Estónia

Estonian is the official language and is unrelated to its Latvian or Russian neighbors' languages — it belongs to the Finnic language family, closely related to Finnish. English is widely spoken in Tallinn and among younger people nationwide; Russian is also common, especially in the northeast.

Prepaid SIM and eSIM plans from Telia, Elisa, or Tele2 are easy to buy at the airport or phone shops. As one of the most digitally connected countries in the world, mobile coverage and free public Wi-Fi are strong even outside major cities.

Tap water is safe to drink throughout the country. Pharmacies (apteek) are common in towns and cities, with at least one open late in most larger towns. No special vaccinations are required for entry.

Estonia is part of the Schengen Area. Citizens of the EU/EEA, the United States, Canada, Australia, and many other countries can enter for tourism without a visa for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Travelers from countries without a visa-waiver agreement need a Schengen visa, applied for through an Estonian embassy or consulate before travel.

Visa and entry requirements change frequently. Verify current requirements with the official immigration authority or your country's embassy before travel.

Estonians tend to be reserved with strangers at first, and personal space is valued; this is a cultural norm, not unfriendliness. Shoes are almost always removed when entering someone's home. Estonians take saunas seriously as a regular part of life, not just a spa treat, and a traditional sauna is often taken without swimwear among people of the same sex.

Public holidays can affect opening hours in smaller towns more than in Tallinn. Midsummer (Jaanipäev), in late June, is one of the most widely celebrated holidays, with many businesses closing as people head to the countryside.

• By train: Elron operates modern trains connecting Tallinn with Tartu and other main towns; book tickets on Elron's official website.
• By bus: Long-distance coaches reach almost every town and are often faster than trains for cross-country routes.
• By ferry: Regular ferries connect the mainland with the islands of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, and also link Tallinn with Helsinki across the Gulf of Finland.
• In Tallinn: The Old Town is compact and walkable; trams and buses cover the rest of the city well.

Rye bread (leib) is a staple at almost every meal, alongside potatoes, pork, and fish, especially herring. Black bread with butter and cheese is a common breakfast or snack, and hearty soups are popular through the colder months.

Estonia has a strong café culture, with pastries and dark rye-based desserts common alongside coffee. Kama, a traditional mix of roasted ground grains blended into yogurt or buttermilk, is a distinctive local specialty. Craft beer and cider have grown quickly in recent years alongside more traditional drinks.

Tallinn is the capital, with a UNESCO-listed medieval Old Town, a growing tech and startup scene, and easy ferry access to Helsinki. Tartu, in the south, is Estonia's second city and university town, with a historic center and a strong student atmosphere.

Pärnu, on the west coast, is Estonia's main seaside resort town, popular in summer for its beach and spa hotels. Kuressaare, on the island of Saaremaa, is known for its well-preserved medieval castle, and Haapsalu, on the west coast, is known for its own castle ruins and a long-standing reputation as a mud-spa health resort town.