SISU/CO NTENTS

Publisher : Design Management OÜ

Chief editor: Ilona Gurjanova e-mail: sirje.trei@leart.ee www.shopping-tallinn.ee

Ad sales: Sirje Trei

Photos : Mari-LIis Heinsaar, Robert Lang, Marin Sild, Ilona Gurjanova, EDL, Kevin Loigu, Terje Ugandi, Johannes Arro, Marek Metslaid, Andres Teiss, private archive.

Design & layout: Design Management OÜ

Published three times a year from 1994

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Publisher has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information in this guide and assumes no responsibility for changes and errors.

Protect the environment! Do not throw this booklet away! Save it for your next journey to Tallinn or pass it to your friend also travelling to Tallinn.

Estonia’s capital Tallinn is the best-preserved medieval city in Northern Europe. Estonia’s UNESCO world heritage capital Tallinn was granted city rights in the 13th century by the King of Denmark. Since then, the streets of Tallinn have seen many world powers, from the Danes and Swedes to Germans, and tsarist and Soviet Russia. Tallinn’s Old Town is filled with medieval houses and alleyways and is still protected by the remnants of the city wall. The wealth of architecture in Tallinn means that there are many legends and stories to explore. In addition to the city’s medieval core, newly revamped districts such as Noblessner, Telliskivi, and Rotermann are popping up at lightspeed, offering even more cool architecture to explore.

Estonians speak Estonian...as well as English, Russian, Finnish and German. In fact, according to recent studies, they are among the best English speakers in Europe. However, While the millennials usually know two languages fluently on average, the older generations of Estonians are often fluent in Finnish and Russian in addition to English and Estonian. So no matter what you speak, communication will be possible.

The Estonian language is something unique to the country and sounds different from anything else in Europe. Because of its melodic sound and long vowels, there’s an ongoing joke that many visitors think Estonians speak elvish. This magical-sounding language is in fact Estonian, a Finno-Ugric related to Finnish and Hungarian.

Being among the least densely populated countries in Europe, Estonia makes for a great nature and city break destination for those looking to stretch out their limbs and enjoy some peace, quiet, and solitude. In the recent five years, immigration has been driving a subtle population growth year by year.

Estonia is the only Baltic country with a deep-rooted and extensive island culture. Although most are uninhabited, Estonian islands tend to be rural, with some holding traces of their local Viking and medieval legacy. Estonia’s islands used to be populated by Estonian Swedes, many of whom left the region during WWII, leaving behind a wealth of culture that’s visible to this day.

Today, many Estonian islands have their own unique coastal cultures, with traditional singing, dancing, food, and dress. Of course, no matter which island you’re on, you’ll be sure to enjoy plenty of fish and seafood dishes.

What could be better than stepping out of your daily routines together, visiting one of several dozen museums in the city, listening to a concert or discover new exhibitions?

The cultural life of Tallinn is diverse and many museums and attractions are offering special programmes during the holiday period.

If you want to give your loved ones experiences as gifts, get them the Museum Card or Tallinn Card. The card offers free access to more than 40 of Tallinn’s best museums and attractions, public transport and a number of other benefits. You can buy the card for 24, 48 or 72 hours. The plastic card is valid for 12 months and one adult card includes two children up to seven years of age free of charge. The Museum Card is a pass that allows you unlimited visits to over 100 museums and 500 exhibitions in Estonia for a full year!

Estonian Song and Dance Celebration is the local signature event and a reason why Estonia is often referred to as the “singing nation”. This mesmerising event is unique to Estonia has even earned the song and dance celebration a place at UNESCO’s prestigious list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Alongside traditional choral music, Estonian hosts loads of music festivals from nearly every genre. It’s safe to say that Estonian music plays a huge role in the country’s culture. In fact, music and singing actually started Estonia’s movement to regain independence.

What could be better than to take some time off from all the festive hustle and bustle. Relax in a day spa or stay in a hotel equipped with water park and saunas like Kalev Spa, Tallink Spa Hotel, Nordic Hotel Forum, Swissotel, Hilton, Lembitu.

