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 forest. 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 is fairly similar to 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 |
Where to go
Tallinn Old Town: Estonia’s Beautiful Medieval Capital
Tallinn is definitely one of my favourite cities in Europe. It’s clean, affordable, safe, relatively compact, has tonnes of history and culture, fantastic food, and loads of quirky, fun bars and cafes. At the very centre, Tallinn Old Town is one of