if you wanna get souvenirs in old town, try to get them in a shop instead of the stalls on the street. you will be very surprised how much difference you can find. I found the shops near the main entrance (where you find McD) of the old town sell souvenirs at less "rip-off" price. turn right after you entry the gate, you will see many stalls selling wool products on the right and shops on the left.
The hostel is described varitably as 'best in the Baltic' or similar in some reviews, but is really spartan, cramped, seriously noisy. Unless you're the kind that tend to frequent strip clubs (there is one upstairs), and then pass out drunk or forget where you are staying, I see no point staying there whatsoever. It just feels so seedy. In practically the same location (basically around the corner on a different street), there is AL express Hostel, which is a bare basic accomodation (I think there was no kitchen or net), but much quieter, clean, comfortable and max is 7 beds in a large, airy room, not the kinda of 'packed like claustrophic sardines' situation in Vana Tom. Don't be sucked in by the professional looking website of V. Tom, it really sucks! AL hostel
Roca al Mare open air museum is very popular place of visiting among the tourists. This museum gives the opportunity to see how old Estonians lived , in what houses, what kind of working instruments they used. The territory of the museum is large, and you can spend about 2-3 hours walking and sightseeing. The best season for visiting the open-air museum is , because of Estonian climate, the end of spring, the summer and the beginning of autumn.
I'm bit shamed that we fell into the oldest tricks in the world. We were looking for a restaurant to eat (and were quite sure that nothing would beat up Oliver where we were day before. That was correct). Anyway, one old lady started to talking to us when we were studying the menu in the restaurant by the city tourist office and told that restaurant was full. Then she asked what we'd like to eat and how was our budget for that. Then she started to show us the way to the restaurant (don't remember the name but was located in the ancient jail, place being nice though). At latest when she gave us the tickets that gave us free drinks with meals, the rings should've started ringing but no. Anyway, the service was really obnoxious, the steak was awful, tasted almost like gone bad, the garlic potatoes were like rubberballs, the vegetables were straight from the can and everything seemed like...
I read everything I could get my hands on before I left, warning about taxi fares. But they realy do take the ***. Taxi service on the whole was very good, they all had working meters and you knew as you pulled up, exactly what the fare was going to be. But the universal constant that is 'rip off the tourist', is alive and well and living in Tallinn. The fare from the hotel into town ranged from 50 to 200 EEK, mainly in the top part of that range.My suggestion is this, and I stumbled upon it by accident. If you have anybody in the cab that is Estonian you get the normal (cheap) rate. It was cheaper for us to share a taxi that started off by going in the opposite direction to where we wanted to go, than for us to get a taxi direct. Because our experience showed that they left the meter ticking on the cheap rate even when the estonians got out. Kidnap a local and make them tell the taxi...
This is a huge market place located at Mustamäe. There You can find woolen shirts, pullovers, clothes, handicrafts, pirate products and old soviet stuff. The place is crowded with finnish tourists. Beware also of pickpockets.One thing I would recommend are crystal glasses which are cheap here – I have a dozen at home for everyday use!
A popular past time spending place among the local people as well as tourists.To enjoy this area one should have plenty of time, 2-3 free hours for oneself to walk around, sit on the grass (barefoot if one wishes so), and watch people passing by ...
In Tallinn avoid take a taxi as there are so many different tariffs from about 20 taxi companies (only in Tallinn) and some of them are very expensive, anyway if you are a foreigner will pay a lot more, sure.. See the prices of some taxi companies:I.R. Takso: tel. 638-0000 or 17000. 5 kroons per km.Krooni Takso: tel. 638-1111. 5.50 kroons per km.Linnatakso: tel. 1242. 7 kroons per km.Oberst Takso: tel. 657-5555. 4.50 kroons per km..Silver Takso: tel. 15222 or 648-2300. 5 kroons per km.Tõld: tel. 1755. 5.50 kroons per km.Tulika Takso: tel. 1200 from any phone. 7 kroons per km.. See the taxi company name before enter in the cab, or better yet take another transport.
A walk up or down Pikk Jalg is a tourist trap as it is the most common way to get from downtown Old Tallinn to the Toompea Hill if for instance you want to admire the view or visit the orthodox cathedral and the other sights. The souvenir sellers know this and you will find them trying to sell you paintings, more paintings, communist medals and a self portrait of you looking self conscious. Here is a picture to illustrate tourist Tallinn... Admire the hanging apple trees!
Müürivahe street is filled with tables and ladies selling handcraft. My suggestion is don´t buy and walk away! Find out the price and if it really is a good one, then take it. Otherwise just observe and find better things to do..
Reviews and photos of Tallinn County attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Tallinn County sightseeing.
Q: Hi Everyone, I'm planning to go from Tallinn to Helsinki this July by ferry. How do I go about doing that? What is the ferry...
A: Seacat offers good rates, although there are several other providers like Tallink, Viking, etc. If you go to the port, all schedules are posted. There are many...
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