Archives for “Relaxing” tag

Old City Marina in the heart of Tallinn used to be just a little bay with an old floating restaurant. Just a few years ago due to the hotels, markets and shops in the area, it has been brought to life again, just like in those good old medieval times. 

All around the marina there are benches, fishermen and cyclists which creates a really high summer atmosphere on a sunny day. Fresh smells from the seawater, views of the old town and life around it create one of the best spots for picnics. It’s a pity though that your picnic will most probably have to be on the bench. Yet this place is unspoiled with tourists and becomes your relaxing point after a busy sightseeing day.

To enjoy your time at old city marina, buy some falafel, hummus or baba ganoush at Papa Joe (Sadama Turg, Sadama 25-4). 

The Patkuli viewing platform gives you the best look over the town and its ancient walls and towers. It is situated in one of the most ancient parts of Tallinn.

The stairway that leads up to the platform was constructed in 1903 and ever since it has been the main place for tourists (and also local Estonians) to take pictures at. The view that you can see there is really breathtaking – Tallinn’s Old Town is, of course, beautiful, but seeing it all from the Patkuli viewing platform makes the experience even more memorable.

At first you have to climb the stairs which can be quite tiring, but from the platform you can get to the Toompea hill, which is a part of Tallinn’s Old Town, to visit even more sights and enjoy the ancient architecture. The platform isn’t only for tourists. I go there quite often and every visit there is a lovely experience. The view is something you can usually see on postcards. Just take your lover with you and go and see the sunset together in the lovely romantic atmosphere that the ancient Tallinn town walls create. Oh, plus climbing the stairs is a great exercise. Too great, to be exact. 

Tammsaare park is located right in the centre of the city – near Viru Keskus and Solaris Keskus. It is one of my favourite places in Tallinn to just sit, rest my feet, have a frappe from a Coffee In stand nearby and watch the people go by.

It is surrounded by streets full of heavy traffic and shopping centres, but still it retains its calm atmosphere. In summer, many events take place there and every day you can find something different at the Tammsaare park. It is probably the most favourite place of different street performers as many people walk through the park every day, including the tourists who aren’t as stingy as local Estonians.

Youngsters of different subcultures like to gather around the statue of Anton Hansen Tammsaare – the most beloved Estonian writer. So if you are feeling tired, feel free to lie down on the grass right in the centre of the city.

The Schnelli complex is right next to the Toompea hill and it is the best place for spending your free time.

The main attraction there would be the Schnelli pond, which dates back to the 18th Century and was built as a moat before the Toomepea hill’s west slope. You can’t swim there as the water isn’t the cleanest, but then again, you can find many men fishing there. There is a cute park and a romantic lighted trail around the pond. The season or time doesn’t matter – people are constantly jogging in the area.

There is a stadium right next to the Schnelli pond, which is opened every day and you can use it for free. There are also options for taking a shower or changing clothes.

P.S. The Schnelli pond is the favourite place of all the ducks in town – there are just so many of them! Make sure you take a bun of whitebread with you.

Going to the gym is a good activity when all the sights have been visited and the Old Town has been walked through ten times! The Meriton Gym is a small gym located next to the Old Town.

If you are a tourist, then the most reasonable choice for you would be to buy a 1x card for € 11, which means you can use gym/ group trainings and the aqua center for 3 hours. Meriton has a gym, two training halls and a aqua center with pools, jaccuzzis and many saunas. All the machines in the gym are really high-tech and up to date. There is also a spa located in the same building.

I go there almost every evening as it is within a 5-minute walk from my house and the receptionists and trainers are all warm, friendly and hospitable! The gym is my favourite one in town as it is never overcrowded and there is always a good training machine available.