Although Estonia may not be at the top of many travellers bucket list – it’s capital offers one of the best autumnal getaways in Europe that won’t break the bank
With meteorological summer officially over, the season of hot drinks, roaring fires and cosy clothes is here, and with it, demand for classic summer holiday destinations will begin to fall.
For anyone looking for an autumn or winter getaway that will make you feel like you’ve been transported to a fairy tale world, one European capital many Brits have never even heard of could be a perfect option.
Known for feeling like it’s been transported straight from a classic Disney film, the medieval Estonian capital of Tallinn has made a name for itself as one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Europe.
Its castles and cobbled streets are the perfect place to wrap up in a chunky sweater, grab a coffee and hot chocolate and wander around its brightly painted pastel buildings with red terracotta roofs that look exactly like the opening to an old animated film. Its scenery feels almost like a medieval Copenhagen, minus the crowds and the £12 drinks.
In fact, the city can be especially cheap for a weekend away, named the budget-friendly destination by travel guide Lonely Planet, visitors can expect £3.50 pints and even cheaper Vana Tallinn – the local rum liqueur.
If you’re still in need of warming up, similar to their Finnish neighbours, sauna culture is rampant in the city, and will soon leave you feeling fresh in a sweat.
The guide calls the capital “absurdly photogenic” and is bursting with wonderful sights. Lonely Planet added: “Delightful food and vibrant modern culture, and it’s no wonder Tallinn seems in danger of being loved to death. Estonia’s capital is compact, fashionable and terrific value.”
Cafe culture is a big thing in Estonia, with hundreds of cosy caf’s lining its streets for hundreds of years, with its oldest dating all the way back to 1864.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city’s old town is transformed over winter for its truly magical Christmas market. Likely covered in snow, and lined with lights and centred around the city’s giant Christmas tree, many visitors forget they’re still living in the 21st century.
On a recent visit, TikTok travel influencer Kirsten Wendlandt told her fans: “You need to visit this city before it gets too popular. This is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe. It’s a place that feels just like a fairytale come to life. Its cobbled streets feel like they were plucked straight from a storybook. This city truly took my breath away, and you need to add it to your bucket list.”
Low-cost RyanAir and Wizz both fly direct to the capital with return flights costing as little as £34 over autumn and winter, meaning Tallinn could be the perfect place to scoop up that winter feeling while not spending a fortune.
For anyone wanting a longer break, you can easily tie in a stay with a trip to Helsinki with a short ferry easily connecting the two cities.