New Year in Tallinn. Winter Holidays in Estonia

If you are tired of the traditional feast in front of the TV on New Year's Eve, and you want to experience new sensations from the funniest holiday in the year, we suggest you to make an exciting trip to the Baltic States. More precisely, to go to Estonia, in its magnificent capital - ancient Tallinn.

This is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It was founded in 1154, and many of the unique structures of those times have survived to this day. New Year in Tallinn - a huge number of decorated New Year trees, twinkling garlands and burning in each window of candles.

Weather in Tallinn on New Year's Eve

With the approach of winter holidays, the city is transformed beyond recognition. Estonians love holidays. If you are going to celebrate the New Year in Tallinn, then, of course, you are interested in the weather in the city at this time.

The duration of the light day in December is about six hours, while the weather is fairly warm. Rarely does the temperature drop below two degrees of frost. During the day, it keeps at a mark of +2 degrees. Pleases that the rains this month - a very rare phenomenon. The weather is clear. And under the New Year can fall snow, which will turn the city into a fairy tale.

You will be met by orange tiled roofs, with carved weather vanes, ancient streets with lanterns and centuries-old buildings, gently wrapped in snow. The air is full of marzipan, cinnamon and pine needles, mixed with the multilingual dialect of numerous guests of the city. Tours to Tallinn for the New Year today are acquired not only by Russians, but also by Europeans.

If you stay in Estonia until the middle of January, you may need an umbrella. This month the average temperature keeps a little below zero. The day is much warmer, at night - cooler, but not below -5 degrees. Snow in January falls rarely, but it can rain. At this time the streets of the city are covered with a thin crust of ice.

New Year in Tallinn - places of rest and tradition

It should be noted that many New Year's customs Estonians borrowed from the Scandinavian peoples. Popular headgear (wreaths) refers to pagan traditions. And the streets of the city are decorated according to European customs. Cute, like gingerbread houses, dress up straw crafts.

On the tables you can find such festive food as a cold, roast, stewed cabbage, beer, homemade cakes. At the end of the feast, the hostesses are not in a hurry to remove the treats from the table - they are left for disembodied guests, who this night can look at guests.

Things to do?

You do not have to bored here, but you will have the opportunity to walk a lot (the weather in Tallinn has this), admire the local architecture, learn the interesting centuries-old history of the city, eat unusual dishes in restaurants and cafes, learn ancient legends.

In numerous churches, Christmas and New Year concerts and services are held. For example, in the Dome Cathedral you can get to the evening of organ music, and on the Town Hall Square enjoy the performance of musicians and dancers.

What to see?

Tallinn is divided into two parts - Vyshgorod, which is called the knight, and the Lower Old Town. In former times it was a trading district. From the Virus Gate begins the Old City. Previously, there were shops and workshops of craftsmen of the Dominican Monastery.

Since 1441, the most important Estonian Christmas tree was decorated at the Town Hall Square. Here every year a grand New Year and Christmas fair unfolds . Immediately there is the oldest pharmacy, which appeared in the city in 1422, and where you can buy wine with various spices prepared according to the ancient recipe, as well as various sweets and marzipan. At this pharmacy works a small museum.

From the Town Hall Square, on which the Historical Museum is located in the building of the Great Guild, you can walk along the old cobbled street Pikk to the church of Pühavaymu. Here you can see the most ancient clockwork, stained-glass windows and city clocks of the XVII century. This street ends with the tower of Tolstaya Margarita and the Sea Gate.

On the parallel street Lai is located an amazing structure, which refers to the Middle Ages - "Three Sisters". Today, here is a luxurious hotel in Tallinn. By an unusual street-staircase Luhike Jalg you can go to the church Niguliste, which houses the world-famous canvas B. Notke's "Dance of Death."

If you prefer a more active holiday, visit the Singing Field. In winter, there are excellent trails for snowboarders and skiers. By the way, many residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg come to Tallinn for the weekend and have a great time here.

Where to go with the children?

Surely children and teenagers will be charmed by the numerous castles and museums of Tallinn. The zoo, which contains 350 species of animals, will also like it.

In Tallinn there is a museum for children Miia-Mila-Manda, dedicated to the nature of Estonia. It is designed for children up to 12 years. For parents with very young children, the Wemb Tembumaa amusement park is suitable. You can watch an exciting performance at the city's Puppet Theater. Go to the Marzipan Alley, where children will be taught to make funny figures, which you can then take with you.

New year's night

This fabulous and mysterious night can be held as standard - in a hotel where a gala dinner and entertainment program will be organized. But, probably, it's more interesting to come up with your New Year's story.

New Year in Tallinn can be found in the atmosphere of the amazing restaurant Olde Hansa, which invites guests to plunge into the era of the XIV-XV centuries. A special interior, candles, historical costumes of the attendants and, of course, an unusual cuisine, will leave an indelible impression.

Treats here are prepared according to old and very rare recipes. To prepare these dishes are used not so familiar to modern people products. In the menu there are no dishes from potatoes, which was not yet in the era of knights, but you will be offered original dishes of lentils, pearl barley, and rutabaga.

Where to stay?

It is more convenient to rent accommodation in the city center, since the main festive events are held here. For example, the famous Christmas fair is held at the Town Hall Square, which is located in the center of Tallinn.

Many hotels offer New Year's programs. They include a gala dinner, gifts to all guests, a concert. If you want the New Year to be remembered for a long time, then pay attention to the following hotels:

• Meriton Garden Hotel 4 * - a hotel that offers comfortable double and triple rooms, with windows offering a picturesque view of Tallinn. In just a few minutes you will reach the city center.
• The Ecoland Hotel 3 * is located in a quiet area of the Estonian capital. It can be an excellent resting place for families with children during the holidays.
• Sokos Hotel Viru 4 * is a cozy and modern hotel that offers a wide range of services to ensure a perfect holiday.

When booking a hotel or apartment, keep in mind that the New Year's tours to Tallinn are very popular, so you need to take care of finding accommodation in advance. During the New Year holidays many tourists come to the city. Early booking will allow you to "kill two birds with one stone" - you will have time to choose the most convenient number for you and save on payment, since by December the cost of housing is significantly increased.

Tallinn for the New Year: reviews

According to people who met the New 2016 in Tallinn (and who used to be here before), such a trip reminded a romantic trip. In the New Year holidays in the capital of Estonia there is a special atmosphere of a fairy tale, a miracle, mystery. Many note that Tallinn in winter is great for relaxing with children during the holidays.