Travel to Estonia

For a small country in an often-overlooked corner of Europe, Estonia packs a huge punch.

Ever since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Estonia has transformed itself into a progressive, technologically advanced country with a very high standard of living.

Often described as the Silicon Valley of Europe, Estonia is home to more start-ups than any other country in Europe per capita. It also has one of the highest adult literacy rates (99.8%) in the world.

Tallinn, the capital, is a place where old meets new. The incredibly picturesque Old Town is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the world. Tallinn is also home to some incredible restaurants and has a thriving bar and cafe scene.

For such a high-tech society, Estonians also love spending time in nature – and there’s a lot of it here. Estonia is one of the least densely populated countries in Europe, with more than 50% of it covered by dense forests.

Traditional Estonian food often incorporates naturally foraged local ingredients – including rye, birch, and sea buckthorn – and the country’s rich folk culture is intertwined with the natural world.

Culturally, Estonia shares quite a bit with its Scandinavian and Nordic neighbours to the north-west.

The Estonian language has a lot in common with Finnish, and Estonians are quick to point out that Estonia is part of northern (not eastern!) Europe.

Factsheet

Approximate Area:	45,000 km²
Approximate Population:	1.3 million
Currency:	Euro
Official Language:	Estonian
International Dialling Code:	+ 372
Drives on the:	Right