A Weekend in Estonia: From Tallinn’s Old Town to Tartu’s Science Wonders 🇪🇪

Just a 2-hour ferry ride from Helsinki, Estonia has always been an easy escape, but this time, I decided to go beyond Tallinn and venture into Tartu—Estonia’s university city, home to the Aha Science Centre. What started as a simple trip turned into a blend of medieval charm, modern creativity, and hands-on discovery. 🏰 Tallinn: A Fairytale Old Town with a Modern Edge Arriving in Tallinn, I was immediately reminded why this city never gets old (pun intended). The medieval Old Town, with its cobbled streets, pastel houses, and towering spires, felt like stepping into a storybook. I wandered through the Town Hall Square, climbed to Toompea Hill for the best panoramic views, and even stopped for a coffee at Maiasmokk, Estonia’s oldest café. But Tallinn isn’t just its historic beauty. Across the city, I found cool, artsy spots like Telliskivi Creative City, where old factory buildings have been transformed into hip cafés, street art, and design stores. The mix of old-world charm and modern creativity made it hard to leave, but Tartu was calling. 🚆 Tallinn to Tartu: A Scenic Train Ride The 2-hour train journey to Tartu was relaxing and scenic, passing through Estonian forests, fields, and quiet countryside. Tartu has a totally different energy—younger, livelier, and full of students. Walking around, the University of Tartu’s historic buildings gave the city a classic, intellectual vibe, while the street art and local cafés made it feel modern and fun. 🔬 Aha Science Centre: Play, Experiment, and Explore The highlight of my time in Tartu? The Aha Science Centre. This wasn’t just a museum—it was an interactive playground for anyone curious about science, space, and physics. From standing inside a giant soap bubble to testing out a hurricane simulator, every exhibit made me feel like a kid again. It’s the kind of place where learning feels like an adventure. 🌅 Back to Tallinn – One Last Stroll Before Heading Home After a full day of exploring, I took the evening train back to Tallinn, where I had just enough time for one last sunset walk along the coast before catching the ferry back to Helsinki. ✨ Final Thoughts Tallinn is always worth a visit, but adding Tartu to the trip made it even better. A mix of medieval history, modern creativity, and hands-on science fun, this Estonia getaway was the perfect mix of past, present, and future. #tallinn #tartu #estoniatravel #ahasciencecentre #weekendescape #travel#thingstodo#familytravel#citydaytours