations in Estonia
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- €25
- Food
- €30
- Transport
- €5
- Sights
- €5
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- €60
- Food
- €60
- Transport
- €20
- Sights
- €15
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- €110
- Food
- €120
- Transport
- €45
- Sights
- €60
When to go
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- JanuarySnow14 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh-1°Low-5°Dark, snowJanuarySnow
- High
- -1°
- Low
- -5°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Dark, snow
- FebruaryCloudy11 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh0°Low-4°Cold, snowFebruaryCloudy
- High
- 0°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh3°Low-2°Cold, thawMarchPartly cloudy
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 42 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, thaw
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low1°Cool, springAprilPartly cloudy
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 51 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, spring
- MayPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh14°Low6°Mild, lightMayPartly cloudy
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 51 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, light
- JuneRain12 rainy daysHigh19°Low11°White nightsJuneRain
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 80 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
White nights
- JulyRain16 rainy daysHigh21°Low14°Warm, long daysJulyRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 101 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, long days
- AugustRain17 rainy daysHigh20°Low14°Warm, swimAugustRain
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 110 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, swim
- SeptemberRain12 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Cool, quieterSeptemberRain
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 68 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quieter
- OctoberRain14 rainy daysHigh10°Low5°Autumn, wetOctoberRain
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn, wet
- NovemberRain14 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh5°Low1°Dark, grayNovemberRain
- High
- 5°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 63 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Dark, gray
- DecemberSnow14 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh1°Low-2°Christmas marketDecemberSnow
- High
- 1°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 54 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Christmas market
Average daily high and low in Tallinn, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Estonia
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 6°
- Humidity
- 97%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Tallinn
10:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today8°6°100%Monday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue8°5°48%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 48%.
- Wed9°3°16%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Thu9°5°0%Thursday: Clear. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri8°3°4%Friday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Sat8°5°6%Saturday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Sun7°4°8%Sunday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 8%.
Updated 10:09 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
NovemberSalzburg Christkindlmarkt
NovemberNuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
NovemberStrasbourg Christmas marketFestivals by month
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- JunTallinn Old Town DaysTallinn
- JulÕllesummerTallinn
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
On tour in Estonia: Sabaton The Legendary Tour Part 2 Tallinn, May 7, 2027
Estonia FAQ
Do I need a visa for Estonia?
Not for short stays on a US, UK, Canadian or Australian passport: all get 90 days in any 180 across the Schengen area. Non-EU visitors may register in the EES at the border. The EU states: "ETIAS is currently not in operation and no applications for travel authorisations are collected at this point." Check your own passport in the visa checker.
Can I do Tallinn as a day trip from Helsinki?
Yes. Ferries cross between the two cities several times a day in roughly two to three hours, which leaves part of a day for the Old Town. Staying a night lets you add Kadriorg and Telliskivi.
Does Estonia use the euro?
Yes. Estonia is part of the eurozone, and cards are accepted in most places, so you need little cash.
How many days do I need in Tallinn?
Two days covers the old town, Kadriorg and Telliskivi. Add a day for Lahemaa National Park by car or on a tour.
When is the best time to visit Estonia?
June to August for long light evenings, warm weather and festivals. December is dark and cold, but the old town's Christmas market is lively.