Hostels in Estonia

Located in the north-eastern corner of Europe along the shores of the Baltic Sea, this small charming country has a population of just two million people, with a large proportion of those living in and around the capital city of Tallinn. Tallinn is the most visited city in the country and has a lot to offer for tourists. The Old Town section of the city contains many beautiful buildings, which have been preserved since Medieval times. There are numerous little restaurants, cafes, and bars, which are popular among tourists. Some of these even offer Medieval-style dining with waiters dressed up in costumes and serving Medieval-style food.

Tallinn is a very historic city and has spent the last few thousands of years under the leadership of various different countries. Therefore, the city has a lot of interesting stories to tell. There are free daily walking tours available which brings tourists to some of the main sites of the city and gives an insight into its interesting history. Visit the Tourist Office, which is centrally located near the Tallinn Town Hall, to find one of these walking tours. It is really recommended, as the history of Tallinn is not to be missed. In particular, Estonia’s recent history is very interesting, with the fall of the Iron Curtain in the early nineties. There are several Communist-style buildings in the city left over from the country’s period in the Soviet Union. One of these, the Viru Hotel, has a Communist museum located on the top floor. Tourists can see authentic Communist spy gadgets, as well as hear some interesting stories from the Communist regime in Estonia.

There are many Estonia hostels located in the city centre area in Tallinn. Most of these offer private and dorm style-accommodation at very reasonable rates. In fact, the cost of living in general is lower in Estonia than in most other European countries. As a result, eating and drinking out in nice restaurants is very affordable. Tallinn is very accessible to tourists with regular flights to various cities all over Europe from the main airport. There is also a large harbour in the city, which offers regular ferry crossings to Helsinki, St. Petersburg, and other Scandinavian cities. Tallinn is also a popular stop-off destination for cruise ships sailing around the Baltic Sea.

Estonia is a member of the European Union and Schengen area, which makes traveling to and from the country relatively easy. The main language is Estonian; however, the majority of people also speak English. The summer is probably the best time to visit the country, as the winter months can be bitterly cold.

There are also other towns and cities in Estonia worth visiting. Parnu, a seaside city located in the southwest of the country, is popular among tourists during the summer months. There are a few Estonia hostels located close to the city centre. Also, the island of Saaremaa -- located in the west of the country -- is worth visiting. It has plenty of beautiful scenery, including beaches and forests, as well as some historic towns and villages. There are a few Estonia hostels located on the island, which offer rooms at reasonable rates.

Handwritten by local expert for Estonia hostels Shannon Neuber