Niisiis, oled värskelt Tallinnas maabunud. Kuidas iganes sa pealinna jõudsid, jalad tahaksid veidi sirutust ja meel virgutust. Idülliline Kadrioru park sobib ideaalselt mõlemaks. Kadriorus, mis kätkeb endas mitme sajandi jagu arhitektuuripärle, paljusid kvaliteetmuuseume – KUMU, Kadrioru Kunstimuuseum, Lastemuuseum Miiamilla jt –ning hulgaliselt linnalegende, pole paha mõte ka kergem eine või kohv teha, näiteks maitsekas Katharinenthalis, pidxulikus Mon Reposes või ehedas Vesivärava kohvikus.

Ent, kui isutab kogukama suutäie järele, siis tasub siht võtta kesklinna, täpsemalt Rotermanni kvartali suunas, kus leidub äripäeviti rohkelt lõunapakkumisi, ent kindlalt positiivse maitseelamuse pakuvad vegan restoran Oasis, väärt veinikaardiga Flamm ja BBQ-paradiis Pull. Pärast einestamist võib tekkinud magusasoovi rahuldada RØSTi pagariäris, Kalevi šokolaadipoes või lühikese jalutuskäigu kaugusel asuvas armsas Värava kohvikus.

Rotermanni piirkond on suurepärane punkt, kust alustada ostlemisteekonda, mis läbib vanalinna ning lõpeb Telliskivi Loomelinnakus. Kõndimist on küll palju, kuid ära muretse: Reede kauplusest leiad endale mugavad ja stiilsed jalavarjud! Sealsamas paikneb ka käekelladisainerite AEGAON esindus, juhuks kui seigeldes ajataju kaduma peaks. Rotermannist pole pikk maa Viru Väravateni, kust edasi kõmbi Raekoja platsi suunas. Raekoda imetletakse - ja imetled sinagi - tõenäoliselt niiehknaa, kuid kohe Raekoja taga asub Fotomuuseum, mis üllatab põnevate näituste ning toreda poega. Nurga taga sobib vahepeatuseks Raamatukoi kauplus, mille riiuleid kaunistab suur kasutatud teoste valik.

Siit, Harju 1 maja eest on Telliskivisse jõudmiseks kaks viisi: läbi Toompea, rühkides Lühikest Jalga pidi Taani kuninga aeda, nautides Kohtuotsa platvorrmilt linnapanoraami ning laskudes Patkuli treppi pidi Šnelli parki; või mööda Nunne tänavat, enne mida jääb teele Raekoja plats, Rataskaev ning Nukuteatrimuuseum. Kui oled emba-kumba teed pidi Balti Jaama kanti jõudnud, võib ostlemine jätkuda, sest kohe Telliskivi veerel asub Ampler Bikes’i elektrijalgrataste showroom. Ostutuurile paneb punkti aga suur rõivadisaini valik Telliskivis: huvitavamate seas väärib mainimist Eve Hanson, Reet Aus, Kelpman Textile ja Toku. Muide, lisaks disainile ja söögikohtadele on Telliskivis kaks maailmatasemel fotogaleriid: Fotografiska ja Dokfoto Keskus.

Seda, et Tallinn on tehaste ja manufaktuuride linn, märgib seegi fakt, et ühest taaselustatud tööstusrajoonist – Telliskivist – võtame kursi Kopli poolsaarele, kus paikneb teinegi taoline Põhjala tehase näol. Põhjus lihtne: see on lihtsalt üks parimaid piirkondi, kus nautida head õhtusööki. Nii Kopli KÖÖK, VLND Burger, Karjase Sai (õhtuti barbarea restoran) kui ka BOTIK üllatavad menüüde ja taskukohaste hindadega, tegemata kvaliteedis järeleandmisi. Linna parimate kokteilide jaoks tuleb aga taas vanalinna poole vaadata, sest omaette klassist on pisike Botaanik, saladuslik Whisper Sister ning eksootiline Parrot. Kuid kokteilid pole sinu teema? Ega kurk kuivale jää, kuna Kalamaja tänavail leidub piisavalt baare, kus serveeritakse nii kohalikku kui välismaa pruuli, olgu selleks kodune Tops. alternatiivne Sveta Baar, kultuurne Uus Laine või legendaarne Kolm Lõvi.

