Estonia, being the most northern country of the three Baltic states has an abundance of beauty. Having Russia and Finland as neighbors, Estonia certainly shares some similarities. Although it might not be the first place you think of visiting, it most definitely has a lot to offer. For some nationalities, an Estonian visa may be required. If so, then continue reading to find out exactly how to get one, and to take a look at some of the best things to do in Estonia.

SCHENGEN VISA

HOTEL RESERVATION

How To Get An Estonian Visa

Estonia is a country in the northern region of Europe and is also a member of the European Union. Because of this, some nationalities will need to apply for a Schengen visa prior to travel. Along with the Schengen visa application form, additional documentation is required. These include hotel reservation confirmation, travel insurance, flight itineraries, otherwise known as dummy tickets, and a no objection letter. Hotel reservations and travel insurance are needed to prove that accommodation is secured for the duration of your stay and that you are covered medically in the unlikely event that you need it. Flight itineraries or dummy tickets, are reserved flight tickets for the trip that you intend on making. It is advised by all embassies that full price flight tickets aren’t purchased until Schengen visa approval has been granted. A no objection letter should be written by a teacher or an employer. Need to provide financial proof of sufficiency due to employment or scholarship status and that they are expected to return to their home country to resume employment/study commitments.

SCHENGEN VISA

FLIGHT RESERVATIONS

Balling In Tallinn

Just like many of the smaller European countries, Estonia’s capital Tallinn has that city vibe but with a more chilled out atmosphere. It has a rich history which is evident upon arriving yet it also manages to incorporate a more modern city feel. A walk through Tallinn’s Old Town will display a range of 14th and 15th-century architecture that has that authentic medieval finish. It’s the home of Estonia’s most popular museums and historic buildings such as The House Of The Brotherhood Of Black Heads and the Tallinn City Museum. During the middle ages, St. Olaf’s Church was considered one of the tallest buildings in Europe and even now this impressive structure towers above the city. In any European city, sightseeing is at its best when you find a great viewpoint and in Tallinn, it would be on Toompea Hill. Standing at around 170 feet high, the limestone plateau was once where the city’s stronghold stood. Nowadays this spot is where tourists go for cracking views of the city.

Waterfalls And Parks

Visiting a country with as much beauty as Estonia means that exploring nature is a must. Kelia Waterfall is one of the country’s most powerful waterfalls and is most definitely a beautiful sight. In fact, many of the local people visit this waterfall on their wedding day to follow a lucky tradition that has been in place for many years. It is thought by the local people, that by securing a padlock to the bridge and throwing the key into the water on their wedding day will bring luck and fortune. Very similar to the bridge in Paris. Another incredible waterfall found in Estonia is that of the Jagala Waterfall. Much larger than that of Kelia Waterfall, the Jagala Waterfall is located just 4km short of where the Jagala River meets the Gulf of Finland. It is approximately 8 meters high and looks incredible during the cold winter months. When freezing temperatures sweep the region, the Jagala Waterfall’s fast-flowing water freezes creating a huge ice wall. As far as parks go in Estonia, The Oru Park is by far one of the best. Oru Park is built on the spot where a palace once stood as a holiday home for President Pats until it was destroyed in World War Two. Now it boasts incredible sea views, a multitude of tree and shrub species, and the Silver Spring Cave. 

Things To Do In Estonia

By far one of the most interesting and fun things to do in Estonia is exploring the Rummu Ash-Hills in Vasalemma. Originally the Rummu Ash-Hills was where prisoners were sent to quarry limestone or Vasalemma marble as it was traditionally called. When in operation the quarry was continuously being pumped of water to prevent it from being submerged but once the Soviet Union collapsed, the prison was abandoned and the water gradually turned into a lake. As the lake grew, much of the prison site became concealed in water and still is to this very day. For this reason, divers from all over the world visit the Rummu Ash-Hills to explore the water and the old tools that lay beneath it. If diving isn’t your thing then there are guided raft tours available during the evenings where through the crystal clear water and with the help of a flashlight you can see the tops of trees and the roofs of the abandoned and fully submerged buildings. Heading back to Estonia’s capital city, Tallinn, there is the iconic Seaplane Harbour. This museum is a great family day out where you can see a real 100-year-old ice-breaker and a submarine dating back to the mid-1930s. Among the museum’s souvenir shop are two cinemas and several simulator rooms.     

Get Your Travel Insurance For Visa Application.

If you just so happen to be planning a little tour of Scandinavia or Russia anyway then you really should think about including Estonia to the itinerary. In all its glory, it really is a beautiful country and with it’s capital city Tallinn being just a ferry ride from Sweden and a train ride from Russia, then you might as well make the most of it.