Estonia
Holidays and Tours

An enigmatic land which has seen great powers pass and come to blows over its allegiances, Estonia has nonetheless retained its sense of isolated uniqueness. Wandering the cobbled streets of its towns casts the visitor back centuries to times of mediaeval traders and magnificent churches, with a plethora of stunning examples of architecture preserved in places that have somehow weathered the invader’s onslaught.

Estonia’s landscape is essentially a rural one: over 50% of the nation is covered in coniferous forest, and countless rivers, fens and bogs lend wildlife stunningly untainted habitats in a low-lying topography which rarely rises above 300m. The coast also forms an intrinsic part of the identity of the country, along with an astonishing 2,355 islands, two of them forming their own counties.

The result is a land with few physical land defences, opening it to attack from the east and south, whilst the maritime features of the Baltic and Gulf of Finland offer both trading and invasion opportunities from Scandinavia and beyond.

Prehistory indicates a small but sophisticated culture in the region, with significant forts and technically advanced weaponry. Into the Iron Age, the land of the ‘Aesti’ tribes remained well beyond Rome’s grasp and so the Baltic family of tribes here retained their religious and ethnic identities for many centuries beyond other European countries.

The last country in Europe to Christianise, Estonia’s religion came on the back of a Catholic invasion and led to a division of the lands between the northern Estonian dukedom and the southern region that became known as Livonia. This began a period of building which led to many of modern-day Estonia’s great castles and churches.

Tallinn joined the Hanseatic League and prospered in the 14th-16th centuries, whilst the Reformation swept across the country on a tide of nationalist rebellion against over-lordship from Germany and Sweden. This pattern remained the Estonian lot for centuries: Russian annexation of Livonia in 1561, then Polish and Swedish invasion, then unification after the 1917 Russian Revolution, brief independence as the Republic of Estonia ruined by Soviet and German invasions and counter-invasions, and finally Soviet annexation for decades.

Beneath this torrid scene, though, Estonian national identity clung on and by the 1989 restoration of Estonian as the national language seemed an inevitable first step toward re-establishing the Republic in 1991. EU and Eurozone membership has followed and today’s country proclaims its pride with passion.

What is the best time to visit Estonia?

Many people agree that the best time to visit Estonia is over the summer between May and August, as this is when the weather is at its warmest and driest. You can enjoy the country’s beaches, lakes and landscapes in the sunshine, and there are also quite a few festivals that take place around this time for visitors to enjoy. Estonia is also magnificent in the winter, but be prepared for absolutely freezing temperatures alongside stunning snowy scenery.

Is Estonia safe to visit?

Estonia is a pretty safe place to visit, presenting no additional threats to tourists than most other European countries. However, you should exercise the same level of caution that you would in any new place in order to avoid problems and have a stress-free holiday. Watch out for pickpockets in busy areas, avoid dark or isolated spaces on your own, ensure that you follow health and safety advice whilst eating out, and trust your instincts if a situation feels suspicious.

How many days are enough to visit Estonia?

If you want to get a proper feel for Estonia then we recommend spending between a week and ten days in the country. This gives you enough time to stay in several different locations and get a proper feel for the diversity of the landscape, as well as see some of Estonia’s most famous towns and cities. You can visit the country on a short break, but you’ll probably have to stay in one place and just explore that area, so it really depends on what you want to do on your holiday.

How can I spend 15 days in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania?

15 days is a great amount of time to spend in Estonia and some of the other neighbouring countries like Latvia and Lithuania. We recommend that you spend five days in each country and split your time between exploring towns and cities to enjoy cultural attractions, and visiting more rural spaces to admire the scenery and try outdoor activities.

Our Baltic Small Group Tour is the perfect way to experience all of that, taking guests through Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania on a trip with a local guide that focuses on authentic travel experiences and seeing the real side of every country.

Is it cheap to visit Estonia?

Estonia is quite a cheap European holiday destination to travel to, as it’s not as popular as places like Spain or Italy and therefore hasn’t had prices for travel, accommodation and attractions massively increased by tourism. It’s not as cheap as it used to be, as more people are now coming to the country to enjoy the ‘off-the-beaten-track’ atmosphere, but if you plan your trip in advance and stick to local eateries, public transport and budget hotels, you can enjoy quite a low-cost holiday.

Another great way to get the best value for money when visiting Estonia is to book one of our tailor-made tours of the Baltic countries, where things like transport, activities and accommodation will all be included in your package, with the added bonus that you won’t have to organise any of it yourself!