The green capital of Europe 2023: A weekend in Tallinn

Fancy a sustainable city break? How about an unforgettable weekend in the European Green Capital 2023?

Let's find out together what this coveted award means for Tallinn and how it makes itself felt in the city. I've gone ahead and put together a special two-day itinerary with an extra Google Map for you.

Pack your IMPACKT suitcases and follow me to this fascinating city.

European Green Capital 2023

Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, shines as the "European Green Capital" in 2023. Since 2010, this European Green Capital title has been awarded annually in the EU to promote environmental awareness in cities and encourage exchange across Europe. But getting this award is not as easy as you might think. It takes years of preparation to apply. After all, it's not done with new calmed streets and planting a few trees. Rather, it takes a compelling strategy: Tallinn has impressed with its plan to achieve its municipal carbon neutrality goals, including a 40 percent emissions reduction by 2030 and full carbon neutrality by 2050. For more info, click here.

Over 60 events for Estonians and tourists

On VisitTallinn as well as greentallinn you can find current sustainable activities such as the vegan fair from 07.10.2023 - 08.10.2023. This event is part of over 60 events organized in connection with the Green Capital 2023 for all residents:inside Tallinn and foreign visitors:inside. All this puts Estonia more in the spotlight as a destination for environmentally conscious tourists like us.

Sustainable hotels with Green Key

To experience Tallinn's green transformation firsthand, all you need is a hotel. Here's a list of sustainable accommodations with the international Green Key eco-label. This seal extends not only to lodging establishments, but also to recreational facilities, museums, theme parks and more.

Tallinn Card: Getting around by public transport

Everything is within walking distance and close together - so don't forget to pack your sporty sneakers. For those who aren't so good on their feet, e-scooters and e-bikes are available for rent on seemingly every corner. Tallinn also has a very well-developed network of public transportation such as buses and streetcars. Fun Fact: Did you know that Tallinn residents ride the public transport for free and there are no paper tickets anymore? Sounds almost too good to be true.

For visitors, the Tallinn Card starts at 35€ for 24 hours. It works similar to the Taipei Fun Pass I got in Taiwan. With the Tallinn Card, you get free admission to museums and attractions and can use public transportation for free as well as take advantage of special offers. As of October 1, 2023, the Tallinn Card app is also available, so no more wasting plastic. Speaking of wasting. Let's waste no more time and finally discover Tallinn.

My Top To Do's in Tallinn on Day 1:

Morning: If you're staying at Citybox Tallinn Hotel by the harbor like me, I recommend starting your Tallinn itinerary at RØST Bakery. Thanks to the "open kitchen" you can watch the bakers as they conjure up the delicacies.

Well fortified, we continue at 11 a.m. with an English free walking tour called Tallinn in a Nutshell. As you may already know from my trip report from Hanoi, Vietnam, I am an absolute fan of Free Walking Tours. The best part is, the Costa is almost nothing. That's because these are donation based and led by locals.

If you're more of a late riser, you can also take the Tallinn in a Nutshell tour at 2pm. Before that, you'll have plenty of time to stop by the Estonian Museum of Architecture on your way home from coffee.

Afternoon: After the eco-friendly city tour comes the highlight of the day: a VR tour of the city's history from 1939 to 1944. This is a brand new tourist attraction that takes you through a part of the city with VR glasses. This immersive experience promises to let you see Tallinn's history from a whole new perspective and witness its turbulent past.

Evening: After this eventful day, you need a refreshment. I advise you to go to the restaurant The Kurze. As the name suggests, they serve "Kurze", similar to small Maultaschen, which you can enjoy in the beer garden.

You want to turn night into day? Then start with a nice drink at Fotografiska's Roof Top Bar. It's part of a chic zero-waste restaurant that I highly recommend. After that, you can head to Klub Hall, where you can dance to Estonian electronic and techno music until dawn.

My Top To Do's in Tallinn on Day 2:

Morning: "Tere hommikust" and "good morning": A new day awaits you here in Estonia. For starters, how about a delicious breakfast at Pulla Coffee? In a small alley away from the crowds, freshly baked with a lot of heart and soul.

Fresh and lively, we continue in the direction of Rathausplatz. For the "green capital 2024", small trees, flower beds, hanging chairs and a bookshelf have been set up here in the middle of the old town to invite bees, people and birds to linger.

Looking for some souvenirs and souvenirs? Then I recommend you stop by the Estonian handicraft house Eesti Käsitöö Kaarmann around the corner. Here you'll find handmade traditional clothing, original accessories and other small authentic gifts for you and your loved ones.

Now we're heading out of the city center to the urban artist center in Telliskivi. Before we discover this colorful neighborhood, we treat ourselves to a bite to eat. Delicious sandwiches are available at Fika Cafe, a hip and stylish coffee shop.

Would you rather dine in a fancy restaurant? Then I recommend you - if you didn't make it there last night for drinks - to go to the zero waste restaurant Fotografiska. There you can indulge in culinary delights with a clear conscience and enjoy the fantastic view over the city.

Afternoon: After your refreshment, I advise you to spend the whole afternoon in the artists' quarter, if the weather is good. Just in the same building (from Fika Cafe) there is a bakery called dégustation, which combines traditional brown bread with modern spices. There you can enjoy a real bread tasting and taste a few varieties.

A few steps further in the house is the leather goods store Stella Soomlais Studio. Through the window you can watch the seamstresses at work and take home some leather scraps for free.

Outside in the fresh air, it gets sporty: between cafes and cute stores, you'll find everything from slacklines to ping-pong tables. My tip: If you want to learn more about this center and street art, you can sign up for a two-hour "Street Art Tour of Telliskivi Creative Center."

As an alternative program in case of bad weather, I can recommend the Tallinn Seaplane Museum: It's not just a highlight for tech fans. There is something for everyone here and numerous Est:in, which I have asked, have raved about it. The architecture alone is impressive. There's also plenty on offer for the kids, and - like everywhere else in this city - there's a delicious café to relax in.

Evening: Time flies when you're having fun. On your last night, be sure to visit Linnahall, Tallinn's brutalist architectural masterpiece, and admire the evening glow before packing your IMPACKT suitcase again.

Not had enough of Estonia's culture?

Did you know that Tartu has been named the European Capital of Culture 2024? It's an exciting experience you won't want to miss. The kick-off for the Capital of Culture will take place on Friday, January 26, 2024. A perfect occasion for a spontaneous weekend trip to Tartu, don't you think?

In the meantime, browse more exciting travel stories on the IMPACKT blog and find inspiration for your next sustainable trip.

Kind regards,

Franzi