Meet Estonian designers in person
Estonian design is an internationally well-kept secret, but fortunately for us, Tallinn is the main place where local designers unveil this secret. DesignTours encourages both locals and foreigners to join the tour to discover our local design, meet the creators in person, and learn about their stories and products.
Organise your event on the train
Go Rail, a passenger rail operator with considerable experience in the carriage of passengers is happy to offer special events outside of its regular services. The company offers the chance to organise company events, meetings, or seminars on a diesel train and you will also be able to rent a 126-seat retro train with benches, a 48-seat restaurant train, and a seatless disco train, featuring a dance floor and a turntable.
Visit a submarine above water
The submarine Lembit is one of the most popular main exhibits of the Estonian Maritime Museum in the Seaplane Harbour. As one of the only submarines in Estonian maritime history, Lembit is also one of the few surviving submarines in the world from before the Second World War and held the title of the oldest submarine in water until 2011. Today, it is possible to visit Lembit at the Seaplane Harbour and learn the story of this special submarine.
Enjoy the waves and the wonderful silhouette view of Tallinn
Tallinn is a seaside town, so it would almost be a sin not to leave the land. For example, rent a yacht to sail in Tallinn Bay and enjoy the wonderful city view. Another special experience is to rent the historical steamer Katharina, which can take you on cruises and small islands in Tallinn Bay.
Have breakfast or lunch during a bogshoe hike
When talking about the vicinity of Tallinn and Estonian nature, it is impossible not to mention the bogs. What would bring more peace of mind, balance, and joy than a bogshoe trip in the bog with a truly unique experience – having breakfast or lunch in the middle of the bog.
Hear stories about the production of Estonian handicraft alcohol
Three unique companies are located in Tallinn’s exciting and rich Telliskivi Creative City – Purtse Brewery, Nudist Winery, and Junimperium Distillery – this provides a rare opportunity to get acquainted with the production of a wide range of Estonian handicraft alcohol in one area. The tour of Purtse Brewery explains why the production of Purtse beer, valued by many beer lovers, was started in Purtse of all places, what was going on in the historical building of the brewery earlier, and what the company’s plans are for the near future. The tour of Nudist Winery, whose products range from ciders and tonics to sparkling wines, introduces the company’s history, its people, and, of course, the creative process. The Junimperium Distillery is the first of its kind in Estonia and gives visitors knowledge about the history of gin and the art of its production.
Adventure in an underwater prison
Rummu Quarry has been the mining site of Vasalemma marble, a specific kind of limestone. The main labour force there was once the detainees of Murru Prison but after the prison was closed, the mining excavator and buildings there sank. With the rise of the rare lagoon water of Rummu, an underwater museum has been created there today, which can be discovered by diving or by rafts lit at night.
Traditional smoke or peat sauna
Estonia is known for its sauna culture, and fortunately for visitors of Estonia, it is possible to enjoy sauna pleasures in very special saunas. What makes the smoke sauna unique is the chimney-free heating technology – when heating up the sauna heater, it first creates thick smoke, which is then directed outside from the steam room through the door, air vents, and hatches. Although there are fewer and fewer smoke saunas today, you can experience a real smoke sauna, for example, in Toosikannu Holiday Centre. Lammasmäe Holiday Centre is known to offer the only peat sauna in the world. The floating sauna can be accessed from the pontoons covered with peat plates. In the sauna, guests will sit on peat plates and use a bucket with holes in it for showering.
Drive on an endless circuit
There is a car theme park near Tallinn for active holidaymakers and adventurous visitors. LaitseRallyPark is especially popular with those who want to combine their events with an exciting experience – be it rally and kart tracks, trick cars, UAZ trucks, vintage car display and rental, and racing cars with a co-driver – there are endless options to test your driving skills.
Spend time in the nature of the small islands
There are three islands near Tallinn – Aegna, Naissaar, and Prangli. In summer, you can get to the islands with a fast small boat. Prangli Island is open for visitors all year round. The islands near the city are ideal for exploring nature, enjoying the idyll of pine forests, and visiting secluded beaches. Naissaar Island also offers the joy of discovery with military ruins and a narrow-gauge railway. Prangli Island is home to a 13th-century fishing village culture and offers a wonderful natural environment as well as the possibility to do some seal watching.
Written by Meeli Jaaksoo, Tallinn Convention Bureau Manager
