Things to Do in Estonia

From Tallinn's fairytale old town to the forests of Lahemaa National Park - the essential sights, and how to keep your own record of them.

Travel guide - last updated September 2026

Tallinn's old town is one of the best-preserved medieval city centers in Europe, and it's compact enough to see thoroughly in a couple of days - a rare case where the highlight of a country trip sits almost entirely within walking distance. Estonia's countryside, largely forest and coastline, and the island of Saaremaa round out a longer visit. Here are 6 places worth building a trip around.

Top attractions

The sights most first-time visitors build an itinerary around.

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Tallinn Old Town

A UNESCO World Heritage medieval old town with intact city walls, cobblestone streets and Gothic church spires, split between the hilltop Toompea district and the lower town below.

📍 Tallinn

🚉 Nearest stop: Viru or Balti jaam, both a few minutes' walk from the Viru Gate - Tallinn's trams and buses are free for registered residents and cheap for visitors, and the old town is pedestrian.

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Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Tallinn

An Orthodox cathedral on Toompea Hill, built in the late 19th century during the period of Russian imperial rule, with striking onion domes visible across the old town skyline.

📍 Toompea Hill, Tallinn

🚉 The cathedral is on Toompea hill, a 10-minute climb from Viru Square through the Long Leg gate, with no vehicle access to the summit square.

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Lahemaa National Park

Estonia's largest national park, an hour from Tallinn, with coastal bogs, forest trails and restored manor houses from the Baltic-German era.

📍 Lahemaa, northern Estonia

🚉 Buses from Tallinn's central terminal run to Viitna and Vosu in about an hour and a half, but the manor houses and coastal trails are spread out, so a car makes the day work.

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Saaremaa Island

Estonia's largest island, known for the Kaali meteorite crater, a well-preserved medieval bishop's castle in Kuressaare, and a noticeably slower pace than the mainland.

📍 Kuressaare, Saaremaa Island

🚉 Buses from Tallinn take four hours including the ferry from Virtsu to Kuivastu; the crossing is 30 minutes, and Kuressaare, the island's town, is another hour on.

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Tartu

Estonia's university city and intellectual center, with a lively student population and the Estonian National Museum's modern exhibits on the country's history and culture.

📍 Tartu

🚉 Nearest station: Tartu, two hours from Tallinn by train, with the university and the old town a 10-minute walk from the platform.

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e-Estonia & Digital Society

Estonia runs one of the most digitized governments in the world, and the e-Estonia Briefing Centre in Tallinn offers a look at the systems behind it - a genuinely different kind of 'attraction' worth an hour for anyone curious about the model.

📍 Tallinn

🚉 The e-Estonia Briefing Centre is in the Ulemiste City campus near the airport, reached by tram 4 from the centre in about 15 minutes; visits are booked in advance.

Mark Estonia, get the stamp

🇪🇪ESTONIAVISITED

🇪🇪ESTONIALIVED

🇪🇪ESTONIAWISHLIST

In MyPassportStory, every country you mark - visited, lived in, or still on the list - becomes a stamp like these in your own travel passport. Add the cities you stopped in, draw the route between them, and turn the whole trip into a shareable passport-style image.

Open MyPassportStory

Planning questions

How many days do you need in Estonia?

3-4 days covers Tallinn thoroughly, including a day trip to Lahemaa National Park. A week lets you add Tartu or Saaremaa Island.

What's the best time to visit Estonia?

May-September has the mildest weather and the longest days, with near-constant daylight around the summer solstice. Winters are cold and dark but Tallinn's Christmas market runs through December.

Is Estonia good for a first-time visit?

Yes - Tallinn's old town is compact and easy to navigate on foot, and English is widely spoken, particularly among younger Estonians.

Do I need a visa to visit Estonia?

Estonia is part of the Schengen Area, so citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and many other countries can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; other nationalities need a Schengen visa arranged in advance. Check the official visa information for your nationality: vm.ee.

What are some things to do in Estonia on a tight budget?

Walking Tallinn's old town and the free viewpoints on Toompea Hill cost nothing, Lahemaa National Park's trails have no entry fee, and Estonia is generally cheaper than its Nordic neighbors for food and accommodation.

Can I rent a car in Estonia, and what licence do I need?

Yes, and it opens up Lahemaa and the islands, which buses only skirt. EU and EEA licences are valid as issued; visitors from elsewhere need an International Driving Permit alongside the home licence if it is not in the Latin alphabet. Minimum age is usually 21 with a surcharge under 25. Headlights must be on at all times, winter tyres are mandatory from December to March, and taking a hire car to the islands means booking the ferry ahead in summer. The Transport Administration publishes the rules at transpordiamet.ee; cars come from Hertz, Sixt and Avis.