Tallinn

This enchanting collection of historic Estonian buildings lies in a picturesque expanse of forest on Kopli Bay. Transplanted from around the country to represent rural life through the centuries, it exhibits various farm buildings, windmills, watermills and other country clutter, offering a pleasant and informative escape from the nearby city. Handcrafts are on sale, horseback rides are on offer, and a village inn caters for visitors keen to sample local fare. Folk music and dancing displays are scheduled regularly, and most national holidays are celebrated here in grand style.

Address : Vabaõhumuuseumi tee 12

Website : www.evm.ee

Telephone : +372 654 9100

Transport : By bus (Rocca al Mare stop) or by car.

Opening times : Open daily from 10am to 8pm during summer, and 10am to 5pm during winter.

Admission : EUR 10 in summer, EUR 8 in winter, concessions available

The beautiful pink baroque Kadriorg Palace was the summer residence of the Russian Tsar Peter the Great. It stands proudly in the centre of its namesake seaside resort suburb of Tallinn, where the streets are lined with noble villas and summer estates. The Palace today houses the Estonian Art Museum's foreign collection, which features thousands of western European and Russian works from the 16th to 20th centuries, ranging from prints and paintings to sculpture and furniture. The palace is also the venue for concerts, theatrical performances, lectures and receptions. The park surrounding the palace is a popular recreational spot for visitors and locals alike, consisting of formal gardens and the symmetrical Swan Lake, as well as meadows and forest groves traversed by paths.

Address : Kadriorg Park Authority A. Weizenbergi 26A, 10127 Tallinn

Website : www.kadriorupark.ee

Telephone : +372 601 4548

Transport : By tram (line 1 or 3) or by car.

Opening times : Tuesday and Thursday to Sunday 10am–6pm, Wednesday 10am–8pm (May to September), and Wednesday 10am–8pm, Thursday to Sunday 10am–5pm (October to April).

Admission : EUR 6.50 for adults, concessions available.

A beautifully designed layout makes Tallinn's magnificent Botanical Garden a wonderful attraction that shouldn't be missed on a sunny day out in the capital. Containing more than 8,000 plant species, the garden is a great place to visit, especially when sightseeing with a family. The flora comes from all around the world and is displayed in arboretums, glasshouses, open fields and thematic gardens. Specialised exhibits change every month, and thematic tours are offered all year round, the most popular being the summer night aroma tours, and the rose days. A nature trail traverses the different habitats.

Address : Kloostrimetsa Tee 52

Website : botaanikaaed.ee

Telephone : +372 606 2679

Transport : By bus (Kloostrimetsa stop) and by car.

Opening times : Open daily 10am-8pm

Admission : EUR 5 for adults, concessions available.

This popular family attraction is an enchanting space filled with close on 6,000 animals, from Polar bears to Siberian Tigers, as well as species from warmer climates, like crocodiles and chimpanzees, which frolic in the Tropical House. Visitors can really make a day of this attraction, as there is more than enough variety to suit all tastes. If visitors need a break between exhibits, the zoo has some comfortable restaurants where its patrons can relax and enjoy refreshments. The delightful petting zoo is always a hit with children, and guided tours are available to help visitors get better acquainted with certain themes and topics.

Address : Paldiski Maantee 145

Website : www.tallinnzoo.ee

Transport : By bus (stops Zoo, Karikakra or Nurmenuku) or by car.

Opening times : Open daily 9am-5pm (November to February), 9am-7pm (March to April and September to October) and 9am-8pm (May to August).

Admission : EUR 8 for adults May to September, EUR 5 October to April, concessions available.

Tallinn's historic centre is the focus for most visits to the city, and the hub of its major tourist attractions. The walled Old Town is divided into two parts: Toompea Hill, the residential area of the aristocracy and gentry in days of yore, and the Lower Town. Much of the Old Town dates back to the 10th century and is extremely well preserved, its powerful stone buildings enduring despite frequent invasions over the centuries. Visitors will revel in Town Hall Square and its adjacent pharmacy, which operates on the site it has occupied since 1422. The Old Town is also full of historic churches, like St Olav's - perhaps the tallest church in Medieval Europe. The area's walls and its many fortresses made up one of the strongest defence systems in northern Europe by the 16th century, though today, the dominating landmark on Toompea is the magnificent Alexander Nevsky Russian Orthodox Cathedral. History lovers should note that the Old Town's medieval atmosphere is particularly evident in St Catherine's passage, where visitors can stroll past the open studios of artists and craftsmen who have laboured here for centuries.

Address : Tourist Information Centre, Niguliste 2/Kullassepa 4, in the centre of the Old Town