Tallinn

Situated on the northern coast of Estonia, across the shores of the Gulf of Finland, 50 mi / 80 km south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm, and west of St. Petersburg, lies Tallinn. The city was designated the European Capital of Culture in 2011, and Tallinn's Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Like most cities with an eight-hundred-year-old past, Tallinn is a patchwork of historic areas. The city's pride and joy is the medieval Old Town, with its twisting cobblestone lanes, iron street lamps, Gothic spires, and medieval markets. Built up from the 13th to 16th centuries, when it was a thriving member of the Hanseatic trade league, this enclosed neighbourhood of colourful, gabled houses, half-hidden courtyards, and grandiose churches is contained within a mostly-intact city wall dotted with guard towers, giving it a fairytale charm. 

There are also many cafes, restaurants, and boutiques, so if you are looking for a mix of the historic ambiance and cutting-edge culture that defines Tallinn, you will find it here. The Kadriorg district is equally enchanting as the medieval Old Town, symbolizing the time when the Russian czars ruled Estonia. Tallinn was known as Reval from the 13th century until 1917 and again during the German invasion of Estonia from 1941 to 1944. The highest point in Tallinn is 208 ft / 64 m above sea level, and other areas of Tallinn are perfect for those who want a glimpse of Soviet-era life.