Estonian Glimpses

A Baltic gem but not renowned for warm weather, visiting Estonia in Northern Europe during winter offers intriguing and moody glimpses.

#Estonia, #Tallinn, #Angla, #Tartu, #Kuressaare, #TheBaltics, #Europe

To share a few snippets of incredible countries, the Glimpses series started with Chile in South America. Then, I decided to continue with Burmese glimpses, Italian Glimpses, English Glimpses, Bolivian Glimpses, Calabrian Glimpses, Argentinian Glimpses, Fijian Glimpses, and Moroccan Glimpses.

These short, sharp travel posts are designed to provide a morsel and just a small taste of a country or destination that you may not have visited. Have you been to any of the countries or destinations that I’ve shared so far? Let me know and share your comment below. I’m randomly picking a country or destination each week so there isn’t a method to the madness.


1. Tallinn

Lose yourself in Tallinn’s wonderful old town founded in the 11th century, with 13th century buildings steeped in Medieval history, glorious architecture, cosy inviting pastry shops, and numerous restaurants.

#ViruGates, #Estonia, #Tallinn, #TheBaltics, #Europe
Ancient Viru Gates

Spend days just wandering around in the cobbled streets stumbling across ancient buildings, which is a contrast to the modern areas of Tallinn.

Check the little pharmacy shop that dates back to 1422 and is the oldest continuing-running pharmacy in Europe. Wander to the Photo Museum housed in the Town Council’s former prison with a 14th-century stone spiral stairwell.


2. Kuressaare – Saaremaa Island

Kuressaare is the westernmost town in Estonia on the island of Saaremaa, which is renowned as the largest island in Estonia – remote Saaremaa Island is not on the tourist route.

Saaremaa’s territory has been inhabited for about eight thousand years. In the past, the people of Saaremaa have been ruled by Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Russia, so, have seen many battles.

#Estonia, #Kuressaare, Episcopal Castle, #TheBaltics, #Europe
Episcopal Castle

Leave half a day to visit the lovely stone Episcopal Castle, built at the end of the 13th century, containing labyrinths of corridors, stairs, chambers, and small rooms. The beginning of the 20th century restored the castle as a Saaremaa Knighthood residence.


3. Angla – Saaremaa Island

The tiny village of Angla is around 55 minutes from Kuresaare and is famous for its wooden windmills built at the beginning of the 20th century.

#Estonia, #Angla, #Kuressaare, #TheBaltics, #Europe
Angla Windmills

Picturesque to photograph, the windmills are a part of the Angla Heritage Culture Centre, which hosts differing workshops, although not during the winter months as everything was closed.


4. Tartu

Around 186 kilometres southeast of Tallinn and lying along the Emajõgi (Mother River) connecting the two largest lakes of Estonia, Tartu is the centre of southern Estonia.

#Estonia, #Tartu, #TheBaltics, #Europe
Room with a view

The first permanent settlement on the site of modern Tartu dates to as early as the 5th century. By the 7th century, local inhabitants built a wooden fortification on the east side of Toome Hill (Toomemägi). A university town, English is widely spoken in Tartu.


Where in Estonia?

map of #Estonia, #Tallinn, #Angla, #Tartu, #Kuressaare, #TheBaltics, #Europe
Map: Google

Would you like to see more photos of Estonia or read more about the three weeks of independent travelling in Estonia? Check out these posts on Estonia for free travel tips. Wintery and bitterly cold but a wonderful country to visit and lovely hospitable locals.

Is there enough detail about each destination in this series and enough photos? Enjoyed this post on Estonia? What country or destination would you like to visit with me next? If I’ve been to your favourite country, then I’ll publish a post just for you, so leave me a comment.


Visit Nilla’s Photography for more global images. More posts at Image Earth Travel.

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37 thoughts on “Estonian Glimpses

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    1. It is and the locals are so helpful and friendly. It was also the best experience/service for Airbnbs I’ve had.
      Just landed in Stockholm from Tokyo after an 18-hour flight with a 2-hour layover in Bangkok. Immigration took too long – an hour and a half.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. No, it wasn’t so bad as although arrived in the morning, forced myself to stay awake until 8pm, which is the trick. 😉
      After arriving yesterday morning we had to hang around the airport until lunchtime then took a train to Uppsala as check-in was at 3pm, but the lady let us in after 1pm.

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    3. Upsala is not too far away from the airport. I seem to remember we knew someone form Upsala… Centuries ago. Can’t remember his name… Enjoy Sweden.

      Liked by 1 person

    4. Correct – around 20 minutes by train from Arlanda airport to here and the reason why Uppsala was chosen. Stockholm accommodation is too expensive on the Aussie dollar. Mind you it’s also expensive here, especially for a uni town. Taking a train to Östersund tomorrow morning and there until the 6th, then heading to Umeå – it’s getting colder!

      Liked by 1 person

    5. Definitely will and when you travel to The Land of Oz, but not for another 2 years. 😉
      Not your fault and good to know I’m not in your Trash folder!
      On a train from Östersund to Umeå. Have a great weekend.

      Liked by 1 person

    6. Haha no. I just had a few Swedish friends. And I can guess a few words here and there. I love their singsong way of speaking though. Going up and down in tones. Like they’re singing.
      Finland now? Well done…

      Liked by 1 person

    7. Ah right, you should try shopping in the supermarket, it’s a whole new experience and the Google Translate app is invaluable!
      Not yet in Finland but targeting Monday if there are trains. 😉 Just working out how to get there and costs as Scandinavia isn’t cheap. I haven’t been to Scandinavia since 1985.

      Liked by 1 person

    8. Google translate of course… I’m using Word translate for my Spanish stories. I think I still rewrite 50%, but I “saved” 50% time, right?
      ’85? It has been some time. You must find it changed…

      Liked by 1 person

    9. It’s really helpful. Actually, Word translate has come a long way since 10 years ago, it’s quite accurate and sometimes I think, more than Google.
      I’m sure there will be a lot of changes as I see some changes in Sweden since ’85.
      Spent some of yesterday mapping out the next few weeks until flying to the UK. Santa’s home is in the mix as I missed Lapland in ’85 so don’t want to miss it this time. 😉

      Liked by 1 person

    10. Yes, I prefer Word translate. Like I said, I feel it does save me time. They should have a feedback option. “Here’s how I edited your translation. Save it in your memories…”
      Lapland must be fantastic. Say hello to Santa. 🎅

      Liked by 1 person

  1. My wife has a niece that lives in Helsinki, and when the niece and her family visited us here they suggested we return the visit – and maybe pop across the Gulf of Finland to Estonia too. Looks like they may be on to something…

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    1. You should do it as Estonia is a country that’s so easy to travel in and offers a lot of activities. It’s bitterly cold in the winter but that presents a magical landscape. I’m sure it would quite picturesque in the Spring/Summer months.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Phil and Michaela
      Thank you for stopping by and leaving me a comment. I did know that as went on a day trip to Otepää, which is the popular skiing and trekking town in the Valga Country renowned as Estonia’s “winter capital”. but also holds the annual International Ski Federation (FIS) Cross-Country World Cup event.
      When were you in Tartu?

      Liked by 1 person

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