Tallinn Christmas Markets

Fly to Tallinn, meet your Tour Manager and transfer to your four-star hotel in the heart of the city. Settle in to your room, then perhaps explore the the city. Tallinn is an enchanting, UNESCO-listed maze of historic houses, half-hidden courtyards, barns and merchants’ buildings, all watched over by the fortified towers of Toompea Castle.

Stroll through the Old Town, past restaurants and cafes housed in medieval buildings, in search of dinner. Tallinn has a vast selection of restaurants offering traditional Estonian dishes or cuisine from around the world, so you're sure to be spoilt for choice.

This morning’s tour will begin in Talinn's beautiful, restored Old Town. In Katariina Passage you’ll pass studios that have been home to artists and craftsmen for centuries. Stroll up Luhike Jalg (Short-leg Street) to the Upper Town, through the imposing medieval gate, and take in the views from the Kohuotsa and Patkuli observation platforms, two of Europe’s most spectacular viewpoints. On clear days you can see all the way to Finland!

The highlight of your day will be a visit to the delightful Christmas market on Town Hall Square. The wooden stalls of the market are arranged around the city’s public Christmas tree - an annual feature of the square since 1441 - and offer a wonderful selection of local craft goods and traditional food and drink. The square is also home to Tallin's Gothic Town Hall and to the Raeapteek - the ancient pharmacy that has been in business since at least 1422.

Elsewhere, other wonderful sights include St Olav’s soaring spire and the onion-domed towers of the Alexander Nevsky Russian Orthodox Cathedral. Finish your day at Toompea Castle as sun sets to witness the ceremonial lowering of the national flag to the sounds of the Estonian national anthem, then perhaps join us for an optional folklore evening in a local tavern, where you’ll enjoy music, dancing and perhaps a glass or two of local beer.

Spend a second day exploring - perhaps heading to the delightful Kadriorg Palace to wander its formal gardens and the serene galleries of the Kadriorg Art Museum. Alternatively, join our optional excursion to the Maarjamae Palace. This magnificent sea-side summer retreat was built by a Russian count, and now houses the fascinating Estonian History Museum.

This evening why not head out for dinner in the lively, bohemian Kalamaja district, Tallinn’s trendiest quarter?

Bid farewell to your Estonian hosts, today, and transfer back to airport to catch your flight home.