Tallinn visit with tour recommendation

Is this part of a longer trip to the Baltic countries? I appreciate posts on this part of Europe, as it's challenging to find information (especially beyond Tallinn).

We actually started with a layover in Iceland (not a Baltic country obviously, but it was a natural stopping point with Icelandair), then flew to Helsinki. We stayed in Helsinki two days, then took the ferry to Tallinn. We are staying here three days and I wish it was longer, it’s fantastic and there’s so much to explore. It’s a little cold and icy at this time of year, but we are from the Midwest so we are used to it.

If we could come back, I would add on more time here for a day trip to a nearby location, and then on to Riga. There is a lot to explore here. Helsinki didn’t offer much for tourists, in my opinion, 2 days was fine. It is a good jumping off point because more flights land there directly from the US, and the public transit is extremely good, then the ferry over to Tallinn is very fast and convenient, but it doesn’t warrant a lot of time spent there as a destination in itself (again, that’s my experience— also take with a grain of salt because we visited in the dead of winter.)

I also wonder why more people don't visit Tallinn--it was the second solo trip for me back in 2013, I went because I am 1/4 Estonian and wanted to see where my grandmother came from, so a trip out to Rocca al Mare, the open air history museum of life in Estonia through the centuries, was a must-do. I spent a week and made a couple of excellent day trips with EstAdventures, a day trip to Helsinki via ferry, and never tired of exploring the exquisite old town. I loved it so much I returned in 2019, and added Riga and Vilnius. The Baltics are absolutely beautiful!

We are going to Estonia in September. Did you book accommodation before you arrived? How did you get in touch with Mati?
Thanks, Pam.

We did book our accommodations well ahead of time, though I don’t get the sense they would be selling out soon due to the relatively low tourism numbers. We just liked having it settled and making sure we got the best deal we could. We stayed at the Nunne Boutique Hotel, which has a great location, was extremely nice, the staff were very helpful, and it was a VERY good deal. It was the cheapest hotel we stayed in in the three countries we visited and also the highest quality— definitely the best deal for our money. Also breakfast was included and it was a nice breakfast!

I have seen other people on this forum who booked and loved other hotels though, like the Telegraph. There are lots in the city center. There are also many Airbnbs that we checked out but ultimately just went for a hotel for the added perks of the breakfast, having staff to call a cab for us, etc.

We found Mati by just googling “Mati Rumessen tour guide” and his website came up easily. I would link to it but I’m not sure if that’s allowed, but you’ll find it easily. Then I just emailed him letting him know when I was coming and that I was interested in a half day private tour and we wrote back and forth with some options and were all set! He was very easy to work with, he’s done this for many decades at this point and knows this ins and outs of working with American or European visitors, so he was quite helpful.

Tallinn is high on my list for the next 2 years. It looks absolutely magical. The Nunne Boutique Hotel has been bookmarked in my google maps for a while. Glad to hear the rave review!

mariekrowley, any restaurant recommendations?

Yes! Right around the corner from our hotel was a tiny hole in the wall spot called Nunne Õllekoda, which is like a very old school place with sausages, homemade meatballs, etc. It was very cheap for such amazing food! Places in the old town are generally not cheap. It was our favorite place we went to, and no one was in there at all when we went, a hidden gem for sure. We also loved a Georgian place we went to called Tbilisi. Very hearty food, and so delicious.

Thank you!

Sounds like you found a great guide! I just used one of the “Free” Walking Tours and while not private or, I am sure, as informative, it was good.

Parts of my trip report might be helpful.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/baltics-september-2024

Mary, I actually really loved sister restaurants Rataskaevu 16 and Väike-rataskaevu​. I don’t often recommend restaurants but both of these are totally worth it. You will probably need a reservation for the first one.

Ohh, those look good. Thanks, TTM!