Estonia » Introduction of Tallinn

Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is truly one of the gems of Northern Europe. The city lies on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland, only 70 km (43 mi) south of Helsinki. At the historical heart of the city is the hill of Toompea, covered in cobbled streets and filled with medieval houses and alleyways. The lower town spreads out from the foot of the hill, still protected by the remnants of a city wall. Around the city wall is a series of well-maintained green parks, great for strolling.

While the old town has been astonishingly well preserved and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997, it is now in better shape than ever, with the bigger roads converted into fashionable shopping streets reminiscent of Zürich or Geneva, the new town sprawling all around is largely built in typical concrete Soviet style. The new centre of town is Vabaduse väljak (Freedom Square) at the edge of the old town, and nearby is the giant matchbox of Hotel Viru. Recently, Tallinn has received a boom in tourism, especially by day trippers which visit it from its sister city across the Baltic Sea, Helsinki.

This is also a city that has won worldwide praise for its forward thinking, state of the art services. A flourishing nightlife has also sprung up in Tallinn, the centre of economic and cultural activity in the country. It is also a hub for major festivals and concerts throughout the year. Along with all the advances, this inspiring city also hasn't become overly developed or refined, there's a touching genuineness to Tallinn.