Best Time to Visit Tallinn

Summer: June to August

This is when Tallinn is at its best, and the data agrees. July is the warmest month, with highs around 21°C. Days are long and the evenings stay light very late. Around midsummer in late June, it barely gets dark.

You can eat outside in the Old Town squares and walk the walls without freezing. You can also take the short ferry to Helsinki, or bike out to Pirita beach. August is the wettest month, with 78 mm of rain on 14 days. It's showery rather than grim, so keep a rain jacket handy.

Expect crowds. Cruise ships fill the Old Town in the middle of the day. Try the Kalamaja and Telliskivi areas, which feel more local. Midsummer, called Jaanipäev, is a big holiday. Many locals head to the countryside, and some shops close.

Spring and early autumn

Do you want fewer people but still want to be outside? Pick May or September. Both rate Good. May is fresh and bright, with highs of 13°C and leaves coming out in Kadriorg Park. September is calmer, and the evenings turn cosy.

April is still cool and rated Fair. It works for a quiet city break, and museums like the Estonian Open Air Museum start to feel worth the trip again. By October, the grey and damp are back, with rain on 14 days and very little sun.

Winter: cold, dark and pretty

From November to March, you'll get short days and a lot of cloud. December has just 0.7 hours of sun a day on average. January and February are the coldest, both with highs of -2°C. February is also a little colder at night, with lows of -6°C.

So why go? The Christmas Market on Town Hall Square runs from late November into the new year. It's one of the best-known in northern Europe. Hot mulled wine, gingerbread and a big lit-up tree make the dark feel friendly. Snow on the red rooftops can look lovely, though it doesn't always stay.

If you're on a budget, winter is low season, so rooms are easier to find. Just plan for indoor time in the cafés, the Kumu art museum or a sauna.

Which month for which trip?

For beaches, long evenings and day trips, go in July. For walking and photos with fewer crowds, choose late May or September. For a festive weekend, aim for December.