Explore Tallinn & Viimsi Open Air Museum: Top Attractions & Guide

So, Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia, that’s just a bit special. It’s a spot where the old sort of meets the new, where you can find medieval buildings only a short distance from pretty modern spots. Very many people go there to experience its culture, history, and rather unique feel. A visit to Tallinn often includes going to see the Tallinn Old Town, a spot listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, but then very few people know it has so much more than that. Another awesome place you might want to go to while visiting is the Viimsi Open Air Museum; very, very few tourists who visit Tallinn, seem to take the short drive from the city center. Together, they offer two different yet incredibly enriching experiences that would make for an unforgettable trip.

Tallinn Old Town: A Step Back in Time

Okay, so let’s just go right into it: the Tallinn Old Town is where your trip really should kick off. Arguably, it is one of the most remarkably well-preserved medieval cities you’ll ever get the chance to see in Europe. I mean, seriously, as you step through one of its old gates, it feels kind of like traveling way back in time, wouldn’t you say? The cobblestone streets and really old buildings have so much character.

First, Toompea Hill kind of towers above the rest of Old Town, and this is just where you get treated to utterly fantastic views of the city, that you just would never expect. You could go visit Toompea Castle, it’s an amazing spot now home to Estonia’s Parliament, yet that castle still stands there as such an iconic reminder of Estonia’s, quite, colorful past. So, you really should take a wander around Aleksander Nevsky Cathedral, what with it’s unique design and really spectacular mosaics. They, almost, bring an incredible glimpse into Russian influence; something pretty distinct for Estonia.

You might think, well, there’s a lot more to discover, you know? It is often that people also check out the Town Hall Square. Just imagine it. Throughout much of the year this very bustling public place hosts events such as festivals, plus markets that are a reminder that this place has been such a happening hub since, very possibly, the Middle Ages! Also, you really could visit the Tallinn Town Hall; it is supposed to be one of the oldest town halls you will see across the northern countries of Europe! It is here, so it seems, that they tell tales of the history of trade, as well as of civic life.

Oh, St. Olaf’s Church! At one time, it was supposed to be one of the world’s tallest buildings, it looks, anyway, as a really interesting example of daring medieval engineering. You could climb up to the top to see what an incredible panorama that very iconic church gives to the rest of Tallinn’s spread around you!

Viimsi Open Air Museum: Coastal Heritage

By the way, if you want a short break out from those really busy spots located right in Tallinn’s center, take, instead, a drive just a bit northeast and visit the Viimsi Open Air Museum. If you just take it from me: it’s arguably an extremely worthwhile place to go! The place highlights such the very special part played in Estonian history and its identity given by their really robust coastal heritage.

There are several spots here to visit, of course, and here’s one: at this, so called “museum,” visitors may check out some recreated buildings of old that reflect old coastal communities and fishing towns, offering insight into the daily lives as well as cultural heritage associated with those lifestyles.

There is much here to experience, it is nearly too much! How about a fully operating old fishing boat that they maintain in pretty top condition to show you how some of the area’s population sustained their, sometimes, very meager lives for countless generations. I mean, so it goes, you will feel some new appreciation in learning, first-hand, what those historic methods and techniques would have felt like!

Okay, in particular, make sure that, also, you catch a peek at the authentically replicated traditional houses along with other historical buildings; all really fully furnished to show how generations gone by went about conducting their daily activities, sort of speaking. And the cool thing is, there’s plenty, really; there’s tools for weaving yarn, the old equipment they used on ships and even relics recovered from fishing in old-fashioned style! So it appears there are chances, aplenty, here to enjoy experiencing a connection with that area’s rich history. And I’ll go out on a limb here and state that it would, almost, definitely lead you to understand and appreciate the cultural values, and traditional customs that used to mold so many generations of families through Estonian history in centuries past.

Planning Your Visit: Practical Tips

For a rather unforgettable trip around the absolutely fabulous attractions you can explore in both Tallinn’s Old Town as well as inside Viimsi Open Air Museum, you are probably going to have to do, sort of, the standard: booking your accommodations well in advance, alright? Now, I am sure there’s a hundred great spots to stay right within or close to the Old Town neighborhood in Tallinn for ease-of-access convenience to main places around this awesome spot. Also, the thing you should think through involves when’s your trip gonna occur – you know that prices as well as available accommodations vary between peak and off-peak months and seasons and dates!

Getting between different places around Tallinn is easier with several transportation options available: things like public transportation links from those inner districts outwards, just like where that Viimsi museum lives or via taxis if preferred depending what works more comfortably best for whomever.

Anyway when you take these facts here with Tallinn, one important local custom many tourists take away deals primarily dealing with currencies used when dealing locally or even when dining out around. I am gonna bet there is nothing more crucial towards being very sensitive around Estonia’s deeply cultured etiquette!

Things to See and Do

You should probably not only check what the museums around Tallinn have on display, also you are pretty likely to get lots out those local Estonian culinary establishments; Tallinn has loads, anyway, all where you will totally uncover such genuinely hearty dishes of that district plus tons further ranging internationally influenced spots.

Here’s my two cents about Estonia; go to various museums when inside city central parts! It will prove more important than any alternative ideas. In short- find exhibits which speak loudly when you’re exploring, or get involved with whatever culture there.

Culinary Delights: Food and Drink

Do sample what those nearby kitchens churn. Tallinn might possibly give one such great experience particularly at meal breaks through places showing Estonian inspired flavor as opposed by options abroad!

Consider tasting just very local dishes in that locality! It seems super critical while getting further deeper with some genuinely insightful cultural immersions where traditional meal samplings or tasting do reveal tons about regional traditions by contrast against alternatives available elsewhere.