Urban exploration, shadows of the Soviet past, stories of derelict neighbourhoods and visions of the future. This is the alternative tour for those who want to see the real Hidden Tallinn in a personal and intimate way. more “Hidden Tallinn Alternative Tour [Abandoned Places]”
Join me on an alternative walking tour of Tallinn Old Town and see this popular tourist hotspot from the perspective of someone who chose to become a local. more “Hidden Stories of Old Town [Alternative Walking Tour]”
Something is stirring on the western shore of Kopli peninsula. A dormant industrial complex, left behind by the twenty first century, is beginning to wake up from its thirty-year slumber. more “Põhjala Tehas: abandoned rubber factory in Kopli”
Ten years of knowledge and experience, in one place. Here is my Ultimate Tallinn Travel Guide. more “The Ultimate Tallinn Travel Guide: Discover the real Hidden Tallinn”
I was just about to write a long and witty introduction to this piece, but then I realised that the title speaks for itself. more “15 Essential Websites and Apps for Travellers in Tallinn (Tinder not included!)”
Right, I’ll keep this intro brief because you look like you’re hungry…
We all love to eat. That’s a fact.
We all love a bargain. Another fact. more “6 budget meals for €6 or less: Cheap, tasty food in Tallinn”
Derelict; dangerous; destroyed; destitute. Kopli Lines has been one of the most problematic areas of Tallinn for decades. Vacant shells of former homes sporadically occupied by squatters and always in the news for the wrong reasons; more “~{Forgotten Tallinn Series, Ep.3}~ Kopli Lines, Abandoned Ghost Town”
In this chaotic and diverse world, there is one common phrase that unites us as a species. A phrase that, when uttered, causes every human being, regardless of their colour, creed or culture to rejoice…
more “14 Free WIFI hotspots in Tallinn (e-Estonia in action!)”
Once upon a time in a mystical land called Kopli one intrepid traveller decided to take a walk with his camera.
Deeper and deeper into this dangerous district he delved, documenting the darker side of Tallinn. more “~{Forgotten Tallinn Series, Ep.2}~ A Photographic Tour of Kopli”
Tallinn is in a state of monumental metamorphosis. Apartment blocks rise up from the fertile ashes of a post-industrial wasteland, cafés procreate, shopping malls swell and futuristic trams glide silently across their new domain. more “~{Forgotten Tallinn Series, Ep.1}~ What’s the story of Kopli?”
Dynamic, yet peaceful.
Modern, yet traditional.
Nordic future, Soviet past.
Fiercely patriotic; yet outward-facing. more “A Beginners’ Guide to Tallinn”
Estonia is full of secrets.
Museums and history books will tell you the official stories but the real secrets are hidden below this superficial surface. more “8 Abandoned Places to explore in and around Tallinn”
Picture the scene: it’s 2009 and a pair of fresh-faced students had ventured to Tallinn for their first back-packing experience. more “A Beginners’ Guide to the Estonian Craft Beer Revolution”
There is no better way to explore Tallinn than on two wheels. Cycling offers the kind of flexibility, freedom and fun that motorised transport simply cannot. Hidden side-streets, secret forest paths and enticing neighbourhoods all become accessible when you venture out on a bicycle. more “Cycling in Tallinn: The 5 best rides in the Estonian capital”
Icy pavements, daily snowfall and sub-zero temperatures: it’s true, Estonia does not seem like the ideal country in which to ride a bicycle in winter. more “The Adventurers’ Guide to Winter Cycling in Tallinn”
Crisp carpets of pristine snow, the first warming sip of spicy mulled wine, an evening walk in the peaceful glow of orange streets lamps and the Old Town at its enchanting best. more “8 Reasons to Visit Tallinn this Winter”
Did you now that Tallinn Old Town is absolutely teeming with myths and legends?
You didn’t? more “5 Legends of Tallinn Old Town (and where to find them)”
Another rumour circles. Abandoned factory in Kalamaja, easy access and full of trees. It’s time to explore. more “Exploring the Abandoned Volta Factory”
It was the last day of our London to Tallinn bike ride and – by sheer coincidence – my birthday. Such days deserve celebration and I cannot think of a finer way to mark the occasion than a visit to an abandoned submarine base, hidden deep in the peaceful forest ambience of Laahemaa National Park. more “Hara: Abandoned Soviet Submarine Base”
Hidden Tallinn has returned from the wilderness.
After a summer of ill-fitting bicycle shorts, smokey forest campfires and cheap cream cheese sandwiches we have arrived at the shores of the Baltic Sea more “After 3,500km of Cycling, Hidden Tallinn Returns”
Adventure, exploration and freedom are the guiding principles of any great trip. Here at Hidden Tallinn, we try to delve beyond the everyday sights and sounds of the cities and towns to bring you the hidden stories and cool places that make Estonia such a rich and fascinating country to explore. more “Cycling from London to Estonia: Summer Adventure”
The Old Town rewards the eagle-eyed traveller. From the Devil’s Wedding to the ‘L’ in the Old Town Square, hidden stories permeate this town. For those in the know (or, to be more accurate, those who read this blog), the sheer volume of Myths and Legends in the Old Town alone add a rich layer of intrigue and charm to this already beautiful city. more “The Old Town Pervert”
A word of warning; should you be out wandering through the Old Town after dark on a cold autumn night and a strange old man approaches you, be wary, for he has a question for you…
“Is the city finished yet?” more “Why the construction of Tallinn will never be complete: The Old Man of Lake Ülemiste”
The Soviet obsession with statues is clear. From Berlin to Bishkek, the former Iron Curtain cities are littered with these grand images of strength and unity – propaganda and personality cult – like the scattered wreckage strewn across the landscape in the wake of a mighty storm. more “Soviet Statues – Abandoned and Unloved”
“I remember being terrified by the egg”.
While reminiscing with Estonians about the melancholy days of childhood – the long summer days spent cycling through pristine forests, the heady scent of pine filling the nostrils and the hazy summer sunshine flooding the landscapes with a rich, warming glow more “Estonian Animation is Utterly Terrifying”