How to Spend a Cozy Winter Weekend in Tallinn: Christmas Market and More

Christmas is just around the corner, and what better way to get into the season than planning a visit to Tallinn’s historic Christmas market? Sip mulled wine as you shop for artisanal Estonian goods, sample savoury, winter delicacies, and get a picture with Santa – all in a weekend.

As someone who spent many years living in Europe, Christmas markets are a must-see around the holiday season. They’re a fun, festive way to get into the Christmas spirit and Tallinn Christmas Market is no exception!  

Home to the first public Christmas tree (yes – all the way back in 1441!) Tallinn’s Christmas Market is held yearly from November to December in the heart of the Old Town, the city’s medieval town square. 

At the market, you’ll find stalls selling handmade gifts, knitted goods, and Estonian souvenirs. There’s stalls selling savoury bites of sausage and sauerkraut, flavoured mulled wine, and sweetly spiced treats. There’s live music and traditional dancing. And for the little-ones, merry-go-rounds, Santa’s post box and a visit from the man himself. At its centre, the star of the show, stands a towering Christmas tree covered in lights and decorations. 

Though the market is smaller than the many German-themed Christmas markets you’ll find across Europe, it has a lot of heart with a distinct Estonian flair.

If celebrating Christmas in Tallinn sounds like your dream festive getaway, keep reading. I’ll share tips on what else you can do on your visit to Tallinn and how to make the most of your time there!

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General Information About Tallinn Christmas Market

When can you visit Tallinn Christmas Market in 2025? 

This year, the market is open from 21 November- 28 December 2025. 

Live singing and dancing takes place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

November 30th marks the First Advent Sunday and the first appearance of Santa Claus. You can visit Santa at the market from 30 November – 28 December. 

Where is Tallinn Christmas market held?

Raekoja plats 10, 10146 Tallinn, Estonia

The market is held in the centre of the Old Town, which is about a 20 minute walk from the port (if you arrive by ferry). 

Who is the Christmas market for?

The market is for anyone who wants to get into a festive mood and wants to experience a taste of Estonian Christmas. It’s perfect for couples, families, students, and solo-travellers – basically everyone. 

Do you need to buy a ticket to enter the Christmas market? 

No – the market is free to enter for all. Do bring money for gifts, food and drinks though!

What can you do at the Christmas market?

Shopping – You can shop for hand-made goods, Estonian souvenirs, and hand painted Christmas ornaments, like the one I bought.

Food & Drinks – You can sample traditional festive foods like black sausage, roasted meats, potatoes and sauerkraut. The market has a wide selection of mulled wine flavours like cranberry-cherry. You can also try a variety of desserts and chocolates like truffles, cardamom buns, and eclairs. 

Entertainment – You can take in some live music and dancing – keep an eye on the market’s website for their Christmas programme for more information about different events. There’s also a few small merry-go-round rides for kids.

Take Pictures – And of course you can take tons of pictures. Aesthetic fairylight lit backdrops, selfies in front of the Christmas tree or a picture with Santa. Tallinn is extremely photogenic, especially during Christmastime. 

What else can you do in Tallinn? 

While the market is beautiful, it is a little small and you can easily get your shopping, eating and picture-taking done in an evening (if you really want to). 

So don’t plan a trip to Tallinn with just the market on your itinerary – there’s lots to see and do in Tallinn!

If you’re interested in taking a quick trip to see the market and do some sightseeing, I suggest following a similar itinerary to mine from when I visited last year. I took a ferry on a Friday evening, spent an entire Saturday exploring and then returned to Helsinki the following morning on Sunday. 

I was able to visit the market twice, did some sightseeing around the city, stopped by a museum and had time to try a few lunch and dinner spots. 

If you’re based in Helsinki or within a 2 hour train ride and you’re looking for a quick city-break, consider visiting Tallinn this Autumn. It’s quick, affordable and easy to fit into a busy work or school schedule. 

Check out my complete itinerary below to see what I mean!

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Short Itinerary for Tallinn: What You Can Realistically Do in 1 Evening and 1 Full Day

Start your journey in Helsinki and take a ferry to Tallinn. I talk more about the different ferry lines and my experience in my Day Trip Guide to Tallinn. Give this a read for more detailed information.  

1st Evening in Tallinn 

Arrive by ferry in the evening from 5pm – 7pm. 

Walk around Tallinn at night to take in the sights and see the Christmas lights. I recommend checking out the Independence column at night when it’s lit. If you’re not too tired, stop by the Christmas market.

Dinner

There are loads of bars and restaurants to choose from. We ate at Pho Bar in Tatari. 

2nd Day, 1st morning 

Wake up early and start your day at 8 – 9am.  

If you’re staying near the port, stop by Tallinna Linnahall for views of the seaside and skyline. (Bundle up though, it will be cold). 

Then make your way to the Kadriorg area. There you can walk around the grounds, visit Kadriorg Palace and the KUMU Art Museum. 

Plan to spend 2 – 3 hours here, especially if you’re an art lover. 

Early, Mid-afternoon

Take a tram back to the city-centre at 12 – 1pm

You can buy tickets online at Tallinn Pileet or download the app available for iOS and android. Scan your ticket when you get on the tram.

Walk around the city and do some sightseeing. 

I recommend checking out the Piiskopi and Patkuli viewing platforms for great views of Tallinn. Also, stop by Toompea Hill to see Toompea Castle and Alexander Nevsky cathedral.

