Estonia ranks high on the list of sustainable travel destinations. If you want to choose a more environmentally friendly way to move around the country, your Estonian adventure should start at the train station. Watch the countryside roll by and enjoy the view from a completely different angle.
These five Estonian cities can be visited by train from Tallinn. While you could potentially visit each of them as a day trip, we recommend staying longer and traveling slower. This way you can immerse yourself in the unique ambience each city has to offer.
Narva
Located at the crossroads of East and West, Narva is unique both culturally and architecturally. Let's start with Narva Castle, where the Narva Museum is located. This castle was built at the end of the 13th century as the residence of the King of Denmark's Deputy Governor. Today, it is one of the best-preserved fortifications in Estonia. The riverside wing of the castle has been opened to visitors; until recently, only museum staff had access. It offers a view of Russia, Estonia, and the river in between.
Next to the castle is a 1-km-long promenade that has been renovated — take a stroll and enjoy the view of two countries. From there, you can head to the mightiest bastion in Narva – Victoria Bastion, where you can take a guided tour and listen to exciting stories about its construction and use.
There is also Narva Alexander Church with a viewing platform next to the promenade. From there, we recommend going to the Kreenholm Manufacturing Company with its monumental architecture. It is now used as a venue for cultural events. If you wish to see the sunset, visit the port of the reservoir near the Narva power plant. This place is also called the "Venice of Narva", and is where the video for Nublu's song Für Oksana was filmed.
Rakvere
Spend an hour on the train from Tallinn, and you will find yourself in Rakvere. You must see the castle. This medieval landmark at the top of the hill makes everyone gasp to imagine how such a powerful building was erected on such rough ground and how it protected the city from attacks. There is plenty to see inside the fortress, too – look at the medieval wine cellar, marvel at the torture instruments of the time, taste traditional food or try your hand at archery.
Visitors of the castle do not have to go far to see the next important symbol of Rakvere – the Tarvas, weighing 7000 kilos and reaching 3.5 metres in height.
If you like a more hands-on approach, visit the Police Museum: take your fingerprints, detect counterfeit money, solve criminal puzzles, dissect a heart or try sudden braking with a seat belt. After that, take a walk along Pikal Street and go through Central Square to reach the renewed Vallimäe, which has become the city's new entertainment centre: it has an amphitheatre, a main stage, walking trails, seating and much more. Vallimäe also has a legendary outdoor area for lovers. The official name of this spot is now Kissing Hill (Musumägi).
Tartu
This university town is known for its cycling paths. Grab a bike and enjoy the compactness of Tartu – in a short time, you can go on an adventure in the cafés of the city centre, visit Raadi Park near the Estonian National Museum and see the Upside Down House. Stroll through the bohemian wooden house districts with their eccentric atmosphere and take in the street art.
And, of course, it's worth highlighting the Widget Factory (Aparaaditehas) – a small cultural space built into an old industrial factory building with design and art shops, a unique bookstore, modern eateries, galleries and a concert venue. Many creative entrepreneurs and artists are situated there. Besides, the Widget Factory is currently the most hip place in Tartu for meetings and entertainment.
Viljandi
The over 700-year-old town of Viljandi is small and peaceful but rich with attractions. Big concrete strawberries are scattered around the city – no child (or playful adult) can pass by without climbing them. Some think that the most famous sight in the city is the suspension bridge; others think it is the castle hills and the view of the ancient valley. Visit both and decide which one you prefer!
Take a look at St. John's Church, Viljandi Museum and the old water tower, which you can climb to enjoy the view. Don't forget the cafés that are famous all over the country, especially Fellin, which earned a Bib Gourmand from the MICHELIN Guide.
Valga
Valga has become a popular destination because of its renovated central square. It connects Valga and Valka, Latvia, with a with walking trails and green space. If you wish to experience nature, visit the renewed nature trail, which runs along the banks of the Pedeli River and reaches Pudrumäe with a view of Valga and Valka. The trail crosses the border and continues on the Valga side towards the coastal area. There is also an open-air stage on both sides of the river. The open-air stage on the Valka side has a unique structure — the spectator area is on one side of the Pedeli River while the stage is on the other. To get on stage, the performers have to cross a bridge.
When you arrive in Valga by train, the magnificent Stalinist main building of Valga railway station may be familiar to cinephiles from the film The Little Comrade. At the beginning of the last century, it was a magnificent red brick station building, which was destroyed during World War II.
Of the exciting buildings, the wooden Town Hall, which is the most outstanding example of wooden architecture in Estonia, and the police house, which is the only Art Nouveau building in Valga, cannot be missed.
