Visit a magical winter wonderland!

Just as Estonians have done for centuries, you can enjoy skiing, ice skating, sledding, and snowshoeing in the sparkling winter scenery.

Explore untouched wilderness while partaking in your favorite winter sport, get adventurous and try a new activity, or find some winter fun in the heart of a city. There is even a pop-up ice rink in the historical center of Tallinn and an ice rink in the middle of Tartu. Bring your own skates or rent a pair on the spot!

Tallinn's charm is magnetic. We get it. But the Estonian countryside has much to offer adventurous travelers willing to head off the beaten path. 

Try ice skating on a frozen bog in South Estonia or stroll along the icy shores of Lake Peipsi. Get to know rambunctious sled dogs in North Estonia or go kick-sledding through a snow-covered forest. Besides outdoor adventures, you can relax at a cozy spa in a renovated manor home or visit Estonia's winter capital, Otepää. 

For most Estonians, saunas represent a way to relax, spend time with family and friends, and warm up after a day out in the bone-chilling extremes of the Nordic winter. (Don't worry, it is not always that cold!)

Although the first written records about saunas date back 800 years, the sauna tradition remains as alive and invigorating as ever. The rich set of Southern Estonian smoke sauna traditions has also been entered into UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.

To get the full sauna experience, it's encouraged to jump into a frozen lake and get whipped with a bundle of leaves known as viht, or a sauna whisk. Sweating in a soot-covered chamber, submerging yourself in freezing water, and getting beaten probably sounds like torture to most people. For Estonians, these are the ingredients for a relaxing Saturday night.

Although the temperature in Estonia rarely drops below -20 degrees, the wind can make the weather seem very harsh. What can you do if your feet are cold and wet snowflakes are flying straight into your face?

Always take extra warm socks with you, drink plenty of hot drinks, and don't forget a scarf and hat. As the locals say: "There is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes." Even so, sometimes you just want to feel the glow of the fireplace and watch the snow fall from inside. Stay warm indoors with a trip to a spa or sauna, spend the evening in a cozy restaurant with a fireplace, or go to a museum. If you do get the sniffles, then try these traditional Estonian remedies for the common cold.

Throughout December, Estonia's big cities and small towns sparkle with Christmas spirit. Unlike markets in many European countries, Estonia's Christmas markets usually run beyond the 24th, all the way up to Epiphany, when the Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas. 

Christmas markets are magical places for fun, music, and outdoor games for the whole family. Fairy lights twinkle, and the smell of spicy hot wine and fried sausages fills the air. If you plan to meet Jõuluvana — the Estonian Santa Clause — come prepared with a Christmas song or winter poem. Like Estonian children, you may have to recite one before he grants your Christmas wish.