Lunch

Choose from one of the many cafes, pubs, and restaurants for lunch (or even grab something from the Xmas market). We ate at Pub Kompressor. A savory crepe is the best companion for a chilly day.

Early-Evening

Head back to the market square to see the Christmas Tree lit up from 4 – 5pm. Take the long way to see all of the city’s Christmas lights. 

In Tallinn, the sun sets at 4pm in November and at 3:30pm in December.

Take your time at the market. Grab a cup of mulled wine and check out the market stalls to find the perfect souvenir. Stay to listen to live music or watch the dance programme. And if the line’s not too long, try to get a picture with Santa. Take tons of pictures and really enjoy your last night in Tallinn – your trip will go by quickly.  

Dinner

You’re spoiled for choice in Tallinn. We ate at Peet Ruut. They’re a great choice if you want to try something that feels local as they combine traditional Estonian/Baltic cuisine and modern influences.

2nd Morning – Final Day

Wake-up early, check-out and get back to the port by 6am to return to Helsinki at 9:30am. 

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What Should You Wear in Tallinn in November – December?

Layers

The temperature in Tallinn in November – December is usually between -5 and +5 Celsius (23 – 41 Fahrenheit) and with a possibility of snow. 

I recommend wearing a thermal undershirt or leggings underneath your trousers, fleece lined if you can find them. That way, if it snows, only your top layer will get wet while your inner layer will keep you dry and warm. 

When I visited last year, it snowed in chunks. My trousers were soaking wet from the snow and I didn’t have leggings underneath. Learn from my mistakes!

Warm socks

To protect against snow and cold temps, wear a thick pair of wool socks or wear two pairs. I opted for a tight pair of sports socks underneath a thin wool pair. That way you can tuck your leggings into your socks to keep the cold out and the tight elastic will keep the socks from falling down while you walk. 

Waterproof Jacket

I highly recommend bringing a coat that is waterproof, has a hood and is lined. I don’t mean to harp on about the snow, but you do not want to get stuck wearing a soggy jacket all day. 

Winter Accessories

Mittens, scarves and hats or headbands are a must. If your coat doesn’t have a hood, bring a big scarf that can double as a hood. 

Dresscode

Tallinn is a small, laidback city. I wouldn’t worry too much about dressing up and creating the ultimate European wardrobe. It’s not like Paris in that sense. 

If you’re going for a quick trip, I recommend bringing simple neutrals that you can mix-match and recycle or add onto so you don’t end up packing too much. I recommend 2 pairs of jeans or trousers (in case of snow), 2 tops, an undershirt, a sweater, and some small accessories to add some variety to your outfits. 

For shoes, I would caution against wearing heels or uncomfortable shoes. The streets in the city-centre are cobblestoned and can be difficult to walk on, especially when wet and icy. Wear sneakers that have rubber soles for traction or waterproof boots. 

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How Do You Get to Tallinn from Helsinki or Tampere? 

The easiest way to get to Tallinn from Helsinki is by ferry. You can plan your trip and book your tickets through any of the major ferry lines, mainly Viking, Silja Line, and Eckerö Line. If you’re a student, check which line offers a student discount to save some money. 

For more detailed information on the ferries or want to know more about the actual ferry journey, check out my Day Trip Guide to Tallinn to learn more. 

If you’re based in Tampere (like me), you can either take a bus or a train to Helsinki and then take a ferry to Tallinn. 

You can get cheap bus tickets from OnniBus. The buses leave from the bus station (linja-autoasema in front of Ratina) on Hatanpään valtatie 5-7. Buy tickets here. 

The bus takes about 2.5 hours. The bus drops you off at the bus station in the basement of Kamppi. From there you can either walk or take a tram or metro to the ferry port. Use HSL to find the quickest route to the port. 

Or you can get train tickets from VR. The train station (rautatieasema) is located on Rautatienkatu 25. Buy tickets here. 

The train takes about 1.5 hours – 2 hours depending on the journey and will take you to Rautatietori. Then you can walk or take a tram to the ferry.  

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Where Should You Stay in Tallinn?

There are lots of hotels and Airbnbs to choose from. But if your visit to Tallinn is short and you’re getting back to Helsinki via ferry, I suggest staying at a hotel near the port. 

Why? As I’ve mentioned in my previous article, the ferry schedule in the off-season isn’t the easiest to work around, especially if Helsinki isn’t your final destination.

When I visited Tallinn last year, the ferry back to Helsinki left at 7am. And I had to get to the port an hour before departure to get checked-in. So to avoid waking up too early and wasting money on a taxi, stay within walking distance. 

Luckily, there are a few places to choose from along the port at various price-points. I stayed at CityBox and I can’t recommend it enough. It’s an affordable option within 10 minutes walking distance to the port and 15 minutes to town. 

It’s an aparthotel with a self check-in service. The room was clean, modern and comfortable.  There’s a large communal kitchen and eating space, a games room, and a few areas to sit and chill. It’s near a large shopping mall and industrial area where you can find a few bakeries, coffee houses, and restaurants. Plus it’s close to a tram stop. Check it out if you’re looking for an affordable stay. 

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Make this upcoming holiday season memorable with a visit to one of Europe’s most beautiful and historic Christmas markets. 

See why Tallinn is the ultimate cozy Christmas retreat as you wander cobblestoned streets cast in a warm festive glow and take in breathtaking, snow-covered views. All within a weekend. 

Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below. And don’t forget to read my Day Trip Guide to Tallinn for more Tallinn tips.