Sail the Baltic Seas with Princess Cruises and Behold the Charm of Tallinn
Tallinn, Estonia One-Day Shore Excursion Itinerary
Yo, I had an absolute blast in Tallinn, and let me tell ya, this place is a blend of medieval beauty and modern cool. I'd heard whispers about e-residency and digital currency, and I knew this city was always evolving. That's why I'm super stoked Princess Cruises dropped anchor in this city, just a stone's throw away from the old town.
Estonia might not be on the international tourism radar, but after visiting Tallinn and meeting some kickass locals, I can't wait to dig deeper into this fascinating country. Visiting a new destination through a cruiseship is the perfect sampling platter, giving you a taste of the places you'd want to come back to.
Time in Port: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (Check exact timings on the Princess website as these may vary depending on departure date)
Transport/Distance: A quick 20-minute walk or short bus ride to the city
Excursions Available: Tallinn is simple to traverse on foot, but with its rich history, you might want to opt for a private guide. Winetasting, beer making, and lighthouse cycle tours are just a few of the unique excursions available by Princess.
Venture through the Old Town of Tallinn
Walking through the Old Town of Tallinn feels like stepping back in time, with traditional outfits and antique shop signs adorning the streets. Although much of Europe has changed over the centuries, the UNESCO-protected old town in Tallinn has been preserved, meaning that this charming city built in the 13th century still radiates that medieval allure.
Begin at the higher part of the Old Town where you'll find various vantage points that showcase the red-tiled roofs of the towers and numerous churches across the city. The Aleksandr Nevsky cathedral stands out, dominating the upper portion, with its perfect white color and domed ceilings.
Just across the road, the Toompea Castle, which houses Estonia's parliament, is another remarkable building. Climb one of the towers, or step inside the KGB museum, located within a hotel, to learn more about the operations that took place here alongside the Baltic Sea.
As you make your way down to the Old Town Square, you'll pass artists and painters selling and creating their works inspired by the vibrant buildings around them. It's particularly enchanting during December, when the enormous Christmas Market turns Tallinn into one of the top European destinations for winter travel.
Once on the square, grab a coffee and take a seat to watch the world go by. The various architectural styles of the buildings surrounding the square captivated me, with their rooftops being particularly unique.
I wandered past numerous museums while in Tallinn, but I felt like the Old Town itself was like a living museum, and it didn't require visiting any additional museums. Climbing one of the towers, ducking into a church, or strolling along the old city walls, which still fortify the old town, would be my recommended activities.
Discover the Other Side of Tallinn
While most visitors spend their day in Tallinn exclusively in the Old Town, you'd be missing out by not exploring both sides of the city.
Just across from the train station, Turg Market boasts fresh-food stalls, funky restaurants and cafes within shipping containers, and a completely different vibe from the history-laden Old Town. The area behind the train station sports warehouses transformed into bars-cum-clothing shops and vintage shops independent of one another. Here, you can indulge in delicious eats, play a round of ping-pong, and embrace your inner hipster.
Further on, you'll arrive at Telliskivi Creative City, an assortment of old factories in an industrial area that has been thoroughly reimagined into pop-up shops showcasing independent fashion designers, bespoke home furnishings, and cool bars and restaurants producing their own brews and excellent coffees. Take a moment to chat with the shop owners and gain an insider's perspective on Tallinn before picking up some unique souvenirs and supporting local businesses.
Although my time in Tallin was brief, I feel like I gained a lot from my visit. I love cities where you can have two completely contrasting experiences in such a short span, and the capital of Estonia certainly fits that bill. While I'm sure the nightlife in Tallinn would be unforgettable, I returned to the ship feeling content with my day in Tallinn and already planning my next Estonian adventure.
CRUISE DETAILS
Embark on a 11-day Baltic Sea cruise that starts from £999pp for an inside stateroom for two (based on double occupancy)*. This journey takes you to Warnemunde, Germany; Oslo, Norway; Copenhagen, Denmark; Stockholm, Sweden; Helsinki, Finland; St. Petersburg, Russia; and Tallinn, Estonia, offering an opportunity to explore numerous cities in a short vacation.
*Note: Load factor, dates, availability, and other factors may impact the final quoted price.
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Experience the unique blend of medieval charm and modern cool by venturing through Tallinn's Old Town, where traditional outfits and antique shop signs adorn the streets, and then discover the vibrant and hipster side of the city at Turg Market and Telliskivi Creative City.
Embark on a 11-day Baltic Sea cruise, visiting numerous cities, including Tallinn, and enjoy a taste of the Baltic Seas with Princess Cruises. The perfect excursion to explore the city on foot or opt for a private guide, wine tasting, beer making, or lighthouse cycle tours are just a few unique offerings available by Princess.
