Autumn break in Estonia

We often get asked when is the best time of year to visit Estonia. We can honestly say there is no bad time to visit — each season has its own charm. Despite the cooler weather and shorter days, autumn is a wonderful time to plan a visit. 

Where to go color spotting in Tallinn

The changing leaves are the top attraction during an autumn break in Estonia. Luckily, you can still fill your camera roll with vibrant reds, oranges, yellows, and browns even on a short city break to Tallinn. About one third of the city is made up of green spaces and parks — these are the best spots to observe colorful trees and plants. Kadriorg Park and Kalamaja Park are two of the most colorful spots in Tallinn once the leaves begin to change. Toompark outside of Old Town is also a good location for an autumn stroll.

November's Black Nights Film Festival

Also known as PÖFF, this film festival is the season's main cultural event. Cinephiles flock to Tallinn in November to take in as many of the 250 features and over 300 short films as they can in the space of two weeks. Buy tickets and book ahead as over a thousand industry delegates and guests and over 160 journalists come to town for the festival. 

Autumn getaway outside of Tallinn

Tartu, Viljandi, and Narva make for great city breaks filled with seasonal color. All three places can be reached by train from Tallinn in under two and a half hours. Take a day to walk around town and enjoy the autumn vibes or spend a few nights getting to know the character of these unique Estonian cities. Check out the colors at Tartu's Toome Hill Park, in the park surrounding the Viljandi Castle ruins, and along the Narva River promenade.

Where can you find the very best autumn scenery? In nature. Estonia's ancient wetlands and forests are stunning in autumn and many of the top hiking trails that pass through them have observation towers for taking in beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. Any of these popular day trips from Tallinn will give you the chance to breathe in the crisp, fresh air of autumn, disconnect from your daily routine, and recharge in nature. True nature lovers should visit a bog at sunrise — the sun coming through the morning mist is an otherworldly experience.

What to do and where to go when the weather interferes

If you visit Estonia during autumn, there's a good chance it might rain at some point during your trip. Of course, you'll still see locals out and about. As Estonians like to say, "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing." As a visitor, though, you may get caught unprepared. Luckily, some of the country's top attractions are indoors!

Museums for all ages and interests

Estonia has over 250 museums. From small and quirky to modern and interactive, there's something for everyone.

Here are a few favorites in Tallinn:

• Head over to the Noblessner district to take in the Seaplane Harbour Museum and PROTO Invention Factory.
• Check out world-famous Fotografiska in Telliskivi.
• In the Kadriorg neighborhood, you'll find KUMU and Kadriorg Palace.
• Old Town has the Kiek in de Kök Fortification Museum, the Maritime Museum in Fat Margaret's Tower, and Vabamu, and more.

The options are endless outside of Tallinn, as well. Some of our top picks for a rainy day are:

• The Estonian National Museum in Tartu
• AHHAA Science Centre in Tartu
• The Viinistu Art Museum in North Estonia
• Pärnu's Museum of New Art
• The Windtower Experience Centre on Hiiumaa
• Saaremaa's Thule Koda cinema and museum

Looking for a SPAtacular autumn experience?

Spa holidays are a year-round favorite in Estonia, but when the weather starts getting colder, the siren call of the sauna gets louder. You'll find quality spas around the country; go for a day or treat yourself to a weekend stay!

A few of Estonia's spa hotels have also been recognized by the MICHELIN Guide for their top-notch restaurants:

• Joyce, the restaurant at V Spa & Conference Centre in Tartu
• Hõlm, the restaurant at the Lydia Hotel (a hotel with a cozy underground spa center) in Tartu
• Wicca, Hotel LaSpa Laulasmaa's restaurant

It can be hard to choose the right spa for your holiday, so check out our interactive spa guide. There you'll find all the most up-to-date information about spas around the country.

Bundle up for outdoor adventures or unwind indoors — autumn in Estonia awaits!