![\"Rachael](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/a6447d9dff678ef0dd5e6eaf1bba593f.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\nThose looking for a winter wonderland escape this festive season might flock to Christmas markets in Germany or Vienna, Finland\u2019s snowy forests, or even head to Lapland to pay a visit to Santa Claus.<\/p>\n
However, the Baltics are home to an underrated festive destination that has a fairytale old town, delicious and comforting food, and even its own Christmas market packed with mulled wine and festive treats.<\/p>\n
Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, has everything travellers could want from a winter destination. For starters, its historic Town Hall Square is home to a charming Christmas market centred around a towering Christmas tree that\u2019s been placed at the site since 1441, making it the first Christmas tree to ever be put on display in Europe.<\/p>\n
From mulled wine to merry-go-rounds, chalet-style stalls selling handicrafts, and even some festive Estonian cuisine, it\u2019s the perfect way to get that festive feeling without braving the crowds of larger, more popular markets elsewhere in Europe \u2013 and it certainly gave me the festive feeling.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Rachael stands in front of the Christmas tree which has stood in Tallinn\u2019s Town Hall Square since 1441 (Rachael Davis\/PA)<\/p>\n
After paying a visit to the market, I found myself perfectly placed to explore the city\u2019s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for being one of Northern Europe\u2019s best-preserved medieval cities. With buildings still standing from as far back as the 13th century, the Old Town has survived countless wars and Nazi and Soviet occupation and air strikes, retaining its original city plan and towering city walls.<\/p>\n
Its narrow, cobble-stone streets combine with stunning medieval architecture to create a sensation of stepping straight into a fairytale, and whether tourists want to simply soak in the atmosphere or dive deeper into the city\u2019s rich history, there\u2019s plenty to explore.<\/p>\n
At just under half a square mile, the Old Town is compact and easily walkable \u2013 but make no mistake, there\u2019s more than a day\u2019s worth of activities to be had here.<\/p>\n
![\"Enjoying](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/b60e3b36492547f88a81afa1c2266446.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n
Enjoying a mulled wine at the Christmas market (Rachael Davis\/PA)<\/p>\n
From the Town Hall Square, towered over by the Gothic Town Hall, to the Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral, built between 1894 and 1900 when Estonia was part of the Russian Empire; the impressive viewpoints at Patkuli Vaateplats and Kohtuotsa Vaateplats to the city walls and cannon towers, there are historic attractions a-plenty.<\/p>\n
When it\u2019s time for refreshments, a visit to Maiasmokk \u2013 the oldest cafe in the city, opened in 1864 \u2013 is well worth a visit, even if just to marvel at the incredible handmade marzipan treats.<\/p>\n
A short walk away from the Town Hall Square is Rataskaevu 16, a cosy restaurant that\u2019s become known for its exceedingly delicious homemade malted brown bread \u2013 and I can attest it\u2019s worth a visit even just for a warm slice straight from the oven. Main dishes here range between \u20ac15.80 and \u20ac29.80, and include pork rib, beef tenderloin, white fish and cauliflower steak.<\/p>\n
![\"Beautiful](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/dd24a55479cf0bcb1c6b602b74174cd4.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n
Beautiful streets galore (Rachael Davis\/PA)<\/p>\n
Also highly rated is Pegasus, a trendy Art-Deco-ish cafe-restaurant which was designed for the Estonian Writers\u2019 Union, making it an important centre of literary and art culture since its opening in 1962. From its Nordic-inspired menu, I enjoyed the pan-seared pike-perch fillet, served with a chorizo-potato cream (\u20ac25), but other highlights included roasted calf\u2019s liver with cured beetroot (\u20ac24.50), and slow-cooked duck leg (\u20ac24.50).<\/p>\n
After exploring the compact Old Town, there\u2019s plenty more to enjoy in Tallinn. Over in the trendy Telliskivi district is the Fotografiska museum, a contemporary photography gallery that has locations across the world including in Stockholm, New York and Shanghai.<\/p>\n
