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It's certainly not Harrods and it isn't even really a department store. Sada Market is an ugly glass building near the port terminals. It is full of tiny shops selling just about everything you can imagine.
It is mostly aimed at Finnish and Swedish daytrippers (who, in terms of prices, think of Tallinn like we think of Calais - although it is many times more pleasant than that).
What to buy: Bulk beer purchasing at rock bottom prices seems to be the order of the day but you can get just about anything here. Fancy a Lordi T-shirt (the Finnish heavy metal band that won Eurovision)?
Also, general souvenirs such as Matreska (Russian Dolls) including the 'novelty' variety.
There is also a Warsteiner beer pub and a venue offering visual entertainment for gentlemen vistors (if you know what I mean)
What to pay: In terms of beer, food, souvenirs etc, a little less than you do in the old town
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Address: Sadama, Tallinn, Estonia
Phone: n/a
Just opposite the main Tourist Information Centre in Freedom Square (a short walk from the Raekoja plats or main square) is a marvellous second hand book store.
It has a lot of English-language books but of main interest to me were the reasonably-priced collection of old tourist guides, postcards, maps, stamps, badges etc from Tallinn and Estonia in days gone by.
For instance, I picked up a beautifully presented set of early 1970s postcards entitled 'Tallinn - Capital of the Soviet Estonia' showing the city as it was in the bad old days of the stagnation period.
What to buy: A piece of history - old books, maps, postcards, stamps etc
What to pay: A few pounds (£1 to £10)
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Address: Vabaduse väljak, Tallinn
Phone: n/a
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The traditional knitwear market (the 'Knitting Wall' or 'Sweater Wall') is set directly into the city walls on Muurivahe street. It is something of a must for tourists, even just for a look.
What to buy: The little old ladies of the Knitting Wall will sell you a range of woollen jumpers, hats, scarves and socks in traditional Estonian style (sort of Alpine-ish)
What to pay: From £3 or £4 to £20, depending on what you buy. A pair of lovely, thick winter socks were 150 EEK or £6.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Address: Corner of Viru and Muurivahe
Phone: n/a
This is the Estonian Coin Shop. In here you can buy lots of mounted Estonian coins including special editions.
What to buy: A mounted complete set of Estonian circulation coins costs 90 EEK.
One special edition is a golden coloured 1999 1 EEK coin minted to celebrate the Estonian Song Festival. It is mounted on a card with a picture of the Song Festival Grounds and costs just 45 EEK.
There are also plenty of other beautiful special edition coins and it is worth a look.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Address: Eesti Mundiari OU, Mundi 3, 10146, Tallin
Phone: +372 6466 133
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For those who share the dubious vices of T shirt wearing and intoxication you’ll be delighted to discover this shop. O.K it’s an unlikely marriage but the T shirts are pretty cool and look even better after a little Saaremaa Dzinn or Saku Originaal.
What to buy: Well T shirts of course!
For an unusual drink try Kristallkummemel a rather strange tasting liqueur made from caraway seeds
Written Jan 23, 2008
Address: Kullassepa 13
This card gives you free entrance to more 40 musuems, free transport with bus around the city, free entrances to many of Tallinn´s most popular night clubs. Also a lot discounts in shops and restaurants...
Written Oct 20, 2007
Phone: +372 645 7777
Website: www.tallinncard.ee
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Navitrolla is a great contemporary Estonian artist with a small gallery in the old town. His images depict a surreal world of strange animals which are very distinctive and often convey a philosophical message about human nature. The name Navitrolla is a pseudonym created from Trolla and Navi two villages in which the artist lived as a child.
What to buy: The original painting are very desirable and come in a range of sizes. For those on a budget posters, postcards and badges can be had at a reasonable cost.
Written Dec 11, 2006
Address: Pikk Jalg 7
Phone: 372-6313716
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worth to spend a bit time shopping in many arts and craft shop you can find in old town. excellent for home decor or even as a gift. they have modern and antique-like pottery and paintings at very reasonable price.
What to pay: reasonable
Updated Jul 14, 2006
It's a modern book store akin to Waterstones or Ottkars in the UK. Has an English-language section.
What to buy: Tallinn guide books/maps or for a special souvenir they have a good range of arty picture books of Tallinn and Estonia.
Other interesting finds were 'Estonian Folk Tales' (does as it says) and a book entitled 'Estonia's way to freedom' - telling the story of the singing revolution and the quest for independence in pictures. You can see various sites in the city that were focal points of the historic struggle. Finally, 'Eesti Kook' is a mouthwatering Estonian cookbook - not fancy, just good food.
All above are in English language.
What to pay: Picture books from £5 to £15. The rest were under £10 each.
Written Jun 28, 2006
Address: Viru 23, Tallinn 10148
Phone: +372 6 833 400
Website: http://www.apollo.ee/
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Kalev have been making chocolate in Tallinn since 1806 so nothing comes much more pure Estonian.
The company have a store just off the Raekoja plats (main town hall square) at the junction of Lai and Nunne. You can make your own selection from beneath the glass counter or choose from the range of gift boxes, individual bars etc
However, you can actually buy Kalev just about anywhere. The Stockmann and Kaubamaja department stores have a big range in their food halls.
What to buy: Everything from the more expensive and luxuriously packaged boxes (with pictures of Tallinn on the front) to delicious bars and even packets of chews.
The chocolate is Belgian-standard quality and is a great gift. The almond (Mandli) bar is particularly delicious.
What to pay: A nice box is about 5 to 10 pounds or so. A bar is less than a pound. The chews are just a few pence a packet.
Updated Jun 28, 2006
Address: Lai 1, Tallinn 10133
Phone: +372 667 9599
Website: http://www.kalev.ee
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