Tallinn, Estonia

[hkskyline]

Tallinn's Upper Town must offer some great vistas of the city. Let's start the journey up!

The mildly-sloped road made the ascent very comfortable.

Some artists tried to attract your attention with their works.

I suspect this was a garage for horses way back then.

The buildings looked simple, but with different colours, they looked sleek and happy. Of course, the sun helped, too.

Remnants of the city wall are well-maintained. Any archers want to give a shot?

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is the noticeable Russian influence on Tallinn. It looks like it has been renovated. The exterior shone nicely under the blue skies and bright sun.

I think I need to put Russia back on my to-go list.

Tallinn appeared to be a very popular cruise stop in the region. I saw quite a lot of cruise ships, and there were also frequent ferries coming in from Finland. I was a bit surprised how few tourists made it to Upper Town though. Perhaps it was still morning and the hordes were down below enjoying the sights before coming up after lunch?

Nevertheless, less tourists mean more time for me to slowly take pictures of everything and anything.

With some restoration, this house could look much more charming.

From this vantage point, Tallinn seems like a serene, laid-back town.

Heading back into the alleys and streets ...

Doesn't this get you dizzy?

 

[Prometheus The Supremo]

nice place!

 

[ganjavih]

Thanks for the tour. The only Estonian thing I know is that midget from the Simpsons.

 

[Long Island Mike]

Tallinn,Estonia-a neat Eastern Europe city...

HKS: Good pics of Tallinn,Estonia - a really neat-looking City that once was behind the Iron Curtain - not much Communist influence was noticeable.
Yes-that Door 2 pics up reminds me of the 60s TV show "Get Smart" and the part in which he goes thru all those interesting doors...LI MIKE

 

[hkskyline]

A vegetable and meat stew with bread and tomato juice to re-fill my tired morning walk. It was delicious.

These narrow streets with pedestrianized cobblestones should be more common in today's newly-designed streets.

Town Hall Square was a bustling gathering place. I didn't like it so much. It was the typical cafes on the square setup.

Ah .. the guidebooks mentioned this pharmacy that has been at the same location for several centuries.

 

[Hipster Duck]

These cities are in a Hanseatic league of their own.

 

[hkskyline]

 

[kettal]

I've never been to Estonia, but for some reason I always imagine it to have overcast grey skies.

 

[TO City of Light]

From May to September - beautiful. Rest of the year - painful.

With the collapse of the Estonian housing market prices are affordable again but not the place to be long term if you can't speak Estonian - not the most demonstrative people when it comes to friendliness. Even if one speaks good Estonian.

Spend late June there and you understand why it is such a favorite place for Euro get-away weekends.

Which raises a question, why do so few Torontonians indulge in urban get-away weekends. Oh, of course, Toronto has everything anyone could possibly want in a city. Why travel anywhere else?



.

 

[hkskyline]

The views from Upper Town are quite nice. Just a short walk from the main attractions, a viewpoint opens up overlooking the entire old town.

The streets are quiet though.

Don't wear heels.

The city walls are still intact and open to tourists for climbing!