Until March 8, 2026 Emilia Bergmark-Jim\u00e9nez\u2019s intimate collection To Be Born and to Give Birth showcases births in Sweden, from the medical realities of childbirth to the personal moments between parents at this magical moment. There\u2019s also Space: A Visual Journey, on display until January 18, 2026, which explores the vastness of the cosmos through art and science. Entry to the Fotografiska costs from \u20ac17 for adults, and around two hours are recommended for the visit.<\/p>\n
![\"Near](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/7830f129e138e9e67c42c3d6635b7644.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n
Near the Fotografiska in Tallinn\u2019s trendy Telliskivi district (Rachael Davis\/PA)<\/p>\n
Walking around Tallinn, it\u2019s easy to forget the tumultuous history of the city \u2013 not least the most recent Soviet occupation of Estonia from 1944 to 1991. Those interested in learning more about the impact of Soviet rule on the country can pay a visit to the KGB Prison Cells at Pagari 1 \u2013 an apartment building that was transformed into a brutal prison for those under interrogation by the KGB \u2013 which costs \u20ac10 for adults entry and provides a sombre but informative visit that will take roughly an hour.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s also the Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom, which has a permanent exhibition introducing the history of Estonia during and after the Soviet and Nazi occupations, which costs \u20ac15 for adults. Those interested in visiting both museums can also buy a combined ticket for \u20ac22, too.<\/p>\n
After a day of exploring the city, a perfect location for a good night\u2019s rest is the ibis Styles Tallinn. Located just a few minutes\u2019 walk from the city walls, and around a 15 to 20-minute walk from the Old Town proper, it\u2019s just a stone\u2019s throw from the charming cobbled streets \u2013 ideal for city breaks where visitors want to be moments away from the action.<\/p>\n
![\"Premium](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/54222469199d581d1f18b7a542cc2837.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n
Premium room at ibis Styles Tallinn (Accor)<\/p>\n
Rooms start from just \u20ac75 per night for a double room in this photography-themed boutique-style hotel that\u2019s stylishly decorated with a design inspired by mid-20th century modernism.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a large lobby with comfortable sofas, a spacious restaurant where a buffet breakfast, complete with hot and cold foods as well as juices, coffee and teas, is served for \u20ac16 per person per day, and the cosy, stylish bar-restaurant Focus which serves local craft beers, a wide selection of wines, and delicious hand-crafted cocktails.<\/p>\n
While Tallinn has lots of culinary experiences on offer, those staying at the ibis Styles can enjoy incredible food just steps from their rooms. Focus\u2019s menu uses seasonal Estonian ingredients for a taste of fine dining, and my personal favourite dishes were the starter of duck carpaccio with pomegranate reduction, grapefruit gel and smoked aioli (\u20ac14), and the main course of venison tenderloin served with Jerusalem artichoke mousseline, truffle potato gratin \u2013 to die for \u2013 and cherry confit.<\/p>\n
Those looking for a more upscale hotel could try the M\u00f6venpick Hotel Tallinn, where some of the rooms even come with their own sauna.<\/p>\n
![\"Duck](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/bdca2798ea7b87c8e7688013da6c4d13.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n
Duck carpaccio at Focus (Rachael Davis\/PA)<\/p>\n
But saunas aren\u2019t only available to hotel guests in Tallinn. Estonia has a deeply-ingrained sauna culture, and one of the best places in the city to enjoy an invigorating sauna is Iglupark. Located on the coast to the north of the city, visitors can enjoy a sauna experience with sea views over Tallinn Bay, with prices for the wood-fired sauna starting at \u20ac105 per hour for up to 10 people.<\/p>\n
From history to culture, food and drink to festive spirit, Tallinn has the perfect combination for a winter city escape \u2013 an ideal way to get in the Christmas spirit.<\/p>\n
How to book:<\/p>\n