Estonia (Tallinn)
Estonia · Europe
The best time to visit Estonia (Tallinn) is June, July, August, and September. In summer, daytime highs average 22°C (72°F), with peaks around 29°C (84°F); in winter, nights average -6°C (21°F), dropping to around -17°C (1°F) on the coldest. During the best travel months, the sun shines up to 10 hours per day — ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
Estonia (Tallinn) – What you should know
Tallinn has a cool Baltic climate with warm, bright summers and real winters. Daytime highs average 22°C (72°F) in July, around 29°C (84°F) on the hottest days, and -1°C (30°F) in January, with the coldest nights around -18°C (0°F). Spring is the driest time: April and May bring only about 27 mm (1.1 in) on four rainy days, and the sun shines 9.5 hours a day on average in May.
The medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is so compact that a weekend is enough; Toompea hill, the town walls and the cathedral are easy to visit on foot. In June the nights are bright, and the famous white nights around midsummer bring open-air events. The Baltic reaches 18°C (64°F) in August, and the beach at Pirita allows swimming close to the city. August is the wettest summer month at 76 mm (3.0 in).
September (16°C (61°F)) and October (10°C (50°F)) are cooler and rainier, but quieter. Winter is cold and dark — December has 0.5 hours of sunshine — but brings the Christmas market on Town Hall Square, one of the best known in the region. In January and February hats and thermal underwear are essential, and the Old Town streets are snowy and slippery. For trips to Lahemaa or Soomaa national parks, summer and early autumn are best.
Climate Overview
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ø day, range from coolest to warmest dayØ dayrange | -1° (30°)-11– (12–)5 (41) | -1° (30°)-9– (16–)6 (43) | 3° (37°)-4– (25–)11 (52) | 9° (48°)2– (36–)18 (64) | 16° (61°)7– (45–)26 (79) | 20° (68°)13– (55–)27 (81) | 22° (72°)16– (61–)29 (84) | 21° (70°)15– (59–)28 (82) | 17° (63°)10– (50–)23 (73) | 10° (50°)3– (37–)16 (61) | 5° (41°)-3– (27–)11 (52) | 2° (36°)-5– (23–)6 (43) |
Ø night, range from coldest to warmest nightØ nightrange | -5° (23°)-18– (0–)2 (36) | -6° (21°)-17– (1–)1 (34) | -3° (27°)-13– (9–)3 (37) | 1° (34°)-4– (25–)6 (43) | 6° (43°)-1– (30–)13 (55) | 11° (52°)5– (41–)17 (63) | 14° (57°)9– (48–)18 (64) | 13° (55°)7– (45–)17 (63) | 10° (50°)2– (36–)14 (57) | 5° (41°)-3– (27–)11 (52) | 1° (34°)-7– (19–)7 (45) | -2° (28°)-11– (12–)4 (39) |
☀️Sunshine | 1h UV 1 | 3h UV 2 | 5h UV 4 | 8h UV 6 | 10h UV 7 | 10h UV 7 | 8h UV 7 | 7h UV 6 | 5h UV 4 | 3h UV 2 | 1h UV 1 | 1h UV 0 |
🌊Water Temp | 2° (36°) | 1° (34°) | 1° (34°) | 3° (37°) | 8° (46°) | 13° (55°) | 18° (64°) | 19° (66°) | 16° (61°) | 12° (54°) | 8° (46°) | 4° (39°) |
🌧Rain Days | 8d63mm (2.5") | 7d63mm (2.5") | 6d74mm (2.9") | 4d27mm (1.1") | 4d26mm (1.0") | 6d49mm (1.9") | 6d56mm (2.2") | 8d76mm (3.0") | 6d48mm (1.9") | 9d62mm (2.4") | 9d72mm (2.8") | 9d51mm (2.0") |
Best travel timeØ = average · small figures = range: coolest–warmest day / coldest–warmest nightClimate data 2005–2025 · Source: ERA5 + station data
Travel Tips
May offers great weather in Estonia (Tallinn) with fewer tourists and lower prices — ideal for those who want to avoid the peak season crowds.
The travel year in Estonia (Tallinn)
December – February
A proper winter: the Christmas market on Town Hall Square glitters, snow lies on the Old Town roofs and temperatures stay around or below freezing. Daytime highs are about -1°C (30°F), and in December the sun barely shines for half an hour. The lanes are slippery and the saunas hot.
March – May
Tallinn thaws. In March winter still pushes back, April is dry with four rainy days, and in May the sun shines more than nine hours a day. Old Town cafés put their tables out, and the city belongs to the locals before high season.
June – August
White nights, daytime highs of 20 to 22°C (68 to 72°F) and open-air concerts: the summer is short and intense. You can swim at Pirita in water of about 18°C (64°F), and the Old Town terraces are full in the evenings. At Jaanipäev, Midsummer’s Eve, the whole country celebrates.
September – November
A golden September at 16°C (61°F), then cooler and wetter: October has nine rainy days and the days shorten quickly. The Old Town is quieter, and trips into the forests of Lahemaa tempt with autumn colours and mushrooms.
Events & Festivals
June
- Tallinn Old Town Days (Vanalinna päevad)· early June (3 days)
For more than 40 years the medieval Old Town has turned into an open-air stage: around 300 events with concerts, street theatre, dance and guided tours.
- Jaanipäev (Midsummer)· 23–24 June
Estonia's most important summer festival begins on the evening of 23 June with large bonfires all over the country; custom has it that you jump over the fire.
November
- Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF)· November (just over two weeks)
One of Northern Europe's major film festivals, with competitions, short-film and youth programmes in Tallinn and Tartu.
December
- Tallinn Christmas Market· late November to late December (sometimes into early January)
Christmas market in the medieval Old Town, with a large Christmas tree on Town Hall Square that is lit on the first Sunday of Advent.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the best time to visit Estonia (Tallinn)?
- The best time to visit Estonia (Tallinn) is June, July, August, and September. These months offer the most favourable combination of sunshine, temperatures, and low rainfall.
- How warm does it get in Estonia (Tallinn)?
- In summer, daytime highs in Estonia (Tallinn) average 22°C (72°F), with peaks around 29°C (84°F); in winter, nights average -6°C (21°F), dropping to around -17°C (1°F) on the coldest.
- How much rain does Estonia (Tallinn) get?
- Estonia (Tallinn) has a relatively even rainfall pattern with an average of 7 rain days per month. The driest months are April, May, and September.
- How warm is the water in Estonia (Tallinn)?
- Water temperature in Estonia (Tallinn) ranges from 1°C (34°F) (February) to 19°C (66°F) (August). That makes the sea cool for swimming all year round.
Best Travel Time by Vacation Type
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City Trip
Pleasantly mild, not too hot
JunJulAug