Aga! Kui sul on aega ja eeldades, et sinu Kolme Lõvi pidu ei kestnud varahommikuni, siis ka teistes Tallinna linnaosades on kohti, mis ootavad avastamist: eklektiline videomängumuuseum LVLup! Narva maanteel, tehnopidude meka HALL Noblessneris, Ronimisministeerium Hipodroomis, ARS Kunstilinnak Tondil ja Filmimuuseum Maarjamäel on ainult mõned näited Eesti pealinna melust ja olust. Seega, põnevaid elamusi!

So, you have just landed in Tallinn. By whichever means you arrived, your legs want a little stretch and your mind searches for refreshment. The idyllic Kadriorg Park is perfect for both. Offering centuries’ worth of architectural gems, a number of quality museums – KUMU, Kadriorg Art Museum, Children’s Museum Miiamilla, etc – and many urban legends, it’s not a bad idea to have a smaller meal or a coffee in Kadriorg, for example in the tasteful Katharinenthal, the pompous Mon Repos or the authentic Vesivärava Café.

However, if it’s a proper bite you’re craving for, you should head towards the city center, more precisely the Rotermann Quarter, where there are plenty of lunch offers on business days, but a positive taste experience is guaranteed in vegan restaurant Oasis, Flamm that also has a fine wine selection and BBQ paradise Pull. After the meal your need for something sweet, if you should have one, can be met at RØST Bakery, Kalev Chocolate Shop or the lovely Värava Café, a short walk away.

Rotermann is a great starting point for a shopping journey that passes the Old Town and ends in

Telliskivi Creative City. There’s a lot of walking, but no worries: in Reede you can find comfortable and stylish footwear! The salesroom of watchmakers AEGAON is located right next to Reede, in case you lose track of time while wandering Tallinn, At walking distance from Rotermann are the Viru Gates, from where you can walk towards the Town Hall square.

The Town Hall is always admired - and you will probably admire it too -, but right behind the Town

Hall is the Museum of Photography with its exciting exhibitions and nice store. Around the corner, the Raamatukoi book store is suitable for a stopover. Here the shelves are decorated with a large selection of second-hand works.

From here, Harju 1, there are two ways to get to Telliskivi: through Toompea, by ascending Lühike Jalg which leads to the Danish King’s Garden, enjoying the city panorama from the Kohtuotsa platform and descending the Patkuli stairs to Šnelli Park; or along Nunne Street, before which you may pass the Town Hall Square, the Cat’s Well and the Museum of Puppetry Arts. Having reached Balti Jaam, the shopping can continue, because right on the edge of Telliskivi Ampler Bikes e-bikes showroom is situated. The shopping tour is concluded by a large selection of clothing design in Telliskivi: notable mentions being Eve Hanson, Reet Aus, Kelpman Textile and Toku. In fact, besides design and dining two world-class photo galleries, Fotografiska and Dokfoto Keskus, occupy Telliskivi.

The fact that Tallinn is a city of factories and plants is also indicated by our next destination on the Kopli peninsula, where another revived industrial district called Põhjala factory is located at. The reason for such a route is simple: Põhjala is just one of the best areas to enjoy a good dinner. Kopli KÖÖK, VLND Burger, Karjase Sai (barbarea restaurant in the evening) and BOTIK all surprise with menus and affordable prices, without compromising on quality. However, for the best cocktails you have to look toward the Old Town again, because the small Botaanik, the mysterious Whisper Sister and the exotic Parrot reign in a class of their own. Cocktails aren’t your thing? There are enough bars on the streets of Kalamaja where you can wet your whistle with both local and foreign brewskies, be it in the cozy Tops. the alternative Sveta Baar, the cultural Uus Laine or the legendary Kolm Lõvi.

Although! Assuming you have time and that the party in Kolm Lõvi didn’t last until the morning, then there are places in other parts of Tallinn that are waiting to be discovered: the eclectic video game museum LVLup! in Narva maantee, the techno mecca HALL in Noblessner, Rock Climbing Gym in Hipodroomi, ARS Factory in Tondi and the Film Museum in Maarjamäe are just a few examples of the leisure and pleasure of the Estonian capital. So, here’s to exciting experiences!