Stepping back in time
Tallinn’s Old Town is a must-see for anyone heading to Estonia’s capital. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997, it is one of the best-preserved examples of a medieval town centre in Europe. By bagging some cheap flights to Estonia, you can roam the winding cobblestone streets, marvelling at the grand, old merchant houses without worrying about your travel budget. The whitewashed walls, terracotta rooves and densely packed trees make this city look more like a picture from a storybook rather than a modern city.
Leaving Tallinn behind
While most visitors to Estonia stay within the city limits of Tallinn, Estonia is so much more than just a pretty capital. In fact, Estonia has over 2000 islands in the Baltic Sea. The biggest, Saaremaa, has an unusual attraction: the Kaali Meteorite Craters. Packed into just one square kilometre are nine huge craters caused by meteorites crashing into earth thousands of years ago. The main crater, ringed by trees and found just outside of the town centre, is 100 meters across and 22 meters deep. For a more conventional walk, national parks abound. From wetlands to forests, there are plenty of marked trails to enjoy, so remember to pack your boots.
Snow sports
Perhaps Estonia doesn’t spring to mind when it comes to snow sports, but it shouldn’t be overlooked. France and Switzerland are probably the most well-known European skiing destinations, but for a change of scenery, head to Otepää, a small village in the southeast. The ‘winter capital’ of Estonia, this is where the winter Olympic team trains.
Best time to go to Estonia
Estonia is a very budget friendly destination year-round. For the best weather and cultural experiences, however, fly to Estonia in the summer when you can experience traditional folk and music festivals. Airfares will be higher, but booking in advance can often turn up some excellent deals.
If you’re travelling on a tight budget, plan a trip for the spring or autumn when you’re more likely to see reduced airfares or find a last-minute deal. April is the driest month, and the capital city, Tallinn, usually enjoys temperatures of six degrees Celsius. This will rise in May and June to around 15-16 degrees Celsius.
The Estonian ski season runs from December to March. It isn’t possible to fly directly to Otepää, but it is well connected to the capital city. Since people want to experience the Christmas markets, you can expect there to be an increase in airfares around this time. To the find the best deals, we recommend booking well in advance.
Airports and airlines
To find the best deals on Estonia flights, use our calendar feature. Enter your departure and arrival airports as well as an estimated length of stay to see the best deals across the whole month. Search well in advance to see the best prices for your chosen route.
Direct return flights to Estonia are only available from London Gatwick and London Heathrow to Tallinn. Flights departing from other United Kingdom airports will usually require a transfer somewhere in Europe. It might be cheaper to fly to London on a separate flight before you fly to Tallinn, as this can be more cost-effective.
Carriers include British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France and KLM. To get the most for your money, we recommend booking your trip two to three months in advance of your proposed departure date, because this tends to be when airlines lower their prices to sell seats.