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Traveling to Estonia? Take a look at our seasonal guide on what to wear in Tallinn! It’s everything you’ll need to be prepared for travel all year long.

What to Wear in Tallinn, Estonia

Written By: Elizabeth Georgian

As the smallest of the three Baltic countries, what Estonia lacks in size, it makes up for in beauty. In Estonia’s capital, Tallinn, you’ll find winding cobblestone streets, massive medieval city walls, quirky local designers, and fabulous restaurants.

But to enjoy your time best, you need to pack appropriately for Tallinn’s unpredictable weather. No matter when you visit, be prepared with appropriate seasonal attire, comfortable shoes (avoid sprained ankles from the cobblestones), and an umbrella.

Always check the weather forecast before your trip. Once you’ve researched the weather, you can focus on creating a travel capsule wardrobe, which should easily fit in a carryon suitcase with the help of packing cubes to compress your clothing.

Learn how to choose the best shoes for walking in Europe’s cobblestone streets!

On my visits to Tallinn, I’ve noticed that women dress practically for the season, yet still look fashionable — but not in a way that’s inappropriate for spending time outdoors.

I’ve also noticed a huge appreciation for local designers, so do be sure to save room in your luggage to pick up some cute clothes and accessories for yourself! If you are looking for the hidden gem of local designers, head straight to Telliskivi Creative City, which is located a short walk from the old town.

At Telliskivi Creative City (Telliskivi Loomelinnak), I suggest you visit Kelpman Textile, Les Petites, and Vintage Chic. In addition to the great designers, you’ll find incredible food, so hopefully shopping will work up your appetite.

Now that you know what you’ll be filling the extra space in your luggage with, follow these tips on what to wear in Tallinn, Estonia.

What to Pack for Tallinn in Winter

Though most travelers might avoid visiting Estonia in the winter, the Christmas market and the way the city gets blanketed in snow are certainly reasons to visit.

Start by reading these general tips on packing for winter travel:

Capsule Wardrobe for Winter
How to Pack for Cold Weather
How to Stay Warm in Cold Weather (without the bulk)
The Best Travel Shoes for Winter

The average winter temperature is -5°C / 23°F, so it gets pretty cold. As with any cold destination, be sure to pack warm layers that you can easily peel off if you get too warm indoors. Don’t forget to pack your hat, gloves, and scarf because you’ll surely be needing them.

I like to pack a pair of thermal underwear or fleece-lined tights for days or evenings of exploring. If you can, I’d suggest bringing a coat with a hood as the weather can be unpredictable, and there’s nothing worse than snow going down the back of your neck!

Find out how to choose the warmest thermal underwear!

The key to comfortable winter packing is all about warm feet. Be sure to pack at least one pair of wool socks and a great pair of waterproof winter boots. Skip anything with a high heel as walking on uneven, snow-covered cobblestones can easily cause spills and lead to sprained or twisted ankles.

Choose from this selection of waterproof snow boots!

What to Pack for Tallinn in Spring

Don’t break out your summer dresses or cute skirts yet; spring in Tallinn is still pretty cold, so your spring packing list might only be slightly sunnier than your winter one. You’ll likely lose your base layer, so that might free up a bit of space in your bag.

Start by reading these general tips on packing for spring travel:

The key to comfortable dressing for spring in Tallinn is — you guessed it — layering. Because you may visit during a fluke warm day, packing a t-shirt as a base layer is a great idea if things do heat up a bit at midday. You’ll also still want to pack your winter coat, because it can be cold out!

Learn about cold weather layering and how to apply those strategies in spring!

What to Pack for Tallinn in Summer

Don’t ditch your jeans just yet! Tallinn’s summers tend to be quite cool, so when packing for summer, expect warm but not hot weather. The average temperature in the summer is 18°C / 64°F) and you can expect the warmest temperatures in July.

Start by reading these general tips on packing for summer travel:

When I visited Tallinn in mid-June, it was chilly and rainy with the type of wet cold that soaked to my bones. Because of this, I was (again) thankful that I packed options for layering.

For example, if you plan on wearing dresses in the summer in Tallinn, be sure to pack tights and a warmer layer just in case of cooler weather. A heavy sweater and a lightly lined jacket or raincoat are also good options.

Find out how to layer a dress!

The key to staying comfortable during Tallinn’s summers is packing enough options. I hate to say this, because I hate to do it, but packing two shoe options is the way to stay comfortable in both warmer and cooler summer weather.

I’d suggest a pair of sturdy flat sandals and a comfortable but nice-looking pair of sneakers. With just these two options, you’ll be able to feel warm enough on chilly nights and cool enough during a sunny midday stroll through old town.

Learn more about how to choose the best shoes for travel!

What to Pack for Tallinn in Fall

Fall is the rainiest season in Tallinn with an average of 55 mm (2 inches) of rain falling in November alone. Keeping this in mind while packing will surely save you from soaked-through shoes and clothes.

Start by reading these general tips on packing for autumn travel:

Similarly with packing for spring, layers are key pieces to include on your packing list. Bring along those skinny jeans again, a couple of nice sweaters, and some wooly, waterproof extras and you’ll be ready to go. A sturdy pair of rain boots will keep your feet warm and dry on the slippery cobblestones.

This post has a huge selection of cute rain boots for women!

Final Tips

My final all-around tip on what to wear in Tallinn is to bring a few nicer accessories that will elevate any outfit.

While dressing is generally casual and seasonally appropriate, there are many amazing restaurants in Tallinn, including the fabulous Restaurant Ribe and Rataskaevu 16 in the old town. While you don’t need to dress up in fancy attire to dine at these restaurants, you might want to slightly step up your outfits with graceful accessories to fit your style.

Remember that you’ll be doing a lot of walking to get around Tallinn, so comfortable and seasonally appropriate shoes or boots are best. I hope you enjoy this beautiful medieval city!

Read this post on how to choose the best travel shoes for more tips!

What are your tips on what to wear in Tallinn? Share them below!

Please note: Most of Europe’s budget airlines have this carryon bag allowance: 55cm x 40cm x 20cm. Always check your airline’s individual baggage rules and regulations in advance.

For more tips, please read these Europe packing lists:

Suggested travel resources:

Please read our Ultimate Packing List for Europe for more tips!

I hope you liked this post on what to wear in Tallinn, Estonia. Please share with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Thanks for reading!

Author Bio: Elizabeth Georgian is a travel writer and expat currently based in Vilnius, Lithuania. Follow her local and international travels on In Search Of or on Facebook and Instagram.

What to Wear in Tallinn, Estonia: A Seasonal Guide